Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

Wattage

Wattage

High Voltologist
I am looking for a high quality but not necessarily boutique head. Ideally 2 channels - clean/dirt to higher gain. I don't need OTT gain but I like to have a fair amount on tap if possible without a pedal. 30-40wts though I'd consider 50wts I guess. I am thinking 4-EL84 or 6V6 but certainly I have nothing against 6L6 or EL34 amps. I want something with a little smaller form factor than a full size head, I am tired of big boxes. Needs to be gig worthy, reliability is a must as well.

I fell for a local amp builder's amps but while each one sounds awesome I would probably need to run pedals with one or be stuck with very little flexibility if I got the other. They are still candidates but I am not sure what is out there that I am unfamiliar with.

I ditched my Jet City 20, if they'd make a 4x84 version I'd buy it in a heartbeat and I sold my XXX. Great amp but just too much of everything for me these days.

I like the TH30 and the AD30 from Orange and they are in the running.

So what else? Give me some food for thought please! I have some time right now to look since the band is quiet and I have a bit of a war fund to work with.
 
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Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

Blackstar You won't regret it.
 
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Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

New DSL40

TM36, but it is 3 channels

Supersonic 22 head

Tweaker 40

Fargen Miniplex



What happened to your DT25?
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

I have not tried one yet but a Mesa Lonestar or Lonestar Special 2x12 combo might fit your spec. I am considering these for smaller gigs. They have switchable wattage and two footswitchable channels. IIRC the Special runs EL84s in the power section and the regular Lonestar 6L6.
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

Still have the DT25 and I love it but it is really only an 18-20 wt. amp. Sounds great I have been using it for rehearsal a lot lately but I want to get it back to the house.

Remember I am looking for a head. The H&K and the DSL40 are both combos. The Tweaker 40 is a cool amp but my tech has really been down on most of the Egnater stuff. The Tweak15 I've runs some serious voltage I imagine the 40 is even higher. I'll have to consider it though I guess. I think the 15 sounds great but was replaced by the DT rig.

Not familiar with Fargen will check the SS22 is a little light for what I want, great sounding little amp though.

Will check out the Carvin, not familiar at all. The Blackstar 40 in a head would be nice so the 50 might be worth looking at as well. I like their stuff.

Forgot about the Lonestar Special - will definitely chk it out.

Thx guys keep 'em coming.
 
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Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

If you can go down to 25W, Mesa Express Plus 5:25. It's a smallish (19" width) two channel amp. Each channel has two gain modes (though the two gain modes aren't foot switchable within each channel), and it's own e.q. controls. There is a foot switchable graphic e.q. and flat-e.q. boost (eliminating the need to use outboard pedals for those things, if you currently do so). The amp can also be run in 15W class A push/pull mode, or 5W class A single-ended mode. It's a hell of a lot of high quality amp for $1,200...and probably much less if you find a use one.

You could also get the 5:50 for $100 more. It's features are all the same, but it uses 6L6's, and its power modes are 50W class AB, 25W class A push/pull, and 5W class A single ended.
 
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Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

Yeah sorry..dsl40 is not a head.

Hk TM36 however is available as a head.
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

That 5:50 looks pretty cool too

Know anything about the TA30? That thing has a lot of things I want for sure.
 
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Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

I would also check out the Orange Rockverb and Thunderverb 50 heads. I've seen good reviews about them.
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

That would be nice but probably a little heady pricewise for me.

If I go Plexi like I'll stay with the local build. Rock N Roll Amps makes an amp called the Lil Bastard. Pretty wicked it's a Bassman and a Plexi with some cool options and the ability to blend the 2 tone stacks. I am genuinely in love with the amp but a non-MV amp is a bit tricky.

I am actually thinking of maybe scoring a used Dual Terror and then picking up the RnR amp as well, could use a few more pesos in the GAS fund though.
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

I can second the nomination for Mesa gear. There are lots of choices, especially if you consider some of the discontinued models. All of these amps can be found in head and combo versions. You might pay a bit more for a Mesa but you're getting top quality gear.

Look at the DC-3 or 5, Nomad 45 or 55, F-30 or 50 and the Maverick. The Mav has a bit less gain than the others; the Nomad is a three channel amp. I have a Maverick 212 and a DC-3 and they have very different flavors from my Mark III and Mark IV amps.

The Lonestar Special is a great choice with four el84s. Totally different flavor than the TA-30, which has more of a Vox vibe. I also like the Express Plus--the graphic eq is a powerful tool.

Some of the big amps can even run 6v6s instead of 6L6s or EL34s. So don't dismiss a Mark IV or a Heartbreaker or Lonestar Classic because they are big amps. All of the amps have different power levels.

There are lots of choices with Mesa amps. Check out their site and you can download any of the owner's manuals for more information, or give the tech support guys a call. Good stuff.

Bill
 
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Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

After going to some of those shows like the Amp Show and Pedal Show, I'm starting to believe in the idea of using a great sounding single channel tube amp with a few dirt pedals.

Normally, I like amps that can do it all but I'm seeing good results on the other method as well. The better pedals get, the more this is a viable option.
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

Wattage said:
I am actually thinking of maybe scoring a used Dual Terror
Click to expand...

That's the first amp that came into my mind as soon as I read the thread title. Has quite a lot of gain on tap but not near 'brutal'. Not sure how well it takes pedals. Definitely leans into the hot-rodded Brit side of things while retaining enough jangle for cleans.
 
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Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

Gearjoneser said:
After going to some of those shows like the Amp Show and Pedal Show, I'm starting to believe in the idea of using a great sounding single channel tube amp with a few dirt pedals.

Normally, I like amps that can do it all but I'm seeing good results on the other method as well. The better pedals get, the more this is a viable option.
Click to expand...

To me, the pedals just don't sound like a tube amp. The sequence of attack compression distortion release gets all mixed up.

Seems kinda crazy to me to get a $$$$ boutique amp and stick a $30 dirt box in front of it, LOL! And of course it doesn't end there--I recently met a guy, an admitted pedal snob, and he had a drawer FULL of boutique ODs, distortions and fuzz pedals! He probably had a few grand in pedals alone.

But there are lots of different ways to get the job done. I'm sticking with the lead tones I get from my Mesas. The Mark IV knobs I understand--but pedals are just too complicated--they boggle my mind! LOL!

Bill
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

I highly recommend both the Blackstar HT-50 head and the Artisan head, and also the Series One 50w head. They are all great heads. Depending on what your playing, at least one of them will be able to deliver what you want.

There is also the HT series drive pedals as well, which have an all valve drive circuit IIRC.
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

The Lonestar Special should be able to hit everything you are after. It's a two channel amp, but really has three channels when you kick on the "More Drive" for channel 2. The clean tones are amazing, and the 2nd channel can be set to be a slightly grittier sounding clone of channel 1, or you can dial in some serious gain. I'd also try to take a TA-15 or TA-30 for a spin. Both have really good sounds. They are two channels, and ach channel can be set to be either clean or dirty, iirc. One side is a bit more Fendery and the other kinda Voxy.
 
Re: Need some ideas - What 2 channel 30-40wt head?

I second the recommendation to look closely @ the Fender Super Sonic 22. Yes, it's just 22 watts, but if you have the right cab, I don't think you'll need more. Lots of versatility here.
 
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