New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

[DHare46]

Hey guys

Sorry about the poor title but i really couldn't think of a thread name.

Basically i'm going to university in 4 months and my current amp, a marshall valvestave v 100 is much to big for me to transport there and store in my accommodation.

I mainly play metal ranging from dream theater to amon amarth, so i'm using it as a good chance to buy an amp that suits this style better than the marshall. But it also needs to be small enough to take to uni with me. Hopefull i'll be able to join a band so i'm looking for somthing that can handle small gigs.

I've never really looked into replacing my amp before so my knowledge of amps is woefull, i'm also happy to buy something like a line 6 pod if that would suit me better an just use it through speaker and amps.
Any suggestions would be really helpfull

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

iRig?

Any amp suitable for gigging will be the same size as your Marshall.

 

[DHare46]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

iRig?

Any amp suitable for gigging will be the same size as your Marshall.

So in that case probably better at something like the iRig or line 6 style, no point buying an amp with my budget and it not being able to handle gigs.

 

[jtougas]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

I would think a good loud combo would handle most of the gigging situations you're likely to hit during college... any place large enough to need more would be miking anyway.

Hell, even the coffee houses around here usually have a PA, but Athens may be atypical.

 

[DHare46]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

I would think a good loud combo would handle most of the gigging situations you're likely to hit during college... any place large enough to need more would be miking anyway.

Hell, even the coffee houses around here usually have a PA, but Athens may be atypical.

I'm on a budget of about £300 though, maybe £350 at a real push so its just whether i can actually get one for that

 

[CTN]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

Blackstar HT-20 or 40?

the HT-20 will be fine for smaller gigs, but the 40 definitely will be able to handle larger ones.

 

[AlexR]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

I guy I know took his 100W JCM 800 half-stack into the boarding house....he could barely turn it on.
I do remember he said he'd taken it down into the basement floor one time and turned it up to 10. Apparently even the neighbouring dorms were complaining of the noise.

15-20W is way plenty too. You could go for one of the mini lunchbox sizes tube amps (lil nighttrain) if you want a good base that you can add a pedal to (for an extra channel)
The smaller valvestate amps might work too, or a modelling amp like a Valvetronix.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

Any 15-20W combo will do metal if you have a nice high-gain distortion. find a good, small-ish combo amp and something like a MI Audio Crunchbox, Tonebone Hot British, or a Wampler Triple Wreck or SLOstortion.

Good pedals + good tubes @ low volume for practice
Good pedals + good tubes @ high volume for the band.

edit: at your price range, look for used, or go for a modeling combo amp. Valvetronix or the Fender Mustang come to mind

 

[Simon_F]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

Do you definitely need the money from the sale of the Marshall to buy the new amp?

If not, I was thinking you might keep it and buy a small amp to take for starters - suitable for practice and rehearsals. It could be that once you get the hang of your new situation you might find the Marshall is not out of the question.

It would be annoying to sell a big amp, buy a small amp, then find you need a big amp.

 

[jmh151]

Save that Valvestate, I regret giving mine up. The VS 100 is awesome.

Get a Roland Microcube. Awesome tone, if you need more wattage get the larger versions. Go on YouTube and look for Orianthi playing the solo to Beat It through one, and you'll be convinced. They take pedals well and they're cheap

 

[Aceman]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

I'll hold that VS100 for you....


for the dorms:

#1 HEADPHONE jack!!!! - you'll want to play, or only be able to play, at times when NO ONE will want to hear it at all.

#2 Smallish Combo - need to keep it out of the way - space will be at a premium!

#3 More good sounds / flexibility is better. Cables get tripped over, pedals get knocked around, and batteries cut into beer money.

- I like the "cheap practice amp" until you figure things out approach (and maybe one choice pedal!!!)

I took a 2x12 65 watt tube combo to my dorm. It did fit under a bed nicely once I made a frame. And it was awesome to out-noise the neighbors. But mostly useless and huge pain.

I will say - no micro's or anything. (unless you go the 'practice ONLY' temporary route) You will undoubtedly want to jam with dudes at some point. You will need more than 5 watts and an 8 inch speaker then.

Also - consider the possibility of theft/damage. I'd go low priced 30 watt flexible combo. Maybe the Vox Valvetronix of the correct size.

 

[DHare46]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

Well i think theft on student accommodation is quite low but i'd still make sure i was carefull, door and windows locked when i'm not there and nothing valuable in site.

I might look into something like a tonelab or a line 6 style pedal as well

 

[jtougas]

Re: New amp advice, Downsizing for uni

How expensive is the Tech21 stuff there? The Trademark 60 might do you well...