New Amp Time

[Fender_Punk]

Hey guy's, I need some help.

So this weekend-ish should have about $200 to buy a new amp, well, a used amp, to replace my current one. Anyone know of any decent tube combos, loud enough for gigs (of 100-300 people) for $200 used? I know that's a bit of a stretch, but if there's something good out there, I'd like to know!

Also, if it's still available I'll have an offer for a used Crate Powerblock for $110 shipped to my door. Seeing as how I'm not looking for my dream amp, simply something to get me by, is this a good head for something temporary (4 months max). I'm not a fan of SS but it's cheap and loud and simple and will get me by. Any reason I shouldn't get it? I can easile get a cheap $100 cab, so that's not a worry.

Recommend me something, and yay or nay the powerblock. I'm playing Punk and Ska and I like my cleans clean and my distortion smooth but with some crunch to the sound (slightly higher than medium gain, not quite high gain). I have a DS-1, so single channel is fine, as long as it's 20-50W tube or 50-100W SS.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New Amp Time

You have to go all-tube, Mesa, Fender, Marshall, Orange or Vox.

:headbang:



Oh yeah, half stack too.

 

[Smilemon]

Re: New Amp Time

The powerblock is a great backup amp, but look for something like a crate 30, those amps are nice.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: New Amp Time

Like I said, right now I'm on a (roughly) $200 budget. I'd LOVE to go all tube and get a 5:50 or a Fender Bassman or JCM800, but those aren't options right now, those are options 2-4 months down the road. Right now I need something cheap, loud and reliable. Does the Crate Powerblock suit that? Is ther anything tube that's floating around $200 USED! (I'm looking only at buying used, for obvious reasons).

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: New Amp Time

The Power Block isn't a tube amp, but as far as cheap, loud, and reliable.. I would say Yes. I have one and it's a nice rig. Single Channel. It's about as straight forward as you can get. If ya want one I could sell ya mine...

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: New Amp Time

Yeah I know it's SS, I've looked up all the features. SS circuitry is why I have doubts about it, but if it sounds ok, and I can get one for around $100US then I might as well. Thanks for the offer on the sale. There's already a guy on here who put one up for sale, if his is nabbed by the time I have the dough (most likely this weekend) then I'll definitely PM you!! Thanks.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: New Amp Time

My only suggestion in that range is the Peavey Classic 20. They pop up on ebay here and there, and looking it up now, they all went for just over 200 with shipping.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: New Amp Time

I had a Peavey classic 30 and it was a nice sounding amp... very bluesy. The classic 20 IMO is a nicer sounding amp and they get snapped up over here real quick and I want one myself (my mate won't part with his!). I too have a power block as a back up to my valve amps... I also use it for rehearsal from time to time and I think it sounds great. For a SS amp it's got a sort of valvey vibe to it.... better than most SS amps I've heard anyway. For the money you can't go wrong, you'll probably end up keeping for a back up too! I say get one and a decent used cab.

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: New Amp Time

Honestly, I would buy the powerblock if you have to have a new amp, and then save your money for a long time until you find the one you really want.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: New Amp Time

Keep an eye out for Peavey VTM and Butcher heads. I've seen Butchers sell for about $150 on eBay several times in the past. They're the amp Leftover Crack used when I saw them live, with a stock DS-1 for the heavy parts, and it was insanely heavy and loud. I think they hit at 120 watts and sound like a JCM800's big brother.

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: New Amp Time

Honestly, I would buy the powerblock if you have to have a new amp, and then save your money for a long time until you find the one you really want.

That's the situation. So Powerblock seems like the good route to go. I'll probably sell it later to fund a Bassman or JCM though, maybe I will keep it as a back up if it really sounds nice. I imagine it'd make a great back up as it's so small and easy to set up.

d1dsj, glad to hear that the Powerblock has a tube-vibe to it!

Keep an eye out for Peavey VTM and Butcher heads. I've seen Butchers sell for about $150 on eBay several times in the past. They're the amp Leftover Crack used when I saw them live, with a stock DS-1 for the heavy parts, and it was insanely heavy and loud. I think they hit at 120 watts and sound like a JCM800's big brother.

I'll keep a look out for one, and if I can find a good one at the price I'm looking at, then maybe I'll get that instead of the Powerblock. LOC has pretty decent tone for their genre!!

Thanks everyone! Any further suggestions still recommended.