Opinions requested on first tube amp.

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84camarofreak

New member
So the misses has budgeted $300 in a few weeks to buy my first real tube amp. I have it narrowed down to either a Class 5 head (already have a 112 cab) or the new Fender Excelsior. Haven't played either one yet, might not get too. There isn't any artist whose tone I want to cop. But some of my favorites are Slash, SRV, Joe Bonamassa, John Mayer and way too many more to list. The Class 5 interests me because it's just a cool little monster with great Marshall tone. The Excelsior because it's more powerful, great clean headroom, takes pedals well and just kinda different. If anyone feels like weighing in with more pros and cons for me, please do. Thanks guys.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

When I was in college scrounging my meal money for guitar equipment, I remember all my buddies going on and on about how "it just doesn't sound the same as having an all tube amp!"

Well it's the 21st century and there's plenty of ways to get a good tone. Namely awesome effects pedals and digital modelling. If $300 is all you have to spend (and tube amps are an expensive proposition), you have to ask, "Am I going to actually be happy down the line with a budget priced tube amp?"

The tones you speak of, whether it be a used vintage Marshall or Orange. can be found upwards around the $500 -$1000 mark.

When I had that coin to spend I was looking at a bunch of Traynor tube amps. namely the YCV20 or YCV40.

However, if you're willing to forgo the "real tube" draw, I'd seriously consider offerings from Vox, Peavey, Tech 21, and Crate as alternatives. You can discover your own tone. Doesn't need to be tube.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

The suggestion on considering SS modeling is a good one. I much prefer tube amps, but a limit of $300 is very restrictive and limiting.

I have an Excelsior and thoroughly enjoy it. It is quite unique but does not offer a large variety of sounds, but its unique sound is a good one.

Another tube amp I'd suggest trying, which is in your budget, is the Ibanez TSA15H http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wxg8bIIiIc Lots of versatility and takes pedals well. I also own one of these and must say that these Ibanez TSA series amps are very much overlooked.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

If you have the oportunity, test a Vox Night Train with its paired NT112 cab.
Stock tubes aren't so good but, this amp changes a lot with tube swapping, and contrarerly to other amps, you notice lots of differences when you choose one or the other brand/model.
Takes pedals very well, it's loud enough (but can be run also at 7W, in triode mode), it's the most portable tube amp I've ever seen and, cheap to maintain (just 2 preamp tubes and 2 cheap EL84 tubes).
I don't miss the lack of reverb. A good delay in front and you are done.

Other option for you is the VHT Special 6 or the VHT Special 6 Ultra. Try those. Very juicy cheap amps, hand-wired. But, I personaly hate 6V6GT tubes, they don't cut the mix, IMHO.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

If you go with a VHT, they also make a tube socket adapter that lets you run an EL84 instead of the 6v6.

IMO it's definitely worth it as it changes the character of the overdrive to a much more useable one, though it loses some clean headroom and low end.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

I recently picked up a used Egnater Rebel-20 that is in your price range. It's a decent little 20W tube amp that has a mixable power amp section to let you blend between Fender-like and Marshall-esque distortion. (With the emphasis on "-like" and "-esque".) It may get a little loud for a practice amp, but could be a good option for you.

I've been curious about the Ibanez TSA15H as well, but haven't had the opportunity to play one.

But beware the power of the Dark Side. Since getting into tube amps, I've become a bit of a tube snob. I haven't heard a budget solid state or modeling setup that I really like by comparison.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

hermetico said:
If you have the oportunity, test a Vox Night Train with its paired NT112 cab.
Stock tubes aren't so good but, this amp changes a lot with tube swapping, and contrarerly to other amps, you notice lots of differences when you choose one or the other brand/model.
Takes pedals very well, it's loud enough (but can be run also at 7W, in triode mode), it's the most portable tube amp I've ever seen and, cheap to maintain (just 2 preamp tubes and 2 cheap EL84 tubes).
I don't miss the lack of reverb. A good delay in front and you are done.

Other option for you is the VHT Special 6 or the VHT Special 6 Ultra. Try those. Very juicy cheap amps, hand-wired. But, I personally hate 6V6GT tubes, they don't cut the mix, IMHO.
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The Lil' Night Train is nearer the mark price-wise. You'd need a cab of some sort too, so this adds up on either model. If you have another amp you can hook up for the speaker though, you can save yourself that part of the equation.

One thing that's not clear though, is what the OP wants to be able to do with this amp; Home practice? Band rehearsals? Gig? For home, the Lil' Night Train works great, not so much for the others.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

I'm also of the opinion that you aren't going to find much of anything pleasing with a $300 budget. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up some more money, wait a little longer, and get something with some balls that you're going to enjoy. I saved up 5 years of summer work money and cashed a savings bond to finally get a Marshall half stack. Yeah it sucked waiting that long, but it was paid for on the spot and when I played it, it was worth every second I waited.
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

hareek said:
I'm also of the opinion that you aren't going to find much of anything pleasing with a $300 budget. If I were in your shoes, I'd save up some more money, wait a little longer, and get something with some balls that you're going to enjoy. I saved up 5 years of summer work money and cashed a savings bond to finally get a Marshall half stack. Yeah it sucked waiting that long, but it was paid for on the spot and when I played it, it was worth every second I waited.
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Good advice, but it sounds like maybe you are not married? :D

84camarofreak said:
So the misses has budgeted $300 in a few weeks to buy my first real tube amp...
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Might be prudent to strike while the iron is hot...
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

if you want to go the combo direction and have to meet that 300 mark get the jet city 20 as mentioned earlier or the bugera v22 probably used. These are the best cheap tube amps out at the moment imo. I own the v22 and the clean channel is awesome, touch sensitive, great canvas for a pedal board. Overdrive channel is good, not quite as touch sensitive as the clean but the louder you go the better.... It sounds decent at low volumes, comes with a decent speaker and the volume is giggable if you need it. you can also plug in your 1x12 and use both at the same time for a 2x12 if your speaker is 8 ohms. The class 5 isn't going to sound great at low volumes, you'll have to turn it up to get "that" sound, and 5 tube watts is no joke. if you're bent on brands and country of origin then the class 5 would be great if turning it up isn't a problem. for your FIRST tube amp though just get a cheap one... it's a good start into this complicated world of tube swapping and tone finding. you'll need the extra money for some tubes no matter what amp you get...
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

Dr. Vegetable said:
Good advice, but it sounds like maybe you are not married? :D
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Guilty. But that's even MORE reason to save money. That way you look wise with your combined income and you get what you want in an amplifier. Open up a side bank account she doesn't know about and start putting some money away.

Or you tell her like it is and to get back to the kitchen to make you a sandwich. :approve:
 
Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

Dr. Vegetable said:
LOL! I think if we all pooled our combined knowledge about women, we'd have them about 3% figured out.
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Nah see they got to you too man! They really aren't that hard to figure out, and they don't control us as much as they think they do. See the trick is to let them think they have control, while all along it was your plan to give them the control. It's an art.

So in this case, guy needs an amp. It will cost about $500-$1,000. If you're woman is cool, you just buy the amp. If she's going to nag you about it, then you need to go ahead and increase that budget by another $1,000 and you have to get her something too.

"Hey honey I got you this lovely necklace!!"

"OH I love surprises, thank you!!! *kiss *kiss *kiss *kiss"

Then while she's taking a dump you bring your new amp into the music room.


EDIT: This also works with new tools.

"Honey I really want to remodel the bathroom."

"No problem I"ll go buy materials next weekend.....oh need a new DeWalt 18V cordless drill to assemble the vanity...it will cost a little extra but better than paying someone else to do it."
 
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Re: Opinions requested on first tube amp.

hareek said:
1. "Hey honey I got you this lovely necklace!!"

2. "OH I love surprises, thank you!!! *kiss *kiss *kiss *kiss"

3. Then while she's taking a dump you bring your new amp into the music room.
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Sure, I know that routine, but I usually bypass step #1.
 
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