Pedal friendly budget amps

L

Louis123

New member
I'm looking for a budget amp (under £300) that will take pedals well, I have a pretty basic pedal rig that just has all of the usual suspects. I have heard good things about the fender mustang 3, while I know it does have a ton of built in effects and even 'virtual pedals' it does have an effects loop. Does anyone have any experience with pedals going through a mustang?
Many thanks,
L
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

A Peavey 112 Bandit, even a new one, should fit in your price range. The TransTube models sound ridiculously good with pedals.
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

Is it a deal-breaker if the amp doesn't have an effects loop?
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

I'm using a Fender Champion 100 as my main amp, but I also got a Champion 40 for use at home so I could practice with a similar sound without having to lug around the big one. They both take pedals very well and have a decent selection of onboard effects as well.

The 100 has more power (of course), more EQ control (separate for each channel), a few more effects & amp sims, an included footswitch, and an effects loop. I just run into the front anyway, so the loop wasn't a big deal to me. It was under $400 and the 40, which sounds great too, was right around the $200 mark. Great little amps for the money IMO.


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Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

BriGuy1968 said:
I'm using a Fender Champion 100 as my main amp, but I also got a Champion 40 for use at home so I could practice with a similar sound without having to lug around the big one. They both take pedals very well and have a decent selection of onboard effects as well.

The 100 has more power (of course), more EQ control (separate for each channel), a few more effects & amp sims, an included footswitch, and an effects loop. I just run into the front anyway, so the loop wasn't a big deal to me. It was under $400 and the 40, which sounds great too, was right around the $200 mark. Great little amps for the money IMO.


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I also have used the Fender Champion 40 watt version and can vouch for it sounding good with a full pedalboard to the front of the amp. I also played a Fender Mustang III with fx but only to the front. I actually liked the Champion a bit more, as the Mustang can sound brittle fairly quickly. I could just be more prejudiced against the Mustang III because it can get stupid loud and there is almost always a guy at blues jams playing wtf too loud thtough one...I think you will be fine with either Fender or you could go to an Orange with an fx loop or a Quilter 101 which is pretty amazing at $299 U.S.

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Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

That depends on the pedals. Most amps in your budget range are solid state. If you are looking for modulation/delay, you have a lot of options. If we are talking gain/overdrive, most solid state amps are finicky with gain but, not impossible to corral. With the right solid state amp/dirt box combo, it can sound as good as any tube amp.
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

Ibanez TSA 15...great little amp for pedals (and you get a built in Tubescreamer)... 6V6's ..fair amount of headroom & pretty loud too.
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

Heard/read good things about the Bandit,as well.

Jammed w/a guy recently who got a great clean country tone with one,but I personally didn't get to put it thru any paces...
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

I second the Peavey trans tube amp recommendation.
I used to have a Supreme XL, and still have a Wiggy and cab. For getting dirt through an overdrive, fuzz or whatever kind of box, the clean channels on these amps are the best I've found.
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

Roland Cube series would do.

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Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

Egnater Tweaker 15 - has an effects loop, very versatile amp


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Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

It would be nice but I'm not desperate for one. I wouldn't discount an amp because of that alone
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

Orange Dark Terror :D if you want small watts, if you want more watts then EVH 5153 are very pedal friendly
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

BenPerkins said:
Egnater Tweaker 15 - has an effects loop, very versatile amp

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I don't know what they run in the UK, but I purchased a used Tweaker 15 in 2012 for $269; they go for even less now. Whichever amp you buy, don't discount buying used as you can get a lot more for your money.
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

View attachment 72137

I'll absolutely second that motion!!! Best thing since sliced bread IMHO... This amp has all kinds of tubbey goodness, a $#it ton of clean headroom, & you can run a mile long pedal chain in front or through the loop and it won't flinch! As you can see I run delay & reverb through the loop and put everything else in front. The T.S. circuit isn't as good as the actual pedal but it can be quite useful when used properly....

Definitely worth every penny I spent!!! I've even thought about buying another one & just let it sit in the box just in case something we're to happen to this one but I think I'm going to hold out for the TSA30 instead! I mean a 15W head with 6V6's in her, it just doesn't get any better than that!!! The only drawback I could possibly think of is there's no onboard reverb, (if that's something that matters to you) but I'd still take this & a Holy Grail or something like that over anything else on the market for the same money....
 
Re: Pedal friendly budget amps

There are usually good deals on second hand Laney amps in the UK. The VC range of combos is a good starting point for great value valve amps.
 
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