Practice Amp Choices

[SrDeMaFp]

I've been looking at the Microcube and the Peavey Vypyr. I currently own a Line 6 Spicer IV 30 that I'm not much of a fan of. It's not bad...just not GOOD. I played through the Microcube and really dug it, but it seems like after checking out reviews and what not that a lot of people dig the Vypyr series amps. I've heard nothing but good things. Problem is...no one around here has one, so I've yet to play through one in person. I really only need a good metal tone and preferably a good clean tone, but that's not a necessity for my needs. Which would you go for?

TLDR - Want a good metal tone in a smaller practice amp. Will a Vypyr do it?

 

[hydro]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

I had a microcube and it was pretty cool, no experience with the others mentioned. It seemed like the high gain options on the cube were somewhat limited but useable.

I liked the ergonomics and usability of the microcube too, and it seemed pretty well made. Lent it to someone and never got it back, but it did the job well.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

When I bought my Vypyr 15 I tried out a Cube and a Spyder IV as well. I bought the Vypyr because it sounded best to my ears.

A few weeks ago I tried out a couple of the Vypyr VIP amps, a 15 and a 100. Both seem to be an improvement over the original Vypyr series. The amp models feel more real than before. If I were in the market, I would get one bigger than the 15, because the 15 has it's limits compared to the bigger versions.

 

[hydro]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

Also if you have not ruled out things like AmpliTube iphone apps, etc; they have some pretty cool metal amp models like 5150, Mesa, Soldano, etc.

 

[SrDeMaFp]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

Anyone hear any/play through a Yamaha THR10X? Apparently it's an incredible little amp. Looks like a head but has tiny speakers(?). Just spoke to a buddy of mine and said he was blown away by it. Judging by the clips I just watched/heard, sounds like he's not BSing. Anybody else try one?

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

It's all so subjective... I owned a Vypr with an 8 inch speaker or perhaps it was 10? Anyways, I thought it sounded awful. Ive been using my original Vox AD15VT for the last 7 years as my practice amp and it sounds and feels great. I'd say that 75% of the amp models are good and do not hurt my ears, like the Vypr did. It's totally possible that the higher end Vyprs would have sounded better as well.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

It's all so subjective... I owned a Vypr with an 8 inch speaker or perhaps it was 10? Anyways, I thought it sounded awful. Ive been using my original Vox AD15VT for the last 7 years as my practice amp and it sounds and feels great. I'd say that 75% of the amp models are good and do not hurt my ears, like the Vypr did. It's totally possible that the higher end Vyprs would have sounded better as well.

That's one of the limitations of the 15 that I was implying. The bigger versions do sound better.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

If your budget can stretch to it, you cannot go far wrong with a low wattage valve-powered amplifier. There are good reasons why a 5w amplifier would be more usable in the home than 100w. In alphabetical order, Blackstar, Fender, Marshall, Orange, Vox and various self-build kit manufacturers all offer practical and good-sounding designs that you will always be able to use for the rest of your natural.

 

[dominus]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

The Vypyr will give you a good metal tone and a good clean tone, at usable volumes.

A 5W tube amp is still loud if you're trying to get metal out of it.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Practice Amp Choices

I had a 15 watt vyper and still have a Cube30

the Vyper sounds good but seemed very fragile
as if it were dropped on its corner it would flatten out

and yes the larger 30 watt size has more features and the foot pedal works with it