Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

[hydro]

It seems to me like there aren't too many single channel tube heads out there these days, outside of high end/custom builders.

Am I missing something?

Basically a 50 watt 6L6 platform with one channel: volume/gain, 3 band EQ, master volume and maybe a reverb tank. No extra buttons, knobs, switches, etc. - just chimp simple. And in a head form, not a combo.

I know a used Bassman head would be close to this, but am wondering what is out there that might be similar, or maybe an old style Plexi clone for the EL34 side of things.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

You could convert a Crate Vintage Club, but the motherboard is a wee delicate...

 

[hydro]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Looking at used stuff, one amp that jumps out at me is the old Sovtek MIG 50. Anyone ever use one? Part of my deal is I wanted to mainly consider new stuff, but a good vintage head might be OK.

I'm considering going "pedal platform" instead of clean/dirt channel. Channel switching is a PITA. Matching levels, cables, footswitches... bleah. And I have dirt boxes that I really like. Plus my mesa is in the shop right now and my backup head has some issues too.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

the MIG 50 is very JCM800 - like.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

the mig 50 is a really good sounding amp but they have been known to have reliability issues. or find a trainwreck express! dr z has a few single channel heads, havent tried the antidote but id like to

 

[JeffB]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Very few single channel amps at all with 6l6s except vintage ri fenders.

What's that barebones Mesa they made for a couple years? .then discontinued.....post Stiletto.... they sound really good..I played one....not the lonestars...It's 2 channels though IIRC. But is 6l6


Orange OR50 and CS50. Both el34s.

The blackstar artisan heads like Uli Roth plays...essentially a plexi...

Bugera I960 infinium

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

+1 for the Orange OR50. That's where I'd go for a 50 watt single channel head.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

ElectraDyne. That's the MESA I was thinking of.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

http://shop.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/vintage-pro-tube/bassbreaker-45-head/2266000000.html

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Get an old Ampeg V2, and have a tech convert the second channel volume into a master volume...or just use an outboard effect as your gain control.

 

[devastone]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Soldano HR50 (not the +) or the Avenger 50

 

[hydro]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Lots of good ideas here, thank you all.

I didn't even consider an Orange but that's an interesting idea, if kind of pricey. That Bassbreaker seems like more in my range.

 

[hydro]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Just saw the Jet City 50H. $400? Man that's a good price for a tube amp. Do they catch on fire after a week or something?

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Mesa ElectraDyne is completely sick.

If you are looking to spend that kind of money though, just get an old 2204 (50w JCM800) and do what thou wilt with it.

 

[devastone]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Just saw the Jet City 50H. $400? Man that's a good price for a tube amp. Do they catch on fire after a week or something?

That would be a MIC HR50+, it has 2 channels, crunch and crunchier, but it is a great deal.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

That would be a MIC HR50+, it has 2 channels, crunch and crunchier, but it is a great deal.

Soldano Hot Rods are great amps, and the Jet Citys are quite close. AFAIK reliability is decent; I'd check it out if I were in the market for a 50W head. devastone is right that it isn't two channels, but the lead channel cleans up pretty well as long as you're playing loud enough and the preamp gain is at around 7 or below.

If you're familiar with Mesa Rectos, a Soldano is in a similar ballpark but with better clarity, slightly tighter, and maybe a little less bass.

 

[TRex]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

Soldano Hot Rods are great amps, and the Jet Citys are quite close. AFAIK reliability is decent; I'd check it out if I were in the market for a 50W head. devastone is right that it isn't two channels, but the lead channel cleans up pretty well as long as you're playing loud enough and the preamp gain is at around 7 or below.

If you're familiar with Mesa Rectos, a Soldano is in a similar ballpark but with better clarity, slightly tighter, and maybe a little less bass.

They are a bit more marshally than a mesa.

My Jet City feels like 60% Marshall 40% mesa on the overdrive channel. IMO of course.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[hydro]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

They are a bit more marshally than a mesa.

My Jet City feels like 60% Marshall 40% mesa on the overdrive channel. IMO of course.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

How are the cleans on those Jet Citys?

 

[TRex]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

How are the cleans on those Jet Citys?

My JCA2212C is very gainy, not a whole lot of headroom. I have heard that its the stock tubes that are the cause of that, and new tubes will be lower gain.

What cleans it has are nice though, chimey and clear for a high gain amp. I imagine the 50watt head would be even better.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[devastone]

Re: Single channel tube 50 watt heads?

How are the cleans on those Jet Citys?

Like I said, the 2 channels are crunch and crunchier, not much head room. It's easy to mod the crunch channel to be a clean channel though, I put a toggle switch on one to switch between clean and stock on the crunch channel.