Small tube combos

Jeroen

Jeroen

New member
Hi all,

I'm in the market for a small, low wattage tube combo, preferably also affordable. Secondhand is no problem. I'd prefer an FX-loop, but I'm aware this is very uncommon on small amps.

I'm looking at the likes of the small Laney LC15, VC15, TT20, Fender Blues Junior, Peavey Classic 20, or possibly a Crate V58 or V1512 and so on. I'd LOVE an Orange AD5, but those are just so wickedly expensive! I also fear the Crates are above my budget, and those are rarely encountered secondhand here in the Netherlands.

I'm hoping to get some opinions from you guys. If anyone has any experience with any of the above mentioned amps, or if you have any suggestions for similar amps I should look at, please share!

Btw, I can get a Peavey Classic 20, secondhand but in a nearly unplayed state, at a fair price locally.
 
Re: Small tube combos

classic 20 is a bit differant to the 30, but they are the same thing basicly.
 
Last edited:
Re: Small tube combos

can you go someplace that might have a couple of the ones you're looking for and try them out...?
 
Re: Small tube combos

Hoss said:
can you go someplace that might have a couple of the ones you're looking for and try them out...?
Click to expand...

I wish I could, but no one in the area stocks any of the smaller tube combos. All local stores only stock small practice amps, modeling amps in all shapes and sizes and rather big tube amps, starting from approximately 40 watts (Fender Hot Rod Deluxe). That's why I ended up here with my question.
 
Re: Small tube combos

rocker_71 said:
Oh ja, ik heb de mijne in Den Haag gekocht (max guitars, Laan van Meerdervoort, http://www.maxguitarstore.com/)

Je kunt hem daar ook uitproberen. Succes met zoeken verder!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up, I'll pay them a visit. I live in Leidschendam, right next to Den Haag. Cool to meet another Dutchman here. So far, I haven't seen many. I guess I've seen about 4 now.



I was just checking some Dutch secondhand websites, and spotted a nice Mesa Reverb Rocket. Looks very tempting! 20 watts, earpiercing loud, two channels with fully separate gain and volume and a shared EQ and reverb, with a 3-button footswitch. I just emailed the seller to check whether he still has it.
 
Re: Small tube combos

Jeroen said:
Thanks for the heads up, I'll pay them a visit. I live in Leidschendam, right next to Den Haag. Cool to meet another Dutchman here. So far, I haven't seen many. I guess I've seen about 4 now.



I was just checking some Dutch secondhand websites, and spotted a nice Mesa Reverb Rocket. Looks very tempting! 20 watts, earpiercing loud, two channels with fully separate gain and volume and a shared EQ and reverb, with a 3-button footswitch. I just emailed the seller to check whether he still has it.
Click to expand...
ohhh that sounds very interesting...good luck!!!
 
Re: Small tube combos

rocker_71 said:
Epiphone just got a serie of small tube amps out.

They are all Class A. I got a Valve Special (299 euro), a 5 watt single ended very LOUD amp. :smokin:

check the site: http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=255&CollectionID=13

Good for blues and rock!!!
Click to expand...

I've just got one of these and am quite impressed for the price, no effects loop though. I'm just about to put a Celestion Tube 10 speaker in and some new tubes
 
Re: Small tube combos

YJM_Rocks said:
If the classic 20 is at all similiar to the 30, go for it.
Click to expand...

Pretty much, just a bit more basic and with a 10" instead of a 12". I'm not sure if it has the same switching capabilities, but I think not. Right now, the Mesa Reverb Rocket seems the most tempting though! That, and the Laney TT20 (but I can't seem to find those anywhere). Both have FX-loops and are very versatile (even though the TT is essentially a one channel amp - with added switching options).
 
Re: Small tube combos

Well, still on the lookout. In fact, another contender entered the ring: The Rivera Clubster 25, a small 25 watt 6V6GT-powered twochannel 1x10 combo. It seems very interesting from the specs on the Rivera-site, and prices seem to be at a reasonable level (or at least a level I can afford). Any opinions?
 
Re: Small tube combos

Change of plans. I played a Brunetti MC2 today...
(60 watts, EL34-powered, closed back 1x12 three channel combo)

I think I'm in love!
 
Re: Small tube combos

I've had experience with some of the ones mentioned, so I'll throw in my 2 cents!

Fender Blues Junior
Owned this one for a while. Really cool cleans for low prices. A one-trick-pony amp pretty much, but it does the one trick well. Prepare to get an OD for decent distortion, though using the master volume can get some nice drive, but nothing beyond blues/rock IMO.

Peavey Classic 30
I just bought a Delta Blues (same amp, except it has tremolo and a 15" speaker) from J Moose here on the boards. I have a good bit of experience with the 30. I think I prefer this to the Blues Junior. Two channels opposed to the one and an FX loop. When my Delta comes I'll be able to say more, but all in all I like this amp alot.

Crate V-Series
I owned the V32 (30 watt 1x12") for a while too. Definitely a versatile amp. It wasn't for me (the drive wasn't my bag) but I think if you like Vox-y cleans, you'll dig it a lot. I didn't toy with the 15 watter, but that's a bit like the Blues Junior in a few ways (EL84s, 15 watt tube combo, 12" speaker, one channel) I'd imagine. I wasn't fond of the 5-watter too much, but I think that was because that seemed to me like much more of a drive amp and it had that same drive that I didn't like; the cleans were there but didn't last too long on the volume dial. I'd check it out though, they're very cool amps.

I also own now the Epiphone Valve Special. I like it a lot, surprisingly. The DSP on it sucks so don't expect the built-in flange, chorus and delay effects allow you to free space on your pedalboard. However, I think unlike the 5-watt Crate, this has more clean headroom and the drive is pretty cool. However, an OD box may still be in your favor.

One thing to remember is that tube and speaker changes will benefit you a lot with these small tube combos. I played a Classic 30 with new tubes and it sounded SO much better then a stock one. A whole different amp really; much more open sounding. With the speaker, the stock ones are usually pretty 'meh' because it's another way to cut costs I'd imagine.

If you want versatility, I say go used Peavey Classic 30 + new tubes + new speaker. You'll be one VERY happy dude. Hope this helps!
 
Re: Small tube combos

It looks like you found your amp, but no one mentioned a Traynor YCV 20WR, which is a terrific 15 watt class A amp for around $500.
 
Re: Small tube combos

spacecaptain21 said:
I also own now the Epiphone Valve Special. I like it a lot, surprisingly. The DSP on it sucks so don't expect the built-in flange, chorus and delay effects allow you to free space on your pedalboard. However, I think unlike the 5-watt Crate, this has more clean headroom and the drive is pretty cool. However, an OD box may still be in your favor.
Click to expand...

I had someone demo that one for me yesterday, and I was indeed pleasantly surprised by the tone, but I totally agree on the DSP FX! I also heard the Valve Junior, the one that only has a master volume, but with the volume just over halfway it becomes unbearably flubby. I'd say it's no more than a nice gimmick or gadget for toying around with. Definitely not as number one practice amp.
 
Re: Small tube combos

Jeroen said:
I had someone demo that one for me yesterday, and I was indeed pleasantly surprised by the tone, but I totally agree on the DSP FX! I also heard the Valve Junior, the one that only has a master volume, but with the volume just over halfway it becomes unbearably flubby. I'd say it's no more than a nice gimmick or gadget for toying around with. Definitely not as number one practice amp.
Click to expand...

Which is the reason I bought a new amp :6:

Yeah the flubbiness really doesn't sit well with me, but most low-wattage amps have a lot of flub to 'em. I still dig the tone of the amp for the price. The Peavey and Fender stuff doesn't seem to have the same problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Butch Snyder
PRS DGT-15 vs Peavey Classic 20 MH Guitar Mini Amp Head
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
Ascension
Ascension
contiContiCONTI
Amps for Bedroom + Small Gigs??
2 3 4
Replies
63
Views
3K
Solarflares
S
Masta' C
Small Builders That Deserve a Mention
Replies
6
Views
587
ZachcNJ
Z
C
Friedman IR With Marshall Artist 3203
Replies
10
Views
589
xxxplorer
xxxplorer
IMENATOR
How to extend the life of my tube amp?
Replies
16
Views
924
IMENATOR
IMENATOR
Back
Top