the thing about 5watt amps.....

[JOEBACCA]

Re: the thing about 5watt amps.....

Not all ultra low watt amps are supposed to have their power stage thrashed. Not everyone is shooting for that sound. I think the best designs have a preamp section that interacts well with the limited output. You get the compression/feel thing going on at low volumes without the single valve class A rattyness. Granted it does sound small compared to the big boys, I think it's a better compromise than turning a large amp down or running a dirt pedal into a clean amp.



I don't really see much point in using such a small amp if headroom is a priority. It's seems contradictory to desire something that was designed specifically to break up early and then wanting to use it clean.

Couldn't agree more on both counts.

As for low wattage lunch box heads go, keep em coming as far as I'm

concerned. I haven't played a show in over 3 years...I don't need all that

power. Sure if I'm playing clean most of the time I would opt for more

wattage for more headroom but IMO for High Gain at more reasonable

volume levels I would much rather rock my ENGL Gigmaster on the 1watt

setting than a 100watter with a dirt box any day.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: the thing about 5watt amps.....

I actually played one today at a music store. When store clerks ask me what I think of the products I played I try to be diplomatic (like guitar magazines [can you tell which thread I just came from? lol]) and say stuff like, "sounded pretty alright. I'll have to give it a thought".

But today I got truthful and straight up told the guy the amp sounded like a turd. I can't understand how so many people praise this amp.

lol

 

[Rick330man]

Re: the thing about 5watt amps.....

Interesting comments about the Blackheart Little Giant 5 watt head. I experimented with lots of different pre-amp and power tubes. All delivered a pretty good base sound, but there were definite differences depending on which combination I used. However, the speaker utilized made a huge difference.

A pine cab with a 4 ohm Jensen C12N sounded good, but not great. Into an Avatar speaker open back G112 witn an Eminence Legend 122 alnico - heavenly. I have an Avatar speaker 4 X 12 loaded with 1 Celestion Blue Alnico, 1 Reverend Alltone 1250, 1 Celestion Vintage 30 and 1 Eminence Red Fang. One word: fantastic!

Any evaluation of the little 5 watt heads is only as good as the speaker used.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: the thing about 5watt amps.....

I don't have much real world use for them. However, I do love old Champs, Vibro Champs, Harvards, and Skylarks. Haven't tried a modern one that I liked, though. I don't like the 5W mode on my 25W Mesa amp either.

 

[nedcronin]

Re: the thing about 5watt amps.....

Hmm. I try to love my Orange Tiny Terror. I have gotten 95% of the way there with NOS tubes. That did make a huge difference. I wish there was a way to get more low end thump out of it and I'd be so happy! Having said that, it also has no where near enough headroom to gig with for me. This amp does have great semi cleans when you roll back your guitar volume though, and it does have a pretty great classic rock tone. If it only had more thump!!