What are some entry level tuve amps?

[Scatterwound]

Hi there,

A friend of mine is looking for an entry level ALL tube amp for practising. It has to be all tube - none of that hybrid stuff. The speaker should be no larger than 8".

So far the only one I can find that is currently in production is made by crate

it is the 1X8" VC58 combo. Does anyone know of any other current production models (any brand) that are available?

 

[TheJangus]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

Get a used silverface champ. Cheap and awesome tube tone.

edit: eh current production... missed that.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

Why in the world does it have to be no bigger than 8"

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

Why in the world does it have to be no bigger than 8"

+1

No bigger than an 8" speaker...is he nuts?

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

If it has to be 8" - which I wouldn't suggest him actually - maybe an Epiphone 5W thingy @~150$... dunno... there aren't so many all tubers with ghey 8" speakers that I know...

 

[B Bent]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

Get a Dr. Z Mini. Those are freakin killer and can be had used for around $500ish.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

This one only has a 6 inch driver, but it uses a 24" horn....so that may not work, either.

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

This one only has a 6 inch driver, but it uses a 24" horn....so that may not work, either.

Wtf is that??????

Seriously, I'd get away from the 8" idea... if he wants a decent amp, he should get at least a 1x12 combo... they can be had for cheap too and will sound so much better.

 

[Pecan]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

1x12 combos are pretty good tube amps, small enough to play in a bedroom big enough to practise with yer band.

EDIT: What the hell is that horn thing?

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

Wtf is that??????

It's what happens when you leave a phonograph machine and a small tube amp alone together in a room.



I guess.

 

[tone4days]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

what is his definition of 'no hybrids' ? ... including the rectifier? including the reverb?

 

[schecterplayer]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

The only one I can think of is the Crate. It is pretty nice and I believe that Weber makes a nice 8" replacement speaker designed for fender champs that should improve the tone. (correct me if im thinking of the wrong speaker company). They are right that 12" speaker combos sound better and have greater variety but if you don't need much volume and want to carry the thing around a lot a 12" combo can get pretty heavy and unwieldy (mine is 38 lbs). My advice is try all amps in your price range that you can, hybrids, modelers, and also 12" speaker tube amps and then decide what you really want, don't buy blind.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

Go with a Fender Blues Jr., forget about the speaker size.

 

[schecterplayer]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

If you do change your mind amps to think about are:
Crate Palamino V16
Crate V1512
Fender Blues Jr.
Epiphone also makes one but i can't remember the model name

If you will settle for a 10" speaker there is more variety than 8" and Fender makes a 15 watt 10" speaker amp similar to the blues Jr. that sounds kicka** cranked

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

I have the Epiphone Valve Special 5 watts 10" they make a smaller amp too - I also had a Pro Junior, I like the Epiphone because it is a little more retro sounding than the Pro Jr.

 

[Telesexual]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

I like the Fender pro junior. I always thought it was a cheaper version of the blues junior but its a totally different machine. it has no master volume and great tone. I wouldnt worry about speaker size. In my opinion different size spearkers really only change volume with similar wattage. 12s sound fuller and 10s do not have as much depth. I would stay away from 8 inch unless you are runnin less than 10 watts

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

My advice is try all amps in your price range that you can, hybrids, modelers, and also 12" speaker tube amps and then decide what you really want, don't buy blind.

I'll double that... looks like your friend doesn't have quite a clue what he should buy, so it would probably be a good idea to just jump over to a guitar retailer and try a bunch out for a while...
Some good ones have been already named here so he could try those first...

 

[Davey]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

This one only has a 6 inch driver, but it uses a 24" horn....so that may not work, either.

LOL


a blast from the past!!

8" speakers sound like ****

 

[TheJangus]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

8" speakers sound like ****

I declare shenanigans! A champ with a weber sig 8 in it sounds incredible. Some big sound from a small amp.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: What are some entry level tuve amps?

I declare shenanigans! A champ with a weber sig 8 in it sounds incredible. Some big sound from a small amp.

I believe Kieth Richards use to slave one of those up for distortion on older Stones tracks - one amp was clean and the Champ was dirty, they miced em both.