Re: what is your favorite low wattage tube amp for below $700
well the used thing doesn't work that great bc I had a store credit to GC and a $100 off coupon. Putting out of pocket cost at about $300 for what normally would've been over $800.
IF the standard tweaker isn't enough headroom for me I can take it back and get a Tweaker 40 (to pay for that I can sell my newly acquired Twin Tube Classic which really wouldn't get use if I had an actual two channel amp).
But after trying both out extensively in GC I can't seem to think that the Tweaker won't be enough. The cleans get pretty loud especially with the 2x12" cab. The 1x12 with the 30 watt celestion seemed to breakup faster. This had a lot more headroom than my Pro Jr or AC4TV had. And in store it beat out the Blues Jr and AC15 for clean headroom.
Problem I have with a lot of the other 15 (and under) watt amps is that they are designed to breakup fast because there is a huge demand for hi gain without hi volume these days, a lot of them come with speakers that break up fast. I prefer getting max headroom out of my amp and speaker and using dirt pedals that's just my preference and the tone I've always liked. Nothing wrong with a good ac15 or a plexi. But the thing I love about the tweaker and tweaker 40 is that I basically get 3 amps in one so while at one time I can only set it for one thing if I decide I want a Fender amp I don't have to go out and drop a ton of money, I flip the switch from VX or Brit to USA and likewise if I want the Vox or Marshall sound. I've played a lot of current production and vintage amps from a lot of companies Mesa, Fender, Vox, Hiwatt, Blackstar, Marshall, Bogner, Peavey, Carvin, Orange, Laney, Hughes and Kettner, etc and this one definitely impresses me especially for its modest pricepoint. I'd say the amp truly shines at the Fender/Vox sounds but the Marshall tones are about 90% of the way there and since I really prefer light to moderate Marshall tones it actually nails it for me. And throwing a dirt pedal in front it will hit 100%.
Because of the variety of music and instruments I play being able to switch between my favorite types of amps (and not have mediocre line 6 sounds) is a huge turn on for me. I can throw my compressor on, set the amp to a vintage vox tone, plug in a 12 string and nail that tone. I can set up the amp to be just like a cranked Marshall and plug in my LP. Or I can set it to a Fendery tone plug in my nashville tele and get all kinds of blues, surf, and country tones. And this is just the tip of the ice berg.
I had thought about going used but my Carvin Vintage 33 was a used amp and it completely crapped out on me, luckily I purchased it at GC and could get my money back (it's a lot easier said than done getting something worked out you buy on ebay/craigslist vs a major retailer). Years ago I had issues with a used Vibro Champ. Not to mention buying new means I now have a warranty. There are a lot of people that unlike me (or a lot of you) don't know how to properly use gear and with something like a tube amp there are a lot of bad things you can do that will permanently damage the amp or make for a hefty repair bill. This one developed a problem that would've required a complete retube, rebias, new speaker, and likely other electronics and bench time with an amp tech. Literally had sparks fly out of the amp after it randomly cut in and out. At first I thought the power supply on my pedalboard crapped out, until I saw the sparks and checked over the amp and found a heap of trouble.
I'm a moderate gain person (and I don't really need volume) I like my amps clean or barely breaking up most times. The Tweaker series was the best amp I could find in or around my price range (new and used). The band/project I'm currently working on doesn't even have a drummer to compete with. And I have in ear monitors and my own mics so I really doubt that I'll ever need more than what I got for volume/headroom. But I couldn't get very loud clean sounds out of the other amps I'd tried. And as much as a bigger amp can be fun it can also be a pain to lug around I live on a 3rd floor apartment so just moving it from my car and my apt would suck.
I'll have to bust out my ribbon mic and my SM57 and try recording the new Tweaker setup but I foresee this thing being a joy to record with.
When money allows I'm also really looking forward to swapping out speakers.
Ideally I think it'd be fun to throw in a Canis Major (alnico with hemp cone) and a Red Fang (emi's version of the prized alnico blue). But realistically I'll probably be mixing a Texas Heat and a Private Jack.
I'm also looking forward to changing the character of the amp by trying different power tubes I'm looking at possibly trying 6CA7s since they are supposed to be a good cross between a 6L6 and an EL34.
