what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

[shogunlegend]

i want to replace a vox ad100vt to an all tube amp, but want to stay around the $600-800 range. i've seen some b-52 amps in that price range but i don't know anything about them. i've heard of other brands like traynor and all that, but i've always stuck to fender and vox. i don't like crate. does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

Traynor YCV50Blue.

Killer amp. I made the ballsy move of trying it before buying it and I don't regret it. It's got a nice marshally sound, takes to pedals well, and has a great clean channel. Great amp with two great channels. The boost is kind of useless but the reverb is pretty snazzy, so it more than makes up for that one shortcoming.

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

What kind of sound are you looking for? I assume high gain since you mention B-52?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

Get a Fender Bassman head from eBay, and thank me later.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

i don't like crate.

whats wrong with crate? :rocket: :firedevil :9:

i love my blue voodoo combo

 

[Red_Label]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

Traynor YCV50Blue.

Killer amp. I made the ballsy move of trying it before buying it and I don't regret it. It's got a nice marshally sound, takes to pedals well, and has a great clean channel. Great amp with two great channels. The boost is kind of useless but the reverb is pretty snazzy, so it more than makes up for that one shortcoming.

+1

You won't go wrong with the Traynor tube amps. I went from my beloved Hughes & Kettner Triamp MkI to the Custom Blue 50, and now have added the Traynor YCS100 head. I still miss my Triamp a little, but it's not because of the sound, just the look of those glowing tubes through the plexiglass.

Other inexpensive tube amps to consider are the Crate VC series, Peavey Penta, and Peavey ValveKing.

My Traynors:

 

[BG00]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

Check out some Laney combo's, you can get great deals on them on ebay.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

+1

You won't go wrong with the Traynor tube amps. I went from my beloved Hughes & Kettner Triamp MkI to the Custom Blue 50, and now have added the Traynor YCS100 head. I still miss my Triamp a little, but it's not because of the sound, just the look of those glowing tubes through the plexiglass.

Other inexpensive tube amps to consider are the Crate VC series, Peavey Penta, and Peavey ValveKing.

My Traynors:

Nice! I like the LTD Tele/Junior guitar too!
I wish they'd turn that YCS100 into a smaller 2x12 or 1x12 combo! Maybe take down some of the features but, hell, I'd be all over that thing if it were a combo!

 

[shogunlegend]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

the answer is yes, i use high-gain amps, but use lower gain settings (probably 5/10 on distortion). i play numetal, thrash, solo guitar stuff, so i don't want an amp that's made for jazz or something.

i've heard good things about laney and traynor, but know very little about them except that they're more expensive than vox.

 

[greendy123]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

If your looking for a head jcm 900s are great deals for high gain. They can be had for your price or less. The main thing you need to look for is el-34 in them and go for the dual master volume ones, not the dual reverbs.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

Nice! I like the LTD Tele/Junior guitar too!
I wish they'd turn that YCS100 into a smaller 2x12 or 1x12 combo! Maybe take down some of the features but, hell, I'd be all over that thing if it were a combo!

Thanks man. I LOVE those ESP Ltd Hybrids. The trans red one is a 400 series (with JB and Quarter Pounder) and the sunburst one is a 300 (with Duncan-Designed p'ups). I just ordered a red/creme JB to put in the red one and will take the black JB out of that and put it in the sunburst one. And I also ordered a set of the GraphTech piezzo saddles to put in one of my guitars. I think I may throw those in the sunburst Hybrid.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

I think both the 5150 head or 2x12 combo can be had in your pricerange

 

[shogunlegend]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

damn, those laneys sounds pretty good. they have a 30 watt for around 450. i wonder if a 30w all tube is as loud as my vox 100w. anyone know?

 

[Red_Label]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

damn, those laneys sounds pretty good. they have a 30 watt for around 450. i wonder if a 30w all tube is as loud as my vox 100w. anyone know?

If your Vox 100w has a solid state power amp section then YES.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

Traynor, Fender reissues

OR search online for a used RIVERA RAKE, JAKE, or KNUCKLHEAD. I see them go DIRT CHEAP lately. I mean literally, dirt is more costly!

DO NOT FORGET to look for late 70s JMP MV's, they can be cheap, but you have to look for them and TRY THEM OUT, they are all inconsistent. The right one will sound like God.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

Thanks man. I LOVE those ESP Ltd Hybrids. The trans red one is a 400 series (with JB and Quarter Pounder) and the sunburst one is a 300 (with Duncan-Designed p'ups). I just ordered a red/creme JB to put in the red one and will take the black JB out of that and put it in the sunburst one. And I also ordered a set of the GraphTech piezzo saddles to put in one of my guitars. I think I may throw those in the sunburst Hybrid.

I've been looking around for 'em but they aren't anywhere! Do you have any idea where I could score one of those Hybrids? I don't mind if it's a 300 or 400, just as long as it plays well!

 

[lex666]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

+1 for Fender and Traynor

If you need a heavier distortion, try the Peavey's...

 

[Red_Label]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

I've been looking around for 'em but they aren't anywhere! Do you have any idea where I could score one of those Hybrids? I don't mind if it's a 300 or 400, just as long as it plays well!

I got mine from a local music store that used to carry ESP. But I do searches on Ebay for them all the time and it seems like there's at least one or two on there about 1/2 of the time. I just type in "esp hybrid" in the search bar to find them.

Right now, there's on translucent red Ltd 400 just like mine on there:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ESP-LTD-Hybrid_...ryZ33038QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And a couple of the original ESP Hybrid I/II's as well (first one autographed by Queensryche).

http://cgi.ebay.com/Autograph-Guita...yZ105024QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ESP-HYBRID-GUIT...oryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I personally prefer the Ltd models because the neck is glued-in, and it's all mahogany. So it's more of the Les Paul Jr. vibe and less of the Telecaster vibe.

I love both my 300 and 400 models. The 400 has Grover tuners, Earvana nut, block inlays, and real SD pickups. But they play the same. The pickups are the only thing that needs to be done on th 300. I don't see too many 300's for sale though. I'm still looking for a black 300 or 400 to complete my collection.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: what would be a good all-tube upgrade?

the answer is yes, i use high-gain amps, but use lower gain settings (probably 5/10 on distortion). i play numetal, thrash, solo guitar stuff, so i don't want an amp that's made for jazz or something.

i've heard good things about laney and traynor, but know very little about them except that they're more expensive than vox.

So, to give us a better idea, which models on your vox do you like the most for what you do? So far I say the peavey 5150, and laneys are very good and versatile, but more vintage flavored.