What's a nice, small tube combo?

[thespricket]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I can cut through a loud drummer with my V32 (in fact, with the first serious band I was in I got to play it live quite alot), but I think you'd struggle with the V16. If you did manage to use it with a band, you'd have to throw any sort of headroom out the window and tell your drummer to stop playing quite so hard.

Sorry to hijack the the thread darkside!!:notworthy

i've just been gasing for these crate amps for a while and i wanted to get some answers.

Ive read reviews that said the v16 has a ext speaker out and some people have driven cabs with them, but strangely enough MF's description of if give no details about a speaker output. So i was just wondering if it could drive a 212 or even a 412 and get enough volume and headroom. I remember hearing the out is rated at 16ohms, if that helps.

 

[Aceman]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I actually use my Pro Jr. for that. I just run a TS-9 in the front and ramp the level down on the pedal....

But man, when the volume gets to about 8 on the amp-oh yeah!!!!!

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

For the price it's almost impossible to beat an Epiphone Valve Jr. halfstack, or the Blackheart halfstack that's almost the same thing plus a tone stack. I know the Vale Junior sounds great, and apparently the Blackheart is the same circuit but with more tone controls. I'll be gettin a Blackheart as soon as I can afford one myself...

 

[YEM]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

Check out Victoria Amplifiers, my favorite little amps.....

 

[ModestCargo]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

If you want a really small practice amp look at a Fender Super Champ XD. They have a great clean channel that takes pedals REAL well, and some pretty nice delay and reverb too, as well as distortion sounds and effects.

But if you crank your amp up to get power tube overdrive forget it - it's just a good clean amp. Solid state pre, tube power section (2 6v6s). It's just a really good practice amp.

 

[aleclee]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

At really low volumes, digital just seems to sound way better than anything tube and it usually ends up being a lot cheaper as well. I didn't really "get" that until I got my MicroCube. Sure enough, that thing rocks at talking volumes more than any other amp I own.

What he said.

The only tube amp I've ever found that was really usable at bedroom levels was a 1.5W amp I briefly owned and even that rig had issues since it had virtually no clean headroom.

I'm a big fan of the Roland Cube series. I own a Micro Cube but would suggest a Cube 15 for use outside the practice room.

 

[viewaskew2k5]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

5w Blackheart http://blackhearteng.com/

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I should be getting one of those Fender Champ 600's here pretty soon. I am very excited to hear what they sound like.

I really digging my Vox DA5 for bedroom use.

 

[dystrust]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

My favorite bedroom amp is my Hughes & Kettner Edition Tube 20. Good tone at a manageable volume and plenty loud for when you need to play with a band. I also love it for recording. I'm able to get a very convincing 'plexi' / old school Rush sound to tape with the gain at about 10 o'clock using my Les Paul or Hamer 335.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I like the idea of the Princeton Reverb, and I've been interested in Tweed Deluxes for a while. What is the wattage of the Tweed Deluxe, and which one has higher clean headroom (or alternatively, which breaks up sooner?)

 

[FAC]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I like the idea of the Princeton Reverb, and I've been interested in Tweed Deluxes for a while. What is the wattage of the Tweed Deluxe, and which one has higher clean headroom (or alternatively, which breaks up sooner?)

I'm not familiar with the Princeton Reverb, but when I think Tweed Deluxe I think "early breakup". My Victoria 20-112 has fabulous clean** tones at true bedroom volumes and even better "slightly above bedroom" overdriven tones (this can be successfully knocked back to true bedroom volumes with an attenuator like the HotPlate). I've heard I could change one of the preamp tubes and get even earlier breakup, but I like where it is now.

Tweed Deluxes are in the 10-20 watt range.

**"clean" on a tweed deluxe is an interesting concept...there is always a bit of something in there, but it is very pleasant "something", as discussed in another thread with respect to what "clean" really means (often, the most pleasing "clean" has a bit of distortion in it).

 

[andrizzle]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I've got the Crate Palomino V16 and I really like the sound of it, BUT I guess "bedroom quiet" is pretty relative... I didn't think I had it too loud and I had a neighbor come by the other day to complain (I have my a house in a neighborhood)... oops!.... anyway, what's your situation? are you in an apartment/house? what's your price range too? the Crates sound great, I believe there's also a V8 Palomino that might be better suited for bedroom situations

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I just got my hands on a Fender Super Champ, and it's the bee's knees. I've never played through a Princeton, so I can't speak to them, but the Super Champ is a heck of an amp. I use it at bedroom levels, it takes beautifully to pedals, and it's got great clean tone with nice breakup without shaking the foundation.

Wahwah swears by his Super Champs, and has played large and small venues with them. Check out his audio clips, and you'll be astonished.

Here's one on eBay that's going for a good price (so far).

- Keith

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: What's a nice, small tube combo?

I like the idea of the Princeton Reverb, and I've been interested in Tweed Deluxes for a while. What is the wattage of the Tweed Deluxe, and which one has higher clean headroom (or alternatively, which breaks up sooner?)

Any Tweed is going to break up sooner and have less headroom than a Blackface. The 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is rated at 15 watts - a loud 15 watts from what I understand (haven't played one myself). Think Neil Young A BF Princeton Reverb is rated at about 12 watts - not a significant difference, but it uses a 10" speaker vs. a 12". No lack of bass IME with the PR clone I've just finished, but it is easier to annoy people with a 12" speaker than with a 10" speaker.

You asked about an 8" speaker earlier. IMHO 10" is the minimum size for decent frequency response and pushing enough air. 8" might be OK for the bedroom, but you included some gigging in your explanation of what you were after.

BTW a Super Champ is not that much different from a BF Princeton Reverb in terms of the basic circuit.

HTH

Chip