Which small amp?

[Mkf411]

Re: Which small amp?

When the Gibson GA-5 first came out, I tried them and they sounded great. But recently every one I try at the big chain store sound like crap. Maybe people thrash them on the floor. But I want an amp that can survive a good thrashing. That makes me doubt the quality of the Gibson GA-5.

 

[NT02]

Re: Which small amp?

Another vote for a Peavey Classic 30. Get a used one for $300. Everything from pretty clean to hard rock with no pedals. Great amp for the bucks.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Which small amp?

If you can find a Fender Champ of any era (silverface models are just fine) or an original Gibson GA-5 Skylark in blonde tolex, then grab it. You should be able to find either for under $300, and they will sound great. However, they don't have much clean headroom or low end response. I'm not a fan of the later black tolex Gibson amps, but it's tough to beat the earlier (1950's to about 1962) amps in tweed, blonde, or two-tone coverings. A silverface Fender Princeton, with or without reverb, would be great, too, with plenty of clean tone and good low end with a good speaker. They will probably be more expensive than the new amps you mentioned, but less than a Deluxe.

I have a Pro Junior, too, and it sounds pretty good, but it tends to eat tubes and has an annoying, incorrigible hum that none of my vintage tube amps have. Another option to consider would be an Orange AD15 if you can find one, or their new Rocker 30, or for less dough you might like the Traynor YCV-20.