Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

[Myaccount876]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

Someone mentioned a Valve King, and that could be a good option if you are open to modding it, especially putting a bias control in it.

Speaking of Peavey, the Windsor with a good dirt pedal can get you there for cheap. The Peavey Ultra Plus 120 is supposed to be an overlooked gem. The B-52 AT100 is supposed to be a poor-man's Mesa. There's also Jet City's line of amps. Check reverb.com for stuff.

 

[trevorus]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

Well, I found the deal I wanted on a DSL half stack at a local pawn shop, so I put it on layaway. I think it'll do what I need quite nicely!

 

[DMR]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

I'll throw in a vote for the Mesa Single Recto. I live in South Florida and i've been seeing them on Craigslist for $600. It sounds great on it's own as far as high gain but even better if you've got an OD in front of it. I have one going through a closed back Avatar 2 x12 cab w/ V30's with an MXR COD in front and it sounds godly......even at bedroom volumes.

 

[~Vintage~]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

Blackstar HTMetal line is on the cheap ($400ish for a head)

I have the HT5 Metal Head and it's heavy as F-CK!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

Well, I found the deal I wanted on a DSL half stack at a local pawn shop, so I put it on layaway. I think it'll do what I need quite nicely!

Oh good. You didn't listen to anyone and got a good amp!

 

[trevorus]

Oh good. You didn't listen to anyone and got a good amp!

Well, I just walked through a pawn shop that had it on clearance, so I had to buy it. The MC cab isn't the greatest, but I'll upgrade it or replace the speakers later. 100 watts of tube power ought to get the job done.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

I would've suggested a 5150 too, but a DSL works. I mainly wanna say WTF? to the VTM bagging. VTM's and Butchers can get pretty damn close to an 800, especially when you figure in the cost to tone ratio. That said, finding VTM's "all day" for $150 isn't the case anymore. The word is out.

If you need something even closer to the JCM800 for cheap look for a Mig60. Boom!

 

[trevorus]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

I would've suggested a 5150 too, but a DSL works. I mainly wanna say WTF? to the VTM bagging. VTM's and Butchers can get pretty damn close to an 800, especially when you figure in the cost to tone ratio. That said, finding VTM's "all day" for $150 isn't the case anymore. The word is out.

If you need something even closer to the JCM800 for cheap look for a Mig60. Boom!

Yeah, those MIG60's are as rare as hen's teeth around here. I've luckily got a good MIG50 as it is, and I run it through a Marshall 1965A (4x10) cab, and it's glorious. Especially with my good toobs in it.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

Yeah, the 50 and 60 are nothing alike. 60's are more rare, but still cheaper than a 2204, and really close, soundwise.

 

[briggleman]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

I am sorry, this will not even come close, but when I was in college...... 1980, I had a little 8 watt Kalamazoo amp, when you turned it up to 10, with a Gibson Melody Maker single coil plugged in......... GLORIOUS!!!!

We had so much fun........ or was it the drugs???????

Brad

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

I'll throw in a vote for the Mesa Single Recto. I live in South Florida and i've been seeing them on Craigslist for $600. It sounds great on it's own as far as high gain but even better if you've got an OD in front of it. I have one going through a closed back Avatar 2 x12 cab w/ V30's with an MXR COD in front and it sounds godly......even at bedroom volumes.

Yeah, Single Recs are great, and I definetly want to add one to the collection. I can get some great tones out of my Triple Rec, but if I really want to get the poweramp cookin' I have to turn it up more than I really want to.

 

[cwebb]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

many Peavey heads will get there. Head, not combo. Any of them with numbers will do it.
Carvin Legacy and V3.
If you're getting a Crate Blue Voodoo, get the 120 or better and don't pay much for it; you'd be better off putting that money into and old ugly Peavey Mace and an angry pedal or two.
Hi gain can be accomplished pretty well with solid state amps. You may think about that too.

I'm finding my ultra 112 to be working fine although its a combo, but i will say the head version is most likely quite a bit better but this thing is a beast.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Your favorite cheap high gain tube amp

- Marshall JCM900 SL-X
- Laney GH50L
- Engl Thunder (with an OD pedal)
- Laney Ironheart (I guess it's cheap in the States)
- Orange Tiny Terror
- Peavey 6505 combo

Anyway, with cost in mind my #1 of choice would be a hybrid soapbox: Orange Micro Terror. You can't get a cheaper tube device with more fun factor. You can get a more mature sound around the price but you can find no tubes in there. If you want tubes, have tubes.