rockdad
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Post by rockdad on Jul 20, 2006 7:43:04 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
As an ongoing move to add a variety of amplification, my son is looking at the possibility of purchasing his first fully-tubed amplifier. He currently has a solid-state Fender Frontman 25R as his carry-around amp and has what I'll call a hybrid, Marshall Valvestat 50W, which stays in the house.
I know he is not looking for another carry-around amp, but rather a lower-to-medium watted/sized amplifier.
We need to keep the "budget" in mind. We are looking at a reasonably priced amplifier. I would me interested in a known-name manufacturer (quality & warranty accessibility, if needed). Can anyone recommend/suggest am amplifier in the 30W range and another, say in the 50W range?...
His choice of music centers around AC/DC, Trower, Zep, etc.
All suggestions are well appreciated.
Also, I need a little "lesson" regarding options on amplifiers...i.e. "looped", etc. What variety of options will one see when buying...any options preferable...any to stay away from?...
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Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 20, 2006 8:19:35 GMT -5
laboga studio reverb
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Post by ux4484 on Jul 20, 2006 16:21:27 GMT -5
Does it need to be ALL tube? By budget, what $$$ range are you looking for? (sorry dunkelfalke, a LaBoga is not what I'd call a budget amp, and is not something on the shelf at Guitar Center or Sam Ash  ) I had recently been in this debate for myself, as my bass amp was boring on guitar, and my Tube amp too large and loud for daily use. The amp I was going to get after much deliberation was a Vox Valvetronix AD15VT 15W, but if you MUST have 30W, the The Vox Valvetronix AD30VT is almost identical at 30W but with a 10" speaker. These are hybrid, but I was really impressed with the modeling on this amp, as well as the classic Vox sound (Yes, I played it with a Rickenbacker  ). I was driving the guys at GC pretty crazy trying every amp on the floor. For the $$$ the best values seemed to me to be these Vox models and the Epiphone Valve series. As many folks have mentioned here, replacing the tubes in most any Epi Valve model is like getting a whole new (and better) amp. I ended up with a Fender practice amp, but the 15W Valvetronix was the model I wanted. |
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Post by ChrisK on Jul 20, 2006 16:42:08 GMT -5
I have the AD50VT (spent extra for the Celestion speaker). I love its ability to model other tube amp types. It ain't ALL tube, but its pretty close in sound. I really like the 5 Watt single-ended class A (single-ended, it better be) Epiphone Valve Junior for $100 at GC. guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=amp&action=display&thread=1144987809You can get the next better model for about $200 (it has digital reverb and a tone stack). The 15 Watt version is about $400. Epiphone has the Blues Custom out now ($500). I gots to get me one (or a '65 Deluxe Reverb for $700). I can also heartily recommend the Mesa Boogie Mark IV, but.......... |
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Post by JohnH on Jul 21, 2006 5:53:16 GMT -5
I also looked at that range of amps recently, moving up from a small practice amp. I settled on a Marshall DSL401, a 40 watt 1x12 all valve combo, which I'm very pleased with. I thought it somewhat better than the hybrid 50W AVT50 valvestate version. But if I'd had that, then I would have been happy with it and I see your son already has a valvestate Marshall.
I was also impressed with Peavey Classic 30 and Valveking models, which were less $
John
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Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 21, 2006 7:20:33 GMT -5
(sorry dunkelfalke, a LaBoga is not what I'd call a budget amp, and is not something on the shelf at Guitar Center or Sam Ash ) it is not? 444 euros, free shipping here. it is the cheapest handmade 50 watt all tube amp head with reverb i know of. |
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Post by ux4484 on Jul 21, 2006 9:19:11 GMT -5
That's almost $600 USD, no free shipping to here, and the american dealers listed on their site don't even list them as stocked. Not to mention...still need a bottom.
ChrisK,
Have you played a bass through your AD50VT?
If so, how does it respond as a bass amp?
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Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 21, 2006 10:54:52 GMT -5
well, all tube amps aren't cheap. if a hybrid is sufficient take a look at a t-60r or t-64rs (same amp, different cabinets), sold unter various names, sometimes in an ugly red.
it is dirt cheap and sounds very well (got one)
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Post by ChrisK on Jul 21, 2006 11:50:23 GMT -5
ux4484,
No, and I probably won't, although it does have a closed back (ad50vt) which might indicate that it's an acoustic suspension design (we don't know the internal "leakage").
If it's even an acoustic suspension'ish realization, it may be safe for low power bass.
Your risk.
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gator
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Post by gator on Jul 22, 2006 6:39:56 GMT -5
Define "budget". Is that less than $700, or less than $1200, etc?
Although I have not heard them people seem to like the Carvin Belair (2x12) and Nomad (1x12) both 50W. It seems like a tube swap is in order though. Eurotubes has a tube kit for them. Both Carvins are under $700. They come with Celestion G12 speakers.
There is the Crate V series amps. They have both 30 and 50 watt versions. Again Eurotubes has tube replacement kits if you want to tweak the sound a bit. There is also a 30watt Palomino V series called the V32. Its around $600.
Look at Traynor as well.
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njsedlacek
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Post by njsedlacek on Aug 6, 2006 20:55:43 GMT -5
Pignose G40V.
3 12AX7's in the pre, and 2 6l6's in the power. nothing more than you need. the speaker and cab are a little cheap, but they cut costs to make a decent tube amp for not so much money. sounds a bit like Stevie Ray Vaughn's style, so idk if it will do good for you Son's Zep and AC/DC. but i play the same thing, and i have a Vox Tonelab desktop modeling unit. works great. and all of this for the price of the Laboga! haha. hope this helps man. good luck and keep on pickin'.
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Post by UnklMickey on Aug 7, 2006 10:32:51 GMT -5
Pignose G40V?
bought 2 of them for just over $200 each, just before the price went up.
not bad at that price, but at $300+, they really aren't a bargain, IMHO.
the stock speaker is pathetic, and 40w is way too loud to get distortion out of the power amp.
as it comes stock, the gain is way more than necessary, hard to control, and reaches cut-off much before saturation.
it's the most "solid-state" sounding tube amp i've ever heard.
for less than half that price, you can get a 5w Epiphone VJ.
there are lots of sites with mods for them if you are so inclined.
and if you get the combo model, instead of the head-only model, the speaker is actually quite respectable!
spend the money you saved, on a mic (maybe a SM-57) and stand so you pipe it though the mains.
neither the Pignoise or Juni have reverb, so if you need it, and can't mic the amp to get it through the mains, you'll need to look at some of the other suggestions.
unk
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Post by ChrisK on Aug 7, 2006 13:31:45 GMT -5
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xStonr
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Post by xStonr on Aug 10, 2006 20:56:39 GMT -5
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natas
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Post by natas on Aug 24, 2006 9:08:11 GMT -5
I have the pignose G40V.I changed the speaker out for an Alnico and put triode yellowjackets with EL84s. Much more useable but way too much money invested.
How about a Fender Blues Jr or Pro?
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dripfire
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Post by dripfire on Aug 24, 2008 21:36:35 GMT -5
used peavey ultra or classic! i found a peavey triple xxx 60 combo for 500 ! good amps |
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nomadh
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Post by nomadh on Aug 27, 2008 13:47:53 GMT -5
If you are used to solid state maybe you don't realize how loud 30-50 watts of tubes are. I play blues and Cassic rock and my number 1 pick is the crate V series V30, VC30 or V32 can't vouch for the new V33. Also the peavey classic CL30 and Cl50. The sound level diff between 30 and 50 is very very little so only buy up for features not watts. I was also a fan of the vox valvetronix line for the price if you can't find a deal on the ones above. For less vintage sound look at the peavey windsor studio. I liked it alot. Check the valveking that I hated but many like. Also check the new Vyper or vypyr some with tubes and some without. See if you can tell the diff.
If you do decide that 30 tube watts is too loud then the Epi valve jr is very cool and a great deal but you'll need to keep a leash on any drummer you play with.
Hope that helps you..... or somebody.....
Good luck
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Post by ChrisK on Aug 27, 2008 17:43:50 GMT -5
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Post by ChrisK on Aug 28, 2008 15:14:21 GMT -5
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Post by ChrisK on Aug 28, 2008 15:22:10 GMT -5
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Aug 28, 2008 17:53:24 GMT -5
I've got a Pignose G40V with an Eminence speaker (the original rattled on the first note I played) and it's OK if you want a rawer sound.
But I'm a big fan of the Fender sound (my preference: Gibson guitars, Fender amps, Fenders basses and Ampeg bass amps, even though I own others -- and just traded off my last Ampeg!). Today I checked out the '65 Deluxe Reverb reissue and the Hot Rod Deluxe (both a little to large for me, these days) and ultimately I ordered a Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS. It's 15W, all tube, with a 12" Jensen speaker. It ran about $550.
I already have a Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight, which I'm nuts about, but I wanted a small tube amp for harmonica and whatnot. The reviews at Harmony Central are mostly highly approving, so we'll see.
There's also the Pro Jr, which is also 1 x 12 and all tube, but with simplified controls, and it costs less.
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Post by ux4484 on Aug 29, 2008 9:47:11 GMT -5
What's funny about both of those is the onboard effects are almost identical operationally to my Fender Bullet 150 practice amp. When the clean channel went the first thing I started to do was look for a way to divorce the effects board to a stand alone device (as it was the coolest thing about the amp) Fender offered no schematics (not even for MONEY) on the DSP board. hmmm..... I wonder if it's the same DSP... I haven't tossed it yet...... |
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Post by ChrisK on Aug 29, 2008 10:39:28 GMT -5
So what would an EXIT-LEVEL TUBE AMP BE?
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Post by ux4484 on Aug 29, 2008 10:46:12 GMT -5
So what would an EXIT-LEVEL TUBE AMP BE? that's the one where it's cheaper to buy a new one than re-tube and bias it |
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Aug 29, 2008 12:41:44 GMT -5
So what would an EXIT-LEVEL TUBE AMP BE? That's the one that has the tone that LITERALLY kills. |
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Post by D2o on Aug 29, 2008 12:52:58 GMT -5
So what would an EXIT-LEVEL TUBE AMP BE? That's the one that has the tone that LITERALLY kills. I think The Yardbirds used to have that kind of killer tone.  |
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Post by KIIMH on Aug 29, 2008 13:46:55 GMT -5
Used to have that killer tone ... as in Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page ... and used to have that killer tone ... as in Keith Relf, who died of electrocution while playing his electric guitar ...
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Post by ChrisK on Aug 29, 2008 18:10:33 GMT -5
See my line below....
But then again, someone's always the fuse.
RF, only lightning can jump that gap......
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Post by newey on Aug 31, 2008 10:57:36 GMT -5
HiWatt 400 watt tube headIt's Exit Level because: 1) Money will be quickly exiting your wallet. 2) Your home will exit its foundation. 3) Your wife/girlfriend will be exiting your relationship. 4) Your eardrums will be exiting your internal auditory canal. ;D ;D ;D Of course, one must also buy one or more suitable cabs to accompany this beast . . .
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 4, 2008 20:59:21 GMT -5
HiWatt 400 watt tube headIt's Exit Level because: 1) Money will be quickly exiting your wallet. 2) Your home will exit its foundation. 3) Your wife/girlfriend will be exiting your relationship. 4) Your eardrums will be exiting your internal auditory canal. ;D ;D ;D Of course, one must also buy one or more suitable cabs to accompany this beast . . . Pretty good. I just got my Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS (and probably three or four other acronymns/designations I'm forgetting) and got it up and running, then went out to dinner with a lady friend so I'm not ready to give a full review. Took it out of the box, looked in the back: tubes were loose. I seated them, then plugged the thing in and plugged a guitar into the inout. Turned on the power, the light came on, no sound. Ah. Tubes need to warm up. Checked the volume/master controls, both up. Silence. Pulled out the schematic that came with the amp: five tube sockets shown, I had counted 4 (two EL84, two 12AX7s. I looked in the back: sure enough, an empty tube socket. I looked at Fender's website: it said "2 x EL84, 2 X 12AX7, solid state rectifier. I searched through the packing and packaging: nada. Finally I felt around in the cabinet and there was Mr Rectifier Tube, stuck to the speaker magnet. I straightened his little legs with a pair of needlenose, then stuck him in the empty socket. That left me about 5 minutes to bash on the guitar before it was time to leave for the restaurant, but so far, so good. Sounds like a Fender, and I think I like the reverb better than the one on my Jazzmaster Ultralight. Fuller report to follow. |
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