Off Topic Combo Amp

[busboy]

I'll also recommend the Randall MTS series; either an RM20, 22, or 50. I like to describe it to unfamiliar people as a rack set-up, with a tube power amp and your choice of tube preamps to just swap in and out.

Of course, with 22 or so different stock modules, there is alot to chose from. The real quality stuff comes from small builders though, who strip the modules PCB boards and copy circuit diagrams of the actual amp they want to emulate down the the caps, and then rebuild the whole thing. There are some AMAZING products out there by the small-time hand-build crowd. Of particular note to me, are Pete from Gigmods and Antonin Salva, of Salvation Mods. They do some amazing stuff, and you'd be hard pressed to tell the actual amp from the Randall. CHECK OUT THAT FIRST 'Matchvox' CLIP!

Anyways, here's a pic of my Silo and my RM50, that I stuck a cane grill and piping on.

Hey, do you mind if I ask where you got your Cane grill?

 

[panther_king]

Hey, do you mind if I ask where you got your Cane grill?

Mojo Musical Supply, I believe.

 

[Tung]

I'll also recommend the Randall MTS series; either an RM20, 22, or 50. I like to describe it to unfamiliar people as a rack set-up, with a tube power amp and your choice of tube preamps to just swap in and out.

Of course, with 22 or so different stock modules, there is alot to chose from. The real quality stuff comes from small builders though, who strip the modules PCB boards and copy circuit diagrams of the actual amp they want to emulate down the the caps, and then rebuild the whole thing. There are some AMAZING products out there by the small-time hand-build crowd. Of particular note to me, are Pete from Gigmods and Antonin Salva, of Salvation Mods. They do some amazing stuff, and you'd be hard pressed to tell the actual amp from the Randall. CHECK OUT THAT FIRST 'Matchvox' CLIP!

Anyways, here's a pic of my Silo and my RM50, that I stuck a cane grill and piping on.

Sorry for a bit of hijack here, but what modules are you using with that beautiful silo?
I run 2 Randall MTS amps, my favorite module is an Egnater EG5, modded by Trace from Voodoo Amps, awesome gain, sweetest mids, just singing.
OK, hijack out. I would also chime in on the Crate V30. I had one loaded with Tone Tubby 1X12, great tones, Marshall crunch mid gain thing and great clean.

 

[Tomcat84]

+1 on the HT-5, I use the HT-5 combo for home practice.

I'm very happy with my HT-5 combo as well, doesn't blow away my Dorm room (although it actually can if i crank it more than a third open haha)


Of course the best thing would be to try something before you buy. I played in some Guitar centers on some Line 6 stuff, Egnater Rebel and also at the Dallas Guitar show on a little Orange amp, I did really like the Orange one but disadvantage was that it had only one channel so no easy switching.

I then blindly bought the HT-5C online and am very happy with it.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I'm very happy with my HT-5 combo as well, doesn't blow away my Dorm room (although it actually can if i crank it more than a third open haha)


Of course the best thing would be to try something before you buy. I played in some Guitar centers on some Line 6 stuff, Egnater Rebel and also at the Dallas Guitar show on a little Orange amp, I did really like the Orange one but disadvantage was that it had only one channel so no easy switching.

I then blindly bought the HT-5C online and am very happy with it.

I do like the Orange Tiny Terror too, but its performance does not justify it's price. It's unfortunate, I think Orange is a great company, but the TT is overpriced for what it offers.

The HT-5 is hands down the best bargain for 5w Tube power. 2 Channels, FX loop. Can't beat it at that price.

Like I said, the Blues Junior NOS (the tweed not the tolex, though you may like the tolex better) with a Dist and an OD would be a powerful combo.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I have to say that the Crate V32 sounded good on the clip.
I see that one is for sale
Crate V32 Palomino 1x12 Tube Combo

 

[Jimmyb]

How are you with building things?

You could always get a hold of a kit and put one together for yourself. I might give that a go myself, so I can have a small combo for use in the house (my other amp's way too big).

 

[jamminjim]

That's what I do Jimmy - I play a Deluxe Reverb I put together from parts I gathered and an authentic chassis from a guy in Thailand. It's installed in a Fender DR cab I picked up on fleabay. Next up is a Hoffman Princeton Reverb. And another Champ that uses 6L6 as well as 6V6. I build them with point to point wiring, the tried and true old fashioned way. I'm going to have to do a M$rshall here pretty soon. An 18 watt.

Building an amp for yourself is really rewarding. There are a number of forums to help folks out who want to tackle it. David Allen makes some really nice kits.

Concerning the USA made Crate V32 - there are some concerns that it gets hot and the heat can damage the internals of the pots. Relocating some resistors is the cure or a cooling fan. Googling this results in far too many hits to not take it into consideration.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

I am still a fan of the vox valvetronix. Loads for your money and I recorded a whole album with one. The older ones that look like a "proper" vox are the best. VT60 I think.

J

 

[cjl5150]

I played a VT60 1x12 once and I remember liking the sound. They are a little hard to come by and I have read that they have some reliability issues. By the way-did you mic the one that you recorded with or go direct? Thanks

 

[Jonny Dubai]

Both and then blended the sound.

 

[kimonostereo]

Very nice! How much did the upgraded cab set you back? I've been looking at one of these myself. I'd love a small at home 2 amp set up. I have a Princeton which is my main practice amp but would love something else small to do the high gain stuff.

 

[panther_king]

Sorry for a bit of hijack here, but what modules are you using with that beautiful silo?
QUOTE]

/hijackenable

I am running a Blackface and XTC module I modded myself, for the standard bass and gain mods. Sounds nice, but I'm sending a spare module to be retooled by Antonin into his Soldano circuit.

/hijackdisable

 

[smd24fan]

I have a Peavey ValveKing 112 combo that I use weekly in the same context playing the same music you describe. It works very, very well. Great clean channel. Versatile lead channel with a boost channel that basically functions as a third lead channel.

If you look for a decent used one, you can pay around $300 or less. A great value.

FWIW...

Good amp, I had one and it served me well. Plays well with pedals too. It's light weight for an all tube amp, easy to move around.

 

[dannymusic]

the golden age of guitar playing, aint it?

amazing amount of choices for 4 or 5 sounds eh?

If you have a good pedal collection, concentrate on the "amp" part. If you're short on cash and want to stay on budget, go for one of the modelers w/efx.

 

[cjl5150]

Good point Danny. It seems like now there are so many choices at such great prices. There are amps that are $300 new that sound pretty great. When I started playing in the 80's there just weren't many options in combo amps and most of them either sounded pretty bad or they had a decent sound but were pretty expensive. Now you can get an brand new amp for $300 that has 4 or 5 pretty good sounds. Actually, you can get a pretty good practice amp for $99. That just didn't happen 20 years ago. (any of you listen to an cheap 80's solid state practice amp lately?) I think it's awesome what's available now.