OT: Smaller Amps With Good Tone?

[Slingy]

I had some time on my hands a few weeks ago and stopped by my local guitar shop. I fully inteded to buy a Roland Cube and just wanted to hear the differences between the 15x, 20x, and 30x. I played each cube and thought there were OK -- but I just wasn't overly impressed by their sound.

I also tried two of the newer Fender Champ models. I can't remember the exact units I tested. One had a ton of different amp models to choose from. It was almost too versitile for my liking.

Overall, I felt dissapointed in the Fender Champs and the Cubes. Then I saw the Blues Jr and gave it a shot. For me personally, it was the best amp I tested that day. Yes, it's more expensive than a Cube and has way less features, but it sounded great. It had fantastic clean tones, great bass, and the volume was easy to control.

As a side note, I ended up buying a used USA made Fender Deluxe because it has similar clean tones (I got a GREAT deal on a used on)...and I wished I had bought the Junior. The Deluxe's volume is hard to control in my house. The junior would have served me much better.

I have had this amp for years and the best thing you can do is get a small volume box from ebay or put a volume pedal in the loop. The clean channel really starts to sing at up around 7 to 8, and with the pedal in the loop you can keep it nice and low.

 

[philiprst]

Do 2x12 cabinets have similar characteristics to a full 4x12 cabinet? It would seem to me that the 4x12 would have more bottom end. But given my experience in the home and car audio, technically the 2x12 should have similar frequency response if the internal volume is exactly half of its 4x12 counterpart. Hmm...

You are right, when it comes to volume all that matters is the volume per driver. In my opinion 4x12s do have more apparent bottom end because the cabinet panels are larger and resonate at lower frequencies.

 

[MingusBASS]

We have the Laney Lionheart amps at work and they sound superb. I'm going to employee purchase one of the 5 watt combos soon.

 

[Ripper]

Seems like everyone's been talking about a 5 watt amp.. hmm..time to share mine here.

Ibanez 5 watt 2 channels tube amp, a very nice small amp for room use ...:



Guess however this may not be available for you guys in the US..

 

[zenmba]

Seems like everyone's been talking about a 5 watt amp.. hmm..time to share mine here...(

Ripper, the Valbee sounds sweet! No, I haven't seen any in the States yet (and I believe they have been out for a few years already).

I would really like a JSX 2x12 Combo! I have the 2w Micro Cube which is fine for practicing.

 

[Jim7895]

A good all around amp to consider would be THD's Univalve or Bivalve. Depending on the tube mix, you can get different tones / volume levels.

I have a BiValve, and really dig the versatility. It has a built-in attenuator that you can bypass.

They are both "head only" amps, so you would have to get a cab.

Worth looking at

THD Amps

 

[Ripper]

Ripper, the Valbee sounds sweet! No, I haven't seen any in the States yet (and I believe they have been out for a few years already).

I would really like a JSX 2x12 Combo! I have the 2w Micro Cube which is fine for practicing.

Yup, what a shame. But I think Ibanez dont wanna get into fierce competition with the smaller valve amp market with fender, epiph as well as peavey..

the Valbee is indeed somethin nice and cute, not to mention - a full feature small amp for the room (with a efx loop!) !

 

[DJ.]

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the Peavey Classic 50/410? I have been considering getting one but I have not been able to jack into one.

Thanks,
Dave (DJ)

 

[W.Suitor]

I agree with JonnyDubai that the Laney Lionheart 5w is a great amp, however, I have been bowled over by the quality of my Traynor YCV20WR small combo. My MIAC Silo Special directly into it is a tone to die for! It has a real vintage aesthetic to it with wine red tolex and light brown grille cloth. Coupled with a celestion G12M 12" speaker, IMO it cannot be bettered.

 

[GWDavis28]

Well I have the discontinued Tech 21 Trademark 10 and I think it's the perfect small amp.

You can pick them up for around $100 off of EvilBay.

TECH 21 NYC - TRADEMARK 10

Glenn |B)

 

[robelinda2]

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the Peavey Classic 50/410? I have been considering getting one but I have not been able to jack into one.

Thanks,
Dave (DJ)

great amp, the classic 30 is awesome too. Great clean tones, heaps of headroom, takes pedals really well.

 

[candid_x]

R.e. the Peavey Classic 30, main complaint seems to be rattling and lack of preamp tube covers. I'd imagine the 50 is likewise.

 

[robelinda2]

i must say i'm so impressed with ym Carvin Vintage 16, its so good. I"m going to find the next amp in the range and give it a go, a 30 w or 50 Carvin must be even better! I cant believe the big warm sound coming out of the 16w, and i only have it switched to 5w most of the time! So good that you can crank it at 5w.

 

[candid_x]

howboutasoundclip?

 

[robelinda2]

if i could, i would! I have a Tascam DP-01, but for the life of me I cant figure out how to get my recorded audio files off it and onto my computer, i think the USB port doesnt work, or i am dumb. the latter is so very likely.

 

[candid_x]

My son brought his over. Looked like it used USB, but it has to be the right connectors to fit the recorder and your computer. Should be easy to find.

 

[robelinda2]

yeah i have right usb cables, it all connects right, but the computer doesnt read the Tascam's hard drive, nothing happens at all. Manual says the tascam hard drive icon should apper in My Computer when you connect the usb, i cant see what i'm doing wrong.

The Carvin sounds magnificent with my LE 06 Silo Special, magic stuff. beats the AL.....

 

[candid_x]

Would love to hear that combo with the LE 06 Silo Special, if you get it sorted out.

 

[DJ.]

R.e. the Peavey Classic 30, main complaint seems to be rattling and lack of preamp tube covers. I'd imagine the 50 is likewise.

Thak makes sense. I also wondered about the noise from the fan.

Thanks,
Dave (DJ)

 

[DJ.]

great amp, the classic 30 is awesome too. Great clean tones, heaps of headroom, takes pedals really well.

I am planning on adding the Digitech GNX4 to whatever I get. The 50 was recommended and I was hoping it would respond well to the pedals. It will be more than I need.

Thanks,
Dave (DJ)