Off Topic Searching for a new Amp: need help

[ThatsAgood1jay]

Coming this next fall, Ill be moving back into a multi-person apartment for the remainder of my college years. So that means I need to downsize my amplifier if I am to remain in good standing with my mates. Currently I have a Mesa Nomad 100 2x12 combo, which is just an amazing amp. But those 100 thunderous watts would knock the walls down even on its lowest passable volume. My price range is about $1000+/- a hundred or so.

I have looked at all the low wattage amplifiers out there from Egnater, Hughes and Kettner, Blackstar and even the TA-15/mini-rec from Mesa, and cant decide what I should look at seriously. I require alot of versatility in the tone department because I like to play everything from smooth jazz, Stevie Ray Vaughn/Allman Brothers, all the way to Dream Theater, Megadeth/judas Priest.

Another requirement is that it must be able to hit band practice levels. Not too concerned with gig levels yet because I have not solidly formed a group, but have some good looking prospects with some guys I've met in school for future endeavors.

Also, its a bit out of my price range, but for S&G's, can anyone who has a Mesa Mark V tell me how manageable the volume is in the 10watt setting?

 

[Norrin Radd]

10 watts is still very very loud. Find something with excellent Master Volume controls (Orange among many others) or something with on board power scaling (suhr Badger series, Mojo amps, etc....). The other option is to eschew tubes altogether and go solid state. But if you do that, be sure to get a lot of watts if you want to keep up with a band.

In any event you need to try in person to really make an informed decision., IMO.

 

[Economista]

5150 III mini.

 

[Adrian-XI]

Yeah the 10 watt mode on the Mark V will still make your ears bleed, even on the variac power setting.

 

[Norstorm]

Sorry man.. It sounds like you would never be able to use any amps real potential at that place. What about a processor and active studiomonitors. I use that at home, and it works perfectly.. The monitors are neutral, so whatever the amp and cab I use, I get the exact tone.

 

[mtrejo]

I'm rocking the Egnater Renegade 2x12 combo that just sports versatility. 2 channel, Low volumes as well as band rehearsal capabilities. The included foot switch is really cool as you can control individual channel effects loop, reverb and has a boost which you control the boost level. Nice line out for recording and comes with nice casters for easy rolling around. Definitely give it a test run before you buy anything. PM me if youd like more info. Good luck on your quest, I was on it for a while until I found this amp.

 

[ThatsAgood1jay]

Sorry man.. It sounds like you would never be able to use any amps real potential at that place. What about a processor and active studiomonitors. I use that at home, and it works perfectly.. The monitors are neutral, so whatever the amp and cab I use, I get the exact tone.

A friend of mine does that to great success, It was kinda neat when we played in his dorm room just plugging into his breakout box and being able to pull up almost any amp tone...maybe that is the best idea.

 

[LegGodt]

Why not keep your amp and pick up an Attenuator with a headphone jack? Some people may chime in here that Attenuators kill amps and eat tubes. Yes they do ... if you dime up amp and then take that volume down to bedroom levels. But if all you are looking for is a way to be quiet and still have your tone, use an Attenuator with a headphone jack instead of your cabinet. This way you can either hook it up to a cab and make it super quiet, or if that is not enough plug in some headphones.

This is a good one from what I have heard/read ... and it only costs $250, way under your budget.
Weber Mass 150

There are other Attenuators on the market so do some research. I've also heard good things about the DR Z Air Brake.

As far as I am concerned this is a win/win. You keep the amp you love, have the ability to practice in your dorm and you still have a rehearsal/gig ready amp.

UPDATE: Your amp has a recording/headphone out. Have you tried using that? Not sure if using that kills the signal going to the speaker. But that might be another option.

- Dudley

 

[ThatsAgood1jay]

Why not keep your amp and pick up an Attenuator with a headphone jack? Some people may chime in here that Attenuators kill amps and eat tubes. Yes they do ... if you dime up amp and then take that volume down to bedroom levels. But if all you are looking for is a way to be quiet and still have your tone, use an Attenuator with a headphone jack instead of your cabinet. This way you can either hook it up to a cab and make it super quiet, or if that is not enough plug in some headphones.

This is a good one from what I have heard/read ... and it only costs $250, way under your budget.
Weber Mass 150

There are other Attenuators on the market so do some research. I've also heard good things about the DR Z Air Brake.

As far as I am concerned this is a win/win. You keep the amp you love, have the ability to practice in your dorm and you still have a rehearsal/gig ready amp.

UPDATE: Your amp has a recording/headphone out. Have you tried using that? Not sure if using that kills the signal going to the speaker. But that might be another option.

- Dudley

I have attempted to use the recording out into my breakout box, but the tone was not that great. THat could be a result more of me being inexperienced in recording though. I have the option of switching off the main speakers on the amp and using the recording out only.

 

[LegGodt]

Have you considered an attenuator? I've heard that the tone is better using them than the record out on amps.

Another consideration is Amplitube 3 Free with CS. It's $100 with the StealthPlug and it has a headphone out. The tones are actually very good and they do have some Mesa Boogie models that you can choose from in the Custom Shop. It's only for practice anyway so getting close should be good enough. Also, since you play multiple style, Amplitube might be the best choice, because you can build different rig configurations.

I just picked Amplitube 3 CS up to be able to record rough tracks for my bands upcoming CD. We are in the pre-prod stage for guitars right now and its a lot easier and quieter (I have a 9 month old daughter at home) than firing up my rig, or any rig for that matter.

$100 and you have a solution. Not bad considering your budget is $1000.

- Dudley

 

[Johnny Alien]

My suggestion (because I love Egnater amps) would be the Tweaker 15. I think it's very versatile and sounds great. But also based on what you described the Princeton Reissue would be a great choice. They take pedals very well.

 

[lessthanone]

I have a H&k duotone combo thatnsounds amazing at really low volumes and high volume. Extremely versatile and you can pick them up on the used market in your price range. If youre looking at the tubemeister from them already you might as well check the duotone out. New they are in the upper 2k range but I got mine mint for 1000

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

Cube 40XL, Apartment friendly Amp with nice tone. Clean or High Gain with a power soaker for high Gain @ low volumes.
I use at night when the family is asleep. The clean tone on the cube is insane. A lot of effects as well. Ronny Wood uses the Cube to warm up before going on stage. The power Soaker only comes with the 20 and 40 watt version. It's a nice touch though......Good luck!

 

[acwild]

The "Output Volume" on the Mark V is a great thing. It'll tame the volume down to really low levels. I could get it sounding great at lower volumes than my Tweaker.

 

[NoUse121]

I picked up the Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 18 and I could not be happier. To go from 18 to 5 to 1 watt is good for all times of the day. I can also cover any type of music with it. Tell you the truth I a thinking about selling my Tripple Rec cause past few pratices I have not used it. That little guy does just fine!

 

[Luck]

How about the Bogner Alchemist or the Hughes & Kettber Tubemeister 18 Combo?

 

[Danjo]

I just got a Kemper Profiling Amp. You can profile your own amp into it and use it anywhere. They have a user forum where you can download other amps. They come with 200 or 300 preset amps in them. I think it sounds way better than the Fractal unit, and leagues above a POD. They are ideal if you are in a "be cool to your neighbors" environment. The price is a bit higher than you posted, but they are worth it. Simply amazing. I'm a tube amp freak and this Kemper amp is unbelievable for not being a tube amp. Check out their website:
Profiler | Kemper Profiling Amplifier | KPA | Guitar Amplification Redefined

Watch the videos. You can't tell the difference between the actual amp and the profiled amp. This is going to change everything.

 

[ghunter]

My $0.02 is that once you've had Mesa you're going to find it tough to shift to another brand of amp. I have the exact same problem with my 100W Tremoverb/Dual Recto combo - it's just way too loud for what I need to do.

I have bought the TA-15 and so far it's really nice but not a replacement for the fullness that I get from the Rectifier. I'm looking forward to getting the TA-112-19 cabinets this week to see if that makes a difference.

I'm also waiting for a Stiletto Deuce head that's inbound this week. It has a setting to pull it down to 50W which will hopefully do the trick.