badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on May 28 2008 06:15 PM
Okay so I need a tube amp. My twin is too much for home use and is on semi-permanent loan to a friend one state down from me. I love my AC30 but it's a sexless marriage. I rarely get her warmed up, and never hit it like I oughta cuz she's a screamer, and my lifestyle just doesn't have a place for that. So what's out there for me? For reference my current bedroom surf setup is usually my crate powerblock with low gain run into a 1x12 with a celestion vintage 30. With the tank in front of it sounds great, and I can control the volume.
I'm looking for 5 to 10 watts with lots of clean headroom... Yeah, I know... but that would be the dream. The Gomez G would be a winner, but I don't have that kind of cash to drop on a bedroom player... I'd frankly rather spend that kind of money taking my kids to Disneyland. Though if I found a used one, I'd find a way to swing it... I recently played the Boogie 5:50, but I really don't need the 50, and the 5 isn't as clean as the 50 anyway... Am I stuck with a DRRI? I'd almost rather get a hot rod deluxe. It would be quiter than my AC30 and would cost about half of what the DRRI would... What to do?
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2688
Ventura, CA
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Posted on May 28 2008 06:38 PM
I use a 70s Champ at home, sounds beautiful with a tank and stays clean at bedroom volume. For me, it's plenty loud at 4, which is the recommended minimum in the manual. For my girlfriend it's too loud. I see them going for $300, a lot cheaper than a Princeton.
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Bong-O
Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 139
Massachusetts, birthplace of Dick Dale
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Posted on May 28 2008 07:15 PM
I second that suggestion..... A silverface (or if you want to spend $600. a black face) Champ..... But a VIBRO CHAMP..... best trem ever by Fender. With a tank in front and a good speaker, it is a great sounding amp with tons of mojo.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on May 28 2008 08:18 PM
What about Ampegs? Ampeg Jets are cool and vintage ones are pretty cheap.
AC15?
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2391
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on May 28 2008 08:40 PM
Silverface Princeton
Reverend Goblin 15/5 (if you can find one)
20 watt Traynor
Bob
— Bob
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tommyalvarado
Joined: Jan 03, 2008
Posts: 512
Delaware, USA
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Posted on May 28 2008 08:47 PM
How about a vintage Gibson Falcon (the crest version, circa 1964, or so), or an Epiphone Comet, same era? Both righteous amps, and about $300.00, give or take...
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SURFmole
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
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Posted on May 28 2008 09:16 PM
I third the suggestion for a Champ (preferably Vibro Champ).
— www.apollo4.com
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seamoor
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 122
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Posted on May 28 2008 09:53 PM
I agree the vintage Champs are nice, and there are some cheap kits around. I have a Gibson GA-5 class A amp with 5 watts that I prefer to the Champ, but considering the budget constraints listed, I would honestly go with a Blues Jr tricked out with the BillM mods. You can even get the mod kits easy now:
http://home.comcast.net/~machrone/bjr/bjmodkits.htm
For the money, it's a good value. Another consideration in this price range, seriously, is a SWR Stawberry Blonde solid state amp. The clean is truly excellent, the price is right. I know a lot of jazz musicians that use SWR acoustic amps. I have owned both the Strawberry Blonde as well as the California Blonde and they are a very good value for the money. I always include an acoustic amplifier, an AER in my stereo rig because of the clarity and accuracy it brings to the mix with saturated tube amps. The SWR amps are close to AER soundwise plus you can play bass through them easily. One final suggestion, though slightly more money, would be a Rivera Pubster. These are very good. So is the Ardmore, which is 8 watts.
http://www.guytronix.com/
Seamoor Glas
The Iterators
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on May 28 2008 11:02 PM
Many good suggestions already.
Another option: Carvin Vintage 16. A bit like a Vox AC15, but switchable to 5 watts. $400 new direct from the factory. I've heard very good things about these amps. I've even toyed with getting one.
Ivan
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
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The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on May 28 2008 11:15 PM
IvanP
Many good suggestions already.
Another option: Carvin Vintage 16. A bit like a Vox AC15, but switchable to 5 watts. $400 new direct from the factory. I've heard very good things about these amps. I've even toyed with getting one.
Ivan
Hey Ivan. They sound great! The reliability? Not so much. Once you get a good one, they are supposed to fabulous, but it might take a couple tries. I'd buy an old harmony first.
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Mr_Reverb63
Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Posts: 919
San Pablo, CA
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Posted on May 29 2008 01:08 AM
i would recommend getting the Vox AD50VT, while not quite a tube amp its pretty freaking close as it has Valve Reactor Circuitry which is pretty damn close to a real tube amp. u can also change the output wattage to make it sound like a tube amp turned all the way up without really having the volume that loud. Its the Only amp i have right now until i get a nice showman, so far its been one of the best amps i've played, used it for all the gigs we've had, but now i neeed something louder since Wooza got his band master fixed up...my amp can't keep up with that thing..  im so jealous..i'd KILL FOR AN AMP...contact info is on my profile.. 
— -Zanti
Instagram:
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on May 29 2008 09:08 AM
MrReverb63_
i would recommend getting the Vox AD50VT
Hey Mr. Reverb. I have the AD30VT (got it accidentally for a ridiculous price 2 years ago) and probably won't get rid of it. But a tube amp, that you can turn up past 6 in the house... Pretty close is awesome, but the real deal is awesomelyer! By the way, try pushing a 2, or a 4x12" cab with your 50. You'll keep up 
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2778
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on May 29 2008 09:34 AM
I KNOW all you guys are going to think that old Eddie has lost it now, but I've heard several old Silvertone 1472 and 1482 amps that sounded amazing. At low volumes they had that vintage 50's/60's tube sound and when cranked they really compress. There is no better output tube combination in my mind than a pair of 6v6's.
ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on May 29 2008 09:48 AM
eddiekatcher
I KNOW all you guys are going to think that old Eddie has lost it now, but I've heard several old Silvertone 1472 and 1482 amps that sounded amazing. At low volumes they had that vintage 50's/60's tube sound and when cranked they really compress. There is no better output tube combination in my mind than a pair of 6v6's.
ed
The only problem is they aren't a secret anymore... You can still find a harmony now again for cheap, but that dude from the White Stripes made silvertones popular amps... They're in the mid $300s and climbing. And not as clean sounding as I'm after...
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on May 29 2008 10:00 AM
I'll second the Blues Junior mentioned above. That is a KICKIN' little amp. 15W of love, and a great bedroom amp.
—
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2688
Ventura, CA
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Posted on May 29 2008 12:01 PM
I have a Blues Jr. too and love it but it has more gain. I'm astonished at how many pros have one in their collection and use them for recording. I've used it with a drummer no problem. The Champ is cleaner sounding, doesn't get as loud. For home, I prefer the Champ. You can turn it up a little and get great tone without rattling the windows.
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seamoor
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 122
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Posted on May 29 2008 01:18 PM
Stormtiger
I have a Blues Jr. too and love it but it has more gain. I'm astonished at how many pros have one in their collection and use them for recording. I've used it with a drummer no problem. The Champ is cleaner sounding, doesn't get as loud. For home, I prefer the Champ. You can turn it up a little and get great tone without rattling the windows.
That's how I feel about my GA-5. I also have a Carr Rambler, which is 6L6 as opposed to el84, but it's also class a. It's got more glass. But the GA-5 has more snuss. And sometimes, let's face it, ya just wanna kick ass. It's not distorted, it's just more 'muscular', it's got that in your face snarl. 'You want some? Yeah, I want some! Bring it! It's been brought!" . I have been tempted to get the BJ and do the mods--but I have this 'do you really need that' problem with my significant other.
Seamoor Glas
The Iterators
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2688
Ventura, CA
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Posted on May 29 2008 01:52 PM
but I have this 'do you really need that' problem with my significant other.
I stopped announcing my new acquisitions at home and there has been no trouble since. I have my Bassman hiding in the garage. I found that my significant other can't tell the difference between a Champ and a Blues Jr. so I can shuffle them without anyone noticing.
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Ben
Joined: Feb 11, 2007
Posts: 591
Encinitas, Ca
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Posted on May 29 2008 03:34 PM
I have a Blues Jr. and they are ok but not great in my opinion...Plenty of power, but weak reverb, and kind of boxy sounding. Mine is all stock and is an older model though. Plenty of used ones out there.
I think an old VibroChamp or Princeton would be a perfect bedroom size amp with a little more surf mojo...
I have heard that Fender is coming out with a '65 Princeton Reverb Reissue this summer. I'm curious to check one of those out.
Perfect "bedroom" amp (though non-tube) is the Roland MicroCube. They are cheap, sound good, great reverb and tremolo, and run forever on "AA" batteries.
One more tip to keep the wife from snooping around the gear room too much. Buy all your guitars, surfboards, amps, liquor bottles, etc. the same color.
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seamoor
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 122
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Posted on May 29 2008 05:42 PM
Ben
I have a Blues Jr. and they are ok but not great in my opinion...Plenty of power, but weak reverb, and kind of boxy sounding. Mine is all stock and is an older model though. Plenty of used ones out there.
Yup. hence, the BillM mods. Really, making the mods transforms the amp into a usable tool, I've heard a couple, and the mods really fix it up...you are right, the default amp is lacking...
Seamoor Glas
The Iterators
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