any thoughts on this budget tube amp?

[rockabilly1955]

came across this amp. Seems interesting for a beginner tube amp. Any thoughts??

http://store.gotofmi.com/lo25wtuguamp.html

[WhiteStrat]

I couldn't even hazard a guess as to its quality or sound--never seen or heard one. But you're right: it sure looks interesting!

[Anfontan]

I've had one for a year or so now-I use it all the time for recording and practicing. I like it a lot, it has a good volume for a home recording situation. It has a nice spring reverb and effects loop with a level output control, a cool feature for an amp in this price range.
Its got a pretty decent breakup for rock & roll and blues with just the preamp gain up and the master down, with a distortion pedal it sound good too. I would say the output is more like 15 watts with 2 ax7's and 2 el84's though.

[rockabilly1955]

So this wouldn't be good for small club gigs with a drummer?

[arcaxis]

Might be worth trying out a Crate Palomino at a local Guitar Center if they have one in stock for about the same price. (3) 12AX7's, (2) EL34's 15 watts

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Palomino...61-i1146110.gc

Anfontan, Is this Johnson the same one that made the J-Station?

[Codmate]

Originally Posted by rockabilly1955

So this wouldn't be good for small club gigs with a drummer?

It could be OK - depending on how loud the rest of the band is and the type of music.

If the club has a PA you should be mic'd up anyway.

[Anfontan]

Originally Posted by arcaxis

Might be worth trying out a Crate Palomino at a local Guitar Center if they have one in stock for about the same price. (3) 12AX7's, (2) EL34's 15 watts

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Palomino...61-i1146110.gc

Anfontan, Is this Johnson the same one that made the J-Station?

The Johnson logo on the J-Station and the amp are very similar, but its hard to tell. I did requested and received a schematic for the Laredo amp and the email address was AXLUSA.COM. The J-Station's address is JOHNSONAMP.COM-I would say its quite possibly the same company..

[Anfontan]

Originally Posted by rockabilly1955

So this wouldn't be good for small club gigs with a drummer?

I used the Laredo last fall at a jam gig with several other guitarists-all playing pretty loud too-and it did well without going through the PA. I was pushing it hard though-close to max on the master volume-the tube sound was sweet though.

[famous beagle]

For that price, you should get an old Gibson mid-60s Skylark. You can get one in really good condition for around $300, and they absolutely smoke. I picked one up (a '65) at a local guitar store, and I absolutely can't believe how good it sounds.

Feature-wise, it's bare-bones: just a volume knob (unless the get the tremolo model, then you have a volume and a speed knob). But I promise you won't miss it. The sound is so good, and the amp reacts wonderfully to pedals and the tone knobs on your guitar.

Here are a few on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Skylark-1...QQcmdZViewItem

And here's one with tremolo:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-GA-5-Skyl...QQcmdZViewItem

I swear you will NOT be disappointed with this amp. It's by far the best $236 I've ever spent on a piece of music gear.

[Middleman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Johnson-Tube-Gui...QQcmdZViewItem

[rockabilly1955]

My band aint loud at all. Upright bass, drums, guitar and vocals. I currently use a vox valvetronix 50 watt 2x12 and I barely have to put the master volume at around the 9 or 10 o'clock mark and its perfectly loud. I think imma go to the retail store and check out the amp in person. Its a few miles from my home.

[chazba]

Check out the Pignose GV40 3-12ax7, 2- 6L6 40w 10" spkr. Drives the sh**t out of a 4X12 box while sounding great. $275