Best cheap 10-15w amp?

  • Thread starter Thread starter noisedude
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For under a hundred smackeroonies you can't go far wrong with a Pathfinder (just as long as you aren't attempting to play 80s or 90s Metal).

Finding one, on the other hand, is a bit of a challenge. I know AoS don't stock them anymore, and Sound Control's Pathfinder page says it's not currently in stock (though whether that's because they decided to stop stocking them or there are no longer any being made... :eek: )
 
I own an orange crush 10. I'm very impressed with it for what it is. Just remember that it's a 10W solid state amp so it's never going to sound amazing.

The best amp I've heard in this category is the Laney 15 watt valve amp, I forget the model number, possibly LC 15? Very nice tones from that but then again it'll cost you 3 times as much as the orange.

I never got a great recorded sound from the Crush but then again that doesn't mean you won't be able to. :D

Edit: Here's one of those Laneys on Ebay if you're interested (it is LC 15). It might well go over your budget though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=3769852737&rd=1
 
LI_Slim said:
Don't forget to check out the Gorilla. ;)
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I have a gorilla.. it's loud as shit, for it's size. Don't be alarmed, it can be quiet too.

I actually used it for the clean track on a recording I did for a band. The guitarist had a GMajor with tons of reveb and stuff. We ran the amp clean, and the effects direct in. Mixed to taste.. and we got an awesome sound.

The amp is pretty damn sweet for the $15 I paid for it. Yard sales rule.
 
Mark7 said:
For under a hundred smackeroonies you can't go far wrong with a Pathfinder (just as long as you aren't attempting to play 80s or 90s Metal).

Finding one, on the other hand, is a bit of a challenge. I know AoS don't stock them anymore, and Sound Control's Pathfinder page says it's not currently in stock (though whether that's because they decided to stop stocking them or there are no longer any being made... :eek: )
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I'm not playing metal of any description. Phew!

As an aside, do you know that Sound Control have bought AOS? Fact of the day.

Nick - I'll keep an eye on that Laney ... argh, so many amps and so little money!!
 
They have? where did you hear about that?

I'd have thought it'd have been the other way round :confused:
 
ok, so you say you want a 10-15 watt amp. the only reason i would see in wanting a small amp like this would be if it were a tube amp.

with solid state amps you can play at any low volume and always get the same tone. from what i understand there is minimul volume to tone relationship in solid state amps. however, tube amps have a strong relationship in this manner. the best tone of a tube amp comes when the tubes begin to warm up. although the gaining of a tube is quite linear the warming of a tube introduces harmonics into the sound. This is what creates the desireable sound.

if you turn up a 10-15 watt solid state up to the point where you overdrive its circuitry you will end up with a very unpleasant distortion (the wave form is clipped in a sharp block manner). however, opening up a tube amp above its available headroom will result in harmonic overdrive with a rounded top to the wave forms (a much more pleasant distortion).

So, if you are looking for the best tone at a low volume i would go with a small 10-15 watt tube amp. Considering that there is almost no difference in tone between a 15 watt and 30 watt solid state amp i would go with a larger wattage and just play it at lower volumes.
 
You'd be right ... except I want cheap, small and, most importantly, cheap. I'd love a little Princeton or something but it's not going to happen. If I am really struck by it I will get the Vox AD30, otherwise I will just have a 15 watt thing I can easily fit in my room. Space is a problem in a small room containing a bed, desk and piano.
 
if space and money is a problem i would still recommend looking for an old fender champ on ebay. the vox ad30 does sound pretty good.
 
Ah, I put 41 down and it's a no-go ... when they're £70 new I'd be silly to go any higher. Cheers anyway!
 
don't forget about the vox brian may. it has really nice distortion, the best i've heard from a solid-state by far.
 
I won't! They've got them in the shop so I will be comparing against the others to see what's what.
 
I was in the store last week and someone was playing a srtat into a
Vox Brian May. It has awesome sound for a small amp. I am thinking of getting one to have for the studio.
 
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