Low-Watt tube recording amp

[stevieb]

The Led Zeppelin records were done with a supro 5 watt tube amp with an 8 inch speaker

An urban myth that won't die (but should, and should take Page with it...)

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/GearAndInstruments/myth-busters-jimmy-pages/

 

[GONZO-X]

yes, i hear this story told so often.

only the first album had any real supro happening...





ok, i voted other.
almost none of those do i care for.

on the other hand, you didn't say what kind of music you're recording...

have you looked at the Peavy JSX Mini Colossal?

 

[GONZO-X]

and, do you realize just exactly how LOUD even a 5 watt amp is?


are you sure this is what you're looking for?

 

[Outlaws]

Ok, so I'm looking for a good classic rock/blues amp for recording. It MAY double as a small gig amp for church and some smaller clubs and things but the primary thing is for recording. I've compiled a list of (mostly) 5W amps and a few 15 watters. Let me know, thanks.



Also, if you vote other, let me know what they are.

THD UniValve

 

[iownrocknroll]

modded to hell and back AC15

 

[GOYA]

I haven't played through all those amps. Has anybody here?

The Pro Junior should be on the list. I have recorded it with good results. I've played through a Blues Jr. but not recorded it.

 

[89gtsleeper]

I've been using a Blues Junior for about 4 months for recording and gigging. It is one of the best amps I've ever used considering it's size/weight/price... It really can hold it's own in a live show without even being run through the house mains. I never even need it in the monitor. In fact, most sound guys here in Oklahoma City told me it sounded great without even having a mic on it. I recently picked up a Vox AC50 and it's taking me a bit to get used to it. The Fender was alot easier for me to dial in and get very consistent results with. Too bad Fender upped the price on their whole line twice in the last 6 months or so. Those Blues Juniors are 600 bucks now... damn!

 

[Texsunburst59]

I'd get one of these. For a 5 watt custom made amp like this, it'd be hard to beat. I just found out my local amp guru put this on e-bay. The Red VC Piggyback in the pic is mine. He built both the Red and the Blonde. I think it's a great studio recording amp and I've used my amp on stage many times. Here's the link to the auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Vibrocha...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

[elenore19]

Super Champ XD

I'm surprised there haven't been more suggestions for this.
Still though.
It's a great amp that can get really tons of great tones. FANTASTIC cleans! And the distortions are better than acceptable in my book.

I got mine for $300. But I think the price has gone up recently or something..
(What's this? A piece of gear that is appreciating in value? can't be...)

Anyways. Just thought I'd throw it out there.
Super Champ XD.


-Elliot

 

[stevieb]

I'd get one of these. For a 5 watt custom made amp like this, it'd be hard to beat. I just found out my local amp guru put this on e-bay. The Red VC Piggyback in the pic is mine. He built both the Red and the Blonde. I think it's a great studio recording amp and I've used my amp on stage many times. Here's the link to the auction.

That seems like a lot of trouble to go through, to make a Vibro Champ as expensive as a Princeton...

 

[dragonworks]

The new Peavey Winsdor Studio
http://www.peavey.com/products/browse.cfm/action/detail/item/116598/Windsor(TM) Studio.cfm

* Class A Power Amp can use various octal power tubes including EL34 (stock), 6L6GC, 6550, 6CA7, KT88, KT66, or any variation on these types
* two 12AX7/ECC83 Preamp tubes
* 15-20W (rms) into 4, 8, or 16 Ohms with “Power Sponge" output power attenuator
* No negative feedback in Power Amp
* High & Low Gain Inputs
* Preamp Volume
* Low, Mid, and High EQ
* Footswitchable Boost function
* Footswitchable Effects Loop
* Spring Reverb
* Transformer balanced XLR Recording Output w/passive mic simulator
* XLR Ground Lift switch
* Dual Speaker Outputs
* Impedance Selector
* 1/4" TRS footswitch jack for Boost and Loop defeat
* 12" Blue Marvel Speaker
* Weight Packed: 41.30 lb(18.733 kg)
* Width Packed: 14.12
* Depth Packed: 25
* Height Packed: 21.37

Should be able to get one between 350.00 and 400.00 new.
I have heard them and they sound very good.
I think they blow away the Blues Junior, just my 45 years and two cents worth.

 

[second skin]

i am so intrigued by the vox ac4tv right now that it's killing me. i have not tried many of the amps in the poll and i haven't read the thread either. i just thought that i would mention this one because it's new on the scene at the moment. if i find one at a local shop i'll be sure to post my thoughts

 

[Texsunburst59]

That seems like a lot of trouble to go through, to make a Vibro Champ as expensive as a Princeton...

As a Reissue? Maybe,but this is a handwired PTP amp with upgraded Iron and 2 10" speakers. It's less than an Original Princeton. For recording,you get more satruated overdrive at way lower sound levels. For live use,it gets miked anyway. I've recorded and gigged with it without any issues. Here's some clips of it in action.One clean and others with dirt in front.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=633883&songID=5997305
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=633883&songID=5974759
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=633883&songID=5956330

 

[stevieb]

I'm surprised there haven't been more suggestions for this...
Super Champ XD.-Elliot

I second that.

 

[kojdogg]

Currently happy with:
Jule Amps modded Tiny Terror w/ NOS tubes
Vox AC15 Heritage Handwired Head with NOS tubes

Also have owned and dug in the past:
several Epi Valve Juniors-- one stock combo (surprisingly good), slightly modded head (a couple of the sewatt mods, JJ/EH tubes), full out modded head (Turretboard.com Marshalized head, Heyboer OT, Telefunken/JJ tubes). The Turretboard.com head was really cool
Carvin USA Vintage16 w/ V30
Egnater Rebel 20 (the 6V6/EL84 output tube blending option is very cool and does make a big difference)-- lots (too many for me) of tone shaping options.

If I didn't have the TT and the Vox I'd be really interested in:
Vox AC4
Vox Night Train

A good attenuator is cool to have because even a 5 watt amp is really loud. I have a Weber Mass 100 which I dig and even with that I'm really digging the Grendel Sound Dead Room II isolation cab. Don't forget a good speaker too!

 

[Affinity]

Original '66 Fender Vibro Champ. Great dirty sound.

 

[darrin_h2000]

The new Peavey Winsdor Studio
http://www.peavey.com/products/browse.cfm/action/detail/item/116598/Windsor(TM) Studio.cfm

* Class A Power Amp can use various octal power tubes including EL34 (stock), 6L6GC, 6550, 6CA7, KT88, KT66, or any variation on these types
* two 12AX7/ECC83 Preamp tubes
* 15-20W (rms) into 4, 8, or 16 Ohms with “Power Sponge" output power attenuator
* No negative feedback in Power Amp
* High & Low Gain Inputs
* Preamp Volume
* Low, Mid, and High EQ
* Footswitchable Boost function
* Footswitchable Effects Loop
* Spring Reverb
* Transformer balanced XLR Recording Output w/passive mic simulator
* XLR Ground Lift switch
* Dual Speaker Outputs
* Impedance Selector
* 1/4" TRS footswitch jack for Boost and Loop defeat
* 12" Blue Marvel Speaker
* Weight Packed: 41.30 lb(18.733 kg)
* Width Packed: 14.12
* Depth Packed: 25
* Height Packed: 21.37

Should be able to get one between 350.00 and 400.00 new.
I have heard them and they sound very good.
I think they blow away the Blues Junior, just my 45 years and two cents worth.

Have you ever been in a roon when one of those started a fire?

 

[GONZO-X]

again, the Peavy Jsx Mini collossal

 

[MK-Ultra]

Blackheart Killer Ant through an Epi cab. The KA is less than one watt, no tone control or reverb, but those things can be mitigated via mic placement and post-processing.

 

[soundchaser59]

An urban myth that won't die (but should, and should take Page with it...)

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/ProductSpotlight/GearAndInstruments/myth-busters-jimmy-pages/

So you put up a link that expands and perpetuates the uncertainty.......while making everybody wonder what the heck do you have against Jimmy Page.....clever..