Most diverse LIVE amp...

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Gear_Junky

Gear_Junky

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Ok, we're already discussing a recording amp.. so I thought, why not a live amp.

I've been thinking about a SMALL tube amp (true tube). What versatility would mean for me: a Direct Out with good tube tone in it.

So I need a small (tiny) amp with 1 or 2 speakers, true tube tone, ability to hook up to a small mixer.

With true tubes I don't even think I'd need 2 channels - just lower the volume on guitar for clean and increase for crunch.

I like bluesy/rock distortion tone and fat cleans as commonly come from Les Pauls and the likes.

I used to have Tech 21 Trademark 60, but I don't like the idea that they cost like tube amps of comparable usefulness.

Am I wrong to assume that even 10-15Wt of a tube amp would be sufficient for a small electric live jam (unamplified drums)?

Thanks!

P.S. I think for completeness we could accept for consideration amps like Tech 21 Trademarks (for comparison), but I would prefer to stick with analog tube simulation - no Line 6's here! :)
 
First of all, 10-15 tube watts is plenty for jams.

Second, I can't give you advice because I don't have any personal experience with those kinds of amps. But I've heard tiny amps and they are a lot more powerful than you'd imagine.
 
For a used amp I'd consider any of the older Fender II tube line. Designed by Paul Rivera and sold in the early 80s. Have channel switching and a line out. I've owned a Twin II and currently have a Super Champ (18 watts). Looking at a Princeton II (22 watts). There was also a Deluxe II and a Concert II. For a new amp, I'd look at an Orange Tiny Terror and your choice of cab.
 
Heres my pick

Krank REV JR Mini Stack
20 watts of all tube goodness
525769.jpg
 
...

A d/o on a great little tube amp isn't that easy...

The Tech21 Trademark 30 is only $260 or so.

I'm not sure of any little cheap tube amps that have d/o otherwise.
 
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Thanks, all, some great suggestions so far. Love the Krank Rev and the Emery Sound amps, but that's quite a bit out of my price range. I didn't mention a price range just to keep things flowing, but those are pricey.

So far looks like only the Trademark 30 is within reach, but it's a single channel. I might as well then look at Trademark 10. I know with a tube amp I could just keep the rhythm pickup turned down for clean sound and have the bridge pickup turned up for crunch. I wonder if Trademark will do a good job on that. I did have the Trademark 60 and liked its sounds and the cool 3-way footswitch which lets you apply reverb and even a little volume boost for solos. But I haven't heard many tube amps at the time and never did compare them. Maybe someone who has one can comment.

I was thinking a REALLY inexpensive versatile little amp. Thx!
 
I was thinking a REALLY inexpensive versatile little amp. Thx!


well to get a really versatile amp you're probably going to have to pay for it..

what is your budjet?


again i'm going to suggest the tiny terror or if you can find the ad15 combo.. I almost bought one on ebay..
 
eeb said:
I was thinking a REALLY inexpensive versatile little amp. Thx!
well to get a really versatile amp you're probably going to have to pay for it..
what is your budjet?
again i'm going to suggest the tiny terror or if you can find the ad15 combo.. I almost bought one on ebay..
Click to expand...

Well, I didn't want to set a specific number, as that can be limiting. Will I get a true tube amp for $100? Of course, not. But what would be the cheapest?

Also, I'd prefer a combo for ease of transport, etc.

On the other hand, I though maybe someone would make a hybrid or analog modeling suggestion, which would be useable, Like the funny red Guitar Research combos, which have a preamp tube and sound decent as I heard them (but haven't yet played).

BTW, did you mean Orange AD15 or Vox AD15? :)

Thanks, sorry I'm making it more difficult!
 
I done me own poking around: I thought of something like this:

264861.jpg


I'm REALLY sorry, I shoulda called this thread CHEAPEST TUBE AMP. Mah' bad!

I have a small Behringer mixer with FX, so even not having a reverb should be livable.

Any others you might know of, that are in the same cat?
 
Gear_Junky said:
I done me own poking around: I thought of something like this:

264861.jpg


I'm REALLY sorry, I shoulda called this thread CHEAPEST TUBE AMP. Mah' bad!

I have a small Behringer mixer with FX, so even not having a reverb should be livable.

Any others you might know of, that are in the same cat?
Click to expand...

That right there is a great little tube amphttps://homerecording.com/bbs/images/icons/icon14.gif
Epiphone also makes a head and cab configuration of the Valve JR also with the right speaker combination you can really get it pretty dam loud.
 
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