Tube amps >$350

  • Thread starter Thread starter nate_dennis
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I can't find anything online about the VX. Can you tell me a little about it?
 
Gear_Junky said:
SCXD does have an all-digital, all-solidstate preamp section, on both channels, which is fed through a 12AX7 into the dual 6V6 power section (yes, i'm just repeating what I read, but it's definitely so).

so it truly is a hybrid, but I like to call it "reverse hybrid" (much better) vs. the hybrids with a preamp tube and a solid-state power section.

as such it sounds pretty good. it really does shine after some minimal upgrades, especially the speaker. a combo amp is 2 things in one - amplifier and speaker cab, so the cheap ones are often a decent amp (with bad tubes in need of a replacement) with a cheap speaker. judge them separately.
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Thats quite similar to my MusicMan 65, it has the solid state preamp with analog tremolo and reverb. It also has a 1/2 power tap on the transformer that's a really nice feature for smaller club gigs.
With 2 12" speakers though, wheels on it are suggested!
 
Milnoque said:
I love old Gibson amps. Some of them are overlooked gems depending on the tone you're after. If you liked the skylark you would love the Explorer or Minuteman. Cathode biased EL84s with great reverb and tremolo. They get sweet and creamy at reasonable volume. I've been using a Minuteman as my go to amp for several years. It was well within your price range. I got it off e-bay. If you want a ton of crunch it's probably not a good choice, but it crunches enough for me.

Another great choice would be a '60s vintage Ampeg ReverbRocket or Gemini II. SWEET and reasonably priced. You might have to go $425 or so for one of those.
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Why are we not best friends? I totally agree. I've got a GA-20 and a GA-40 chocolate godzilla and their Showman rip off AND a Gemini II. They're all truly awesome amps. If you do go with a checkerboard Ampeg (and the prices are going up on those) make sure you take it to a tech and have the bias circuit rebuilt.
 
Wow, tons of options!!! That Gibson Minuteman seems pretty cool. Anyone have any info on that Peavey VX? I can't find anything about it.
 
Back to the Pignose G40V: it's true, they sell for under $350, but you have to factor in the price of a replacement speaker (mine rattled with the first note I hit) and other tweaks to really bring it up to speed.

I have one I use for a harp amp. I got mine for $300, but they've been discontinued, looks like. Anyway, $60 for an Eminence 10" speaker, maybe $15 for a 12AU7 tube, $15 for a Weber Beam Blocker and $40 for new power tubes, where are we? $430 or thereabouts, and it has neither an effects loop nor reverb.

I'd go for a used Blues Jr: I've got one of those, too, and it's superior in every way to the Pig (for a guitar, that is -- the Pig still works fine for harp).
 
Hey Hungover,

I tried to leave you some rep but my dog hit the send button before I got anything typed in.

I've got a gemini II as well but it's not working right now. You only thought you loved your Telecaster until you plug it into one of those. I also have an Ampeg M-15 (an obese Mercury) Best use of 6L6s I ever heard.

OK We can be friends.
 
wbcsound said:
Well, that's not a tube amp. And while I'm no stickler for tubes, the OP did ask for tube amp suggestions.
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And then later said he's going to run a modeller or some kind of multi fx unit thru it...... in that case, the Vox is a good compromise at that price range. If one is running a modeller/fx unit thru it then it doesn't seem to matter much after that if it's "all tube"..... :eek:
 
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soundchaser59 said:
And then later said he's going to run a modeller or some kind of multi fx unit thru it...... in that case, the Vox is a good compromise at that price range. If one is running a modeller/fx unit thru it then it doesn't seem to matter much after that if it's "all tube"..... :eek:
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I believe he said he wanted to use the effects of a floor unit not the modeling which is not much different than using pedals with an amp. The fact that you use effects with an amp does not negate the amp's inherent tones whether it be tube, solid state or digital.

I would agree that it doesn't matter if an amp is "all tube", however not for the reason you've suggested. Every player has their preferences...
 
Thanks so much for all of the input. I'm really leaning toward the Peavey Delta Blues. There are a few on ebay with good prices. Have any of you recorded one? How do they do in the studio? Thanks.
 
nate_dennis said:
Thanks so much for all of the input. I'm really leaning toward the Peavey Delta Blues. There are a few on ebay with good prices. Have any of you recorded one? How do they do in the studio? Thanks.
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I have the Delta Blues with the 15" speaker and it's a great amp. I had looked for a Classic 30 but I think the Delta is better with the tremolo.
Heres a recording of basic blues--sloppy basic blues, but it's an early recording right after I got the amp. I think the first (clean Channel) & second (overdrive channel) verse is a Telecaster and a Les Paul on the next couple (overdrive channel) .


http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7314179
 
Milnoque said:
Hey Hungover,

I tried to leave you some rep but my dog hit the send button before I got anything typed in.

I've got a gemini II as well but it's not working right now. You only thought you loved your Telecaster until you plug it into one of those. I also have an Ampeg M-15 (an obese Mercury) Best use of 6L6s I ever heard.

OK We can be friends.
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My animals do that too, especially the cat... there's 2 common reasons that your lovely checkerboard friend is currently ailing. 1. stick mr. meter on the output transformer, it might be shorted, it was more common on the G-12 but it happens on the big brother. 2. The filter caps are tired after 50 years. That was the culprit on mine. I usually play my electric 12s out of it. I bet that thing kills with a tele though. I've got a Firebird VII that works wonderfully. Does yours have the Jensen 15 or something more exotic? I've been thinking about swapping the speaker.
 
hungovermorning said:
My animals do that too, especially the cat... there's 2 common reasons that your lovely checkerboard friend is currently ailing. 1. stick mr. meter on the output transformer, it might be shorted, it was more common on the G-12 but it happens on the big brother. 2. The filter caps are tired after 50 years. That was the culprit on mine. I usually play my electric 12s out of it. I bet that thing kills with a tele though. I've got a Firebird VII that works wonderfully. Does yours have the Jensen 15 or something more exotic? I've been thinking about swapping the speaker.
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You know, I really don't remember what crashed it I don't think it was the tranny. When it went down I was having a crisis of gumption. It was probably that main filter cap. You've inspired me to go get it out in the next few days and take a look.

Thanks.


For the OP: The Epiphone amps of the '60s used the same circuits as the Gibsons. Look for an Electra (EA26 RTV). It's the same amp as a Minuteman.

Another suggestion: You could get a Kalamazoo model 12 reverb for practice/recording and save up for a gigging amp.
 
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