Tube amps on a budget...

  • Thread starter Thread starter MatchBookNotes
  • Start date Start date
:eek: everyone has ........opinion ... check out every tube amp available play through and judge for yourself. My two bits. Tiny terror, Mesa Mark 3, Fender Deluxe (with proper bias) who knows...? Only you. Cost constraints are a regular part of the current economy (eeecon o my). When you find a cool one, post for the benefit of all. Be well.
 
Ok ... I don't know why it took so long for me to get it, but now I see. Toker works for Boogie! :) Of course!
 
I wish. I probably wouldn't be such a miserable *%^$. :p

Besides, Boogies are not the only amp I recommend. Just the top of the list for the person in this position.
 
Yep, that's why I bought the only recto I could afford! (shingle rectumfrier)
 
THis is starting to turn into a mesa endorsement thread. Are you getting paid to post the propaganda, Toker? Or are you posting the propaganda in hopes of getting paid?

cheerist. I figured on page two you had a hard on but this is obsession, damn it.
I appreciate that you're looking out for great tone though, keep up the good work.


Peace.
 
No, I do not get paid, and have no ties to Mesa. I'm am simply giving an honest opinion based on years of experience in professional recording, and touring. I am a firm believer that when it comes to home recording gear that you don't need top end stuff because nobody here is building a multi-million dollar studio. I've even been known to suggest Beringer mixers, because I believe it's not what you have, but what you can do with it. However, when it comes to you guitar amp, DO NOT waste your money with budget stuff. It is the core of your sound, and as your ears become "trained", and experienced you will kick yourself for all the money you waste along the way to the day you finally get a good amp. Just skip the BS, and get the good amp to start. Even when it comes to song writing, a person gets inspired by sound, and good tone. Amps also get moved around A LOT, and need to be durable.

Also, if I were getting paid by Boogie, I would not have suggested the Peavey VTM 60 head as a "budget" amp.
 
Toker41 said:
Also, if I were getting paid by Boogie, I would not have suggested the Peavey VTM 60 head as a "budget" amp.
Click to expand...

Actually, I think this the most suspicious thing you've said so far. Of course you would suggest something else. You'd have to, as to not appear completely biased.
 
Too funny.:p

I'm not pushing what to get as much as I am what not to get.
 
wow. easy folks. Last time I checked this forum's intention was based upon help and guidance for the home recording artist/individual. lighten up all.
 
Toker41 said:
It is the core of your sound, and as your ears become "trained", and experienced you will kick yourself for all the money you waste along the way to the day you finally get a good amp. Just skip the BS, and get the good amp to start.
Click to expand...

Why do you assume that just because someone doesn't like Mesa Boogie amps that their ears are not "trained"? I've been playing for around 30 years and I hate the sound of them. IMO Mesa amps are flat and lifeless like cardboard with a flabby low end. But if you're into modern "metal" music then flat, lifeless, and flabby may be just the ticket. And just because an amp costs 2 times what it should doesn't mean that it's any better sounding than what you refer to as a "budget amp". I agree that people should get a good amp but what a "Good" amp is needs to be determined by each individual player.

Now that my rant is out of the way I'd like to recommend two amps that IMO sound great and don't cost an arm and a leg. The Carvin X100B and Carvin Legacy. Both of these amps provide really nice clean and distortion tones and they love pedals. You can usually pick them up used for $500 or less.
 
I never said that if they don't like Mesa their ears aren't trained. I said if they believe some of those cheap Peaveys, and Crates are good amps, THEN their ears aren't trained.;) If you read more carefully, you will see that there is a Peavey that is WAY cheap on the used market that I do recommend.
I also recommended the Boogie because they are durable with great customer service, which is something the cheaper amps (and even some of the more expensive amps...think Marshall) lack.
 
ocnor said:
Now that my rant is out of the way I'd like to recommend two amps that IMO sound great and don't cost an arm and a leg. The Carvin X100B and Carvin Legacy. Both of these amps provide really nice clean and distortion tones and they love pedals. You can usually pick them up used for $500 or less.
Click to expand...

The Belair looks nice too, i think I like the mastertube series though. What's the resale value of tube amps? that is if its not my style
 
MatchBookNotes said:
The Belair looks nice too, i think I like the mastertube series though. What's the resale value of tube amps? that is if its not my style
Click to expand...

There are too many variables to give a specific resale value of tube amps in general.
 
I do somewhat agree with Toker on the fact that a super cheap "crate" style amp are not good. Although everything is somewhat objective. For example I personally think mesa's are terrible. I absoluetely hate the tones outta every mesa i've heard (with the exception of the lonestar which is probably some of the best tones i've ever heard so i guess i have a love hate relationship with mesa)

but to me there's not much better than the orange crunch. That sounds like jesus to me.. Toker41 might not agree but neither of us is wrong on that.

so stop fighting a battle no one can win.. it's stupid and annoying
 
why do you argue?

I may 100% agree with "not wasting money" on budget amps, but in reality I am a hobbyist - THERE AIN'T NO WAY I'LL EVER SPEND even $1K on an amp. So who cares that someone's home recording will not sound like a pro studio one?

Now, add to the equation the fact that a home recordist (unlike a gigging guitarist) needs to also afford some other gear, like recording, mics, preamps, mixer, possibly bass, drums - more stuff than a gigging guitarist.

To be sure ferraris are [probably] great cars. But some people shouldn't have anything but a Toyota. And some people shouldn't even have anything but a Hyundai. They shouldn't even be recommended a BMW - they CAN'T afford it, no matter how great and reliable and convenient it might be.

Hence the "BUDGET" thread. For me I've tried to stay within all-solidstate for years (actually Tech 21 analog modeling), but wasn't satisfied. So I got the Fender SCXD (on a budget - picked up a "blem" for $230 shipped) and I couldn't be happier. I don't NEED anything bigger or "better". And even if it breaks (5 years warranty) - I'll have to be patient and have it fixed. Or even buy another. I don't "gig", so I don't care. I can wait. It still won't justify a $1k+ amp. NEVER.

Everyone should pick their battles [carefully].
 
Gear_Junky said:
why do you argue?

I may 100% agree with "not wasting money" on budget amps, but in reality I am a hobbyist - THERE AIN'T NO WAY I'LL EVER SPEND even $1K on an amp. So who cares that someone's home recording will not sound like a pro studio one?

Now, add to the equation the fact that a home recordist (unlike a gigging guitarist) needs to also afford some other gear, like recording, mics, preamps, mixer, possibly bass, drums - more stuff than a gigging guitarist.

To be sure ferraris are [probably] great cars. But some people shouldn't have anything but a Toyota. And some people shouldn't even have anything but a Hyundai. They shouldn't even be recommended a BMW - they CAN'T afford it, no matter how great and reliable and convenient it might be.

Hence the "BUDGET" thread. For me I've tried to stay within all-solidstate for years (actually Tech 21 analog modeling), but wasn't satisfied. So I got the Fender SCXD (on a budget - picked up a "blem" for $230 shipped) and I couldn't be happier. I don't NEED anything bigger or "better". And even if it breaks (5 years warranty) - I'll have to be patient and have it fixed. Or even buy another. I don't "gig", so I don't care. I can wait. It still won't justify a $1k+ amp. NEVER.

Everyone should pick their battles [carefully].
Click to expand...




All very good points.. Not everyone is "serious" about playing. Not everyone has lots of money to spend on a great amp (and some of us like me don't but we do anyway and go into dept hahaha )
 
+1 on the concept that this is a dumb argument.
Different tastes make the world go 'round. Now, I gig more than any of you ...... July I already have 25 gigs booked and several others pending. A main criteria for me is reliability while Gear Junkie has it absolutely right ..... for you homerecordists ... reliability isn't nearly as important for you as for me.
And anyone that hates all Mesa's because they heard a couple and didn't like 'em doesn't really know about more than those few models.
For example ...... one of my main gigging amps is a Mesa Blue Angel. A straight blues amp ..... no channel switching ..... not even a master volume ..... no cascading gain stages ..... as basic an amp as there is and it sounds great. Wouldn't do for high gain but it's a wonderful all-around do most anything amp.
I also use my Orange Tiny Terror for small gigs ....... it does great!
For super small gigs I'll use my Epi Valve Jr. ...... with a multifx in front of it to get a little 'shimmer' to the sound ..... it does great
Larger gigs, I'll use my 1970 Ampeg V-2 or my 1971 Ampeg VT-40 ....... both are bad to the bone.
Sometimes I'll pull out my Fender Hot Rod deVille (4-10's) which I love but it's prone to breaking down so I don't trust it for gigs too much but it's a great amp.
My Fender Blues Jr. is an amp I don't like much so I'm gonna MOD the hell out of it, but I use it for gigs where I have to carry my equipment a long ways and I CAN get it to be passable.
I really, really love my Dean Markley solid state amp and I bet you can't tell it's SS from listening to it ....... but it's also gotten to be prone to problems so I've retired it.
My Ampeg ReverbRocket reissue is nice too though it's too large for its' output ..... I wish it were a bit more compact.
And some gigs ...... I won't even use an amp (like when I'm playing on the beach where load in's a pain and no one listens anyway) and just run a Rocktron Utopia direct into the PA.
The point is ..... just like people make the mistake of thinking there is only one decent guitar model and they MUST have that to do what they want when any good player can play on anything decent, it's the same with amps.
Almost all the amps that have been mentioned in this thread would do just fine for me or anyone else that knows how to dial in an amp.
Yes, I would have my preferences (like I said, I don't like the Blues Jr. much) but this concept that any of the 'experts' in this thread can declare entire brands of amps to be crap just amuses the hell out of me!
I've heard guitarists that play way better than you or I play thru Peavey and sound great and that Classic 30 is a hell of an amp by anyones' definition except for metal.
And a friend of mine in Baton Rouge who's played with a lot of very big names and plays maybe the best I've ever seen/heard, plays thru a Carvin solid state little POS and he's freakin' amazing. He uses the Carvin 'cause it's light and he doesn't give a shit since he can make most amps do what he needs.
Do different amps sound different? Of course, and you should get one that makes you happy, but this trashing of amateur musicians by other amateur musicians is just so funny to me. And just 'cause you played a couple of gigs a week for a few years before you settled down doesn't get you out of the amateur class ......
Having an opinion is one thing and everyone does and should ...... but this superior attitude of some towards slightly less experienced players is silly. If you've played at least 5 gigs a week every week for at least 20 years or more raise your hands.
In my case I've done about 350 gigs a year for 40 years and even I don't have an absolute opinion on this amp being great and that brand sucking.
You shouldn't either.
 
:cool: ain't this interesting? I have 6 amps right now (all under $1000 - 5 under $300). I love em all. I don't gig (not for 25+ years now) and mine are just for home enjoyment. A Musician can make whatever he has sound good. Make WHATEVER YOU HAVE sound good and then you'll be a true musician.

My hero's were Bluesman from the 30's 40's and 50's... they had what we would probably call junk but they "worked em"... they had something 90% of most guitarists don't have - it's called "feeling" or "soul" or maybe TALENT.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top