Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: schenr on December 04, 2010, 12:33:16 AM

Title: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 04, 2010, 12:33:16 AM
Hi all,
Yesterday I had a look at a few lower wattage amps (10-20 watt range) that tackle rock to metal tones and there were 2 that stood out. This is going to be used in my bedroom, jamming, and possible small gigs at a pub or something.

Initially I had a list of a few Vox (night train, ac15), orange (tiny terror combo), egnater (tweaker 15 combo), blackstar ht-20 and then the marshall haze 15 stack.
but one thing i do want is an effects loop and dedicated 2 channels, of which the blackstar and egnater both had.

Now I have to toss up between the Egnater, which is about $200AUD more than the Blackstar, but the Blackstar has more features (recording-line out, footswitch, reverb, dedicated clean and distortion volume), and is an extra 5 watts (which doesnt actually phase me, just thought i'd mention it).

Has anyone had experience with either of these amps (Egnater tweaker 15 and blackstar ht-20), or heard about any problems that are common with them? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: hunter on December 04, 2010, 07:49:05 AM
I heard that the Tweaker's loop send signal can be too hot for some pedals.

Other than that I'd go for the Egnater, such a great sounding little monster. Bruce also said you can take off the top grille and put in some larger bottles, like pairs of EL34 or 6L6s. Seems like fun, as the amp is self biasing.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: JacksonRR on December 04, 2010, 04:56:21 PM
You should put KT88s in it then. That would be hilarious.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: hunter on December 04, 2010, 05:08:06 PM
something like this  :lol:

Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: JacksonRR on December 05, 2010, 03:20:26 AM
DO IT!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!! THAT"S GREAT!! Wait, ya got a  photo with 300Bs?
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 05, 2010, 09:11:10 AM
Yeah i've seen that there are a few loop problems, better take down my gear and give it a shot.
just dont know how annoying it will be with no footswitch and one channel.
didnt realise you can chop and change the tubes though...you sure you don't have to bias it?
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: dave_mc on December 05, 2010, 12:46:12 PM
i haven't tried it, but i thought the tweaker was single channel?
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 05, 2010, 01:00:53 PM
it is single channel, just has the clean/hot selector for the gain...which is semi-deceptive, as I initially thought it was 2 channels due to this switch, but apparently not.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: dave_mc on December 05, 2010, 07:44:33 PM
ah ok, just making sure you realised that it wasn't technically 2 channels.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 06, 2010, 01:12:01 AM
Haha yeah I see where your coming from now, it would be a dealbreaker if there was a footswitch that allowed for the hot/clean setting to be changed.
Might get a tad frustrating bending down to flick the switch all the time.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: Alex on December 10, 2010, 11:37:26 AM
There's also the new ENGL gigmaster, which has everything you want.
It might cost a bit more, but it is made in Germany after all, not China or Korea like many other models.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/engl_e315_gigmaster_head.htm
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 10, 2010, 02:32:50 PM
Funnily enough I did actually try that one out too, they just got it in the store. Sounded awesome through a mesa something something cab (can't remember which one, or what speaker), but it was about $500 aud over my budget unfortunately, and that was just for the head, I'd have to buy a cab with that too.
But now that you bring that up, you've given me something to reconsider..

On another note, has anyone played the VHT lead 20?
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: Alex on December 10, 2010, 03:19:09 PM
Ask the store if you can get it without the cab. The cab isn't too great anyway, it features the same speaker the Blackstar 1x10" cabs feature.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 10, 2010, 03:30:17 PM
So no point in getting the combo I take it (with regards to the speaker that comes with it)...
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: stonevibe on December 11, 2010, 09:58:03 AM
How a bout a Jet City 20 watt job?

Based on a Soldano circuit and 20 watts...

I've ordered the 50w head and it should be with me sometime next week. Different circuit, but still in your wattage range. Just...
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 11, 2010, 11:31:23 AM
I can't get the jet city in Perth, it's only available on the other side of Australia, and I don't feel too comfortable buying before trying. Also it's only single channel isn't it?
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: stonevibe on December 11, 2010, 01:33:15 PM
I think it may well be actually, shame as they are sweet little amps. See Andertons website as their is a good demo by Rob Chappers on there.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: Alex on December 11, 2010, 01:35:30 PM
So no point in getting the combo I take it (with regards to the speaker that comes with it)...

You could ask the store how much they'd want for just ordering a head for you.
Title: Re: Yet another smaller amp query
Post by: schenr on December 13, 2010, 01:09:17 PM
You could ask the store how much they'd want for just ordering a head for you.
went in the other day and gave it a bash again with a few different cabs. didnt really get the juices flowing as much as the blackstar did, and the guy i normally see for cheaper prices is on the male equivalent to maternity leave, so i wouldnt really know what price i'd be looking at.
however, a mesa 5:25 has just appeared on ebay for a very reasonable price, and its in my city, so that may be another option...

I think it may well be actually, shame as they are sweet little amps. See Andertons website as their is a good demo by Rob Chappers on there.
that does look sweet, I like the sound like metallica and satriani stuff they've put together too.