Author Topic: Anyone recommend a low powered valve amp? (Read 6391 times)

Alessandro · « **on:** April 11, 2006, 08:08:21 PM »

Hi,

Does anyone have a recommendation for a small low powered valve amp? I basically want it for home use and recording so power isn't an issue. I've been looking on the net and the Cornford Harlequin seems to be the one everyone uses, but I've realised there are many others. Does anyone have any experience of the Sheldon TT3? From the reviews I've seen it seems a little more versatile than the Cornford......or does anyone else have any other ideas?

Alessandro

froglord · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2006, 09:18:44 PM »

Matamp Minimat:

http://matamp.co.uk/minimat.htm

I love mine so much it's embarrassing.

gwEm · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2006, 10:07:43 PM »

Hughes and Kettner Cream Machine :)

hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2006, 10:12:11 PM »

The zvex nano amp looks interesting, but haven't tested it.

I compared the THD UniValve back to back with a Cornford Carrera, and to my taste, the Cornford was just middy and lacked brightness, but then again, I like lots of brightness in my sound.

The Uni always runs on full throttle with the power section and volume is reduced through the integrated power soak, which is very convenient - you can also virtually run any combinations of tubes and it's fascinating how different they sound.

However, the Uni doesn't sound great on low volumes. You gotta at least power up those 18 watts by half, and that's already quite loud. Actually, the 50W screamer sounds better at bedroom levels, which is quite obscure:)

For a low-watter I'd try as many as I could get my hands on. Candidates are definitely THD, Cornford, Carr, Zvex, Reussenzehn EL34 (http://www.reussenzehn.de/roehrenverstaerker/Vorverstaerker/DE/content?cont_id=136&Grp_id=6).

There are many others too, but these are the ones I found personally interesting when I looked out for one.

gwEm · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2006, 10:07:01 PM »

i must say i'm not keen on the zvek nano head after testing it in a guitar shop.

firstly its a bit expensive i think... and also a bit too quiet.

they say its 0.5w... but this is distorted. measured clean (like all other guitar amps) its 0.1w

the sound is nice, but for me it was a bit too quiet, and not convinicing considering the sort of class you can get for the money (minimat or whatever).

Tinus · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:51:35 AM »

There are also some vintage / modern vintage designs I'd consider. Although tone shaping options may be limited they can still offer anything from dynamic clean/crunch to spectacularly dirty and raunchy overdrives. Add a clean booster for increasing gain or solos. Three usable sizes spring to mind:

1) +/- 5W with 8 inch speaker: although the clean headroom is very limited these will crunch up and distort at living room levels which is nice for recording. At full whack they sound huge when recorded properly. Vintage: Fender Champ (tweed/blackface/silverface), Gibson Skylark / Modern: Epiphone Valve Junior (the head version is better), TAD tweed Champ kit, Ibanez Valbee

2) 5-10W with 10-12 inch speaker: a larger speaker and more powerful power amp will result in larger overall tone and a bit more clean headroom. These are giggable if you play distorted most/all off the time. Vintage: Fender Princeton (tweed/blackface/silverface), VOX AC10, Gibson GA9 / Modern: Laney LC15, Bad Cat MiniCat, Cornford Harlequin, Hiwatt 7W combo, TAD Blackface Princeton kit, Cornell Romany

3) 15W with 12 inch speaker: this format offers enough (semi-)clean headroom and volume for small to medium size gigs. For home recording they might be too loud in overdrive but offer nice clean sounds. However they are excellent for recording in a studio that will take some noise. Vintage: Fender Deluxe (especially the tweed version), VOX AC15, Marshall 18W combo, Marshall Studio 15, Gibson GA40-GA20 / Modern: VOX AC15CC1, Fender Pro or Blues Junior, Fender Deluxe reissue, TAD Marshall 18W kit, TAD tweed Deluxe kit, Cornell Rambler

I tested most but not all of the amps mentioned above, I mentioned some as examples off the format.

I myself prefer the 15W format because I can rehearse and gig them. I truly love the sound from my late 50's Gibson GA20T which is very similar to a tweed Fender Deluxe. These are available as DIY kits through TAD and others. The clean with bite on these is excellent and the overdrive very grungy but not out of control (no flabby bass or piercing higs). I also like the new VOX AC15CC1 although it's cleaner sounds are a bit less focused. The valve trem however is a nice bonus. In the lower price range the Epiphone Valve Junior and Laney LC15 (with master volume so plenty of overdrive at low levels) are pretty good IMO.

Hope this rambling helps a bit :oops:

R/2e · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2006, 10:14:00 AM »

Might be worth considering one of these -

http://www.ampmaker.com/index.asp

I know I am!

_tom_ · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:22:48 PM »

Quote from: R/2e

Might be worth considering one of these -

http://www.ampmaker.com/index.asp

I know I am!

I was looking at those ages ago! I love the tone of the 5w one, I still want to order one sometime.

Alessandro · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:23:46 PM »

Looking at all the options available I would prefer someting capable of being used for the odd jam session, so it needs that extra bit of clean headroom...although I don't tend to play that clean a lot of the time :). I've considered the Vox AC15 and 18 watt Marshall 1974X, but neither one seems to do it for me. Both have things I like about them, but neither one stands out above the other. I currently own a Fender Prosonic (which I had intended to sell), but I may keep this for the louder moments if I can find a suitable smaller amp to record with.

I've checked out the amp maker website and it does look impressive. However, my electical knowledge starts, and ends at fitting a plug, so assembling an amp from scratch would be well beyond my capabilities!