Author Topic: Small valve amp. Opinions please. (Read 12185 times)

Scotty477 · « **on:** January 21, 2008, 01:28:29 PM »

Further to a thread I made recently, Im looking for opinions on users of small valve amps.

My remit is this;

1. It's for home use only. Practice and recording. If I get myself into a gigging rock/blues band I'll get something bigger if and when that happens.

2. I play a Gibson LP Classic, with BKP Emerald pup's.

3. Price range. Ideally not over £500 - preferrably less

4. My preferred style of play is Classic Rock/Blues.

5. Size. I'm constrained by storage space at the moment, so ideally the width doesnt exceed 59 cms. This basically means a single speaker amp I guess.

6. This is the stickler ... The ability to be used at house volume without losing too much tone. I could buy an attenuator but then I'm adding on £200, which I would rather spend on the amp.

So far I have looked at and had to discard the following amps;

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 112 (Great up loud but lost a lot at house volume)
Peavey Windsor studio (Reports of lack of clean channel.)

The amps that I'm going to have a look at this week are as follows;

Fender Super Champ XD
Fender Princeton
Peavey Valve King 112
Peavey Classic 30
Laney VC 30
Marshall DSL 201/401
Koch Studiotone (if I can find one in Glasgow)

That's about it really. If you use or have used an amp that fits the bill I'd appreciate your views.

[/list]

_tom_ · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:37:28 PM »

Do not get a HRDx if you want to play at reasonable volumes, I had one and it only does 3 volumes - too quiet and thin, loud, or too loud :lol: I heard changing the pot to an audio taper (apparently they use log or something?) makes it better but I never bothered trying it as I'd probably end up getting a bad shock or something. It also only really does cleans, the overdrives on it are pretty bad so you'd need a pedal really. Not a terrible amp, has nice cleans and reverb, but the volume thing was just too annoying for me so I got rid of it. I used it with a Keeley Rat and Marshall Guvnor 2 and got some allright tones but as I mostly play with some dirt I got an amp that does those kinda tones better.

Heard a Laney VC30 2x12 at a gig the other week and it sounded good to me. Apparently the Peavey C30s are really good and I've heard some awesome clips of them, so may be worth checking out. This clips pretty good, though a bit more gain than I'd use- http://www.thewindtunnel.com/Songs/Dearest%20Valentine.mp3

edit - Just realised you'd allready discarded the hrdx :oops:

DeanS · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:48:34 PM »

Cornford Harlequin- 2nd hand

Orange Tiny terror and 1 X12 cab

Philly Q · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:53:39 PM »

I really know bugger all about amps so feel free to ignore me, but I'm surprised you haven't got the Orange Tiny Terror or Matamp Minimat/Little Rock on your list.

I haven't tried one, but I really like the look of the Koch Studiotone (mostly on aesthetics, I must admit).

Twinfan · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:53:50 PM »

In my experience:

1) Orange Tiny Terror and 1x12 - just about on budget and it has a good master volume. Best for overdrive, not so great for cleans.

2) Matamp Minimat II - good basic tone with a built in attenuator. Could push the budget a little unless you can get a cheap 1x12. Great clean and crunchy tone, you'd need pedals for more dirt.

I'd avoid the Epiphone Valve Junior and similar amps. They really need plenty of mods to sound good enough for home recording.

Best option maybe the Laney Lionheart 1x12 combo at £499 - I've played the big brother and it sounded nice:

http://www.laney.co.uk/show_spec.php?prod=l5t-112

Mr Ed · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:56:51 PM »

Classic 30, although the 50 has noticeably more clean headroom.

kellar · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2008, 02:03:05 PM »

I disagree about the Epiphone Valve Junior. Unless you are talking about the combo. I would avoid the 5 watt combo, very boxy sound. I own the head and cabinet version though and love it. A little dark, although I don't mind it. I get a nice bluesy tone with humbuckers. And, there are plenty of very inexpensive mods out there to brighten things up if you need. Also, it is quite loud for a 5 watt but sounds good at room levels. But that's just my opinion.

Twinfan · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2008, 02:06:03 PM »

Yep, I was talking about the combo - sorry, should have made that clear. It IS boxy sounding. OK for low volume practice but not for recording, even with lots of mods.

Elliot · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2008, 03:47:02 PM »

If you checked out the Fender Hot Rod Dlx and liked - why not look at the Blues Junior - it is a hot rod series and with master and volume so you can get some decent valve crunch at lowish volumes. It can also get loud.

Needs the BillM mods to bring it out fully, though - easy to do, if a little difficult to take the PCB out.

hamfist · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2008, 04:10:49 PM »

COnsider a secondhand Cornford Harlequin. These are truly professional, handwired, wonderful amps and in a different class to anything else that has been mentioned. £650 new. I'm sure you could pick up a used one for under £500 if you kept a eye out on ebay. It would not really depreciate either.

Henk · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2008, 04:40:32 PM »

Not on your list but IMO 'your' cup of tea is the Blues deluxe 1x12 tweedy.

I see them used by pop guitarists often and they sound great for that purpose.

I know im guessing what would be a good amp for you, so ill add an artist myspace page so you can get a better idea.

Probably stock speaker was replaced though.....

http://www.myspace.com/guitarwoody

Hes also on youtube, but not in a band kind of setting, though that was important though.....

Ted · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:45:05 PM »

At that pricepoint I would seriously look at a Matamp Minimat II head or combo.

Awesome amp, custom options, trip to the factory - happy days.

Just get a nice booster for heavier drive, if you need it.

Fourth Feline · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:52:26 PM »

Quote from: Mr Ed

Classic 30, although the 50 has noticeably more clean headroom.

Yes, the Classic 30 is certainly worth a try. I use a Classic 20 at home and once spent some time with a local session guitarist that used his Classic 30 all the time. I liked the flexibility that the extra 10 watts and reverb gave him, whilst still being very portable. he could dial in a good range of sounds too. I only wish that I had known of the Classic 30 before I bought the 20, but hey that's life !

Of course now, we have the age of the small valve modelling amps too, and I would be interested in trying out the current range of Fender Champs e.t.c. if starting again.

:D

dave_mc · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2008, 06:45:40 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

I haven't tried one, but I really like the look of the Koch Studiotone (mostly on aesthetics, I must admit).

you like the aesthetics of a koch? :oops:

sorry. seriously, though, might as well add a laney lionheart 5 watter to your list, but it's pretty expensive for a 5-watter...

Scotty477 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2008, 06:53:05 PM »

Thanks for the responses. I'll respnd to those shorlty.

I went into Sound Control Glasgow this afternoon and tried out 4 amps (all I had time for).

I was given a 2007 Gibson LP Std - 60 with Burstbucker V pups to use.

First up was the Peavey Valve King 112.

It had a pretty straightforward clean sound to it and when put to the OD chan it growled away nicely, but with a markedly, thick deep voice. My attempts to get more top end didn't work, which perplexed me a bit.
All in it was pretty good and the sales guy seemed keen to sell me it for a 'good deal' £279 - which is a damn good price to be fair.

It was a good start and it impressed me.

Next up was an amp that wasn't on the list - Fender Vibro Champ XD

This had a very flat tone, compared to the Valve King but with decent preset sounds. It wasn't for me ... which I suppose rules out the Super Champ as well, seeing as it's the same build

Next was another not on my original list - the Sound City SC-40C combo.

This was very different from the Valve King. It had a nice wide open feel but it was slightly fizzy when the gain was pushed. IMHO it would be great for punk but not for Rock/Blues and not for me.

Last up - Marshall DSL 401.

This absolutely rocked! In OD1 It growled. It sparkled. It just sounded wonderful - and it made the LP come alive. Then I pressed the OD2 chan switch and it went into orbit.

It didn't have the deep crunch of the valve King - which surprised me a bit but it did have the edge on upper and mid tone.

That was all I had time for but I'm going back tomorrow with my Emerald LP to try the Valve King, DSL 401 and a few others they have. I saw a Tiny Terror in the corner and I'm sure I saw a Blues Deluxe as well.

I'll also have a go at the Peavey Classic 30, Laney AC 30 and perhaps a Marshall TSL 601, although it's slightly over budget.

In response to the suggestions made ... The Cornford Harlequin may be just too big for my storage constraint but I want to hear one anyway :D

Matamp I know nothing about tbh and again, I want to hear one.

Ah well ... I'll have to work harder and try out more amps.

No rest for the wicked

Author Topic: Small valve amp. Opinions please. (Read 12185 times)

Fourth Feline