Author Topic: Low Power Amps (Read 10782 times)

Bird · « **on:** January 25, 2008, 10:58:47 PM »

Anyone getting into or using low power amps :?: Read some reviews on a few of them like the Boogie express which goes down to 10 watts I think or the Blackheart BH5H in the new guitar world. Any thoughts :?:

Twinfan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:32:07 AM »

I tried them for a bit, but I can't get into their overly compressed tone. I like a big, open, crunchy sound and you just can't get that with a low watter. They compress and fatten up too much for me. That might be right up your street though!

I'm sticking to bigger amps with pedals, even for home practice.

Bird · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2008, 03:38:08 AM »

Haven't tried many myself just doing some reading. The 100 watt stacks just seem a bit much for home use these days. :) Although all the amps on my list are in the 50 to 100 watt range :roll:

sgmypod · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2008, 09:57:58 AM »

Love big amps...just can't warrant it at mo as not in band..and have neighbours....although did love my 60w prosonic (seemed louder than some 100's I've had)

But do love my TT which is still loud

Ian Price · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2008, 12:30:09 AM »

I have a 5w Laney Lionheart L5T-112. Low power but is a stunning sounding amp for the price - got it for £500.00. Spot on volume for bedroom and smaller rehearsals and gets mic'ed up to the PA if I need a bit more volume.

I used to have a Fender HRD but it was just way too loud (and heavy!) although I do miss the extra power from time to time.

I'm kind of getting into amps more than guitars now although I suspect that this will be just as expensive a hobby.

hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2008, 07:05:24 AM »

I second what TwinFan said, in my experience actually, low power amps are designed to be cranked, and will then be much louder than a 100W amp on 0.01 master volume.

I had a Tiny Terror and sold it for that reason, great sound but too loud. Plus it had no loop, which was an issue for me.

dave_mc · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2008, 05:25:11 PM »

Quote from: hunter

I second what TwinFan said, in my experience actually, low power amps are designed to be cranked, and will then be much louder than a 100W amp on 0.01 master volume.

I had a Tiny Terror and sold it for that reason, great sound but too loud. Plus it had no loop, which was an issue for me.

haha, that's true.

on other forums, any time anyone asks for a bedroom amp (almost regardless of the type of music), the epiphone valve junior seems to be recommended. I have one and I'm like :? :roll: :lol:

Ian Price · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2008, 01:40:25 PM »

Is the Orange tiny terror loud enough to gig with? I have never used one but could be interested as I am looking for a gigging amp that is fairly portable. Also, does it do 'clean' or is it just a rock mutha?

DeanS · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2008, 01:57:45 PM »

Apparently flat out on the 15 watt setting a TT puts out 28 watts! It certainly feels/sounds that loud.

Have a look at the clips below comparing various Oranges including the TT all flat out!

It'll do cleans at low volumes only as it breaks up into lovely power amp distortion.

I'm really loving mine at the moment......

http://youtube.com/watch?v=P-PHqs4zBAc

Gary · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2008, 07:24:08 PM »

I was in Chandlers in Kew the other day looking at some Marshall vintage reissues and the salesman got me to try a 65amps Soho - 20 watt although I think they also do a 35 watt version. I'd never heard of them but was blown away by the tone and it seemed to be plenty loud enough for band use. Very simple controls including a defeatable (and very usable) master volume. Then he told me the price - £1500!

http://www.65amps.com/amps.html

Trouble is the Marshalls sounded quite flat by comparison afterwards and I'd find it difficult to settle for that now. I'm debating whether or not to save the extra and wait for another six months or so.

Gizmo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:35:12 AM »

65 amps are one of the most highly rated boutique amp manufacturers, hence the price! I think if there is something you really want, you save for it. It makes you play better and find the tone your after.

Henk · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2008, 09:21:39 AM »

Compared to a high end booteek amp a marshall vintage can sound flat i agree. I often found booteek amps based on the EL84 to have an enhanced and very tastefull presence control which the marshalls dont have. However, an amps basic function is to amplify a signal and there is only so much you can change really. Im pretty sure with a little tweaking and probably something to bypass the flat ass eq of a vintage marshal it will sing the same. I actually like the flat marshall eq, its a very basic amp really and you need to work to get your sound right. I often do think the booteeks fail at more vintage 'brown' sounds though, integrated 'tone enhancers' just make it a on trick pony IMVHO.

I wont say anything about small amps vs. big amps anymore, no i wont :lol:

Twinfan · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2008, 09:49:12 AM »

Yet again, I think I'll have to disagree with Henk :lol:

New Marshalls do sound flat - Vintage moderns, DSLs etc don't have that depth of tone to my ears. New Marshall reissues appear to be made with less than ideal components from what I can see, so their tone suffers. There's nothing wrong with a Marshall circuit, it's the quality of the components that makes a big difference. And contrary to what Henk says, there are LOTS of things you can change in an amp that wil make a BIG difference to how it sounds.

If you like the Marshall tone, a clone is the way to go in my opinion. They're such good value for money, sound superb, and are much more reliable/less worn out than vintage amps. Old amps are best left to the collectors ;)

I'd put my JTM45 clone up against any "booteek" amp for a tone comparison. Using JJ valves throughout each amp (to level the playing field) I'm sure it would equal anything.

And it didn't cost anything like £1500..........

Henk · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2008, 10:48:16 AM »

Allright, we were talking about quality amps though, it is your opinion the modern vintage amps are made from cr@p parts, i have no opinion on that subject. However even with the best parts put in, it still just amplifies your guitar which can be great or horrible. I actually am pretty sure i can make your precious clone sound like sheit by the way, not every guitar shines on an amp.

Quote

They're such good value for money, sound superb, and are much more reliable/less worn out than vintage amps. Old amps are best left to the collectors

On the subject of disagreeing, you really cant be more wrong then this. A vintage amps is simple, made from way better parts then any chinese can make now, anything flawed has broken down allready and has been replaced. I have gigged a late 70's Peavey troughout the 90's, it got tossed around, kicked and splilled upon, if not gigging it was in our practice 'shack' where there was no heating. The only time it failed to work in those 9-10 years was when i killed the reverb and had to take it out of the path. And offcourse i had to replace the fuse with a stronger one since it would pop too easily when abusing it like i did, so to be reallyreally complete i did have to replace one popped fuse when i got it :? .

Other than that it never ever let me down. Same with my JCM head, when i had it i had been playing it for about 5 years prior to when i had to stop playing due to work for a few years, not even a hickup. Without any doubt, i would rather hit the road with a good vintage amp then a new clone.

I would be glad to hear of your clones keeping up with that for so many years.....

badgermark · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2008, 11:06:14 AM »

Quote from: Ian Price

Is the Orange tiny terror loud enough to gig with? I have never used one but could be interested as I am looking for a gigging amp that is fairly portable. Also, does it do 'clean' or is it just a rock mutha?

I keep saying this, I rehearse and gig with a TT and an Orange 1x12, and it is plenty loud. The volume will be full, but gain down at 4ish, gives a nice clean/crunch type sound. Not pristine Fender cleans, but very useable and sounds awesome.