Author Topic: Tube amp for home use, so confused (Read 16731 times)

bamboofrog · « **Reply #15 on:** May 23, 2008, 03:40:42 PM »

Oh no, I can see my budget spiraling out of control.

:oops: I guess that would explain why the TT is being released in combo version

Note to self: Really should learn to think first.

kellar · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2008, 04:37:08 PM »

I had the EVJ for a long time and wouldn't recommend it personally. It's one of those amps that seem great at first due to the price, but after a few months grows quite tiring. It literally sounds like there is a blanket draped over the thing. Very dark and boomy.
What about the new Fender Super Champ? I read good reviews and Fender has a pretty good reputation when it comes to tube amps. What exactly are you looking to play? Does it absolutely have to be a tube amp? If you open up your options, you may find something else that you like just as well in that price range.

bamboofrog · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2008, 04:48:31 PM »

As I said I am very much a beginner still, I play Bluesy stuff and classic rock such as led zep, some Pink Floyd.

I suppose it does not have to be a tube amp, it was just my understanding that this gave you a better tone/sound.

I currently have a little 15w Volcano amp and sounds like I am playing through a tin can, which is a shame as I know that my guitar can sound really nice.

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2008, 05:03:46 PM »

Vox AD30VT, but I say that everytime someone is after an amp. If you haven't been playing very long and it's for bedroom use, then in my opinion (see signature below :lol: ) it doesn't get any better...... except for the fact that it'll eat any pick left on top of it :roll: )

It has a load of amp models so you can see what sort of type suits you and a load of effects to play with too. People moan that some of the models don't sound exactly like the originals, but the amp sounds they're thinking of didn't emminate from a 10 thumbed numpty like me, so it's close enough for my liking :D

kellar · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2008, 05:05:12 PM »

Tube amps are what most guitarists go for when they are looking for great tone but in your situation I don't know that it would be the best option.
1. Tube amps are very expensive and for the range you are looking at you will be sacrificing quality big time.
2. Tube amps are LOUD!! And, to achieve that great tone that they offer you need to get some volume out of it. I don't think you'll get the most out of a 15 watt tube amp when you never get it past 1 on the volume dial.
You can get great tone without buying a tube amp. For that price you should be able to get a good solid state amp. I would suggest going down to the music store and trying out everything in your price range.

ailean · « **Reply #20 on:** May 23, 2008, 07:11:08 PM »

I love my TT and 1x12 cab. I paid £440 new for the set, so the combo seems a little expensive to me, plus if you buy serarates then you'll get a closed back cab, which I assume the combo isn't.

My first tube amp was (still is) a Peavey ValveKing 112 bought new for £280. I thought it was amazing when I got it and loved it. Then I heard the TT :)

Ok, to be fair to the Peavey, it has a great clean channel, really nice sounding, and I've now got a Blackstar HT Dual played into the clean channel and that sounds great.

The TT is a lovely crunchy amp, and worth saving up for.

The point Keller made is worth taking on board, tube amps are best when driven, they are also loud for their power rating. If you won't get the opportunity to crank it up once in a while, you may be better off with a good solid state amp. If you will get the opportunity to up the volume a bit then try to get a tube amp. The TT has a 7watt setting which helps.

I am biased towards Orange by the way, only fair to say that :)

bamboofrog · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2008, 07:38:45 PM »

Thanks for the advice, it is really appreciated.

May be a decent solid state would be the way forward. Although it is hard to resist that Valve Jr price tag.

I think it is time to annoy my local guitar store.

I have to say the TT is also sounding tempting, talking on orange, are their solid state amps any good?

Ian Price · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23, 2008, 07:44:46 PM »

Not sure about the solid state amps but the TT is extremely good for the price and easy to operate as it only has a few knobs to twiddle.

Check out this vid:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9MpZoWsFlJQ&feature=PlayList&p=0F4FDD4945135B75&index=3

Rob has a few orange amp demos on his youtube account - check them out!

dave_mc · « **Reply #23 on:** May 23, 2008, 08:30:13 PM »

for classic rock and blues the TT is pretty good, as dave (twinfan) and everyone else has been saying. the laney vc15 or 30 would be good if you can't stretch to the TT, i think, they're nice amps for the money too for the tones you're after.

I like my valve junior, but you really have to turn it up to sound good as it has no gain control/master volume. it's kind of a one-trick pony as well, it's not exactly versatile.

Twinfan · « **Reply #24 on:** May 23, 2008, 11:59:38 PM »

AS Dave says, the Laney LC/VC15 is another good choice. I forgot about that one!

Ian Price · « **Reply #25 on:** May 24, 2008, 12:05:14 AM »

A laney lionheart 5w amp is also very good for home use. I have one and love it - you can get them for around the £420.00 mark nowadays.

tomjackson · « **Reply #26 on:** May 24, 2008, 12:38:37 AM »

The Laney VC15 is mint, that would be your best choice considering it is actually in budget (minor dig at the double budget recommendations!). Everybody raves about the TT (and I've got my eye on the new combo) but with the head and cab it's no way near as portable as the VC15 and does not have reverb, so either budget minimum £50 for a pedal (Holy Grail) or don't bother playing Albatross!!

You could go the modeling route, Line 6 and Vox DA5 etc, that is basically digitally produced models of famous amps in a solid state format, this will give you a good range of sounds but can sometimes lack a little warmth and articulation that valve amps deliver.

Here's a summary of smaller amps I've owned.

Fender Vibro Champ

Very versatile, okay Digital effects with a valve power stage. Fender blackface(ish) tones in a small package. good at low volume.
In action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MagOWeWUMU

EVJ

One trick pony, sounds good at 3/4 volume but not loud enough for a band, too loud for home.

Laney VC15

Had one, sold it, wish I hadn't. Warm sweet volumes at bedroom levels and sounds great cranked.

Gibson Goldtone GA-15R

No longer in production. Lovely cleans, great harmonic rich overdrive and rich reverb, lovely sounding amp. Valve bases melt, crackles like a bitch and gets sent back 10 times, postage at my cost. Stay clear

Fender champ 12

No longer in production but readily available. Good fender clean tones although clean channel is limp and drive is a bit mushy

Fender champ 600

never owned but tried. Good twang for the bang but speaker farts and no verb.

Orange Tiny Terror combo

I'm going to get one with a Holy Grail Reverb so I can play Albatross!!

bamboofrog · « **Reply #27 on:** May 24, 2008, 06:44:03 AM »

Cheers for all the info, the VC15 sounds like it could be worth a look, although now I have heard all the TT compliments I might have to save up and wait for the combo :lol:

38thBeatle · « **Reply #28 on:** May 24, 2008, 08:04:00 AM »

The thing to do is to go out and try some of the suggestions made here and get your ears tuned to the various sounds. See if any of them jump out at you(so to speak) because, at the end of the day, you need to please yourself and if you are not used to tube amps ( forgive me if I am wrong here0 it would be a useful exercise and a lot of fun too. Any decent shop would let you use your own guitar and allow too for the "it sounded great in the shop" factor. For what it is worth, I have a Laney VC30 and whilst I wouldn't say it is the greatest sounding amp in the world-it does sound pretty good.I'd have got rid of it if it didn't. Judging by the VC30, the VC15 should be similar I would expect. I have played through a TT and that too was pretty darn good and I would love to get one. The combo version looks like a great bit if kit.

hamfist · « **Reply #29 on:** May 24, 2008, 08:23:08 AM »

The Roland Cube 60 is really a very good home amp. Really small too, also GAK are doing them for £150.
I just got one as "wet" amp in a wet/dry rig, but I have been surprised at quite how good it is on it's own. Also available to try out in most major towns/cities I would guess.
You need to decide what your final budget is really, and also how varied the sorts of tones you will want are going to be. if you want lots of different tones, on a tight budget, for home use, you cannot beat a modelling amp. If you can handle only having the tones a single tube amp can give, and also can stretch your budget significantly, then consider a small tube amp.
be aware that the Laney LC/VC 15 amps have a shocking reliability record (although you are bound to get some people who will say they've had one for years with no problems). I general, however, i'd stay away.

If you have not yet discovered the HC amp reviews, you are in for a treat (and a few days of reading) ! - http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp