Smaller amp advice requested

[herbychimp]

Hi all very interested in the forum's views on a quality small / practice amp. Essentially I want something a little more portable than my Blackstar HT60 soloist as I can barely fit it in the boot of my car and I we pratice at fairly low volume levels there for the valves on the 60 hardly get going. I have looked at both the HT-1 (too small in combo form) and HT5 (looks promising) but despite the value for money and durability of the Blackstars, I would like to consider other 5w style combos. Any ideas?

[Stevepage]

The Jet City stuff is pretty good. I've got a 20w Jet City combo that I'm selling, you can use it in your bedroom and still get a great sound or use it within a loud band and still be heard. A good little amp.

[plastercaster]

Chrisola's old MKI HT-5 arrived this morning and it is Wonderful.

It's quite small and easy to carry. Even at bedroom volumes it really sings, and it has the largest range of usable tones I've ever heard in an amp: really flexible. I've given it a quick crank it I reckon it would compete with a drumkit just fine on distortion, though not clean.
Unfortunately the headphone out is missing something- can't place my finger on it. It's still a world ahead of non-emulated outputs but I'd much rather play it through the speaker.

[HTH AMPS]

like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2noCzehE_sA

[Matt77]

^ Sounds fun HTH

Hi Mr Chimp.
I guess for small amps, the best choice would depend a lot on the amount of clean headroom you need.

[herbychimp]

Thanks for the swift responses, all. BKP forum users are the cat's pyjamas! Headroom is not so much of a concern as we don't do that much really clean stuff. Saying that I had been interested in the Marshall 5 watt combo models but the lack of a master volume + spectre of reliabilty puts me off. Reviews are quite positive but 'lack of headroom' is often mentionned. Also, you don't get many for sale on Ebay and I am interested in a 2nd hander. Looks like the HT5 is leading the way - the limited edition oxblood colour looks pretty classy. Am I right in thinking that it doesn't come with reverb as standard? Anyone had any experience with those wee vox heads?

[forestcaver]

I love my ampmaker 5w amp - it's a thing of aural beauty (unless I play through it!)

[38thBeatle]

I recently bought a 10w Laney Cub 10. I got mine second hand, in mint condition,  off Ebay for £99.00. Great tone and weighs around 16lb. I have even used it for small gigs. Really simple and basic but the tone is very good and the bottom end is impressive. It has a fairly mundane 10 inch speaker but I thoroughly recommend it as an option for you to consider. I can get some great Fender like tones. No reverb though- not a problem for me but I mention it anyway. They do other models too and I think the Cub 12s are available with a reverb option if it is important.

[Denim n Leather]

Well, you said quality, sooo ...

EAST Amplification Studio 2
Dr Z Prescription Jr
Komet K-19
Mack Gem 2G

[Kiichi]

I can only say that I love my Orange Tiny Terror. If you are into that british / orange sound, this will be worth a look.

[schenr]

There's also the Hughes and kettner tubemeister 18 which seems to be real versatile. Also the egnater tweaker. Both get really good reviews. But they're higher watts than what you seem to be looking at.
The h&k does however have lower watt settings and red box to silently record.

[Crunch]

Traynor's DarkHorse line is worth checking out.

[Matt77]

The HT5R has reverb which is rare in a lot of the smaller combos and heads
I had a HT5 and liked it except the lack of a clean tone
I've played a vox night train and it wasn't bad; the gain was a little looser than a HT5. I'd prefer a Tiny Terror over a night train.

Cornell Plexi 7 is fun if you see one second hand (but no reverb)

[Telerocker]

The Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister can be attenuated from 18 to zero watts (silent recording). Nice amp, no reverb thought, but it has a loop.