How much headroom is enough?

[Twinfan]

I say again - Orange Tiny Terror.  A used combo should be within or close to budget.  The just breaking up tones are really good, as is the master volume.  They have a good reputation for good reason  :)

[Ian Price]

The TT would also be on my list of stuff to check out for that price.

[Philly Q]

I say again - Orange Tiny Terror.  A used combo should be within or close to budget.  The just breaking up tones are really good, as is the master volume.  They have a good reputation for good reason  :)

I know $%&# all about amps, so I hesitate to offer an opinion.... but I find the TT produces very useable tones at low volume, even with me playing. 

And I'm particularly cautious about disturbing the neighbours.

[Lucifuge]

Ok, thanks - I'm definitely willing to look into used gear to stay within budget, though then it's a matter of waiting for one to turn up.

Any opinions on the Vox Li'l Night Train? The head + cab bundle seems to go for under £250, so it may be worth looking into.

Also Laney LC15s seem to turn up secondhand quite frequently, anyone got any experience with these?

I will definitely go into some guitar shops and try out what I can - though the local shops seem to have loads of Blackstar and Marshall amps and not a lot else.

[dave_mc]

i didn't much like the lc15 i tried. the vc15 is much nicer.

but the price on those laneys has gone way up recently. they're not the good value they used to be, unfortunately. :(