Low power amps, what are the best?

[Oli]

So i'm now in proper gear-consolidation mode, have got a bunch of things on eBay, and am having a proper cull (5 amps, really?!), to narrow it down to some choice pieces. And i'm after a low power amp again, especially as there may be an international relocation on the cards, so i'd like something a little more sensible!

About a year ago I tried out the Matamp MiniVerb, at this has really set the benchmark for me, it really is a fantastic sounding amp, but it has gone up in price to above £500, so i'm wondering what else is out there. My general requirements are:

Great sounding clean
A little overdrive, but not a full bore gain-fest
Reverb
Around 5W, could be less, but must be less than 10W really, anything louder just won't get used I don't think

Probably a 6V6, but that's not set in stone
I would prefer a head format
If it doesn't have reverb, then it'd be a bonus if it had an FX loop, but I could live without either for the right amp!

Not really sure about budget-- it's less of an issue since I got a tax rebate, and i'm hoping my ebay sales will generate enough that i'll be able to afford something if it catches my eye.

Suggestions on a postcard, please chaps!

[Frank]

If you really like the Matamp, why not pay the extra?

As Henry Royce once said, the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

If you really like the Matamp, why not pay the extra?

As Henry Royce once said, the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

Well if he didn't say that, not many people would buy his car!

Anyway, like in my previous post, the new Marshall 1W heads and combos are spectacular, I'd definitely check those out. They have a lot more power to them than you'd think, and they sound great and have some cool features. If you feel like that won't be enough for you, I tried the Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 18 today, and it kicked ass. Can change from 1W to 5W and if you're feeling extra crazy, 18W. 2 Channel, FX Loop, killer head.

[Andrew W]

There's  a Cornell Romany Plus for sale in Seconds Out for about £600. I have one and love it. Switchable from 10W down to 0.125W and it has a spring reverb built in. It is a combo though.

[Ian Price]

Hmmm, I might be selling an MJW Bantam head soon. Not getting much use and to be honest I'd like to get back into Fender amps.

PM sent!

[djl]

Hiya, it's my cornell - msg me if you are interested. If you are near Brum, you are more than welcome to try it out.

[gwEm]

I quite often see Laney Cub amps in music stores. They've always sounded pretty good to me. I've always thought I'd get one of those, if I wanted a low-power amp.

[38thBeatle]

I have a Laney Cub ( as mentioned by gwEm above)- thoroughly recommended. Mine is 10w and has a great tone and is extremely portable. Those new Fender amps are supposedly pretty good ( a friend of mine is raving about them to me and he is a fusspot). I've not tried one however.

[Ian Price]

Do you mean the Greta and Excelsior?

[Philly Q]

There are almost too many little amps to choose from now.  10 years ago they were virtually non-existent!

[38thBeatle]

Do you mean the Greta and Excelsior?

Yes, thanks- memory lapse. It is the Excelsior that my mate has- in fact he bought a second one to modify for fun- or so he tells me.

[juansolo]

My general requirements are:

Great sounding clean
A little overdrive, but not a full bore gain-fest
Reverb
Around 5W, could be less, but must be less than 10W really, anything louder just won't get used I don't think

Probably a 6V6, but that's not set in stone
I would prefer a head format
If it doesn't have reverb, then it'd be a bonus if it had an FX loop, but I could live without either for the right amp!

You just described my amp!

I had a similarly specific list and spoke to Martin about it, he came up with a 5w 6V6 Fenderish (clean) voiced Goldstar. I wanted it with no boost switching to keep it as pure as poss, so it's more like an older Goldstar than a new one. Very pedal friendly and has a solid state loop which is fantastic. I run a WET Reverb (still the best verb I've ever heard) in the loop.

I can't really rate this amp highly enough. Cranked with single coils it'll just about crunch up. With buckers it will more easily. But as I say, it really loves pedals so a nice OD on the front will get you into pre-tube distortion nirvana.

Even though I'm in the process of building a kit amp, it'll have to be mightily special to part me from this amp.

Pic of mine (#100) from Martins site:

[juansolo]

FWIW Cleggy has the 10W EL34 model. That's very Marshall flavoured and has it's own charms. Indeed I have first refusal on it if he's ever daft enough to sell it. But it's a lot louder... Surprisingly so.

[keith]

Really happy with my Orange Dual Terror ...........at the moment anyway

[dave_mc]

If you really like the Matamp, why not pay the extra?

As Henry Royce once said, the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

i agree about buying quality, but i disagree with that quote- maybe i just have a head for figures but I don't think i've forgotten the price of any guitar gear i've bought :lol: (certainly within the ballpark... like i might not remember something was exactly £429.37, say, but i remember it was "just over £400")