Low power amps, what are the best?

[Philly Q]

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")

I didn't really give the Henry Royce quote much thought when I read it, but you're right, I remember pretty much what I paid for all my guitars (and how much I lost when I sold them!  :lol: )

[Telerocker]

New Orange15H sounds ferocious and the new Tubemeister 36 (still lunchbox-sized) has tons of features, two channels with boost on the drivechannel,  sep. eq for both channels, reverb (digital)  and powerscaling from 36, 18 to 5, 1 and 0 watt (silent recording).

[mikeluke]

Blackstar HT-5R? Head model

[Philly Q]

.... the new Tubemeister 36 (still lunchbox-sized) has tons of features, two channels with boost on the drivechannel,  sep. eq for both channels, reverb (digital)  and powerscaling from 36, 18 to 5, 1 and 0 watt (silent recording).

Those H&K models are all very appealing, but something about them - maybe it's just the look - suggests to me that they might be a bit "clinical".  It's probably totally irrational.

[Twinfan]

I'm with you Philly.  All the clips I've heard of them did nothing for me.

[Dmoney]

I've played a tubemeister 18. I wasn't THAT into it. It has some cool features but the higher gain sounds were kind of hollow and I didn't really like it all that much. I preferred the micro terror hybrid head, which for me still sounded like an Orange which was kind of cool!

[dave_mc]

I didn't really give the Henry Royce quote much thought when I read it, but you're right, I remember pretty much what I paid for all my guitars (and how much I lost when I sold them!  :lol: )

yeah :lol:

as i said, i completely agree with buying quality stuff, just i disagree with the quote. Apart from anything it sounds to me like an excuse to charge too much if you have to say that :lol:

[AndyR]

I didn't really give the Henry Royce quote much thought when I read it, but you're right, I remember pretty much what I paid for all my guitars (and how much I lost when I sold them!  :lol: )

yeah :lol:

as i said, i completely agree with buying quality stuff, just i disagree with the quote. Apart from anything it sounds to me like an excuse to charge too much if you have to say that :lol:

:lol: you're being wa-ay too literal guys! (And that's usually me...) It doesn't mean the price itself, it means forgetting what it cost you to pay that price...


Anyway, I'd say check out Laney CUBs as well. If you want 6v6, it's the CUB10 that 38th's got. I tried one when I bought my CUB12R, and the 10 was a gorgeous beast. (I just felt that the 12 was more versatile for me).

[Philly Q]

I still like the sound of what (I think) were two of the earliest small, power-scaling amps, the Suhr Badger and Fargen Mini Plex.

Both very expensive, though, and loads of other manufacturers, boutique and mainstream, have entered the small amps market in recent years. 

I really wouldn't have a clue what to get now without actually trying them, and I hate trying amps in shops!

[hunter]

I think the 50th anniversary Marshall JVM mini amp will be worth waiting for. That one is a loaded mini and will still sound like a Marshall, I am 90% sure it will kick ass.

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

The Blackstar HT-20 head is really versatile and does everything at least somewhat well, but it really shines in metal like you'd expect. Don't think it's a one trick pony haha. The 5w head isn't bad either but not really close to the 20w.

[Oli]

Thanks for all the input, guys! Going to have to take to YouTube and keep an eye out in guitar shops, too. Thanks to the guys who PM'd me too, i'll try and reply to you shortly :)

[Telerocker]

.... the new Tubemeister 36 (still lunchbox-sized) has tons of features, two channels with boost on the drivechannel,  sep. eq for both channels, reverb (digital)  and powerscaling from 36, 18 to 5, 1 and 0 watt (silent recording).

Those H&K models are all very appealing, but something about them - maybe it's just the look - suggests to me that they might be a bit "clinical".  It's probably totally irrational.

It does sound quite hifi compared to Orange.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

And I actually find the Oranges a little hifi as well.

[nfe]

I've played a tubemeister 18. I wasn't THAT into it. It has some cool features but the higher gain sounds were kind of hollow and I didn't really like it all that much. I preferred the micro terror hybrid head, which for me still sounded like an Orange which was kind of cool!

Not played the 18, but the Headline rep brought a 36 in the other day and it was a great sounding thing to my ears. Too expensive for what it is, though.