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Post by cunningr on Nov 13, 2014 11:00:45 GMT -6
Well I have been researching low power tube amps, and what a plethora of choices. What is your preference?
i have narrowed down to Fender Blues Jr. NOS, Fender Princton, VOX AC15, Fender Eric Clapton Vibrolux, and EGNATER rebel.
main use studio and home, light weight (grab and go). I know most of here are using recording equipment but I am finding that the feel playing through an amp and dirct recording is different. So want to start practicing using a amp that can be recorded via mic input. But don't want to blow the neighbors away.
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Post by jack1982 on Nov 13, 2014 12:34:58 GMT -6
I've been browsing amps (hopefully for a purchase next summer) and I'm kind of leaning towards the Peavey Valve King 50 watt 1 X 12 This guy gives a pretty good demo: Even though it's 50 watts I guess it's got a switch on the back so you can also run it at 12 or even 2 watts for nice quiet practice. It sounds about a million trillion times better than Pod Farm lol  |
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Post by cunningr on Nov 13, 2014 13:09:05 GMT -6
That sounds pretty good, enough gain for some classis rock, the switch to reduce power is nice. The EGNATER amp has a switch like that and 2 sets of tubes with a mix knob to get fender tones or Marshall or some mix. Just to heavy, at 70pounds. But it seems you understand what I mean about playing simulated.
well went to the peavy site this amp has a lot of features and about $600 at musicians friend, weight was like 50 pounds I think. Pretty impressive.
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Post by jack1982 on Nov 13, 2014 14:25:04 GMT -6
Yeah I used to have a Peavey Deuce with two 12" speakers and that thing was like lugging around a set of barbells lol.
That Valve King also comes in a 20 watt version but it's only $50 less, so the 50 watt seemed like the better deal to me. You can use it for band rehearsal if you wanted and you can run it at 12 watts for practice or recording.
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Post by Phil on Nov 13, 2014 15:31:36 GMT -6
I know most of here are using recording equipment but I am finding that the feel playing through an amp and dirct recording is different. So want to start practicing using a amp that can be recorded via mic input. But don't want to blow the neighbors away. I think I've said before that almost any tone I get from my little Fender Mustang I amp sounds better to me than anything I've been able to get from direct input and modeling software. However, the practicality of going direct wins hands down for my purposes right now. I tend to practice late at night and the ease of setting up and recording with direct input and modeling software can't be dismissed. Just throwing in my 2 cents.  |
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Post by blackcountrymick on Nov 13, 2014 16:59:52 GMT -6
I second Jacks nomination of the Peavey range for a classic style blues amp, and much less dollars than the classic Fender range. I myself have a Marshall JVM205H, one of the main reasons I got this was the ability to "silent record" from a tube amp as well as jam with friends when the opportunity arose. There is a lot more choice these days, and given the choice now I would go for something a little smaller maybe. I remember my first amp nearly 50 years ago now was a well used WEM 15 watt tube amp with a built in tremolo, that would do me just fine now . Just found a YT vid of my first amp, just wow!! On the other hand I wish my Marshall could be made to sound like this!!!!! its all in the finger I guess  Man, I pull guitar faces just listening to this  |
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Post by cunningr on Nov 13, 2014 17:00:30 GMT -6
Yeh I see the practical side of going direct, but I have been researching low watt amps, in one video of the blues jr. The musician stated that although the tone sounded like a cranked amp is was actually at a point that it wasn't disturbing anyone in the house. I have been trying to play amped up lately but my amps are just too loud if anyone is home.
Curious if anyone has listened to any of the amps I listed or own them, hard to find anything here for demo always can be ordered.
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Post by bluesbruce on Nov 13, 2014 21:29:36 GMT -6
I agree with Phil on this - for shear ease and versatility, direct input with modeling wins hands down. On the other hand, for really good, loud tone playing live, well, a good tube amp just can't be beat. Of course, the best situation is to have it all...
Bruce
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Post by cunningr on Nov 13, 2014 23:44:05 GMT -6
On the other hand I wish my Marshall could be made to sound like this!!!!!
From what I have read using these new low power amps your suppose to be able to get that kind of tone at bedroom volume levels. Apparently there is a sweet spot on amplifiers, low wattage amps can be set to get the desired breakup at a lower volumn. I quote one of the demo vids "my wife said it sounded like my amp was cranked but wasn't as loud as normal". This guy may have been using an attenuator, but same idea.
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Post by joachim on Nov 13, 2014 23:49:33 GMT -6
Rich, the blues jr. might be louder than you think. I bought the Fender Super Champ to get something a little more bedroom-friendly, and I am very happy with it; the tone is great, and it's very cool to go from a bluesy sound to an AC/DC sound by simply switching a dial.
But as I only use it for practice, I think I would have been better off with one of the line 6 amps - it would be great to have a looper, backing tracks, drum tracks, etc. build into the amp.
Otherwise, I am with Bruce and Phil - a USB sound card with headphones keeps the wife happy...
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Post by cunningr on Nov 14, 2014 15:08:13 GMT -6
I was curious how loud the jr is plus reviews for the princton are positive, but it it doesn't have a master, and main only single master vol, so you need a pedal to add the crunch. Maybe blues jr, with an attenuator.
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Post by wannaplayblues on Nov 16, 2014 1:17:59 GMT -6
I have to at least plug my amp. I have a Vox Valvetronix VT40+ a 40watt valve amp that can be cranked to 60watts. There are smaller and larger VT+'s to choose from for volume. All can be overcranked  They also all support headphones and Aux-in for your BYCU backing tracks  Nice example here: |
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Post by Marc on Nov 23, 2014 16:57:03 GMT -6
Yeah the small watt amp's are awesome but on the other hand if you need to play with a drummer you might be drowned out. I had a little blackstar 5 watt head and it had all the one you could want with our reverb. I ended up selling it, but i'm on the hunt for something else. I've been looking at a few options, Bugera v22, Orange Micro Terror, Blues Jr, Blackstar HT20, Crate v18. All have pro's and con's and not sure what I'll end up with. I've had a few Mod amps and the best of all was the vox valtronix. Just one blues man's opinion.
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Post by cunningr on Nov 24, 2014 14:53:45 GMT -6
Thanks for the input Marc, I think 5 watts might not be enough I kinda want an in between something reasonable for the house but could gig with it if need maybe mic'd. I like the blues jr and the princton, I just ordered a weber 50 watt attenuator. I have a vintage 69 bassman 50 watts, really loud and its bass head so no reverb.
You are looking at the basic group I am, I kinda like the EGNATER rebel I think it was. I am hoping to go check some out Saturday, plus my son wants to try some drums.
I like the vox but I like the fender tone more.
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Post by Marc on Nov 28, 2014 23:25:59 GMT -6
have you checked out the Bugera v22? After reading some reviews and watching some demo's I'm thinking this is my next amp
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Post by cunningr on Nov 29, 2014 3:13:40 GMT -6
I have seen them mentioned in some other forums but haven't really checked them out. I am going to a large music store today to listen to a couple. Will check it out.
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Post by Marc on Dec 22, 2014 21:38:46 GMT -6
What did you end up with?
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Post by cunningr on Dec 23, 2014 11:04:35 GMT -6
I ordered the EGNATER rebel 30, then changed my mind and cancelled the order and bought a fender blues jr NOS. I did more review checks and most were good concerning the EGNATER but weren't very many compared to 200 recommendations for the jr. Should be here soon.
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Post by Phil on Dec 23, 2014 14:28:30 GMT -6
I ordered the EGNATER rebel 30, then changed my mind and cancelled the order and bought a fender blues jr NOS. I did more review checks and most were good concerning the EGNATER but weren't very many compared to 200 recommendations for the jr. Should be here soon. I think your amp came in today. Check your mail tomorrow or call me. |
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Post by cunningr on Dec 23, 2014 17:22:16 GMT -6
Cool I was coming out to the base, need milk  ? |
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Man, I pull guitar faces just listening to this 
They also all support headphones and Aux-in for your BYCU backing tracks 
?