lookin' for a new amp - advice and insight pls!

domhatch

so i have mine eyes on a new amp sometime in the first half of next year. i have a vox av4tv - the head 'n cab. it's a stunning li'l practice amp, and i'll hang on to it for a good long time to come. great tone, all-tube, solid construction, simple, and attenuated from 4w down to 1 and then to 1/4, depending on how far away the rest of the fam is. thing is, it's not very versatile, is it?

i've had my eye on the albion tct35c (despite what bob says about the head 'n cab being a better bet). the clean is superb, and there's enough in the dirty channel to whet the appetite. so i'm wondering if there are any other amps out there with similar specs, between the 20 - 35w output range, that i should also be looking at. built-in reverb would be a plus.

remember, the thing about albion amps is that you pay a lot less for the tonal quality you would expect from a much more expensive, perhaps even boutique, amp.

http://www.albionamps.com/Products-detail.aspx?lang=En&Tb=TCT&Tab=4

tks
dh

AlanRatcliffe

You don't mention a budget range, but there are more than a few good amps in the classifieds that fit the bill:

Laney Lionheart L20H + LT212 (20W head & Cab) @ R7K: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=241
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe @ R7.5K: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=231
'65 Deluxe Reverb reissue @ R11K: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=130
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Mark 111 @ R11K: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=134

No secret, but given my pick, I'd take the '65 Deluxe. If you want something more modern with more gain on tap, one of the Hot Rods. The Laney isn't to be sneezed at either - they've always been good value for money and the Lionhearts are their best models.

domhatch

thanks alan, as always. budget is around the 5 - 8k mark, and i take my own advice which is to look at items a bit below and a bit above, and to haggle wherever possible. i also play mostly blues, some rock and a little soft rock and pop - not much of a mayhem man, as it were. hope this helps others throw their hat in the ring.

i'll take a look at these separately in a bit, right now there's pizza on offer!
dh

nick

Just get a Tok.. on no wait they dont make amps (yet) ?

Peavey Classic 30?

ezietsman

nick wrote: Just get a Tok.. on no wait they dont make amps (yet) ?

Peavey Classic 30?

Every time you say something about Tokais you end up being wrong ?

AlanRatcliffe

ez wrote: Every time you say something about Tokais you end up being wrong ?

LOL!

DonovanB

5-8k?

No question.. the Ibanez amp.

Reinhard

I wonder if the developed an amp or just copied someone else's design?

AlanRatcliffe

Reinhard wrote: I wonder if the developed an amp or just copied someone else's design?

Let's not go there please - even in jest.

IceCreamMan

Reinhard wrote: I wonder if the developed an amp or just copied someone else's design?

hahahahaha .....oh man that tickled the funny bone good an solid ...

onto the subject though

the small tube amp market is ~~not~~ vibrant and very very active which is a blessing for us who prefer the smaller tube amp stuff... as always second hand delivers the best value however amps are bought for their aural abilities and value soes not always feature..

me , in yr shoes, would go an check the Ibanez , i own one and love it .... i would also look at the hughes an kettner 18 watte due for release , i am intrigued by it and eagerly awaiting a store demo , blackheart make a 20 watter and many manufacturers are now in the market ..... for an upper limit of 8 k you will get a lot of choice too...

so take yr guitar go to a couple of stores, plug it in and see what u like bestest.....then do the same in the second hand market , there are a lot of ppl that will take yr 8k...

Edit: removed the word "not" the small tube amp market IS vibrant

blues_addict

Bought my Classic 30 for R5k, awesome little amp with punch and versatility. If your looking for something specialised in blues or rock, you might be better off with something else. Combining the two, the 30 might be the one.

Norman86

Just keep in mind guys, Dom sold his Fender blues junior... he didnt like the tone!
Personally, neither did i when testing it out!

JoeyBones

I'm looking at the Ibanez. Just haven't had time to take my gear through to TOM's to test it.

From what I've heard it's a bargain for what you get.

Hoping it'll eliminate the OD820 from my board, so I can add something else to it ?

TomCat

The Ibanez is real nice and a lower gain amp so might really suit your style.

Also has a quite light, open sound to it..i.e. ...not a dark hi-gain beast.....The Celestion it comes with has nice tone and the pricing is a real steal......Also seems to sound real nice with single coils and take pedals well.

domhatch

spankew peeps. keep it flowing, i'll be mulling this one over for a good while. i don't go out onto the test range without some seriously good ammo in the old .45, as they say.

again, appreciate the time
dh

blues_addict

Norman86 wrote: Just keep in mind guys, Dom sold his Fender blues junior... he didnt like the tone!
Personally, neither did i when testing it out!

I was also disappointed, it's sounds a bit thin for me!

domhatch

blues_addict wrote:
Norman86 wrote: Just keep in mind guys, Dom sold his Fender blues junior... he didnt like the tone!
Personally, neither did i when testing it out!

I was also disappointed, it's sounds a bit thin for me!

prezackly. it was ferpeckly unwonderful. considering i don't have whacks of cash to lay out, i am now seriously considering getting something that will offer me the best of a number of worlds in one affordable package, and i believe it is the albion tct35c. i've tried it out, i like it (only a LOT), despite its weight. now all i have to do is save up for it.

i truly appreciate everyone's input. it has led me down various numerous wonderful wanderings, mostly on youtube unfortunately, but on the odd, privileged occasion in the real world too.

youse ones rocks!
dh