Antman Hi Guys, Getting back into playing after a long layoff after wrist surgery - looking for the 'perfect' home / practice amp (if that's possible!!!) I play mostly blues related music (lighter and heavier) prefer a cleanish sound going to a nice crunch / overdrive (creamy) tone... I have a Palo Escrito MIM Tele, a Hamer XT Archtop with P90's and a Cort M600...going throughy a Laney LGR35 SS amp using a Roland Microcube as a pre-amp - and it sounds NAFF! Wouldn't mind a valve amp, but don't they need to be cranked to really high volumes for best effect? I prefer a 'natural' sound, not much of an effects user, would be nice if I could find an amp that could take an external cab for small gigs etc.. Any advixe appreciated! Cheers Anthony
mattayou You could have a look at the Fender Champion 600 tube amp. http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=2330100000
dee You don't mention your budget, but seeing as you mostly play blues, and are looking for a good clean sound with some crunch, you can't go wrong with looking at any of the 5 watt tube amps currently available. There have been quite a few discussions on these amps within these forums. How much are you looking to spend?
TomCat A great value for money amp for home/practice is the Vox Pathfinder 15R. Great tone and will certainly do what you want to do. Surprisingly loud for a little 15 Watter. It's not a tube amp but is a great little SS amp.
mattayou in that price range you can look at the Super Champ XD http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=2331100000 That is a really nice tube amp!
Sean Plenty of discussions on 5w tube amps, you could start with these ? http://www.guitarforum.co.za/reviews/vox-night-train/ http://www.guitarforum.co.za/amps-speakers-and-valves/new-small-vox-amps/ http://www.guitarforum.co.za/reviews/5w-is-loud!-blackheart-little-giant/ http://www.guitarforum.co.za/amps-speakers-and-valves/5w-tube-amp/
TomCat Antman wrote I was looking at spending R5-7K on something - preferably with reverb.... In that case forget what I said about the Pathfinder 15..... :-[ Have a look at the threads mentioned by Sean....lots to think about there....personally......either Vox AC4TV or Blackstar HT-5
MIKA-the-better-one If you are lookinng at about 5 to 7k then you could pick up some good deals second hand. For example I am not a rich guy, I had 5k for an amp, one day i saw an ad for a vox ac 50 for 5K!!!! Brand new, the original owner just didnt like it and waned to sell it on fast. So i got such a bargain on that, but then I found a fellow who wanted to trade hi 72 twin for my vox ac 50, I have always loved twins (my dream amp) and he needed the vox sound, so we traded. I know despite a bit of cosmetic where and tear have a amazing twin, which would have set me back a fair amount, if i had bought first hand. You can get really good deals on fender hot rod deluxes at the moment, around 7k. where by in the shop they arre 15 and up. Really do also consider a tube amp, they are by far superior to solid state sound, as 99% of guitarists opt to use them due to there superioir nature. That blackstar amp is very nice by the way, but is it loud enough for small shows?
