scika Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 Im looking to buy a tube amp but i dont know much about buying them. Im looking for a decent one, preferably 30 watts or above for around 900-1000 dollars. I use a Gibson SG and a Fender Telecaster and i like really warm tones. I was looking at the Vox amps, and i would love to get one of those but im still not sure of the price. Can anyone help?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moe_Syzlak Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I'll put in my usual plug for THD amps. I own a Univalve and love it. It is okay for small gigs/jams, studio and bedroom playing, but I'd go for a BiValve if you play out a lot. What i love about THD amps is that you can very easily swap out tubes without the need for re-biasing. This makes the amp very versatile. You can literally switch out, say Fender-y tubes for Marshall-y tubes song-to-song. When I first got my UniValve I got a bit of an addiction to buying tubes off eBay to try out different sounds. I now have a very unique tone as my standard tone having mixed and matched tubes from different "sorts" of amps. It also has a built in attenuator making it perfect if you have easily disturbed neighbors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scika Posted August 25, 2008 Author Share Posted August 25, 2008 I'll put in my usual plug for THD amps. I own a Univalve and love it. It is okay for small gigs/jams, studio and bedroom playing, but I'd go for a BiValve if you play out a lot. What i love about THD amps is that you can very easily swap out tubes without the need for re-biasing. This makes the amp very versatile. You can literally switch out, say Fender-y tubes for Marshall-y tubes song-to-song. When I first got my UniValve I got a bit of an addiction to buying tubes off eBay to try out different sounds. I now have a very unique tone as my standard tone having mixed and matched tubes from different "sorts" of amps. It also has a built in attenuator making it perfect if you have easily disturbed neighbors. The THDs are nice, but still a little pricy for me. Im looking for a combo i think, just 2x12 due to space restrictions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
petemoss Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I like the Fender Hot Rod series personally. Simple and affordable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ginandcigarettes Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I used to dislike them, but I've since become impressed with Fender's Hot Rod series -- just good, solid amps. You might also look at the Deluxe Reverb Reissue and the Vox AC15 (or wait a while and save up for an AC30 -- only get the Celestion Blue versions). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 the Deluxe Reverb Reissue That's what I have. It's awesome. It's only 22 watts, but it cranks out some volume. A lot pf people love the Peavey Classic 30. That was on my short list when i was looking for amps, but I never found a used one. A 2X12 amp might be harder to find. Unless I'm mistaken, everything that's been mentioned so far is 1X12 (except maybe the THD...I'm not familiar with those). The fender hot rod series has a 4X10 that sounds great, but it's kind of large. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ezyrydr Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 That's what I have. It's awesome. It's only 22 watts, but it cranks out some volume. A lot pf people love the Peavey Classic 30. That was on my short list when i was looking for amps, but I never found a used one. A 2X12 amp might be harder to find. Unless I'm mistaken, everything that's been mentioned so far is 1X12 (except maybe the THD...I'm not familiar with those). The fender hot rod series has a 4X10 that sounds great, but it's kind of large. I've got the Hot Rod Deville 4x10. It has some good points and bad points good- great sound. killer cleans and tons of headroom. works great with pedals. it's relatively cheap. it's been very reliable. reverb sounds great. bad-HEAVY, this thing weighs a ton and it's not exactly small. sucks at low volume, when you play at a practice volume, or anything below "3" the highs disappear and it just sounds like poo. the drive channel is a joke, you'll have to use pedals for your drive and distortion because the built-in drive is terrible. you can have it modded but i haven't don so yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ginandcigarettes Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 That's what I have. It's awesome. It's only 22 watts, but it cranks out some volume. A lot pf people love the Peavey Classic 30. That was on my short list when i was looking for amps, but I never found a used one. A 2X12 amp might be harder to find. Unless I'm mistaken, everything that's been mentioned so far is 1X12 (except maybe the THD...I'm not familiar with those). The fender hot rod series has a 4X10 that sounds great, but it's kind of large. I forgot about the Classic 30. Great Amp. It's got the EL84 power tubes giving it a slightly different character (more Vox-y) than the rounder Fenders. The Classic 50 is a 2x12 and one of the Hot Rods is a 2x12. All the overdrive channels are kinda lacking in these amps, but the clean channels are quite nice. I have the DRRI also. Most of the time I love it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I forgot about the Classic 30. Great Amp. They look cool, too...the old version, anyway: The new version looks less cool, but still pretty sharp: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 For that much money, you could probably find a blackface Fender Princeton if you look carefully. Those are great sounding amps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 That's what I have. It's awesome. It's only 22 watts, but it cranks out some volume. Personally, i prefer this amp over all mentioned (the fender DRRI), i have 2 of them...eats up tubes like a fiend but its worth it in spades...i have a vox ac30cc1 and think the fender out performs it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted August 27, 2008 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Personally, i prefer this amp over all mentioned (the fender DRRI), i have 2 of them...eats up tubes like a fiend but its worth it in spades...i have a vox ac30cc1 and think the fender out performs it I haven't had to replace any tubes in mine yet. What do you recommend for replacements? Price? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scika Posted August 28, 2008 Author Share Posted August 28, 2008 Has anyone played an Ampeg VT-60? Whats it like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Luna Moona Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I've been thinking about a new amp too. Something louder than my 20w Mesa/Boogie Subway Blues, that can crank out distortion that's not too, well... Bluesy. It would also need to have good cleans and it shouldn't distort too soon, because I use clean just as much as dirty. Maybe I'm aiming too high? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I haven't had to replace any tubes in mine yet. What do you recommend for replacements? Price? I was using JJs ($25 a pair), which sound pretty good to my ears (much better than the GT stock tubes), however i found an ebay deal for 8 old RCA and GEs, they sound terrific...if you dont mind spending more its well worth it to get NOS tubes, just be careful with the reputability of the vendor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I have a classic 30 for sale. $ 250.00 plus shipping Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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