• Josh J
  • Silver Member
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  • From: Tampa FL
  • Registered: 2010-07-21
  • Posts: 53

Topic: Good Cheap Amp?

Hello All
I need some advice, i need to find a good cheap amp (cheap being in the 300 to 350 range). So  i thought i would ask you guys and gals. I don't play gigs i just play for fun, right at the moment i have a JB Epiphone and i'm using a Vox TONELAB ST for all my effects. i would love a tube amp but i think they are all out of my price range.

What do you guys think about the Marshall MG4 1x10 combo or the Marshall MG15FXMS micro stack? i'm also looking at the VOX Valvetronix VT40 1x10 combo also. I would like to hear what you guys think about these or anything else i might need to consider. This way when i go into the music store i will sort of have a list of amps to check out and play.

I know very little about amps and there are so many out there to chose from, most of the music i play is rock blues. and some time metal.

Thanks Josh

2 Reply by Big E (edited by Big E 2011-04-05 11:31:51)

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Peavey Classic 30, you can find used ones for about $300 mine came with a Vintage 30 speaker and New JJ tubes. Nice Clean channel, Great dirty channel and nice spring reverb. Its light but loud enough for gigs and the bed room.Its got a AC 30/Marshall vibe to it. Don't let the Peavey name fool you its a killer amp. After gigs people aways ask what kind of fender amp I am playing (it Looks like a tweed Fender) and when I tell them its a Peavey there jaws drop.


Oh I also tried out one of those Egnator Tweeker heads and they have a lot of great tone, head is about $325 and I am not sure what the cab cost.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

+1 on the Peavey Classic 30.
Or if you want to buy a used Fender Blues JR, those are the best entry level tube amps.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2010-11-16
  • Posts: 366

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Another +1 on the Peavey Classic 30.

I picked up mine off of craigslist for less than $300.00.

It's rough aesthetically, but the amp was fully re-tubed. 

The clean channel sounds awesome.

conorb

  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Marshall Class 5.....perfect for the house.

  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 121

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

I agree on the Classic 30. I've tried it in a local shop several times when testing pedals, and it's great! Another "big surprise" is Laney Cube 15w stack. Unbelievable good sound at a low price. Check them both....

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

You can pickup a old blues jr version II model for about $350 off ebay.  I got one I'm using right now thats stock and I'm loving it.  15 watts through a 12 inch speaker, just loud enough at practices to get above a drummer might need to mic it for live stuff though.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Jet City JCA20.

They now have reverb and an effects loop. I'm not exactly sure the price of that model, but the model without (available in both head and combo) is $350. (for the head and cab.)

  • Registered: 2010-11-26
  • Posts: 51

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

I've used (now don't laugh) a Crate Vintage 30 head to great results. Last of the
American line 30 watts all tube with reverb. Two channels, efx loop, and
footswitchable boost.I've got a spare head I kept as a back-up, if you're intersested.
Good cleans, great grind perfect anywere from bedroom to small clubs. you will need to
find a speaker cab to complete the rig, but this baby will drive any 1x12, 2x10,2x12,
4x12 etc just fine.

Guitars..'07 Custom shop 58 flametop, '11 JB studio goldtop, Nash custom aged 63 strat, Breedlove custom shop quilted Jumbo.
Amps etc: Fuchs, Blackjack 21 Head, Retro Channel RR1 Retro wreck head, Marshall 2601 Cabs loaded with eminence
Lady Luck 75 watt 12's. J.B sig Wah, J.B. FET driver, Keeley modded TS9, Boss DD3, CE2, Tu2
Pickboy 1.50 pix, EB power slinkys.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Lab Series L-5 gets my vote...  those things are great..
JB

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

Lab Series L-5 gets my vote...  those things are great..
JB

Hey Joe, have you ever tried out any of the Jet City line?

  • From: Green Bay, WI
  • Registered: 2010-03-29
  • Posts: 49

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Well, if you haven't already, you'll soon learn that the world of amps is extremely vast!  There are lots of choices at any price range.  A few good solid state amps that come to mind are the Lab Series L-5, Peavey Bandit, and Fender Princeton Chorus.  Not bad, and can be had real cheap used.  But, surprisingly, some good-quality tube amps can be had cheap, too.  And believe me, you'll most likely want tube eventually anyway. 

Overall, I say +1 on the Egnater Tweaker.  Killer little tube amp that is cheap but also great.  Honestly, from a money standpoint and from a versatility standpoint, it seems like the way to go.  Not only can you get good clean and distortion tones, but you also get to choose from USA (Fender), AC (Vox), and Brit (Marshall) tone voicings.  Great for the stuff you play (and great for a guy who can't choose between amps or is unfamiliar with different amps).  I've only seen one person so far who owned one and didn't really like it--and that's out of MANY!

  • Josh J
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • From: Tampa FL
  • Registered: 2010-07-21
  • Posts: 53

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

The guitar store here that i go to, has a Egnater Tweaker in stock that i'll check out but its a little out of my price range, are the lab series L-5 not in production anymore i can't seem to find much on the net other than ebay and used ones, and the same for the marshall class 5?

14 Reply by airportdon (edited by airportdon 2011-04-06 06:58:32)

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Years ago I picked up a Fender M-80 (90 watts ) combo amp...the factory speaker went out on it after
a few years.I met up with a Speaker shop repair facility...he hooked me up with a K series JBL rebuild for 75.00.
(instead of rebuilding the cheaper Fender factory speaker)
So for 100 plus 75 for the speaker I have a great little amp that with run with the big boys....Love those JBL 70's.....:)

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Manchester, England
  • Registered: 2010-10-20
  • Posts: 27

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

I've posted before on this before but I love my Blackheart Handsome Devil Head with Killer Ant Cab. BSM Treble Booster in front and it is perfect for 60's blues or modern blues rock. Class A, Switchable from 7-15watts. I believe the combo is $300-400 USA side of the pond.
I'm in that warm fuzzy period where you've got a new amp that nails the tone you've been looking for! big_smile

Gibson Flying V Faded Cherry (Crescent Moons), Reverse Head Stock Custom Strat HSH, Vintage V100 Icon Lemon Drop LP, Blackheart Handsome Devil and Blackheart Killer Cab, BSM TrebleBooster, Metal Muff, Dunlop Wah, Vox Time Machine

16 Reply by lvbluesboy (edited by lvbluesboy 2011-04-06 07:32:31)

  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 184

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Josh J

The Marshall Class 5 is a current production amp. Any Marshall dealer should have it. I bought one a few weeks back and love it. Takes pedals without any issues (suprise? No, not really. It was made for them.) and I am very pleased with it. As many others have noted, it is kind of a mini Bluesbreaker if you will.

Check out the Peavy too. I have no personal experience with them, but have heard good things from associates. I also have a Crate that has been around awhile and fit your price range (about $300 as I recall). It has several effects and although it is solid state, works very well.

You will find something appropriate. Just keep looking. Hmmmmm, I did try out an earlier JetCity unit at GC. It was nice too and now they have been improved. Argh, too may amps to look at and too much GAS! lol

Nothin' but the Blues
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

If you are willing to buy used or new, that's one thing.

The Gibson Lab Series L-5 amp that Joe mentioned and others followed up on is a solid-state amp (not tube) and like others have said is discontinued. So it might take a little bit of hunting to find, but should be able to find one $250-300. What kind of street credibility does this amp have? BB King uses them exclusively. There are, however, enough extraneous knobs on the thing to confuse even an advanced player from what I've heard, so it might take you a while to dial in your sound with the L-5.

Entry level is a temporary thing. I'd say get in the game, and then tell yourself in a year or two you will upgrade from where ever you jumped in. Like a reward to yourself for sticking with guitar. smile

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Josh J
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • From: Tampa FL
  • Registered: 2010-07-21
  • Posts: 53

Re: Good Cheap Amp?

Would you guys think the marshall class 5 and the vox tonelab st make a good pair, i really like the tonelab has all kinds of great blues and metal tone presets plus all the customs ones you can create. also i was thinking of buying a pork loin to add with the tonelab and a new amp (which one im not sure yet).