1 Topic by wiltel24 (edited by wiltel24 2012-08-06 11:12:52)

  • Registered: 2012-07-05
  • Posts: 20

Topic: looking for a good small amp

Any suggestions on a good all tube small amp around 15 watts? Been using a Marshall Class 5 , but not enough clean head room for me. Want something versatile around $700 or less. Something solid that doesn't rattle, hiss, hum or otherwise sound like it's dying if you turn it up some. Thought about either Princeton Reverb Reissue or Vox AC15. Maybe the Fender Deluxe Reverb, even though it's closer to $900. Would prefer a 12' inch speaker, if possible. Any suggestions?

Regards.

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

Re: looking for a good small amp

Toss up between Fender Blues JR and Vox AC15. Just don't expect to get Twin Reverb sound out of the jr, or AC30 out of the 15!

- 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
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: looking for a good small amp

wiltel24 wrote:

Any suggestions on a good all tube small amp around 15 watts? Been using a Marshall Class 5 , but not enough clean head room for me. Want something versatile around $700 or less. Something solid that doesn't rattle, hiss, hum or otherwise sound like it's dying if you turn it up some. Thought about either Princeton Reverb Reissue or Vox AC15. Maybe the Fender Deluxe Reverb, even though it's closer to $900. Would prefer a 12' inch speaker, if possible. Any suggestions?

Regards.

Wow 15w are good for practicing alone but even then head room??? I think if you are looking for a good delta between clean and mean I do not think you will get there with a 15w sometimes even a 50w it is hard to do. If you ever are going to play with someone else in a band situation forget about it. That's just me talking. If I were choosing based upon what you have said I would go with the Fender Deluxe.
Happy hunting.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
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4 Reply by ace1962 (edited by ace1962 2012-08-06 20:32:04)

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

Re: looking for a good small amp

Just a suggestion, Take a look at the Blackstar HT20 studio 20 watt combo, or their HT club 40.
Both were designed by the former team at Marshall. Both are affordable, portable, and built like tanks.
Great sounding 1x12 combos, that just might surprise you.
Cheers

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.
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: looking for a good small amp

Two class 5's or even 20 watts worth in small amps still doesn't give you much in the way of headroom. You're going to need 40-50 watts to get the results you want. I think the Fender Blues and Hotrod Deville & Deluxe are in the upwards of 35-60 watts depending which one and the speaker option. For 700 bucks you might be able to pick up a used Fender Twin though I think you could be short a couple bucks.. Those are very nice but super heavy, make sure it has caster wheels. I'd honestly go with a Twin if you decide to go up in watts.

Otherwise if you are dead set on 15 watts, the Egnater Tweaker is great. Nice and clean but if you drive it, you will find you can't turn down for those clean tones. Not sure on the Egnater Rebel but I think its louder.

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: looking for a good small amp

helrazr84 wrote:

Two class 5's or even 20 watts worth in small amps still doesn't give you much in the way of headroom. You're going to need 40-50 watts to get the results you want. I think the Fender Blues and Hotrod Deville & Deluxe are in the upwards of 35-60 watts depending which one and the speaker option. For 700 bucks you might be able to pick up a used Fender Twin though I think you could be short a couple bucks.. Those are very nice but super heavy, make sure it has caster wheels. I'd honestly go with a Twin if you decide to go up in watts.

Otherwise if you are dead set on 15 watts, the Egnater Tweaker is great. Nice and clean but if you drive it, you will find you can't turn down for those clean tones. Not sure on the Egnater Rebel but I think its louder.

Agreed 100%! Twin is probably the best option...but go try them all out at the music shop!

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: looking for a good small amp

I get some good headroom with a Blues Jr by backing off the volume on my guitar. Make sure you have some good pots in your guitar. Maybe check out the Jet City Soldano amps.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee

8 Reply by dave_5150 (edited by dave_5150 2012-08-07 07:35:52)

  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 175

Re: looking for a good small amp

helrazr84 wrote:

Otherwise if you are dead set on 15 watts, the Egnater Tweaker is great. Nice and clean but if you drive it, you will find you can't turn down for those clean tones. Not sure on the Egnater Rebel but I think its louder.

I've got one of these and it works great for home or live / pub and in my experience it does clean up great ..lots of good tones in there too ..however it you do get it past around 3 O'clock on the master then yes the driven 6V6 takes over the tonal pallette and the ability to clean things up from guitar etc. suffers.

Prior to that I had the Hughes and Kettner 25th Anniversary 20w and that was great too although the drive channel was voiced to high gain for my liking.

Personally I don't buy into the you need lots of power (unless you need to fill lots of space) and I'd rather have a driven power section and less pre amp gain dialled in.

  • Registered: 2012-08-06
  • Posts: 2

Re: looking for a good small amp

Vox VT20+ has been amazing for me.  You gotta get the pedal to really get the full effect.  I play it with my Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio, and with the Tube OD turned all the way up (YES, it has a tube), it's amazing.  It even has models after the ac 15 and 30!!  Look into it!!

  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: looking for a good small amp

wiltel24 wrote:

Any suggestions on a good all tube small amp around 15 watts? Been using a Marshall Class 5 , but not enough clean head room for me. Want something versatile around $700 or less. Something solid that doesn't rattle, hiss, hum or otherwise sound like it's dying if you turn it up some. Thought about either Princeton Reverb Reissue or Vox AC15. Maybe the Fender Deluxe Reverb, even though it's closer to $900. Would prefer a 12' inch speaker, if possible. Any suggestions?

Regards.

Have you thought about an Orange Dual Terror? It has 2 channels unlike the Tiny Terror, keep one clean, let the other rock. It also has the options of 7, 15, or 30 watts.Goes nice with an Orange 2x12 cabinet.

  • From: Bristol, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 237

Re: looking for a good small amp

I've said it before but I'll say it again. The Peavey Classic 30 is a great small valve amp. You can get a good clean or drive sound at very low volumes or it can be cranked if needed. It has an output to an external speaker if you want loud. I'm told that it sounds good with a 4 x 12 attached!

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

Re: looking for a good small amp

My good man I'm dealing with a 15 watt amp now.  As I love the amp and its sound with my strat or SG when we play out I'm suffering from lack of good bass.  If I have the amp dimed on the master by the time I turn the bass up a little its simply a fart in the sound waves compaired to a tight thick sounding bass note.  If you play with a drummer who like to play chances are he plays hard.  15 watts will work if your in a bind but I wouldn't bother with anything less then 30 knowing what I know now about what I want for a sound.

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