• From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Topic: help! Tube amp decision

Hey folks!

I have been saving money for a while and now I can finally buy a new amp!
I have some options here and i would like to know what you think and feel.

The amps I have found used is:

-Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

-Peavey classic 30

-Vox ac30 CC2 (found two were i live and both were about 50% off the original price)

I know the peavey is much cheaper than the rest but that doesn't have to mean it's less good ...right ?
Also I've heard that the Vox is really heavy and it would be really annoying to gig with it since im just 15 and not that strong, but I'm not sure tongue

one thing that is really important is that the amp has to be able to take pedals well. I know the Peavey takes pedals quite well but I don't know about the other amps.

My sound is best described as an SRV sound with more overdrive..I guess, i'm not playing heavy metal or anything like that, sticking to the blues!


tell me what you think big_smile

// Simon

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2006-05-31
  • Posts: 489

Re: help! Tube amp decision

The Peavey Classic is a great amp. It covers all stuff from Blues to Rock and it's not as chimey sounding as the Fender Hot Rod Dlx.

I think all amps you listed are good amps, you should check them in the store and buy the one that fit your needs the most.

Jimi75's Website

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: help! Tube amp decision

If you sound is like "SRV with more overdrive" then out of those 3 I could only recommend the Fender Hot Rod.  What I would do is pick up a used one, buy yourself a Fulltone Fulldrive II or other nice overdrive pedal and go to town.  I mention the FD2 over your normal tubescreamer because of the boost function that a tubescreamer lacks.  It can really make your sound soar, almost like stacking 2 OD pedals.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

4 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-05-22 16:02:33)

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

Re: help! Tube amp decision

I've played all three of these, and honestly I think you'll be happy with whatever you choose. If you do some forum searching you'll probably be able to find more in depth info on choosing between these amps. Also look on http://harmony-central.com user reviews. That's the best place to get a feel for how people like 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
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: help! Tube amp decision

My friend has a Peavey Classic 410 and its a killer amp for the power, tone, money, and features.  It has a freakin server fan to cool it down.  I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and I use a 4-12 cab for gigs.  I like the Deluxe a lot.  But I find that I have to use a compressor pedal to really squeeze out the tone from it.  By itself its fine but you can't get that Jimmy Page type bluesy sound out of it.  Everyone says the Clean on it is the best thing about it, but when I have my compressor in the effects loop I feel like I'm untouchable, it really takes my playing up a knotch.  You hear people talk about their sound being liquid like or very fluid?  Thats what I think when I crank a Les Paul up and that compressor pedal to it.  But last think Personally think you should go with what ever has the better clean sound.  If you can get a good clean you can get a good distortion with pedals, you can't do the oposite.

AD3THREE's Website

6 Reply by Simon94 (edited by Simon94 2009-05-23 11:22:58)

  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Re: help! Tube amp decision

yeah!

I went into town yesterday and tried various amps in my price range and the one that I thinked worked best with was the new Fender Vintage Modified Deluxe, any comments about it?

// Simon

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: help! Tube amp decision

Like the clean/light overdrive sound out of the HRD amps...never heard of the "vintage modified" ones though. hmm
They sound pretty good for that Strat blues sound running pretty hot on the edge of breakup with a tubescreamer type pedal and a 'lil verb dialed in.  A lot of local guys around here are HRD users and they get great live tones so I guess it's well worth it's lower pricetag.  Have you checked out the Princeton and Deluxe Reverb reissues?  Are you trying to get a cleaner on the edge of breakup sound or do you need all that distortion?  I'm not a big fan of the OD sounds of the HRD compared to a cranked Princeton or Deluxe...

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Re: help! Tube amp decision

Well, I want it to have a nice clean but also atleast an OK distortion. My pedal board might be at school when i wanna play at home and then i want an Fair distortion.

but live i'll always use pedals. Of what i've read, the VM is like a hot rod deluxe with a "hotter" drive channel and some digital effects, i like the fact that there's not a spring reverb cause i can never use spring reverbs live cause then the amp will say BOOM! if the stage isnt that steady (and it usally isnt).

However of what i have read the VM doesn't break up until like 8-9 but it has a nice drive channel...

Which one sounds best? hmm

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: help! Tube amp decision

Simon94 wrote:

Well, I want it to have a nice clean but also atleast an OK distortion. My pedal board might be at school when i wanna play at home and then i want an Fair distortion.

but live i'll always use pedals. Of what i've read, the VM is like a hot rod deluxe with a "hotter" drive channel and some digital effects, i like the fact that there's not a spring reverb cause i can never use spring reverbs live cause then the amp will say BOOM! if the stage isnt that steady (and it usally isnt).

However of what i have read the VM doesn't break up until like 8-9 but it has a nice drive channel...

Which one sounds best? hmm

If the stage isn't steady try a Auralex Great Gramma.  $100, or about $60 for the regular Gramma.  That will solve your stage problems.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Re: help! Tube amp decision

quickly looked em up...Do they prevent the springs in a springreverb from saying "krasch!" or how you could call it tongue

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: help! Tube amp decision

If the floor is vibrating like crazy it is likely vibrating your amp and thus the springs in the reverb tank.  I have plenty of amps with spring reverbs that do not rattle loudly when I crank them.  Besides, the Auralex makes the amps sound better anyways IMO.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Missoula, Montana
  • Registered: 2008-08-18
  • Posts: 308

Re: help! Tube amp decision

I own both the Hot Rod Deluxe and a Peavy Classic (though it is the 100 W head +Cabinet). I love them both. I think for the money, the Peavy Classics are a great buy.

I don't think you could go wrong with either amp.

#275 JB LP

tmcguire's Website

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: help! Tube amp decision

Hi
    if you decide to buy an FENDER HRD , then also make some budget to
    replace the speaker as the stock speaker does not bring out the best
   in the amp, I have had mine 3yrs and never once thought to try unplugging
   the stock speaker and plugging in my marshall 2x12 but I did the other day
   and what a differrence this amp sounds 100% better even the drive channel
   is now usable , the stock emminence made for fender cheapo is ok for icepicky cleans
   but there is no depth to it a v30 would be good but is a little less powerful for 40w

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink