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

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

I had a very early version Fender Blues Jr. and loved that amp.  I wish I would have never traded that amp because it sounded so good.  The reverb was a little darker than your typical Fender which isn't neccessarily a bad thing.  The "FAT" switch was awesome and really brought the tone to life.  The Peavey Classic 30 has a similar type switch as well, but to my ears the Blues Jr. sounds better.  If you have the cash the Dr. Z Maz 18 sounds better than all of them IMO.  The reverb is crazy good, it has a decent master volume, and excepts pedals unlike anything I've ever used.  If you are into Joe type sounds the Budda SD18 as Ken mentioned would be a great choice.  I recently played through a Princeton Reissue and thought it sounded very good.  Only problem is that you can often times get a real PTP vintage one for about the price of the new reissues.  If it were my money I would probably keep my eyes peeled for a non-master volume Silverface Fender.  You can get some very nice vintage Twin Reverbs, Super Reverbs, Princetons, Deluxes, and sometimes a Vibrolux for less than a grand.  My old Super is something I will NEVER part with, it's that special.

'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.

20 Reply by bigjeffjones (edited by bigjeffjones 2009-12-29 16:45:30)

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
bigjeffjones wrote:

Are you ignoring me? 3 bottles of salsa? big_smile

BJJ

I'd need $100 to get rid of it, and after shipping - it'd end up being the same amount as if you just went down the street and got it from guitar center. I'll probably toss it on Craigslist for a hundred bucks.

Yeah true enough!  Thanks for answering...and putting up with me teasing...all in fun.  Is it a combo, half stack, or just the head?

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
             It is
Blues From the Bottoms

bigjeffjones's Website

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

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

bigjeffjones wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
bigjeffjones wrote:

Are you ignoring me? 3 bottles of salsa? big_smile

BJJ

I'd need $100 to get rid of it, and after shipping - it'd end up being the same amount as if you just went down the street and got it from guitar center. I'll probably toss it on Craigslist for a hundred bucks.

Yeah true enough!  Thanks for answering...and putting up with me teasing...all in fun.  Is it a combo, half stack, or just the head?

just the head.

- 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

22 Reply by MickeyFinn (edited by MickeyFinn 2009-12-29 18:51:53)

  • Registered: 2008-08-24
  • Posts: 181

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

I tried all the low watt heads, Marshall Haze, Vox Nightrain, Egnater Rebel 20, Jet City 20, and ended up buying an ORANGE Tiny Terror and a Blackheart Handsome Devil.  I already had 2 4x12 cabs, so I was aiming for a pair of heads.  I use a custom Pure AB-Y switch and a few pedals with them.  The Handsome Devil loves pedals, that's why I got it.  I have a nice collection of stompies!  The Tiny Terror doesn't need any pedals!  They really complement each other with Marshall/Orange voicings.  I use a Les Paul and two self-built dual-humbuckered Floyded Strats. The Egnater Rebel 20 was the next strongest competitor and would have made the team, but for my existing pedals and the Blackhearts compatability with them.  I gave up on the Line 6 stuff and went back to tubes.  It works!

  • rpic
  • Titanium
  • Offline
  • From: Sonoma, Ca.
  • Registered: 2006-08-16
  • Posts: 852

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

Anybody try the new BLACKSTAR SERIES 1 - 45 yet? Supposedly you can run these anywhere from 4.5w to fully cookin' at 45w. Getting rave reviews also.

24 Reply by HRJ

  • HRJ
  • Platinum
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-03-30
  • Posts: 178

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

rpic wrote:

Anybody try the new BLACKSTAR SERIES 1 - 45 yet? Supposedly you can run these anywhere from 4.5w to fully cookin' at 45w. Getting rave reviews also.

Yeah, it's awesome basically, for me its the perfect combination of good cleans and overdrive, its my ideal amp but its £899 sad
There are some good vids of it on youtube

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

I love the Vox AC15.  Its pretty loud.  Plenty loud for a practice amp in a band setting. I like the AC30 also, however its really heavy and the reason I bought the AC15.

I thought the Marshall Haze was a great practice amp.  Its crazy loud, and if you dont use the effects at all it could be a nice amp to leave at a practice space.

I really liked the Jet City Amp.  Great price and great sound.

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 13

Re: Best low wattage tube amp?

THD UniValve Rocks!!!:D

GTRS;Gibson 1988 Les Paul Reissue GT/'09 Les Paul Axcess Std/'88 SG '62 Reissue, Squier CV Tele-mongrel.AMPS; Blackstar HT-60S, Fender HRD. UNDERFOOT;Paul Cochrane TIM, Monkey FX Valvesporker,Sonic Research ST-200,Ernie Ball Volume and Wah,TC Flashback Other pedals by Lehle,BBE,Guyatone,MXR.Strings by D'Addario,Jacks by George L's and Neutrik,Straps by Levy's,hair by Mr Topper wink