• Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Topic: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

So my back just can't take hauling my Fender HRD 410 to another gig, let alone up or down the stairs one more time. Enough! I'll be selling it. A little bitter-sweet since I've had it since '96 - but it's just time to downsize, at least weight-wise.

So I've been checking out the Class 5, and it seems pretty great. You get to push the tubes without blowing out the crowd, and then you can mic it to carry it in the mix. Seems great. Still, coming from a 60W to a 5W I'm just a little nervous. I've read everything I can find on this forum about it, and I've played it in the store as well. But that's always a little different than owning it.

Thoughts anyone? I can jump on this amp brand new in box for about $375, so it's a real deal, I know.

p.s. Just bought a used like-new JB Epi as well. Can't wait to get it!

Thanks.

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Look I just bought one of these things yesterday.  GC had them marked down to 359 and i had a coupon so ended up with it for 330 out the door.

Anyway, I like it a lot so far, and even through a 4x12 and my 2x12 it's great but I really don't think you're gonna hear it over even a 3 piece band (I'm talking the stage volume) if you play it out.  In a small practice space, you'll do fine but in a bar where the sound spreads out, you're not going to hear yourself too well unless you put it up on a chair or something.  Bars are noisy too so you'll be competing with that.  Only drawback with 5 watts is you don't have good bass response.  Obviously you will need to mic it, and providing you have the ability to put your sound through any monitors that will help too.  I do fine with my 15 watt for small bars, and my drummer is loud.

You should just get one or maybe 2!  It will still be ultra light and 2 is always better than one!

  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Thanks for the info. Congrats on the purchase!

Yeah, there are definitely some considerations to the 5W scenario.

Anyone see anything out there in the 15W-ish range that is good for JB tone? Trying to keep this around $400 or so. I tried the Blues Jr. NOS at GC, but thought the overdrive sounded harsh and thin.

What about the Super Champ XD? I'm not usually one for DSP, but 15W, tube, price is right.

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

wasatch wrote:

Thanks for the info. Congrats on the purchase!

Yeah, there are definitely some considerations to the 5W scenario.

Anyone see anything out there in the 15W-ish range that is good for JB tone? Trying to keep this around $400 or so. I tried the Blues Jr. NOS at GC, but thought the overdrive sounded harsh and thin.

What about the Super Champ XD? I'm not usually one for DSP, but 15W, tube, price is right.

I have the SCXD....Not too great IMHO.....
What about the Jet City 20W or 22W line?

  • Registered: 2010-03-01
  • Posts: 15

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Checkout Blackstar's HT-5, HT-20, etc.

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

You could pickup a used Blues Jr and mod it for less then $400 depending on all your mods.  http://billmaudio.com/wp/
I've got a Jr I'm using and the 15 watts doesn't sound as harsh at concert volume btw.  But there are a few mods you could do on here that would make that amp very usable.  I'd skip the NOS as I've learned the Jensen copies speakers they have in them are a little harsh until you break them in.  I've heard good things about Celestion Vintage 30's in the Jr, but I've also heard the stock speaker sounds good if you can just get the amp to sound good before it gets the signal out to the speaker. 

I've heard good things about Jet City but only about their gain, I heard their clean sounds for the Soldano design amp is harsh.  Egnator Twickers are supposed to be really good amps for the money.  I think if it was me I would shop Ebay because people are selling stuff super cheap because lets face it they are desperate to sell.  Why pay 2 or even 3 times as much for something you could get slightly used  for a lot less?

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

I'd get a used 90's Peavey Tweed Classic 30 first.
If not, I'd get a Fender Blues JR and mod it
iF not, I'd get Voc AC15
iF not, I'd get a Rivera Clubster or Pubster.

- 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: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

A friend just suggested the egnater tweaker. Anyone played it?

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

scrptman wrote:

Checkout Blackstar's HT-5, HT-20, etc.

I like what I've seen of the HT-5, especially the new one +reverb. I think the term is 'feature rich.'
I'm going to check one out at a local stockist soon.
The one thing I'm a little wary of is upsetting the neighbours cos 5W can still be loud when folks don't want to hear it.
I think I'll check out the HT-1R as well so I can get some late night practice in too.

What The Fuzz ?!
  • SgtB
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Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Class 5's are great amps. Amazing tone for the price. Got mine for $320 shipped new off the bay. If you want more bottom end use the 16 ohm line out to a closed back extension cab. A 2x12 will be plenty

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  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

SgtB wrote:

Class 5's are great amps. Amazing tone for the price. Got mine for $320 shipped new off the bay. If you want more bottom end use the 16 ohm line out to a closed back extension cab. A 2x12 will be plenty

Thanks for the thought. I have looked at a lot of the other options, but keep coming back to this one for price, portability, and of course JB's personal opinion means a lot.

Have you gigged with it? I do play out on occasion, so I want to make sure it can handle it. We're always miked so I'm not too concerned there. But like I said, I'd just be stepping way down in wattage. Which is part of my desire. I can only turn the HRD up to 2 or 3 sometimes at a gig - I'm barely using it!

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

+ 1 on the Classic 30 I own one and really like.

I played the Egnator a few weeks ago and its a great amp you can tweak it alot.

13 Reply by dchale (edited by dchale 2011-05-16 17:30:31)

  • dchale
  • dchale
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  • Registered: 2011-03-12
  • Posts: 34

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

YorkieDav wrote:
scrptman wrote:

Checkout Blackstar's HT-5, HT-20, etc.

I like what I've seen of the HT-5, especially the new one +reverb. I think the term is 'feature rich.'
I'm going to check one out at a local stockist soon.
The one thing I'm a little wary of is upsetting the neighbours cos 5W can still be loud when folks don't want to hear it.
I think I'll check out the HT-1R as well so I can get some late night practice in too.

The Blackstar HT-5 and the new HT-5R  have a simulated line out that can be used with headphones for late night practice sessions.  I think all of the Blackstar HT series amps have this feature.  I haven't tried one so I can't recommend one though.  I plan on trying an HT-5R when they become available in the USA.

14 Reply by helrazr84 (edited by helrazr84 2011-05-16 17:58:08)

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

wasatch wrote:

A friend just suggested the egnater tweaker. Anyone played it?

I own and Egnater Tweaker.  Chinese made or not, it's a great sounding amp.  I play it out with my Marshall 2x12 at some gigs and it does the job in spades.  I thought about getting a second one for stereo at small gigs, and since the class 5 doesn't quite have the stuff for live use, I might just do that.  It's a beast through my 4x12 as well.  Only thing I noticed is it seems to lose some top end when I had my MXR carbon copy in the loop, most or all other pedals I have work great with it.  It responds nicely even with my non true bypass reverb pedal without getting muddy or dull sounding.  They are coming out with a Tweaker 40 this year, head version.  And I think a combo too.  I've recorded with it, and it really holds its own.  It has everything, 2 speaker outputs, effects loop, clean and dirty channels.  I hit it with a tube screamer and it's throaty or smooth depending what you want it to be.  Sounds great, I recommend it to anyone. -Seth

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

dchale wrote:
YorkieDav wrote:
scrptman wrote:

Checkout Blackstar's HT-5, HT-20, etc.

I like what I've seen of the HT-5, especially the new one +reverb. I think the term is 'feature rich.'
I'm going to check one out at a local stockist soon.
The one thing I'm a little wary of is upsetting the neighbours cos 5W can still be loud when folks don't want to hear it.
I think I'll check out the HT-1R as well so I can get some late night practice in too.

The Blackstar HT-5 and the new HT-5R  have a simulated line out that can be used with headphones for late night practice sessions.  I think all of the Blackstar HT series amps have this feature.  I haven't tried one so I can't recommend one though.  I plan on trying an HT-5R when they become available in the USA.


Thanks.
Yeah, I know about the line out, but there are times when I'd like to drive the amp properly without having to wear the cans.  These times are usually when I've had a beer or two and everyone else has gone to bed. My lad likes to rock out, but at 6yrs old, he still needs a good snooze.
My current practice amp is a Peavey Vypyr 15 and without using 'phones I can't get it above about 3 before my mrs starts to give me 'that look'.
My preference between the HT-5s and HT-1s would be for the 5s, but I may have to compromise and go for the dinky little HT-1R if I want to keep strummin' past bedtime.
Like wasatch, I've got an interest in the Class 5 too, but I can't find anywhere close that I can A/B it with a HT-5. If one pushes a little less air than the other, and the tone is still what I'm after, then I'm sure I could talk myself in to one of the 5 watters though. Also like wasatch, I'm a little dubious about these lower watt amps, but I'm coming at it from a slightly different direction.

What The Fuzz ?!

16 Reply by wasatch (edited by wasatch 2011-05-17 07:58:00)

  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

So I'm thinking I might need something closer to 15 or 20w. Our other guitarist plays a 30w Carr and it does a great job of breaking up naturally. So then I start looking at things like the Blackstar 20. But I've never really heard an OD channel on an amp that I've liked. So part of my search was to find something that breaks up naturally. Does anyone know - on JB's big 100w heads - is he using the OD channel on those, or just saturating the clean channel into overdrive?

Choosing an amp... now THESE are good problems to have  big_smile

  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 135

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

I have a class 5.  I've not played out with it before.  But, I have used it in situations where there are other live musicians.  I play Electric in our Worship Band.  We put it in a closed room and mic'd it.  It did the job well for the Sanctuary that we have.  Now, again, I haven't played it out anywhere where there is croud noise and other elements to contend with.  But, I believe that with the volume all the way you can use your guitar's volume to clean it up. I also use a Tube Screamer and a Voodoo Lab Boost pedal with it.  Those pedals seem to boost the sound when I needed it too.  I think the Class 5 is well worth the price and can hold it's own.  The one thing that i dislike about it is that there is no master volume.  I would have liked it to have a Master Volume and a Gain, but, other than that it's a great amp!!!

My 2 cents.  smile

  • SgtB
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  • Posts: 309

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

wasatch wrote:
SgtB wrote:

Class 5's are great amps. Amazing tone for the price. Got mine for $320 shipped new off the bay. If you want more bottom end use the 16 ohm line out to a closed back extension cab. A 2x12 will be plenty

Thanks for the thought. I have looked at a lot of the other options, but keep coming back to this one for price, portability, and of course JB's personal opinion means a lot.

Have you gigged with it? I do play out on occasion, so I want to make sure it can handle it. We're always miked so I'm not too concerned there. But like I said, I'd just be stepping way down in wattage. Which is part of my desire. I can only turn the HRD up to 2 or 3 sometimes at a gig - I'm barely using it!

I haven't gigged with it. I use my bigger Marshalls for that but if your state volume isn't too loud with everyone you should be fine if you mic it and run through the pa

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