Punkavenger Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 HowdyMy living situation has changed and so I'm thinking about switching out amps again, although I still like my MBI need a good quality tube amp, most likely a 12" combo thatA. Sounds good at low volume, like practicing in one room without bothering other people in the house kinda thingB. Is loud enough to play at a open mic w/loud drummer (could be miked, there is a sound man and system)C. Takes pedals wellD. bulletproof !E. I mostly play crazy alt rock and 60's style british blues w/ my special FM, rio grande pickupsF. $1000 or less used pleaseThanks!
woodpile Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 I've got a MB Lonestar Special that has a 5, 15 & 30W setting. The 5W setting alone could get close to all your needs. Seems used ones would be in your price range.
Kurt L Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 I recently nabbed a used Genz-Benz Black Pearl 30 that was well under $1K. Still getting to know it, but it fits all the parameters you describe and has some really nice tones in it. Might be worth a look.
JohnnyB Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 Howdy My living situation has changed and so I'm thinking about switching out amps again, although I still like my MB I need a good quality tube amp, most likely a 12" combo that A. Sounds good at low volume, like practicing in one room without bothering other people in the house kinda thing B. Is loud enough to play at a open mic w/loud drummer (could be miked, there is a sound man and system) C. Takes pedals well D. bulletproof ! E. I mostly play crazy alt rock and 60's style british blues w/ my special FM, rio grande pickups F. $1000 or less used please Thanks! Here's one that is half your price and available new: the Blackheart BH15-112. 15w via 2 EL84's, 1x12 speaker, pentode/triode switch to cut power to 7w. It would be nice if it had a headphone jack, but between the pentode switch and ability to adjust both drive and level, you should be able to dial in an overdriven sound at low level. Available new for about $450. A used Top Hat Club Deluxe or Club Royale would also fit the bill and they are totally boutique quality, but easy to pick up for under $1K used. Some versions have separate gain & volume, some don't. Mine has the single volume so I use either a pedal or NanoVerb at the front to attenuate volume. They are definitely loud enough for live venues up to around 200-300 and for open mic jams.
G Man Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 I'm also running a Genz Benz Black Pearl 30, mines in a head configuration that I'm running through a 1X12 slant front cab with a Tone Tubby Alnico and it sounds huge when I want, but also tones down for late night playing when the wife and kids are asleep. Just a great all around amp with endless tone options.
tbonesullivan Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 how low are you looking? 50? 20? 5? Carvin just made a mini version of their V3 head that is 50 watts with a power reduction switch (lowers voltage on the phase inverter) that was apparently given a Namm 2011 best in show award. 1 clean 2 dirty channels, full featured, and available in head or combo form (1x12)
bubs_42 Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 For the 1000 time get a Tweaker! I keep saying i'm going to get another amp then I set down and find another tone and i'm hooked.
GusS Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 silverface fender princeton reverb if you want crunch or blackface fender princeton non-reverb if you want clean headroom. 5-600 bucks
polara Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 Gotta jump on the Genz Benz Black Pearl bandwagon. 7 watts, 15, or 30. I've tried cutting it in bands with 15 and never could get the clean headroom I want. I play the same kinda stuff as you, was basically looking for AC30 or Matchless CD30 kinda stuff but with more flexibility and potential for gain. Just an astonishingly good amp, and this comes after playing through an, Aiken, a handwired Matchless Lighting clone, and a Brit-made AC30 with Blues. I prefer the Black Pearl.The Lone Star'd be a good 'un too.
Bennyboy-UK Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 I've got 2 for you = Orange AD-15 if you can find one - 1 channel class A - no reverb - very very nice.Boogie Express 5:25 - max versitility cheapish second hand - ...still miss the Orange though....
BONEDADYO Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 I have a Marshall Haze 15 watt, all tube half stack (1x12) cab w/footswitch in MINT condition. It also has some REALLY nice onboard effects (vibe,chorus & echo) that sound very analog. The amp itself is extremely versatile and has that warm Marshall sound. Even though it can be played at bedroom level with the MV, this thing can get VERY loud. One of the best Marshall has put out in a while. I bought it as a portable answer to my 78 MKII halfstack, but I'm going direct now. Not a scratch...I'm asking 600.00 plus S&H. Shipping shouldn't be too bad since this amp can fit in the backseat of a compact car...Front seat too!
DaveH Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 You ought to try out a Blackstar HT-5 before you buy anything. I played a Vox Night Train, an Orange Tiny Terror, and the Blackstar....the Blackstar totally blew the others out of the water. No contest.
Hbom Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 You ought to try out a Blackstar HT-5 before you buy anything. I played a Vox Night Train, an Orange Tiny Terror, and the Blackstar....the Blackstar totally blew the others out of the water. No contest.+1
cynic Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 You ought to try out a Blackstar HT-5 before you buy anything. I played a Vox Night Train, an Orange Tiny Terror, and the Blackstar....the Blackstar totally blew the others out of the water. No contest.+1What they said. Pretty good bang for the buck in the Blackstar. I own the head and run it thru a closed back 1x12 and have been able to get most any tone I want out of it.
cloakerz Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 will second that black pearl 30. I really like mine sounds great at low volume and really cranks at higher wattage settings.
JohnnyB Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Get a Tophatthis.Cool, Doody. Something we agree on. Having owned a Top Hat Club Deluxe for nearly 13 years, and having played it against a Matchless 30 at 3x the price and some blackface Fenders at a jam, I'd have to say the Top Hat rises above pretty much anything suggested here. Not a lot of bells and whistles, but tone out the wazoo, clean grindy or dirty, and great response to playing dynamics. We're talking about a true handbuilt PTP wired all tube combo that is the equal of $2500-3000 boutique combo amps, but you can pick up a used one for under $1K. SpecialK, if you're still living in the area, you're welcome to stop by and try mine out.
hardheartedbill Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Yep. Anyone near me is always welcome to try mine
Turdus Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 I'm a TopHat guy also. Club Royale, 1-12", 20 watts. It works in any situation... home, club, outdoor concerts. VHT Pitbull 45 is another fine, small amp, that can be had for under $1k.
sledhead44 Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 You ought to try out a Blackstar HT-5 before you buy anything. I played a Vox Night Train, an Orange Tiny Terror, and the Blackstar....the Blackstar totally blew the others out of the water. No contest.+1What they said. Pretty good bang for the buck in the Blackstar. I own the head and run it thru a closed back 1x12 and have been able to get most any tone I want out of it.Recommended earlier to me right here on HFC. I have it. I love it.
whiskeyzulu Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 check out fender blues jr - its the loudest back-friendly and wallet-freindly 15w you have ever heard & loud enough to gig (unless your LOUD) - takes pedals really well. I did a few BillM mods on mine and I'm very happy with it!!
polara Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 You guys playing Blackstar HT-5s... can you play these with a drummer and get a clean sound? Maybe I only play with animals or demand the squeakiest cleans here, but I've tried several amps with the twin EL84 power tube setup (some makers call 'em 20 watt, some 15) and with close or open back cabs, alnico or ceramic speakers, I cannot get cleans at gig volume with something that small.
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