what amps do you think are "under the radar" bargains?

[RobB]

Randall had a series of MV tube heads in the 90’s that were brootalz. A friend used two rack mounted versions and an Alesis graphic eq and got an amazing metal sound. Not sure of the model. 
 

Found it:  RGT100HT. These are killer rock amps and are indestructible. 
 

Edited February 12, 2024 by RobB

[Greg G]

On 2/8/2024 at 11:32 AM, tomteriffic said:

Ditto the Subway Rocket first version.  Never should have let that one go.

…and I feel horrible that I snagged it from you.  It’s in Beavercreek not far from you.   I’m in FL.  Long story.  I miss it.

[Jimbilly]

11 minutes ago, Greg G said:

…and I feel horrible that I snagged it from you.  It’s in Beavercreek not far from you.   I’m in FL.  Long story.  I miss it.

my local GC has one, just dropped the price to $649

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/In-Store-Used/Used-Mesa-Boogie-Subway-Rocket-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp.gc

[scottcald]

On 2/12/2024 at 10:14 AM, RobB said:

Randall had a series of MV tube heads in the 90’s that were brootalz. A friend used two rack mounted versions and an Alesis graphic eq and got an amazing metal sound. Not sure of the model. 
 

Found it:  RGT100HT. These are killer rock amps and are indestructible. 
 

Cool.  Never saw these.   Looks a good 60lbs.

[RobB]

13 minutes ago, scottcald said:

Cool.  Never saw these.   Looks a good 60lbs.

They are beasts. I think 6V6 or 6L6. 

[Brooks]

On 2/8/2024 at 3:16 PM, tbonesullivan said:

Peavey Rockmaster was / is well regarded

I guy I knew in Tx has a tube head version that was excellent.

[Special J]

Peavey Classic 30

Laney AOR series

 

[mudshark]

Silvertone Model 1392
Tech 21 Trademark 60
Yamaha GA 15 II
Peavey Blazer 158

[crunchee]

This one might qualify, especially since it sold within a few hours for $495:

 

[stratacus]

6 hours ago, crunchee said:

This one might qualify, especially since it sold within a few hours for $495:

 

I agree 100%. Great amp! 

[phoenix]

Boss Katanas still seem like a stupid great value 

[Hackubus]

Parroting what was said about Rivera's, Bassmans and Bandmasters. 

I'd like to add mid 60s Gibson GA-5's to the list.  I think I bought mine for $350 15 years or more back, and they're around the $550-650 mark now.  The speaker sucks (well at least mine does), but plugged into a Torpedo Studio live with a good sounding 4x12 sim, makes for a surprisingly modern heavy sound. 

 

[HSB0531]

On 2/8/2024 at 3:56 PM, velorush said:

I remember a friend loaned me an ART rack unit to try out back in those days. I looked up and three hours had passed without playing a single song; I had spent the entire time menu diving and noodling.  I packed it up and gave it back the next day. 

Amazing sounds, but what a chasm of possibilities.  That experience has kept me from the modeling thing all these years later.  

I did the same back in the mid 80's with ART DR2 and a Lexicon PCM70.

Spend a weekend trying all the presets on each one.

 

[HSB0531]

5 hours ago, HSB0531 said:

I did the same back in the mid 80's with ART DR2 and a Lexicon PCM70.

Spend a weekend trying all the presets on each one.

 

I used both in a stereo rig and The DR2a was very good for reverb, but the PCM70 in stereo mode was amazing. I really wish I held onto that one.

[LucSulla]

100 watt Marshall Vintage Moderns. You can still find them under $1k on occasion, and, if you have ever wanted a hot rodded JTM 45, they bring it. I had four Marshalls back this summer, and this is the only one I kept. I feel like sooner or later, people are going to figure out that they are one of the best Marshalls the company made in a long time. 

[crunchee]

10 hours ago, Hackubus said:

I'd like to add mid 60s Gibson GA-5's to the list.  I think I bought mine for $350 15 years or more back, and they're around the $550-650 mark now.  The speaker sucks (well at least mine does), but plugged into a Torpedo Studio live with a good sounding 4x12 sim, makes for a surprisingly modern heavy sound. 

 

+1!  That's why VHT's Special 6 is on my list, and I own a couple of the head version...it's very much like an old Fender Champ (or Gibson Skylark), handwired too, but it also has jacks for 4, 8, or 16 Ohm speakers (or speaker cabs) for maximum versatility.  The VHT Special 6 Ultra has this same speaker capability as well, plus a send/return effects loop and a line out, plus an extra 12AX7 tube for more gain.  Both come in combo or head versions.  It sure ain't your granddad's Champ/Skylark!

[Biz Prof]

9 hours ago, LucSulla said:

100 watt Marshall Vintage Moderns. You can still find them under $1k on occasion, and, if you have ever wanted a hot rodded JTM 45, they bring it. I had four Marshalls back this summer, and this is the only one I kept. I feel like sooner or later, people are going to figure out that they are one of the best Marshalls the company made in a long time. 

That is a GREAT circuit  I wish Marshall had made it in a smaller form factor.

[Jimbilly]

getting off into the weeds now, or just full circle?  The first 'amp' I used (40+ years ago) was a Panasonic cassette tape recorder, I think I did accidentally find the 'amp function' of pushing record with no tape installed, with the junky Silvertone Jazzmaster my older cousin gave me (the Panasonic is the preamble, not the point of the story).  

  Going through my stuff over the past couple of weeks, I have a Wollensak T-1500 reel to reel tape recorder/player, the price tag reads $12, I  I think I got it at a thrift store 10-20 years ago, I think. .

  It has tube preamp: a pair of 12ax7s and a 12at7, and a pair of 12AB5 power tubes (if my notes are correct), with fixed adjustable bias.  The preamp tubes are all shock mounted which seems pretty trick, and it has a good sized built in cooling fan (I'm having a little trouble getting the fan to not bump into anything and make a bad metal to metal sound, but when I do get it adjusted right...). It has a built-in 5" speaker, a 1/4" input, and a 1/4" external speaker out.  

 it doesn't sound bad!, with a higher gain pedal like a tech21 Tri OD it sounds good, and is really fun at bedroom volumes, there's lots of these around, but everyone is asking $100.  Through my 1x12 cabinet it's pretty boomy in the low end, an eq fixes that easily.  Keep an eye out while you're garage/estate sale-ing. I plan to keep this and use it, I think the other end of the fan is causing the trouble, and it's a little bit tricky to access. 

[LucSulla]

59 minutes ago, Jimbilly said:

getting off into the weeds now, or just full circle?  The first 'amp' I used (40+ years ago) was a Panasonic cassette tape recorder, I think I did accidentally find the 'amp function' of pushing record with no tape installed, with the junky Silvertone Jazzmaster my older cousin gave me (the Panasonic is the preamble, not the point of the story).  

  Going through my stuff over the past couple of weeks, I have a Wollensak T-1500 reel to reel tape recorder/player, the price tag reads $12, I  I think I got it at a thrift store 10-20 years ago, I think. .

  It has tube preamp: a pair of 12ax7s and a 12at7, and a pair of 12AB5 power tubes (if my notes are correct), with fixed adjustable bias.  The preamp tubes are all shock mounted which seems pretty trick, and it has a good sized built in cooling fan (I'm having a little trouble getting the fan to not bump into anything and make a bad metal to metal sound, but when I do get it adjusted right...). It has a built-in 5" speaker, a 1/4" input, and a 1/4" external speaker out.  

 it doesn't sound bad!, with a higher gain pedal like a tech21 Tri OD it sounds good, and is really fun at bedroom volumes, there's lots of these around, but everyone is asking $100.  Through my 1x12 cabinet it's pretty boomy in the low end, an eq fixes that easily.  Keep an eye out while you're garage/estate sale-ing. I plan to keep this and use it, I think the other end of the fan is causing the trouble, and it's a little bit tricky to access. 

But does it have a hemi?

[Jimbilly]

I love this kind of thing, I'd buy it if I weren't already a little amp heavy (5E3 clone in an old ss chassis for $200)

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/d/seattle-tube-amp-fauxluxe/7718352515.html

[MTM105]

I recently impulse bought an Orange Dual Terror 30W $450 used. 1/2 retail.

There isn't ANYTHING that I do not LOVE. Even the outdated Logo grew on me. 

The amount of ballz and headroom for $450 is shocking to me. And I know that the production sound is historical. The sweep excellent. On/off switches and 4 power settings. 2 settings on 15 Watts, 1 with 2 power tubes the other 4 power tubes.

 

I promised myself I would remain to my cork sniffing roots and NEVER buy Made in China. I was wrong.

[Biz Prof]

On 2/20/2024 at 11:32 AM, LucSulla said:

But does it have a hemi?

 

 

[Disturber]

On 2/20/2024 at 6:36 AM, LucSulla said:

100 watt Marshall Vintage Moderns. You can still find them under $1k on occasion, and, if you have ever wanted a hot rodded JTM 45, they bring it. I had four Marshalls back this summer, and this is the only one I kept. I feel like sooner or later, people are going to figure out that they are one of the best Marshalls the company made in a long time. 

This 🔼⬆️

The 100 watt version has HUGE transformers. It is heavy as a bulls groin. And it sounds glorious. Friedman just released a 50w amp based on his 68 Marshall. The Marshall Vintage modern is all that at a fraction of the price. Does it do the early Van Halen tones? Hell yes. Does it to a good Hendrix tone? Hell yes. Can it sound as great as an 80's Silver jub? Hell yes. Is it A well built amp? Hell yes!

[Jakeboy]

Any used Lil Dawg…any model. They go pretty cheap, considering what you are getting.

[mathman]

Mono Price Stage right.  Definitely cheap but decent tube amps for the price.

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611815#QuestionsandAnswers