Help a noob with some recommendations.

[CaptainGD]

,,,,,,,

[Reece]

stay away from that half stack.

out of those three i'd take the valve junior, although it might be a bit limiting if you don't have much in the way of a pedalboard. plus up loud it's always gonna be dirty.
don't rule out the used market, you americans seem to get some choice deals on craigslist and the like.

[kim]

for 300 i'd look at the secondhandmarket if you want an amp more powerfull than 15w (in a band setting .. eventho it depends on the loudness of the amp, but with 15w it's hard to get through the mix when you want your guitar to sound clean..) and even that's not gonna be an easy job.. maybe you can score a london city top for that money they basically throw them at you here and they're nice amps but you'd still need a cab...

i played through one of these in a shop in london and liked the cleans, nice amp for that price, defo if you can find it secondhand

http://www.thomann.de/gb/peavey_classic_30.htm



also check this laney, a bit more pricey but if you want to step up a bit when it comes to a decent amp it's worth it

http://www.thomann.de/gb/laney_vc30112_new.htm

both these amps are under 600eur, i'm not sure if i've heard the laney, i think i remember checking a vc head version, but laney makes some nice stuff for that price.

[benecol]

Johnson amp

Tee-hee.

I'd second what Kim said - for $300, you could get yourself a cracking little second hand valve combo. Look on your local craigslist, or eBay locally (shipping a heavy item like an amp would eat too far into your $300) - post links here, if you want someone to cast an eye...

[laterallateral]

Absolutely look at the used market.

I just browsed Philadelphia's craiglist postings and found this:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/1050052047.html

These amps are great. They are a solid base on which to build up a pedal array.
They will stay clean at loud enough levels for you to cut through, in a practise setting.
they're loud enough for you to use without further sound reinformcement at small gigs and can always be mic'ed for larger venues.

Blue Tolex!

Buy this shit!

[benecol]

Buy that one. ^

[laterallateral]

I had no idea they made these in bleu.

Looks smart

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q126 ... 1235652821

[Will]

Peavey Classic 30 is a fantastic amp. There's a slightly rarer but usually cheaper Classic 20, which is also great. Both would be able to get over yr bassist.

I got my Ampeg Jet 12-R for $250 shipped off eBay. 15W, 1x12" and can get over my band easily.

The 3 amps you mentioned probably wouldn't be loud enough - or, if they were, they would probably sound bad at that level.

For $300, you can get a nice 15-30W tube combo. It'll be distorted at band level, but then you can use yr volume control to get a clean sound.

[endsjustifymeans]

Man you're most of the way into Sovtek mig territory. I'd keep saving for a while more. You might as well get something gigable if you're ready to step up.

[Zack]

SOVTEK bro.
Does it surprise you guys that Mig60s seem to go cheaper than the Mig50s?

Dunno if your practice amp will fetch much pocket change but it'd be a step in the right direction to getting a louder rig.
I'm figuring that you'll have enough for a second hand head, but a cab will cut into your budget.

Keep looking for deals, I'd recommend the Ampeg Jet as well.

[endsjustifymeans]

SOVTEK bro.
Does it surprise you guys that Mig60s seem to go cheaper than the Mig50s?

Mig 60 doesn't have quite the marshally crushing darkness of the 50. I love my Mig 50, it's a beast. I'd love to get my hands on a Mig 50 midget or a Mig 100 though.

Quality of amp to amount of monies spent ratio, I still don't think you can do better than a used sovtek. Even with their prices going up as they are, they're still a bargain six ways from sunday.

[Zack]

Rad, I have a Mig-100. I want to hear the bass version.
Seriously, I don't think a Sovtek will make you regret getting it.

[kim]

CaptainGD = failnoob

[Josh]

Be like me and attempt to make a mini bassman! (its time now for me to quit whoring this project everywhere)