Starting a project band. Need an amp. I am looking into second hand stuff and just want opinions for amps.
It needs to be at least 40w 100% tube (no hybrid jank), i would prefer 50 or more
I have thought about a Hot Rod Deluxe or Crate v50 (sounded pretty good on youtube ). I don't want a Bassman because the other guitarist has one already, and I want to create some diversity in sound.
guess info about your budget and the kind of sound you'd like to achieve might help Otherwise, get an old Twin Reverb. I heard they're cheap in the USA, and they are big and loud and love pedals.
If you aren't playing any huge gigs, you don't really NEED 40 watts tube. Live I've had my bassman usually at 3-5. Hell, my valve junior was loud enough for band practice, if not cutting through much.
More speakers give high volume better than wattage. There's only so much air a 1x12" can move, for example. Unfortunately, it's hard to find more speakers in your price range.
Honestly, about the best you can do is a Classic 30, and even that's at the top of your range. It would be hard to get a really good, loud-enough SS amp for $300.
Classic 30s are great but in the upper regions of your price range. I was recently BLOWN AWAY by a v22 i had played a 50s SV Tele through. A v55 combo wouldn't be a bad option for you either. I'd say get a Bassman still, the EQ between the Bass and the Normal channel can still get a decent range of tones to differ from his.
Which Bassman does the other person have? Is it a blackface/silverface or tweed? The other version of that from his is still a nice amp. If his is tweed the early Marshalls are based off of those so something like a blackface might be somewhat different. Also, is it clean, just breaking or power tube drive you are looking into? As you are talking fairly high volumes with the power you are looking at I am guessing clean. Vox may be something interesting for variety as well for you.