ShortScale.org

Now that I've returned to the world of guitars I'm in need of a new amp, my HH Electronic from the 70s has past its best so I need something foruse in the house. Basically I want a decent sound and not to drop too much cash on it. My favourite amp I've ever used was an old (60s?) Fender Twin so that should give you some idea of the kind of sound I like.

A basic list of amps to look for and try would be awesome.

How loud do you want it to go?

If you just want a bedroom volume and aren't planning on playing with a drummer, there's a lot of good cheap and small amps available these days. For late night jamming I have a tiny Roland Micro Cube. Cost me about $150. 2 watts, and it sounds surprisingly pretty damn good. It's a modeling amp with 6 models, all quite decent. Its got onboard effects too, but I only use the reverb. It can run on batteries, so you can even take it to go jam out in the woods.

My other small amp is an all-tube Fender Pro Junior. A bit of a one trick pony, but it's a pretty damn nice sounding trick. It's small and only 15 watts, but it's loud as fuck. I think they sell for $375 new. The stock tubes are utter shit and will need to be replaced, so add $50 for a nice replacement set.

Dinosauria wrote:Now that I've returned to the world of guitars I'm in need of a new amp, my HH Electronic from the 70s has past its best so I need something foruse in the house. Basically I want a decent sound and not to drop too much cash on it. My favourite amp I've ever used was an old (60s?) Fender Twin so that should give you some idea of the kind of sound I like.

A basic list of amps to look for and try would be awesome.

As the resident HH-oholic I have to ask what model you have and what the issues are?

Its a V-S Musician 212 combo. It really just needs a bit of TLC, it has a few missing screws, it's a touch scratchy and the cones probably need some attention. I've had it for a long time but I'm not gigging with it or anything so it's just sitting there and I don't have the inclination to pay to get it back to spanky spec just to put it back in the cupboard.

As for the amp I'm thinking of a tube affair. I'd looove an old twin but can't really justify the spend.

Here's the HH. It still lights up green when it on.

How about a new Twin? Maybe a new Deluxe Reverb if you want to go smaller? The only complication is how expensive Fender stuff is in the UK. The best value would probably be a early 70s SF Twin Reverb - they're basically identical to the BF version. Unfortunately, there aren't nearly as many companies doing Fender variants as there are doing Marshall or Vox.
I wouldn't look at the Hot Rod Dlx or Pro Jr. - don't really have the Fender sound. You'd ideally be looking for something with 6V6 or 6L6s. Maybe check out the HR Deluxe or HR Deville as they're a little closer to classic Fender.

Ah, snap. My 212 is also a little distorted but it's not the speakers; plug my head into the cab and it's fine. I'll take it apart soon and check some volts. I made my own footswitches, though Tim kindly sold me the 212 with an original VS footswitch.

I also have a broken Line 6 Flextone which randomly changes parameters. I'm told the Spiders are more reliable if you're not gigging.

I wouldn't mind a valve amp again, but issues with my son's TSL100 have reminded me of the running costs. Still, a little 36-watter would do nicely. If you really want a low-power valve amp, you must be aware of the Epiphone Valve Junior. Cheap and lots of mods possible. Thomann do the Harley Benton badged version that has a tone control, the GA-5, for £72 plus carriage. The Peavey Nano's even cheaper (B-stock £60) if you like that.

Epiphone have also got the Blues custom switchable 15W/30W if you've got a bit more money. (£282 at Thomann) but then you're heading up towards Fender Blues Junior territory.

Anyway, take a look at http://www.thomann.de/gb/cat.html?gf=tu ... bos&oa=pra to get a look at combos there sorted by price. Hmm, GA15 with 3-band EQ for £115, Fender Champion 5W for £120.

A few folks round here have the Orange Tiny Terror, too. Search for posts and you'll find loads.

If you want the "Fender" sound, you pretty much have to get a modeling amp or a class A/B Fender (not a Champ, for example). The Epi Blues Custom will get you close because the 5881 tube is basically an extra rugged 6V6.

edit: And the Peavey Valve King now that I look at it - though it may be a little too distorted.

The main factors in the Fender sound are tonestack, power tubes, and speaker.

Thanks for the info guys. I might just bide my time and try to get a second hand one at a decent price, the Fender re-issues are crazy money.

I think I'm gonna ditch the HH and try to get something for house use that has great tone and is a bit smaller.

How about the Peavey Classic 30, or the Peavey Delta Blues (same amp, but the Delta Blues has a tremolo and a fifteen inch speaker). I've tried the Classic 30 and loved it. I would kill for the Delta Blues. They are a take on Fender style amps, and they rule. A lot cheaper than Fender, although them being American you are still going to get a little shafted on the price, but not so much, as they are a lot cheaper to start off with.

I keep hearing that the Peavey amps are great but they're prone to breaking. My local guitar shop stocks a lot of them I'll give 'em a try this week.

Really? I'd always understood Peavey stuff to be fairly solid, but I've no real experience.

I've seen a lot of them secondhand with "issues". The local shop is pretty straight up, I'll ask if they've had many back.

Right 'nuff, I seem to remember reading that early examples of the Classic series had problems, but they've changed the design in some places. I think it's stuff like having a guard over the valves to stop them taking knocks, sort of common sense construction stuff.

Ah, good to know.

Hopefully I'll be able to trade out the HH.

i have to say, im impressed by the little laney vc15. 150 sheets from your favorite online auctionhouse. It's nice and small for lugging around. Has 2 good channels although the onboard reverb is a bit weak. Comes into its own when paired with a youdirtyrat and aen's booster . sounds aces through a 2x12.

It looks quite nice, dinky too.

epiphone valve junior?