Cheap, Reliable dorm room amp?

tomin8r · Post by **tomin8r** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:49 pm

Right, shortscale, recommend me a good small, cheap, and all around decent amp that I can bring with me to college.

Right now I'm looking at the Bugera V5 5 watt tube amp, any suggestions/comments?

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:52 pm

I've recently fallen in love with my Fender Champion 600. It might not be versatile at all, but it sounds great. The problem I've always had is that the overdrive is a bit splatty, but I've started using a Marshall Guv'nor for my overdrive whereas before I was using volume and a saltbooster (great pedal, but the tiny speaker maybe doesn't like it).

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:57 pm

pathfinder 15. or 10 if you don't want or need a footswitch/reverb/trem option.

► Show Spoiler

bang for your buck, the 15 is one of the greatest solid state amps i've ever played. in fact, it is the greatest solid state amp i've ever played under $300. you can get them for like $60 if you hunt right. plus, you can hook them up to a cab, or not, and still jam in a 3 piece. LOUD.

10's are about the same money, but still sound great.

westtexasred · Post by **westtexasred** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:04 am

The VOX VR30 or a VR15 would be a good choice for a dorm amp because they have the built in attenuator.

JJLipton · Post by **JJLipton** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:17 am

No amp at all. Honestly, after dorming for a year in a cramped room with a roommate i can tell you playing any instrument at any volume is likely to disturb your neighbors. Go for an FX processor with headphones, the much better and more considerate solution. If you're a music major, or even if you're not you can use the schools practice rooms if you really wanna pump out the volume.

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:43 am

JJLipton has the right idea, if you're not going to need one to play at gigs.

Boss-processed COSM boogie/marshall toanz at a whisper tone, simple 'verb and modulation types on tap, yet has enough volume for you to potty-jam in front of the bathroom mirror and not feel sonically flaccid. Well under $150, Boss reliability, the end.

If you need to really rock out, then I'd blow my wad on a Marshall Class 5.

nondas · Post by **nondas** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:00 am

JJLipton wrote:No amp at all. Honestly, after dorming for a year in a cramped room with a roommate i can tell you playing any instrument at any volume is likely to disturb your neighbors. Go for an FX processor with headphones, the much better and more considerate solution. If you're a music major, or even if you're not you can use the schools practice rooms if you really wanna pump out the volume.

Yeah, not a bad alternative. I use a Line6 Pocket Pod with headphones. Works out nicely and you can also plug it into your laptop/desktop and mess around with it without getting on peoples nerves.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:16 am

i'm telling you, the fucking vox options are killer.

you can use it as a headphone amp.

you can use it as a normal amp if you meet some people to jam with sometime.

you can use it to stash your goods from your roomate.

it looks great.

it smells great.

shit is reliable as a honda.

shits are like $75 at the most. i have 3 of them.

tomin8r · Post by **tomin8r** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:39 am

Well, the main reason I was lookin at the bugera was cause its a small cheap tube that has an attenuator. It seems like it would be a good practice amp

but yeah that Vox Pathfinder 15 looks like it would suit my needs pretty damn good too,

Thanks gents

Cheers

Will · Post by **Will** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:58 am

I've got the Bugera in my dorm now. It works well during daylight hours on the 1W mode for cleans. If you want to crank it for gain, though, even the 0.1W setting is a bit too loud. I like it, though. It sounds great with a bridge humbucker for 70s RAWK.

I've also got an older Orange Crush with a 6" speaker, which is probably a bit more appropriate. It seems like anything above a 6" speaker puts out too much volume and low-end.

I've also used a Valvetronix 15 - way too loud; a 30W Marshall MG - even louder; and an Ampeg Jet - by all means too loud. I also use a Line6 Toneport with my laptop sometimes, which has tons of great models and allows recording.

I'd look at something with a 6" speaker and modeling. A Vox DA5 or Roland Microcube would probably be perfect, and they have good sounds through headphones.

Now robroe will show up to tell you about using his 100W Fender Performer in his dorm.

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:59 am

ZT lunchbox.

You can even gig with them as they are actually lopud as fuck or quiet as you want them to be.

Sidney Vicious · Post by **Sidney Vicious** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:58 am

The Vox 15R is a great sounding amp, cheaper than a pedal, the girls will think its cute, and it has a headphone jack, as I recall, in case your dorm mates hates your playing.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:00 am

Those little vox jobs are great. PODs are also great for late night jams

Jahsoul · Post by **Jahsoul** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:10 am

chisa · Post by **chisa** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:31 am

BacchusPaul wrote:I've recently fallen in love with my Fender Champion 600. It might not be versatile at all, but it sounds great. The problem I've always had is that the overdrive is a bit splatty, but I've started using a Marshall Guv'nor for my overdrive whereas before I was using volume and a saltbooster (great pedal, but the tiny speaker maybe doesn't like it).

yep, great amp,

here is a demo i did

[youtube][/youtube]

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 8:31 am

dude, get one of those Bugera V5s. they have ridiculous options and potential as a practice and recording amp.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:48 am

you nailed it right off the bat. Bugera v5 is the way to go. loved mine.

Jahsoul · Post by **Jahsoul** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:52 am

That would be perfect.

Has anyone played one of their heads though? I was super excited about the price tag and then I remember, you get what you pay for.

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:16 am

Fender Super Six Reverb:

Danelectro Commando suitcase amp:

Acoustic Image Ten2 (800W, duel 10" down-firing woofer):

Fender Quad Reverb:

OR JUST GET THIS FUCKING BOSE LINE-ARRAY:

light rail coyote · Post by **light rail coyote** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:23 am

old musicmaster bass amp is the clear choice