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Cheap, Reliable dorm room amp?

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:49 pm
by tomin8r
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?

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:52 pm
by Bacchus
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).

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:57 pm
by hotrodperlmutter
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.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:04 am
by westtexasred
The VOX VR30 or a VR15 would be a good choice for a dorm amp because they have the built in attenuator.

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Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:17 am
by JJLipton
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.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:43 am
by ultratwin
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.

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

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:00 am
by nondas
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.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:16 am
by hotrodperlmutter
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.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:39 am
by tomin8r
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

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:58 am
by Will
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.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:59 am
by mickie08
ZT lunchbox.

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

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:58 am
by Sidney Vicious
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.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:00 am
by Haze
Those little vox jobs are great. PODs are also great for late night jams

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:10 am
by Jahsoul

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 7:31 am
by chisa
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]

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 8:31 am
by Mages
dude, get one of those Bugera V5s. they have ridiculous options and potential as a practice and recording amp.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:48 am
by endsjustifymeans
you nailed it right off the bat. Bugera v5 is the way to go. loved mine.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:52 am
by Jahsoul
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.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:16 am
by Will
Fender Super Six Reverb:
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Danelectro Commando suitcase amp:
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Acoustic Image Ten2 (800W, duel 10" down-firing woofer):
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Fender Quad Reverb:
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OR JUST GET THIS FUCKING BOSE LINE-ARRAY:
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:23 am
by light rail coyote
old musicmaster bass amp is the clear choice