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So Christmas is coming up and every Thanksgiving my mom wants ideas for presents..... I have came to the conclusion I need a practice amp; no matter how much I hate solid state amps they fit the bill...small, lower volumes and affordable..

I basically need something to play late at night after my girlfriend falls asleep, I usually head down to my basement and fire up the Dual Terror w/ a 212.... I can keep it quite but it seems as a waste of the tubes life...especially when I may only play for 25-30 minutes

so in lyes the desicion...

*Orange CR20L

*Marshall MG15

or lastly

*Roland Cube 15x

I prefer a britsh amps and am a HUGE fan of Orange but want to keep my options open...I hate digital modeling but the Roland cube is the best one I have played..it is still probably barely on the list....I prefer a normal amp and pedals or in amp dist.... I have not played the Orange or the Marshall so I need some help....But as of now I am leaning Orange....Thnx

Fender Mustang 1. 99 bucks. i bought one. sounds amazing.

uploading monster demo right now....i will post it when i get home from work

I messed around with a mustang amp last night at Guitar Center. Pretty good for the money.

Other option if you really want to avoid solid state is the Bugera v5. Killer little amp for the money and decent price ($149 USD) You should be able to find guitar center qpons with anywhere from 10-20% off as well if you look around.

I'd base criticism of digital modelling on a purely case-by-base basis; some of the more recent modelling amps and effects really are very good and I feel you'd be hard pushed to tell them from the real deal in everyday applications.

Given your situation, I'd much sooner buy a POD-style unit and a decent set of headphones if you're just going to be using it for quiet practise. That way, you get to experience adequate volumes without upsetting anyone. They're ideal if you just want to plug straight in, have a variety of sounds and not fart around with pedals.

Just my two penneth, y'all.

I got a Boss Micro BR but I cannot stand playing with headphones on....to many wires all wrapped around me....

I did just see that there is a Bugera V5 on here and sent a pm about a possible trade.....

SGJarrod wrote:I got a Boss Micro BR but I cannot stand playing with headphones on....to many wires all wrapped around me....

I would say "do an wireless headphones" or maybe even just "do an headphone extension lead and just tuck it under your strap like the rest of the world" but I can see I'm not going to win you over.

5 tube watts is pretty loud if you've got people sleeping. I know I wouldn't crank either of my 5 watt amps in the house. It'd be deafening loud, the police would be out.

Doog wrote:

SGJarrod wrote:I got a Boss Micro BR but I cannot stand playing with headphones on....to many wires all wrapped around me....

I would say "do an wireless headphones" or maybe even just "do an headphone extension lead and just tuck it under your strap like the rest of the world" but I can see I'm not going to win you over.

LOL.... don't get me wrong, I appreciate the feed back..... just hate headphones...

Win me over?....the force is strong with this one....

Totes; I think even the Zvex Nano amp's 0.5 watts would still be too loud to properly drive it at sociable volumes.

Could always get an attenuator for the Dual Terror if it's about the tube sound at low volumes?

BacchusPaul wrote:5 tube watts is pretty loud if you've got people sleeping. I know I wouldn't crank either of my 5 watt amps in the house. It'd be deafening loud, the police would be out.

Aye, but the Bugera has a 1.5 watt setting I think. I can't remember, sold mine a while ago.

BacchusPaul wrote:5 tube watts is pretty loud if you've got people sleeping. I know I wouldn't crank either of my 5 watt amps in the house. It'd be deafening loud, the police would be out.

Agreed...but the V5 has a .1 and 1 watt mode..... interested to know if it actually works well or is just in "theory"

Doog wrote:Totes; I think even the Zvex Nano amp's 0.5 watts would still be too loud to properly drive it at sociable volumes.

Could always get an attenuator for the Dual Terror if it's about the tube sound at low volumes?

I think I am past getting the tube sound at lower volumes.... that is why I was thinking solid state....

I'm still leaning Orange unless the Bugera turns out to be a low vol gem...... anyone have more personal experience?

The bugera is a cool little amp and does have a distinct advantage over the smaller practice amps. It makes a great backup head for your main guitar rig should you ever need it. That and a drive pedal in a bag can be a lifesaver. You can do this with the solid state amps, but they won;t sounds as good. (to my ears). I did have one for about 3 months but sold it when I bought a Jet City. Anyway, Taylorbut, Ends, and I (along with several others I believe) have had them and especiall if you get it on sale, it is a great deal. They will also tend to hold value a bit more than a ss amp and there are suppossed to be some pretty cool mods you can do with them.

hotrod's choice would be mine as well. That's a Vox Pathfinder 15R, and it's a fantastic solid-state amp. I have the Pathfinder 10 and it's actually my favorite recording amp.

mickie08 wrote:The bugera is a cool little amp and does have a distinct advantage over the smaller practice amps. It makes a great backup head for your main guitar rig should you ever need it. That and a drive pedal in a bag can be a lifesaver. You can do this with the solid state amps, but they won;t sounds as good. (to my ears). I did have one for about 3 months but sold it when I bought a Jet City. Anyway, Taylorbut, Ends, and I (along with several others I believe) have had them and especiall if you get it on sale, it is a great deal. They will also tend to hold value a bit more than a ss amp and there are suppossed to be some pretty cool mods you can do with them.

I am listening to a demos on youtube now and it just sounds like there is a blanket over the speaker.....I understand this could just be youtube..... just is really dark...any experirnce with that?

Also, in the lower modes is it quite enough to not disturb a sleeper on the floor above?

avj wrote:hotrod's choice would be mine as well. That's a Vox Pathfinder 15R, and it's a fantastic solid-state amp. I have the Pathfinder 10 and it's actually my favorite recording amp.

I did see the Vox has foot switchable gain boost...big plus in my book another to the list

so, as of now

*Orange CD20L
*Bugera V5
*Vox Pathfinder 15


Thnx for the input guys, keep it coming

SGJarrod wrote:

mickie08 wrote:The bugera is a cool little amp and does have a distinct advantage over the smaller practice amps. It makes a great backup head for your main guitar rig should you ever need it. That and a drive pedal in a bag can be a lifesaver. You can do this with the solid state amps, but they won;t sounds as good. (to my ears). I did have one for about 3 months but sold it when I bought a Jet City. Anyway, Taylorbut, Ends, and I (along with several others I believe) have had them and especiall if you get it on sale, it is a great deal. They will also tend to hold value a bit more than a ss amp and there are suppossed to be some pretty cool mods you can do with them.

I am listening to a demos on youtube now and it just sounds like there is a blanket over the speaker.....I understand this could just be youtube..... just is really dark...any experirnce with that?

Also, in the lower modes is it quite enough to not disturb a sleeper on the floor above?

I didn't find it dark at all. At the lowest setting you can get some decent filth without disturbing people a room away. I'd still have mine had I not gotten my blackheart.

In reality, any of the amps you are looking at will do. Best advice is to play them if you can. Then maybe go by a sound quality verses price basis. In my case I would go for the Bugera just to have a back up tube head around but I have no need for any affects and stuff like that. So, to each his own. ANy of them will do you pretty well.

iRig for iPhone or similar portable headphone based solution.