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Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=37107		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  dzsmith [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 3:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Hey fellers,
I am in the market for a good sounding low power tube amp.
I miss the groovy smooth overdrive distortion I used to get with the Fender Champ I no longer own.
I've see several under $400 at Guitar center.
Anyone care to suggest amps to try out?
Thanks,
Dan
Author:  alan stassforth [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 4:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
My favorite amp ever was (was, I sold it)
1965 Fender blackface Princeton.
$700 on e-bay?
No reverb, nice and light.
A silverface Princeton is cheaper.
Look for an old Univox ( can't remember the model),
they have lots of personality,
but you have to mod it.
It has a death cap in it!
Probably find one for a couple of c notes.
We did a sound test with about 15 small amps,
and we liked the Univox best.
It has all oil filled caps,
I think that helps.
Author:  Mitch Johnson [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Can't say enough about my Superchamp xd! It's got everything I could ever ask for, and it's pretty inexpensive. All the voicings are pretty true to the real thing. Go buy one now! :D
The new version is the Superchamp X2 which you can tweak on a computer to customize sounds. I haven't played one but hear great things. I think they're the same amp aside from that. Good luck!
Author:  sdsollod [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Trust me, you would love this amp. I have one and it's great! [:Y:]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4OQ0w_q6AU

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical- ... ype=global

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... c=3WWRWXGB
Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Have you considered putting together a kit from Weber or somewhere?
Author:  Irving [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
I recently got an inexpensive MOD DIY 5 watt tube amp kit and built a 10" speaker cab for it as well. Good sounding little tube amp, fun to build too.

I've also always loved the old Peavey Classic amps. Had a Classic 30 for years that was awesome. Would love to get an old Classic 20.
Author:  dzsmith [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
sdsollod wrote:
Trust me, you would love this amp. I have one and it's great! [:Y:]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4OQ0w_q6AU

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical- ... ype=global

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... c=3WWRWXGB


Holy Smokes! This thing rocks! It has two 3-inch speakers - amazing.
I could throw away all of my pedals.
Thanks!
Dan
Author:  dzsmith [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
alan stassforth wrote:
My favorite amp ever was (was, I sold it)
1965 Fender blackface Princeton.
$700 on e-bay?
No reverb, nice and light.
A silverface Princeton is cheaper.
Look for an old Univox ( can't remember the model),
they have lots of personality,
but you have to mod it.
It has a death cap in it!
Probably find one for a couple of c notes.
We did a sound test with about 15 small amps,
and we liked the Univox best.
Thanks Alan, I'll check out some Vox models.
Dan

It has all oil filled caps,
I think that helps.
Author:  dzsmith [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Irving wrote:
I recently got an inexpensive MOD DIY 5 watt tube amp kit and built a 10" speaker cab for it as well. Good sounding little tube amp, fun to build too.

I've also always loved the old Peavey Classic amps. Had a Classic 30 for years that was awesome. Would love to get an old Classic 20.


I thought about building an amp. I'm more than capable, but I have too many projects piling up right now. I have a few schematics of old tube amps - very low parts count.
Thanks,
Dan
Author:  dzsmith [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Mitch Johnson wrote:
Can't say enough about my Superchamp xd! It's got everything I could ever ask for, and it's pretty inexpensive. All the voicings are pretty true to the real thing. Go buy one now! :D
The new version is the Superchamp X2 which you can tweak on a computer to customize sounds. I haven't played one but hear great things. I think they're the same amp aside from that. Good luck!

Thanks Mitch, the last tube amp I owned was a 1970's Champ: I'll have to check out the new ones.
I did not realize they were affordable.
Dan
Author:  Irving [ Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
dzsmith wrote:
sdsollod wrote:
Trust me, you would love this amp. I have one and it's great! [:Y:]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4OQ0w_q6AU

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical- ... ype=global

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... c=3WWRWXGB


Holy Smokes! This thing rocks! It has two 3-inch speakers - amazing.
I could throw away all of my pedals.
Thanks!
Dan


Looks like a pretty neat amp. Keep in mind though that it has "Real tube amp tone" - It is not a tube amp. "Virtual tube illumination" and "simulated orange tube glow from the metal speaker grille" kinda hit me as a little gimmicky as well.

Years ago when I was first learning to play guitar as a kid and was upgrading amps, I was totally tricked by a Peavey Bandit amp that had "transtube" technology or some silly marketing words that hyped up its tube tone and so I really thought it was a tube amp when I purchased it, as I was pretty naive. Shortly after I realized that real tube amps clearly have visible tubes in the back of them.. haha
Author:  Dave Livermore [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
+1 on superchamp xd
Author:  charliewood [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
I Love my Fender BluesJr bought it new for $450,,
man its sounding better every day ... smooth creamy distortion and a beautiful chimey clean.... Gotta love those EL84's
Now I have heard bad ones, and Ive heard ppl slag them just because theyve played a bad one and assume they are all bad - but a good one is amazing... the reason for the differing sound is partially that different types and quality of the EL84's used .... also the design has changed from its inception until BJ III which is the current model IMHO plus of course its not the swiss army knife of amps and it just plain doesnt suit everones style mainly a blues and rock machine - mine is one generation earlier than the III models - There are alot of simple and not so simple mods you can do to them as well... and there are alot of fans of these amps.. incl whole communities of enthusiasts who have mods and tweaks listed on websites devoted to the amp ..
Good luck - theres never been a better time to find a good sounding smaller tube amp than now...
I find myself playing my BJ just as much as my Mesa Lonestar!!
Cheers
Charlie
PS This little amp has reverb - now mind you its a small tank reverb - but Im able to get some really really good sounds from mine - I wish it were a 14" tank sometimes but not bad for its size!
Author:  alan stassforth [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
I know 2 people with the Champ XD,
and they both like them.
They sound good.
You have to first decide what kind of tubes you like the sound of.
I prefer the 6V6 and 6L6 power tubes.
I also like the 6SL7 in the pre,
a little bit more than the 12ax7.
Author:  John Killin [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 12:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
charliewood wrote:
I Love my Fender BluesJr bought it new for $450

I can second this. I had a first Gen Blues Jr and loved it. I sold it and traded up in size and quickly regretted it. When I get back to needing an amp this will be high on my list.

I played a harmonica through it and it worked well for that too.
Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all of the great suggestions.
I ordered the Yamaha THR10 amp today.
It's not a tube amp, but the demos I saw were pretty awesome, even at low volume levels.
Cool sounds, USB PC interface, and Ipod stereo input.
Thanks again,
Dan
Author:  Stuart Gort [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
I just went into Guitar Center and played that Yamaha THR10 and I have to say I was QUITE surprised and happy at the full bodied sound coming out of that dinky, little thing. I would have bought one on the spot but they only had the floor model. I found the amp and effects selection processes amazingly unique and functional for how simple and easy it is to use.

I doubt you'll be disappointed with your purchase, DZ.
Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Zlurgh wrote:
I just went into Guitar Center and played that Yamaha THR10 and I have to say I was QUITE surprised and happy at the full bodied sound coming out of that dinky, little thing. I would have bought one on the spot but they only had the floor model. I found the amp and effects selection processes amazingly unique and functional for how simple and easy it is to use.

I doubt you'll be disappointed with your purchase, DZ.


Cool, It should arrive this week. I ordered it to avoid tax and got free shipping. My wife will really like the headphone jack.
I have a Marshall with 2 4x12 stacks - you kinda have to turn it up to sound good - I mean REALLY turned up!
I bought a Peterson strobe tuner as well - I hope it will help set intonation.
Dan
Author:  alan stassforth [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
You play through a Marshall full stack?
Wow!
I hope ya can still hear the Yambo.
Author:  Mike Dotson [ Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Hard to beat a Blues Jr. but the new Fender Excelsiors are pretty dang nice at $300. Very basic, just a 15" speaker, volume and a bright switch, No reverb but a killer tremolo.
Author:  dzsmith [ Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
alan stassforth wrote:
You play through a Marshall full stack?
Wow!
I hope ya can still hear the Yambo.

What? Speak up.
Thanks to my careless youthful years, I now have tinitus - constant ringing.
Author:  Tayser [ Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
I own the blues jr as well. Simply great.
Author:  Robbie_McD [ Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Blackstar HT-1R, 1 watt tube amp with reverb that is....amazing!
Author:  dzsmith [ Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
I received my THR10 amp yesterday.
Not too fond of the distortion sounds, but I'm going to fiddle with it some more.
They don't sound like the tube distortion I remember years ago.
The effects sound pretty good. The clean channel emulates a tube amp, so there is still distortion in it.
I played three guitars through it and was suprised how each guitar had a totally different tone. I never realized much of a difference on my other solid-state amps.
There's not much bottom, even when using headphones.
I'll hook it up the USB interface software and see if I can tweak the sounds to my liking.
Dan
Author:  alan stassforth [ Sat Jul 21, 2012 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Good sounding inexpensive tube amp?
Thanks for the review.
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