Guitar Dudes: Looking for small versatile tube amp suggestions...

So I'm thinking I might want to invest in a small tube amp combo or mini stack that I can mic. My current amp is nice (Trayner TS-140) but it is solid state and SOOPER loud. I can't really crank it up enough to get it to sing without blasting out the house and even then it's still not as nice sounding as some good old tubes. I'd like it to be as versatile as possible. Nice cleans to a decent hi gain. It doesn't have to be crazy because I can use my stompboxes or process the tone in Sonar but I don't want to have to rely COMPLETELY on amp sims and the like. I want the amp to take care of MOST of the work so I have good starting point. I'm not a fan of Marshall tones so I'd like to avoid anything like that. Think more Hi Watt/Fender meets Rectifier/Randall. I can't spend a ton of cash on something like this either so that'd be a factor. I was looking at the Yamaha THR 10 and will probably snag one of those at some point anyway because it looks convenient and cool BUT it doesn't have tubes and it's all sims so I'm not sure if it will do what I want. Any suggestions are appreciated and I don't mind of brands if they sound good. Cheers.

here you go...

@Mike... Maybe he'll see this and stop in. I'm curious about those micro stacks that started coming out in the 80s. I never really liked them because you couldn't use them at band practice but my band days are over (or at least taking a looong hiatus) so they might be useful for a studio setup. However the brand name ones are pretty pricey and I think they might actually be a little more juice than I want. I'd like to be able to really drive the tube(s) at normal monitoring levels. Cheers.

I swear by my Fender Blues Junior and my Orange Tiny Terror. 

Both big enough to gig, small enough to mic without disturbing the neighbours!

does this amp exist?! any small valve amp is still gonna be very loud cranked. still, maybe Mesa Boogie express plus 5:50? or cheaper, the Buegera v22? or how about a hybrid valve/model amp such as peavey vypyr tube 60 or fender super champ xd 15? or, one of the little single-channel valve amps (cornford, vox, epiphone, orange etc all make 'em) with a couple of pedals?

3 Watt? Google isn't pulling anything up for 3 watt Champs. Anyway, thanks for the suggestions guys. Looks like this stuff will be pricier than I imagined so I'll have to shelve the idea for now. Gotta see if the local shop has a THR 10 for me to test out. That might be my best option at this point. Check it out... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4OQ0w_q6AU

mgh


does this amp exist?! any small valve amp is still gonna be very loud cranked. still, maybe Mesa Boogie express plus 5:50? or cheaper, the Buegera v22? or how about a hybrid valve/model amp such as peavey vypyr tube 60 or fender super champ xd 15? or, one of the little single-channel valve amps (cornford, vox, epiphone, orange etc all make 'em) with a couple of pedals?

Yes it exists. Here. I think money is the factor..not whether or not there is an amp.

2-channels (foot-switchable)

15 watts

2 x EL84 power tubes

1 x ECC 83 preamp tube

Mid-boost (foot-switchable)

FX-loop

Built in power soak with 4 settings full power 5 watts 1 watt zero power

Line out (featuring a speaker simulation)

10" Celestion G10N-40 speaker

Those Bugeras look decent for the price. I hadn't heard of them before. Didn't realize Behringer had gotten into the amp game.

Yeah, I've been checking around on line at all the suggestions made here. It's funny because when it comes to BIG amps I know exactly what I want but I'm lost when it comes to low watters and I know that some of the brand names in that power range are just a rip off. Sadly I have a feeling the really small amps like 5 watts and less will not have the low end and body I want. They always have that weird sound that just screams "I'M A PRACTICE AMP". Gotta find a happy medium. Man am I ever mad they jacked the price on those Yamahas. Urgh.

Beepster


Yeah, I've been checking around on line at all the suggestions made here... ...I know that some of the brand names in that power range are just a rip off. Sadly I have a feeling the really small amps like 5 watts and less will not have the low end and body I want. They always have that weird sound that just screams "I'M A PRACTICE AMP".

It's always disapointing to help answer what seems to be a sincere question only to receive a reply that seems like a rebuttal from the one who initiated the inquiry.

Here's something you might find interesting to read while you wait for a guitar guru to chime in:

http://www.gibson.com/en-...e-sounds-recorded-521/


regards,
mike

read a post wrong...sorry.

And thank you spacey. I should have responded to your post right away. It does look like a great amp but as you mentioned it is pricey so it's been bookmarked under the "dare to dream" folders. Cheers.

"I had just listened to a demo of the 5 watt version of Buegaera after listening to the demo of the 20 watt. It wasn't a statement on your recommendations at all because I haven't listened to all those particular models. It was just a statement on what my experience has been with the really tiny amps and actually it would have more to do with the tiny speaker cab I'd imagine than the actual power output."

There is not a whole lot to rationalize. Watching Youtube videos seems sort of like a side track when it's easy to learn that

10) Eric Clapton
9) Ted Nugent
8) Joe Walsh
7) Joe Perry and Brad Whitford of Aerosmith
6) Dave Davies of The Kinks
5) Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top
4) Steve Cropper with Booker T and the MGs
3) Jeff Beck
2) Neil Young
1) Jimmy Page

all got it done with amps ranging from 3 to 22 watts.

If you read the article you'll probably agree that small wattage doesn't correlate to small sound.

Good luck in the hunt!

all the best
mike

hey Strummy,

Wasn't that the best amp ever when you bought it a year ago?

What are you getting next?

The Marshall Stack?


:-)

best,
mike

Not sure how much drive you need but I have and am lovin' one of these Fender Champ 600 plenty of gain for my humbucker but not for my single coil. I use an Ibanez tube king with the single coil. I rather have a low watt amp in most venues and just mic it.  I was never a fan of those larger stacks because I like the tone when you drive both the preamp tube and power tube 6l6. By the time you get there with most stacks, you've got everyone’s ears ringing.