Since I sold the last of my amps. 

I guess you could say I was one of the pioneers recording exclusively w/ amp sims. ;)

But listening to plenty of old rock and roll and finally having a place to settle down, I'm starting to miss my old Marshalls, particularly w/ the new Les Paul around. So I'm starting to look for something I could eventually buy, preferably w/o breaking the bank.

First consideration - I'd like the Marshall sound.
Second - high gain would be nice as an option, but I'm usually more after classic gain.
Third - I think I'd like something like a 1 x 12 combo.
Fourth - Preferably something below 30W. 15 would probably be even better.

So far, the one thing I've found which seems to match those expectations is a little combo by Marshall called DSL 15. It has tubes,  dual gain modes, 1 x 12 config and it's 15 watts. $600 new, though I might try to find a used one because, well, I'm a cheap bastard.

Anyone here have tried those or has any suggestions for alternatives? BTW, I'm really after that Marshall sound. Vox and Fenders or substitutes like Peavey and others may be an option afterwards.

The little amp that intrigues me right now is the Ibanez head with a built in tube screamer. $399, that's my parts cost on the little heads that I make. The Marshall sound is pretty variable, to the point that I'd find it hard to describe. I'd suggest than you go with a closed back cab when you want a bit of beef at low volumes. 

If you want to discuss this at any length, pm me with a phone number. I have a great L/D plan and some ideas for a good affordable rig. NOT from me, just off the shelf stuff.

Hey Rain!


Have you had a look at Blackstar? Made by ex-Marshall folks. They are really cool and most models come with it's own balanced record output which sounds good, from what people tell me. Most models have a control for American or British fuzz, they sound fantastic and are relatively cheap. I'm not sure how many combos they make if any, but you should look into them, they're popular and sounds amazing!

IMO of course
 
 
 
Edit to add: Here's the webiste for the company and yes they make Combos, affordable ones from 25w and up it seems. I work with so many guitarists who swear by these, ranging from Indie rock sound, massibe hi-gain stuff and a whole lot more in between. I am absolutely in love with the sound in those I have heard

Rain,

I bought an Egnater Tweaker about 18 months ago, and I can testify that it is truly a tweaker's delight and a wonderful recording amp!  It has a Mode Switch to give it a Marshall, Vox, or Fender sound, and it is EXTREMELY realistic.  The tone controls are very responsive, and there are several other tone shaping switches on it as well.

It is a 15W tube amp that sounds like 40, and the distortion it can produce is VERY creamy.  I really like the Dumble sound, but could never afford one, and the versatility of this amp is remarkable, and for less than 10% of the cost of a Dumble, I get a very similar sound out it.

I highly advise checking it out.  I don't think it's a "modelling" amp either... the switch changes the voicing of the amp  to resemble those amps I believe.

One more opinion for ya...  LOL

If you ask 500 guitarists about this and you'll get 873,5 different opinions - it's beautiful

Another one worth looking at is the H&K Tubemeister range.

They come in a variety of heads/cabs/combos and with differing power configurations.

get a marshall, if you like the marshall sound.

there are so many good variations out there now.

if you want a recording amp, maybe consider one of these:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JMP1C/


but my favorite "mini" amp right now, would probably be the Mesa Mini Rectifier

all-tube, EL-84-powered head gives you 2-channel/4-mode operaton
Each channel lets you switch between 10 watts and 25 watts
All-Tube, Fully Buffered FX Loop with True "Hard" Bypass Switch that fully removes FX Loop from signal path
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MiniRectHD/

my favorite part of the amp is the clean channel with the 'top boost' switch, sounds like a pushed AC15

really pedal friendly

you can get close to the authentic rectifier sound for HIGH gain, but it's a bit warmer than a real rectifier.

Guitar Players play too loud. Again the volume went up by the end of the night, and it was starting to hurt, too bad most are deaf already when getting old. (The Kinsey Report was playing for a birthday of one of the owners). Oh well! Back in the other bar room I went.

$59.99 and free shipping at AMS. Has a headphone out too.

You're in Vegas right?  Gambling capital of the USA...... to be sure you can find someone who needs to sell a nice amp real quick for some cash....and at a good price for you. 

I watch Rick Harrison at the pawn shop in Vegas on TV talk broke musicians out of their nice gear at ridiculous prices all the time....