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

Crap. They raised the price on them. They used to be $200.

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

i guess http://www.musiciansfrien...-tube-guitar-combo-amp would do too, though given their Marshall provenance it might not be the sound he is after...

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

Define "small tube amp"..... small is relative. 

I have a "small" Mesa Boogie..... 22 watts max..... but that sucker is so well designed and efficient that it will run you out of the room when it's cranked....I've used it on stage live and didn;t have to turn up much past 5 to be heard well........ all my previous amps were 100w or so... so technically and relatively speaking, the 22 watter is "small" . 

For that matter... one watt into an efficient speaker will inflict some damage too.....   I'm guessing you want something in the 5 watt or less range.  Some of the amps named already have good tone, reasonable volume levels and are small. 

Good luck on the search.... hit a few stores and see what they have... you'll be like a kid in a candy store I'm sure.  Some of the boutique amp makers will have sound clips on line.... check them out too. 

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.

one of the downsides to the smaller wattage amps is that they are built with small speakers.... 4" to 8" usually..... 

I think if you used a 12" speaker with good efficiency, they would sound good. You might have to buy just an amp head and connect your own speaker cab to it to get that though. 

Lots of times the small amps are short on extras like reverb and decent tone controls and pre-amp gain controls..... 

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

On Mike's post (#19) .... yup.... I've heard that same line from a number of people. 

(speaking about using a small amp) 


Once you stick a mike in front of the grill...all bets are off and the only thing that matters is what the mike is hearing and picking up. A small amp is not going to sound like a big amp in a room..... but the mike is the great equalizer and the room's point of reference drops away quickly and all that matters is the tone being recorded. 

What sounds like crap in person, may sound HUGE to the mike,,,,, throw some verb on it and it can sound like you have a wall of Marshalls stacked up and cranked to 11.... or maybe not a wall.....  

But I have heard some famous musicians and some locals here in the forums speak of using small amps with great success. I've even seen and heard where the big bands with what looks to be walls of amps, are using small combo amps and the "stacks" are simply stage props for appearance only.