I want a new tube combo amp!

[kiteman]

I've been selling off my collection and saving the money and now I got my Blackheart Handsome Devil half stack and my Carvin Bolt guitar together on CL.

I was looking through the tube combos on MF and my head is swimming. Blackstars, Egnaters, Fenders, Peaveys and who knows what else. :)

What's your ideal 1x12 combo that's 20 to 50 watts?

[Tig]

I'd have a tough time passing up the Bugera V22 and especially the Jet (http://www.jetcityamplification.com/amplifiers/jca2112rc/)City JCA2112RC (http://www.jetcityamplification.com/amplifiers/jca2112rc/)combo that has reverb, unlike the head.

Have fun and take your time choosing.

[sumitomo]

It's a 4/10 combo 66 super reverb!,but a 5e3 is nice also.Why are you getting rid of the Carvin bolt,I thought you really liked that one?Sumi:D

[MAXIFUNK]

What's your ideal 1x12 combo that's 20 to 50 watts?


That may be the hardest thing to suggest today with so many great products out there.

Whats your price point?
Leaning closer to 20 watts or 50 watts?
A bells and whistle guy or give it to me straight kind a guy?
vintage clean sound or British growl or USA gain or all 3?

[kiteman]

The Bolt is a sweet guitar but I've been playing my Carvin DC127 exclusively and I might as well keep the handmade guitar so that leaves the Bolt.

Prefer 20-30 over 50, give it to me straight and vintage clean. I would like to use my MFX pedals. Have $900 saved now without the sale of said guitar and amp but gotta make room for new toy(s). :)

[Robert]

Fender Pro Junior!!!!
15 watts of tone.

[Duffy]

You OWE it to yourself to check out the Fender all tube, lots of tubes, SuperSonic 1 X 12 combo with the Celestion Vintage 30 stock speaker.

It has two channels, normal and BURN, and two voices for each channel, Vibrolux and Bassman, also a great reverb that works with the bassman too.
The BURN channel really burns, it is overdrive and really nice. This is a great amp in the Fender Pro series. They have a mint used one by me for seven something in blonde. Incredible amp.

I play the SuperSonic almost every time I go in the store and it sounds way better than the other amps, to me anyway; fenders or LP's both sound great. Sounds good at lower volumes as well but can really rip.

[Kazz]

That Jet City amp sure looks enticing.

[sunvalleylaw]

I still stand by the Peavey Classic 30. Solid, good sound stock that can be improved with new tubes to taste, well built, etc. Effects loop, decent reverb, good eq. That is my favorite in the category you are asking about.

[hubberjub]

For the amount you're talking you could get a used Soldano Astroverb and avoid the imitations. Not that there's anything wrong with the Jet City but why not get the real deal. I love my Astroverb.

[Robert]

Mack Heatseeker combo (http://www.mackamps.com/products-Heatseeker-HS18/) - 18 watts of sweet EL84 tone.

http://www.mackamps.com/Portals/60335/images//amp_hs_18_Combo_rear_1_lrg.jpg

http://www.mackamps.com/Portals/60335/images//amp_hs_18_Combo_top_rear_lrg.jpg

[otaypanky]

Here's a link to a thread at the Gear Page about a new model Fender Super Sonic. Post #9 is from a fellow who says he's a beta tester for Fender and has played the amp a bunch. Check out the thread Kiteman, it sounds really interesting. Like run over your mother in law 'cause you're in a hurry to go buy one kind of interesting. He raves about it ~

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=723242

[markb]

I still stand by the Peavey Classic 30. Solid, good sound stock that can be improved with new tubes to taste, well built, etc. Effects loop, decent reverb, good eq. That is my favorite in the category you are asking about.

A great amp with good cleans and drives. It's easily pushed by pedals too. The voicing is EL84 bite with a slight american accent.

[Tig]

Ah, I was thinking in the below $400 range. For the around a thousand range, try jumping outside the GC and MF store offerings...

Swart makes some of the finest tone machines you'll ever play. Consider this incredible little 1x12 combo that has the volume of a 20 watt AB. It can use 6V6 or 6L6 or EL-34.
Swart Space Tone Reverb - Tweed
I'll let their webpage and Matthew Sweet's sound samples (http://swartamps.com/matthew_sweet-str-tweed_mp3.htm) do the talking.
http://swartamps.com/swart_space_tone_reverb-tweed.htm



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[Tig]

Oh, and if it's gotta be AB 20 watts, check out Tungsten Amplifiers (http://www.tungstenamp.com/amps.htm) for better than Fender tweed-e-ness.

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[sunvalleylaw]

I am thinking one does not have to spend all 900 to 1000 on an amph. A guy could get a Peavey C-30, then have money for a Hagstrom Viking, or Gretsch Electromatic, or CV tele or . . . I guess it depends on what sound you are looking for. The Peavey has a great sound for what it is, and is very versatile. It is not an absolute fender chime clean, so if one wants that absolute chime, look elsewhere. But it is a nice clean on its own. And of course can be pushed really well, and responds really well, to any pedal I have tried with it. So I say why spend more? But I am not looking for an absolute Fender or Marshall sound, etc.

If I was going to spend that much, I would get a Bassman. But that is a big amph, and does not sound like what Kiteman is looking for.

[Radioboy950]

My take on a combo:
Since I'm not a big pedal/FX guy, I like versatility in the amp.
Separate, usable clean channel with a British-type overdrive channel.
The Blackstar Venue Series HT 20 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbqhIfDSx_w) would really be worth checking out.

[sunvalleylaw]

I talked to Spud, and he suggests either a Fender Deluxe Reverb or the Peavey Delta (1x15). He also thinks the lower wattage Mesa could deserve consideration.

[Robert]

The Deluxe Reverb is a great amph no doubt!

[MAXIFUNK]

bogner

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Alchemist112/


mesa

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Exp525-112/

[kiteman]

Wow guys, that's some good stuff but the Blackstar HT-20 got my attention. That sounds really good.

There's a 40 watt that's $100 more and uses the same tubes as the 20.

Time to do some more research but I'm leaning toward that 20. :)

Thanks, you guys are great. :D

[Matt]

I have the 20 watt Blackstar and can't praise it enough. Very dynamic clean and the overdrive is very very versitile. You need to crank it a little to get really good drive, but even at low volumes it sounds great. I really must get round to recording some clips for you guys...

[kiteman]

None of the stores have it, all waiting on shipments. :(

[sunvalleylaw]

If it is what you want, go ahead and wait for it.

[kiteman]

There's another amp I'm considering and it's avaliable. :D

Just placed an order, gotta send an MO.

Guess what it is. :dance

[MAXIFUNK]

There's another amp I'm considering and it's avaliable. :D

Just placed an order, gotta send an MO.

Guess what it is. :dance


Tweaker comes to my mind! LOL

[kiteman]

Tweaker comes to my mind! LOL

Nope. LOL :happy

EDIT: here's a hint. It took all the money.

[Robert]

Some kind of Bogner?

[sumitomo]

Well you have your mind set,I was gunna say a Pignose g40v,a rockin tweed type rockin blues amph,so I bought it myself for under 200 bucks!!!Sumi:D(Like I need another amph,oh well!)

[kiteman]

Some kind of Bogner?

Right! :applause

A Bogner Alchemist 112. :dance

[Monkus]

I'm in the market too, leaning toward the Jet City though...

[kiteman]

I'm in the market too, leaning toward the Jet City though...

Too many good stuff really. :rockya

[ZMAN]

In a Fender, 65 Deluxe reverb. 22 watts and an all around excellent amp.
I would also jump in with a Marshall JCM 2000 DLS 401 Dual Super Lead.
Excellent cleans, Drive channel, and more drive. Great reverb. 12 inch celestion, and sounds killer through a 2/12 or 4/12 cab. 40 watts. Also has effects loop and foot switch. Takes pedals extremely well.
EL84 amp.
Buy one of the later ones. the early ones had heat issues.

[kiteman]

I think you're a little too late Zman. :)

[ZMAN]

I think you're a little too late Zman. :)

Yes I guess I missed the post where you ordered. When you find you don't like the amp you ordered you can always get a Marshall. LOL

[kiteman]

Well, Sweetwater just called to tell me they got my MO. It'll soon be in shipment.

Man, I can't wait. :)

I've been watching youtube clips and users' take on this amp. There's some horror tales about it but seems to be just a few of 'em from 2008 to now. Most says they can't get enough of it, very highly rated.

I told the guy at Sweetwater c'mon man get 'em here and he said yea, I like 'em too.

[MAXIFUNK]

Well, Sweetwater just called to tell me they got my MO. It'll soon be in shipment.

Man, I can't wait. :)

I've been watching youtube clips and users' take on this amp. There's some horror tales about it but seems to be just a few of 'em from 2008 to now. Most says they can't get enough of it, very highly rated.

I told the guy at Sweetwater c'mon man get 'em here and he said yea, I like 'em too.


I think you made a Great choice please lets us know what you think of it once you break in a little!

[kiteman]

Thanks and it's shipped then and arrival on the 24 via FedEx.

That's three days. :dance

[gregsguitars]

late 50 era tweed Gibson amps.

[kiteman]

It's here! :dance

Everything worked fine now let's see how long it'll last. :)

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/1935/s5030045.jpg (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/s5030045.jpg/)

[Robert]

You gotta tell us how you like that baby. A clip or two will give you added brownie points. :wave:

[mrmudcat]

clips now!!!!!

[kiteman]

Thanks and I'm blown away. Got the tone I wanted and it's because of the tube types I was missing. All my amps are EL84s and british sounding. This is american (6L6) voiced and rocks.

I went through the knobs and switches and yea, lots of voices but it's when I put on my Adrenalinn III box on that floored me. I used the clean channel and set everything neutral to let the box be the voices. Anyway I have songs that need the fxs from the box. It carried the box like a dream and sounded real good. I got a charge out of it and jammed my *** off. When I'm noodling around it sounded so good that I was inspired and jammed my *** off.

Oh, did I say that already? :D

EDIT: this amp made my Handsome Devil half stack sound like a Zoom pedal. :poke

[kiteman]

I did some tube swaps. :dance

• V1 - First stage, Channel 1 and Channel 2 / Second stage, Channel 1 (had EH)
• V2 - Crunch stage, Channel 1 / Second stage, Channel 2 (had EH)
• V3 - Third stage, Channel 2 / Fourth stage, Channel 2 (had Ruby)
• V4 - External FX Loop / Internal FX (had Chinese)
• V5 - Power Amp Phase Inverter (had Chinese)
• V6 & V7 - Power Amp Tubes (didn't look)

I put Tung-Sols in V1 & V2, Jan 12AT7 in V3 and EHs in V4 & V5. Nothing I can do about the power tubes for now but on ch 2 the distortion is so smooth and brown. Ch 1 is a little less clear but still sweet. I'll find out when I have a chance to jam.

[Radioboy950]

I did some tube swaps. :dance

Did you not like the way it sounded out of the box?

Regardless, it seems like a great combo, packed with features at a good price.
And 6L6s are my favorite output tubes.

All of the Alchemist demos I've heard sounded great to me.

Look forward to your clips/comments.

[kiteman]

It sounded good out of the box, it just got better. :)

[kiteman]

Here's a clip for what it's worth. I used the ADIII for the effects thru the clean channel. I think I have the treble a bit high and excuse my mistakes, I'm not as young as I think I am. :)

It's a made up song. The drums are played on my bass amp.

[Eric]

Here's a clip for what it's worth. I used the ADIII for the effects thru the clean channel. I think I have the treble a bit high and excuse my mistakes, I'm not as young as I think I am. :)

It's a made up song. The drums are played on my bass amp.
So...I hate to be picky, but could you do one without effects, demoing the various modes of it? I don't feel like I have a very good sense for the character of the amph.

[kiteman]

You mean straight to the amp and twist knobs and flip switches?

Strum a few... stuff like that?

[Eric]

You mean straight to the amp and twist knobs and flip switches?

Strum a few... stuff like that?
Yeah, exactly like that!

[kiteman]

Yeah, exactly like that!

Alrighty, coming up. :)

Well maybe later. :D

I'm having fun jamming and recording and I got a take on Grand Funk, again excuse the mistakes.