Shopping for a new tube amp! OPINIONS?

[sixstringdrug]

Ok fretters. I have decided it is time to move to a new amp. Parameters: All tube, preferably less than 30 watts, would prefer reverb built in, and under $500. Suggestions are welcome. I am looking for that warm bluesey sound like a blues deluxe gives but without all the eardrum popping, glass breaking and cop calling that comes with it. I do like the Blues Jr but wanted to try out some other options before I just get that and have a letdown a month from now when i hear something sweeter (and less costly)! Sound off fretters!

[FrankenFretter]

Combo or head?

[bcdon]

Something from Blackstar (http://www.blackstaramps.co.uk/)?

[Zip]

Strong suggestion - Bugera v22. This thing is eff'in amazing. It'll fit all your parameters, too. Seriously. I'm right on this one.

[Tig]

Strong suggestion - Bugera v22. This thing is eff'in amazing. It'll fit all your parameters, too. Seriously. I'm right on this one.

Good choice. Everything I thought of was $600+.
The V22 I played sounded like a much costlier amp.

[otaypanky]

Strong suggestion - Bugera v22. This thing is eff'in amazing. It'll fit all your parameters, too. Seriously. I'm right on this one.

A week or so ago Hello Music had 'em on sale for $299 if I recall correctly. I've never heard one.
I did have an NOS Blues Jr a few years ago and that amp sounded great

[guitarhack]

A used Peavey Classic 30 can be had for about 350.

[msteeln]

As I always will say, at any price it's hard to beat a '90s era Crate - Vintage Club 30. Especially the 2x12, maybe the ultimate sleeper amp(h). They get no luv (but by me) and thus you can get them dirt cheap with $$$ left over from your $500 budget to buy more stuff or fix/upgrade the innards, as they can have minor internal maladies from the production line. But they cover so much ground so well, it's worth every penny to get one running in top shape. The only thing they won't do is severe metal, and any pedal remedies that.

[Spudman]

I've been playing the Bugera V22 for a couple of years now and am very happy with it. It does have a pentode/triode switch that will allow lower power output. It's 22 watts and sounds great to me. No flab, smooth and tight. IT's a digital reverb that sounds good to me, but usually I get all my reverb, delay, distortion from an M13.

It's certainly the best $300 ish combo amp I've owned or played.

[marnold]

Could always check out the Jet City JCA2112RC. I like my JCA20H a lot.

http://www.jetcityamplification.com/2009/09/24/jca2112rc/

[NWBasser]

A used Peavey Classic 30 can be had for about 350.

+1. That's the one I thought of first for warm bluesy tone.

[sixstringdrug]

Wow! Thanks y'all. Thats a great start for me to begin my "research project"

[Spudman]

+1. That's the one I thought of first for warm bluesy tone.

Great amph, but loud as hell. I sold mine because I never got to turn it up and it didn't have enough bottom end if played at a lower volume. I did keep the Delta with a 15" speaker. It's essentially the same amph chassis. It will produce a nice low end without being overly loud...but if you need to get real loud the Delta cranks too.

[marnold]

Musician's Friend has the Jet City for $299 today as their Stupid Deal. They've also got a deal today where you get 15% off anything over $199. Not sure if they'd give you both, but if they would, that'd bring it down to $254 which would be a steal. Make sure to use the MF link at the top of the page.

Thanks to Spudman for the tip in the SDotD thread.

[Spudman]

$254 makes that a no brainer...for people that need on. I actually get to exclude myself on this on, yet I'm still pretty tempted. :nono:

[Perfect Stranger]

I agree, my Bugie V22 is amazing. And after installation of a new Weber Signature Alnico
and re-tubing it with all JJ's.....it's even better.

[jtees4]

A used Peavey Classic 30 can be had for about 350.

I agree...I got lucky and just picked up a very recent like new one for $300...but generally they go for around $350. Great amps and one of the few where i think the newer model is better than the older model, comes stock with JJ tubes and the tube protector and still sounds great.

[sixstringdrug]

Ok, first off, Thank you for all your input. I took all your suggestions and went on a number of trips to my local shops to try them out. The classic 30 was just a bit too much amp for my needs, couldnt get the tone out of it until i had the volume to aboyt 7 which was just too loud. If i ever start gigging again that is my amp tho. The bugera v22 sounded great, i especially like the fact i could drop the wattage in half. The footswitch looked like it was made from paper mache tho. I was impressed by the jet city as far as price but it sounded a bit too metal for my taste. I also tried a peavey windsor studio, great amp and if I could have gotten a better deal I would have jumped on it. In the end, I bought a green board blues junior. Got it for $300 even with a greenback celestion already installed. I dropped it off at my amp guy for a tuneup and he recommended a rebias mod to lengthen the tube life. I should get it back sometime next week and my kids will be orphaned for awhile till the GAS wears off! Thanks again fretters, much obliged.

[Spudman]

Sounds like you made a good choice. Let us know what you think when you've gotten a chance to play it a bit.

[bcdon]

Sounds like you made a good choice. Let us know what you think when you've gotten a chance to play it a bit.

And, don't forget...
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=318452.0;attach=48 0581;image

[Commodore 64]

That should suit you. I like my Blues Jr when I had it. I put in a Celestion Vintage 30.

[jtees4]

Good luck with your new amp!
To late for the OP...but good info for any Peavey Classic 30 owner or future owner:
Try an 12AU7 in position V1 and you will tame the output of the amp as if you cut the power in half or even more. Basically with this tube it turns it into a nice bedroom amp. Turning volume up to 7 is basically like 2 with the original 12ax7. Might not be loud enough to play with a drummer this way, but great for taming it for in house use.