Oh my...

[Cranium]

Tears is exactly right but $1000+ is pretty steep so if I will plan to get a $600-700 amp I will either get a used one (If I actualy find a used one) or a mini z for around $700, Im not 100% sure of the price since its not the same in all the places. Is there any other company that makes low wattage amps that sound similar but maybe with a little lower prices?

[Nelskie]

Is there any other company that makes low wattage amps that sound similar but maybe with a little lower prices?

Well, I don't know if the tone is similar or not, but I do know that the Epiphone Valve Jr. is a low-watt, tube-powered dynamo that just begs to be hot-rodded. Yeah, maybe not in the same league as a Dr. Z, but at $139, there's plenty of sheepskins left over to push it in whatever direction you want, and probably leave you enough left over for a new guitar (or two!) Check out the Voodooman's killer Valve Jr. mod thread & clips in the amp section of the forum. You can call me a believer.

Choice #2 is the venerable Fender Champ, which if you can procure yourself a vintage-era model (check Ebay), there's tone galore to be had. I believe our FN brother 69SL has several posts in the amp section about his Champ, all of which are glowing. The Champ's cousin, the Blues Junior, is also very popular amongst the low-watt tube crowd.

Lastly, the Peavey Classic 20. Like its big brothers, the Classic 30 / 50 models, this little rocket has enough cahones to push brown, tweedy, vintage tones through a 4 x 12 cab. Add some juicy NOS tubes, a Tone Tubby or a Weber Alnico, and you're ready for action.

As you can see, there are a lot of neighborhoods to explore before you head on up to the big house on the hill. But if your heart's set on it, then all I can say is . . . bring your wallet. Good luck!