The Peavey Delta 1x15 is very versatile and can get pretty loud if you need it. I love the fat bottom from the 15 and the fact that it's a combo so that means just one trip. The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is another contender.
Alright, I figured after doing tons of reading myself I might as well consult some fellow experts. I play primarily jazz/blues, preferring reberb and delay as effects, with sometimes a hop into a compressed dirty tone . but still more on the clean side than really twisted. Anyone play a similar style or can recommend a decent tube amp? I'd prefer it to...
a) be in the 30 / 50 watt range,
b) i have to lug it up and down 3 flights of stairs whenever I take it to play out somewhere, It can't be built out of balsa wood and eric lindross jaw bones
c) It looks like I am in the 0 - 1k price range here. As nice as those higher end models appear to be....
thats about it. I know I've torn the lid off pandora's box with such an open ended question, but lets have it! :-)
--EDIT-- how about a list of some models I've considered and what might be making me think twice:
Epiphone Custom 30
its a 2x12 30Watt tube amp, although it has a closed back, and an internal fan (which I've read has died on some people...) I'd rather not have a fan assembly, as it is indeed one more thing to go wrong, and why contain all the heat with the closed back? It has a vented grille so it's not even a solid closed-cabinet... but it looks enticing for the pricepoint. another caveot... since when did epiphone make amps?
Vox AC30
Its.. over a grand. I think I am paying a lot for a "name" in this case. I like the nasty heavy reverb I've heard come out of this thing but... there are cheaper fully devoted pedals for such things, 1.3k is asking a lot, or am i wrong?
Bugera V22 / V55
I actually got one of these but had to return it, it was having all kinds of problems and there was no biasing information available from the manufacturer to even begin trying to see if that was the issue... no more shopping for the bottom-of-the-barrel, lesson learned.
I've also looked at the Carvin Nomad, and the Peavey Custom 30. Thinking something American Made would be nice, spend my dollar in the US, and (hopefully) get some better quality out of it.
Last edited by redgibson; December 8th, 2009 at 09:32 AM. Reason: adding models that piqued interest
The Peavey Delta 1x15 is very versatile and can get pretty loud if you need it. I love the fat bottom from the 15 and the fact that it's a combo so that means just one trip. The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is another contender.
"No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi
Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.
I'd demo the $899 Egnater Rebel-30 1x12 combo, which weighs 40 pounds, and about 30 pounds lighter than their 2x12 combo.
I'm sure there are other worthy choices out there, but I really like the tube mix blend knob that offers any combination of EL84 and 6V6 power tubes, or just one or the other. You can also add an extension cab, plus it has variable wattage on both channels from 1 to 30 watts, which is nice for home use.
• 30-Watt All-Tube 1 x 12” Combo
• Variable Wattage Control From 1w to 30w On Each Channel
• Tube Mix Blends 6V6 and EL84 Power Tubes
• Clean Channel: Volume, Bass, Treble
• Overdrive Channel: Volume, Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble
• Tight and Bright Voicing Switches On Each Channel
• Individual Reverb Level for Each Channel with “Spillover”
• Footswitch for Channel Select and Reverb On/Off
• Buffered Effects Loop
• Balanced XLR / ¼” Cabinet Voiced Line / Recording Output
• Speaker Mute Mode for Silent Recording
• Egnater Elite-80 Speaker by Celestion®
• 100V / 115V / 230V Voltage Selector
• Heavy Duty Cover Included
• Dimensions: 19"(L) x 13" (W) x 15" (H)
• Weight: 40 lbs
Last edited by Tig; December 8th, 2009 at 07:00 PM.
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard Natural Burst, Squier CV 50's Tele, Hell Guitars No. 2, Squier CV 50's Strat, Reverend Club King 290, Taylor 522e 12-Fret mahogany,
Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Short Scale
Amp: Fender Super Champ X2 Head, Egnater Tweaker 15, Fender Mustang I, Acoustic B20 1x12 bass amp
Pedal: Budda Budwah wah, Wampler Ego Compressor, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food, Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, Wampler Velvet Fuzz, Seven Sisters Eve Tremolo, TC Electronics Gravy Tri Chorus & Vibrato, Catalinbread Echorec, TC Electronic Alter Ego 2 Delay, Hardwire Supernatural Ambient Verb, MXR Carbon Copy, Catalinbread RAH, Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker, BYOC Mouse 2.0 Distortion, BYOC Boost/OD-2
I have mixed feelings about recommending amps to people. They give a list of things they want, but you never know how each want is weighted. So I will give you the ones I feel fall into the category of your wants.
Light weight, under 1000 bucks and 30 to 50 watts.
My first would be the Fender 65 Deluxe reissue. Yes it has only 22 watts but is a big 22 watts and fabulous tone. Reasonably light and good for the blues and classic rock. I take it you are looking for a combo, so my other recomendation is the Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 401. A 40 watt 1/12 with a switchable clean, gain, and high gain channels. Reverb, and reasonaly small package. Awsome tone. I am using it as a head only, through my 2/12 Avatar cab and it sounds great. Try to get one of the later issues because there was a heat problem with the first ones. Also usually under 800 bucks.
The Blues is alright!
Guitars: 1968 Gibson SG, 2005 Gibson SG Standard, 2006 Gibson LP Classic Gold top, 2004 Epiphone Elitist LP Custom, 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard. 2001 Epiphone Sheraton II, 2007 Epiphone G400.
Fender Strats: 1996 Fender 68 Reissue CIJ, 2008 Squier CV 50s, 2009 Squier CV 50s Tele Butterescotch Blonde
Amps: Blues Junior Special edition Jensen in Brown Tolex with Wheat front, 65 Deluxe Reverb reissue,1970 Sonax reverb by Traynor, Avatar Custom 2/12 Cabinet with Eminence Legend V1216 speakers,
2008 DSL100 Marshall Amp , Fender Super Champ XD,Fender Vibro Champ XD
Effects and Pedals: Fulltone Fulldrive II, Fulltone OCD, Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe, Fulltone Fat Boost, Dunlop Crybaby Wah, Boss DS1, Boss DD20 Giga Delay, Boss TU2 tuner, Boss BD2, Ibanez TS9 Tube screamer, Zoom 505. Radial tonebone hot british.
I'd give two thumbs up for the Carvin Nomad.
It's a nice small package, the clean channel and verb are as sweet as any Fender, and they love pedals up front.
The OD channel is useful for Classic Rock / Blues or a boosted up semi clean.
New they are like ~550.00, and a good used ones are ~ $350.00
I've owned each model of the Carvin Vintage series. I'd still have one or two if I didn't have a 2 boutique $2k rigs.
My suggestion for a sub-$1000 amp with a good clean channel and versatile overdrive channel would be a used Mesa Boogie Mark series. They are not light and they have more power than anyone needs but they are in another class of amplifier. I've seen used Mark I reissues going for around $800. The clean is easily capable of jazz and the overdrive is really smooth.
Patrick
How about the Hot Rod Deluxe? It's a blues or blues-rock machine.
Guitars: Jimmie Vaughan Strat, 2001 Affinity Squier Strat with 70's Japanese pickups, Affinity Squier Tele
Amps: Fender Pro Junior w/ Ragin' Cajun speaker, Peavey Delta Blues 115
Pedals: Ibanez TS9DX w/ Humphrey mod, Dunlop Crybaby Wah, Dano PB&J Delay, Arion Tubulator w/Indyguitarist mod, Boss CS-3, Dano Fish and Chips EQ, Boss CH-1, Dano TunaMelt Tremolo, Boss RV-3, Boss DS-1
Strings: Darco 10's
Website: www.bluesrow.com
I've had a hot rod deluxe for a few years and I really like it. I need something with way less power b/c its crazy loud, but if you're looking for a loud clean blues amp, it'd be pretty good.
I'd have to second the choice of either the Peavey Classic 30 or the Peavey Delta Blues 115 or 210. I've played all three, and own the 210. One of the sweetest amps available for what you're looking for. Check one out if you get a chance. I think it'll bring a smile to your face.
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
I am a Peavey Classic 30 owner and fan too. I know Spud loves his Delta, and he owns both so that is a consideration. But I know I love me 30.
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson
Check out the Vox AD30VT + AD50VT and the Fender SCXD
LIVE AND LET ROCK!!
If you want to spend your money on a "Made in the USA" amph, that should narrow your choices considerably. There are several out there, though few of them offer 30w models for under $1K.
Regarding the reverb, delay, and compressed dirty tone, do you use pedals to get there?
Do you need lots of built in effects, lots of overdrive, lots of patching optioins, effects loop, etc., or just a good basic sound to build on?
Guitars
Wilburn Versatare, '52 FrankenTele(Fender licensed parts), Fender USA Roadhouse Strat, Fender USA Standard B-bender Telecaster, Agile AL 3000 w/ WCR pickups, Ibanez MIJ V300 Acoustic, Squier Precision Bass,
Amps
Ceriatone Overtone Special, Musicman 212 Sixty-Five, Fender Blues Jr., Peavey Classic 30, Fender Super Reverb, Traynor YCV-40 WR Anniversary w/ matching 1x12 ext. cab, Epiphone SoCal 50w head w/ matching 4x12 cab (Lady Luck speakers), Avatar 2x12 semi-open back cab w/ Celestion speakers
Pedals
Digitech Bad Monkey, Digitech Jamman, DVM's ZYS, Goodrich volume pedal
A Delta Blues is on my short list as it has everything I'm looking for, but I'm not sure if I'd like the 210 or 115 better. Any particular reason you went with the 210 over the 115? I think they no longer make the 210, but it is still in stock at several shops.Originally Posted by bigG
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard Natural Burst, Squier CV 50's Tele, Hell Guitars No. 2, Squier CV 50's Strat, Reverend Club King 290, Taylor 522e 12-Fret mahogany,
Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Short Scale
Amp: Fender Super Champ X2 Head, Egnater Tweaker 15, Fender Mustang I, Acoustic B20 1x12 bass amp
Pedal: Budda Budwah wah, Wampler Ego Compressor, Electro-Harmonix Soul Food, Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, Wampler Velvet Fuzz, Seven Sisters Eve Tremolo, TC Electronics Gravy Tri Chorus & Vibrato, Catalinbread Echorec, TC Electronic Alter Ego 2 Delay, Hardwire Supernatural Ambient Verb, MXR Carbon Copy, Catalinbread RAH, Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker, BYOC Mouse 2.0 Distortion, BYOC Boost/OD-2
Hey Everyone I'm loving the replies. Its nice to get feedback from players and people in a community instead of a review on the site saying "THIS AMP ROCKS!" ... of course it would say that, they're trying to sell it to me! You can keep the thread going- I have a peavey right now and it has fallen apart without much abuse, and it is a solid state. (backstage chorus 210) half of the options don't work... its just kinda barely getting me by, so it has been silently deterring me from a Peavey but I keep hearing about the classic 30... the egnator looks like a tonal beast... obviously I need to go to a store and try some of these out, but I wanted to say thanks for replies etc. You can keep them coming its a good conversation :-)
redgibson, the Peavey you own was made in Asia. The Classic 30 and Delta Blues 210 and 115 (both 30w tube combo amps) are part of Peavey's "Classic" Series, and are Made in the USA, and there really is no comparison. The USA-made Peavey's are pretty much bulletproof.
Again, check 'em out. The tone, build quality, etc...
(I recently sold my beloved Vox AC15 to finance the purchase of a new guitar, and held on to my Peavey DB 210! And, until I owned and became familiar w the Peavey, that would have been unthinkable! That's how much I love that DB 210!)
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
Tig, quite honestly, the local Peavey dealer only had the 210 in stock, and it was on sale for $499! That's how I came to own it. No decision between the two on my part. I can only imagine the 115 might have a warmer tone, but the 210 works for me (and, if you're into speakers at all, you know that a 15" will have a slower "rebound" time than a 10", although I doubt that is discernable to the human ear).Originally Posted by Tig
bigG
Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded Cherry Mahogany, Peavey HP Signature EXP, Epi Sheraton II, Fender Standard Fat Strat, original 1982 Made in the USA Fender Bullet (w original HSC)/ 2005 Martin HD-7 Roger McGuinn Signature Edition (#102 of 250), Martin M-36 (0000), Martin OM-21, Martin 000-15M, Hohner EL-SP Plus Parlor acoustic
Amps: Swart Space Tone 6V6se, Swart Night Light Power Attenuator/compressor/stereo line-out, Peavey Windsor Studio, Vox AD50VT, Fender Super Champ XD, Vox DA15, Marshall MG10KK, '83 Peavey Bandit 65
Pedals: Cry Baby 535q wah, Bad Monkey OD, Boss DS-1, Sabine FuzzStortion, HardWire RV-7 Reverb
www.swartamps.com
www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com
Carpe diem, brother, cause you don't know how many diems you have left to carpe.
As much as I love and use my Peavey Delta I am really impressed by the Bugera V22. It sounds great by itself and also with my M13. I haven't tried it with conventional pedals yet. I probably wont because the M13 is all I use anymore.
So far - I have a strong recommendation for the Bugera V22. It flat out sounds great and feels great. The master volume for both channels is a huge plus. The top end is sweet and clear and the bottom end is full and semi tight. Good but not the perfect JBL tight that I often prefer. A speak change? Maybe. I'll gig with it on Tuesday and get back to you on how it preformed.
Right now it gets a huge ham fisted two thumbs up.
"No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi
Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.
I figured I'd post what I ended up buying on here. As i blasted the epiphone blues custom 30 in the first post with doubts on construction, having a fan, and the weight, I found one in the used section at the store when i went shopping. I wanted to try it out anyway and ended up taking it home. I don't believe it compares to the Egnator Rebel 30, but considering i took it home for dirt cheap, I am very happy with it's tone and performance.
I decided a pricier amp purchase will have to wait until i feel like i can dispose of that kind of money with ease.... I appreciated everyone's replies. Its nice to be re-equipped with a proper amp :-D
Congrats, I've heard positive comments about that amph.
The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
Master Guitar Academy - I also teach via SKYPE.