[DiWiPe]

Dear G-T,

I am searching for my first good amp. Right now I have a Roland Cube 20x but i feel like this doesn't do my Gretsch G6119 (hilotrons) justice. I'd like you guys to recommend me some low watt tube amps. (Around 15-25 watt area) that i can try out in my local guitar stores.

Sound wise i mostly play 60s/70s type rock and pop like The Beatles but also Led Zeppelin, blues-rock with a bit of distortion (I have a Big Muff Pi) like The Black Keys and I also enjoy playing Country and Southern Rock and those types.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

- Dillan

[MatchlessMan]

This is a really hard question to answer, but you can be sure that many people here will try!

There are lots of suitable amps out there, but you can narrow the list down by asking yourself some basic questions:
Where will you use the amp - home, studio, jams, small-venue gigs, large-venue gigs?
Do you want overdrive from the amp at low volume, or are you happy to use pedals to achieve this?
Dou you want more than one channel?
Do you need reverb in the amp?
Do you want other built-in effects, or will you use pedals?

[DiWiPe]

I want to use the amp at home and jams/studio.
A natural overdrive tone from the tubes speaks to me yes, but it isn't necessary.
One channel is fine, two is oke aswell.
Don't really want any build in effects since i don't use them on my amp right now. When i really want an effect (like fuzz for example) i'll buy a pedal. But I like getting my tone from just the guitar and the amp.

[Archtop 13]

For the most part, forget the stores. Most production tube amps these days are a compromise. Find an amp builder near you who can build something. I'm running a 5E3 Deluxe clone. A very classic amp still used by many top guitarists. It's small & versatile. Best of all, it oozes tone & takes pedals well.

[DiWiPe]

That sounds expensive and I don't know any amp builders either

[MatchlessMan]

Originally Posted by DiWiPe

I want to use the amp at home and jams/studio.
A natural overdrive tone from the tubes speaks to me yes, but it isn't necessary.
One channel is fine, two is oke aswell.
Don't really want any build in effects since i don't use them on my amp right now. When i really want an effect (like fuzz for example) i'll buy a pedal. But I like getting my tone from just the guitar and the amp.

I suggest you try as many of the following as you can, according to your budget. All are currently in production I believe, though some are re-issues of older models.

Blackstar HT5
Fender Blues Junior
Fender Princeton Reverb
Vox AC15
Marshall Class 5
Marshall Haze 15
Epiphone Valve Junior / Harley Benton GA5 (same thing only much cheaper from thomann.de!)
Laney Cub 12R

Happy hunting!

[BarryMClark]

Originally Posted by DiWiPe

That sounds expensive and I don't know any amp builders either

I guess the question is, what would do your guitar justice?

This is all so relative. I too own a Cube. It is the 80x. I am also going to own a Dr. Z Route 66 by year's end. That being said, my Cube is not going anywhere. It will be my grab-and-go amp and serve as a back-up should the tube amp experience any sort of issue. Does that mean the high end tube amp is better? Nope. Not at all. It just has a different....accent if you will. The Dr. Z has some of that old school accent. The Cube a more modern accent.

My experience with tube amps is reasonably good over the past 25 years. However, these days, tube amps are built much different. Generally speaking, not including boutique builders, your major manufacturers really make a watered down version of what made their amps famous. Some of that isn't their fault. Sometimes the components they need aren't available in the quality they want or at a price that fits in their budget. The rest is their fault.

I can't see where you are from, but if you in the US, there a number of builders here that build amps from the very affordable to the high end.

If you want old school but are on a tighter budget, check out Little Dog amps. I would say this, regardless of what you want and if your current amp suits at least your needs if not all your wants, save up for what you want. It may take longer but it will be well worth it.

This site has a great resource in Tavo (TV the Wired Turtle) with regards to amps and effects. Definitely pick his brain.

[DaddyDog]

I also have a Roland Cube 80, and keep for playing out at parties and such. One year ago I also wanted to explore tube amps. I found a used Vox Night Train head. They are $500 new. Then I bought a custom 2x12 cab (not very portable). But a 1x12 would work fine. The Vox switches between 15w and 7.5w. It can do everything from nice and clean to metal distortion.

I've tried some more expensive amps in store recently, but haven't found they can "blow away" the Vox. Sure they sound different, or do really specific things differently, but I keep coming home to the Vox. Some day I'll trade up.

[DiWiPe]

Thanks for the advice!~

I'm from Amsterdam, Holland.

Thanks for the info about the modern day tube amps but I don't know if i care too much about the quality of them compared to what they were or what today's tube amps are based on. I mostly want a tube amp so that I can crank up the volume and get a naturally overdriven tone, that just really speaks to me. I'd like to have an amp that I can put at a volume where if i play my notes subtly it's more clean and then when I play them more aggressively i can get a dirtier sound.

Anyways i know this whole amp choosing thing is very subjective but i was more looking for amps you guys would recommend looking at, so thanks!

[DiWiPe]

Originally Posted by MatchlessMan

I suggest you try as many of the following as you can, according to your budget. All are currently in production I believe, though some are re-issues of older models.

Blackstar HT5
Fender Blues Junior
Fender Princeton Reverb
Vox AC15
Marshall Class 5
Marshall Haze 15
Epiphone Valve Junior / Harley Benton GA5 (same thing only much cheaper from thomann.de!)
Laney Cub 12R

Happy hunting!

Thanks!

From looking at youtube videos, reviews en demo's i've found myself interested in the Vox AC15, the Epiphone Valve Junior and some of those Fender amps aswell!

[BarryMClark]

Originally Posted by DiWiPe

Thanks for the advice!~

I'm from Amsterdam, Holland.

Thanks for the info about the modern day tube amps but I don't know if i care too much about the quality of them compared to what they were or what today's tube amps are based on. I mostly want a tube amp so that I can crank up the volume and get a naturally overdriven tone, that just really speaks to me. I'd like to have an amp that I can put at a volume where if i play my notes subtly it's more clean and then when I play them more aggressively i can get a dirtier sound.

Anyways i know this whole amp choosing thing is very subjective but i was more looking for amps you guys would recommend looking at, so thanks!

Ah! Gotcha! Maybe check out Jet City. I actually have one. VERY good amps. I am letting it go though. Very reasonably priced. I have the 20 w. That thing fully driven is a tube drive thing of wonder. Just too much gain for me. My hard rock days, I believe, are over. At least the gain. So, I am going cleaner.

The 20w is like a pissed off 18w Marshall.

They have a JCA20HV coming out to. This is one that Jimmy Page uses. It doesn't get as gainy as the JCA20H and has a bit more of the classic rock flavor to it. Cool look too. In both cases, the head and 212 cab can be had at right at $500 USD.

[big kenny]

Princeton reverb and never look back, load a nice speaker in there and rawk!

[Tinman46]

I'm waiting for my Fender Super Champ X2 HD and cab to arrive. 15 watts driven by 1 12AX7 pre amp and 2 6v6 power tubes. 16 Fender amp voicing. Built in Vibratone, Delay, Chorus, Tremolo. Don't know what they cost where you are mine was $500 for head and cab in Canada.

[Archtop 13]

Originally Posted by DiWiPe

That sounds expensive and I don't know any amp builders either

Cost me $500 usd. There are deals out there.

[Tony65x55]

Originally Posted by Tinman46

I'm waiting for my Fender Super Champ X2 HD and cab to arrive. 15 watts driven by 1 12AX7 pre amp and 2 6v6 power tubes. 16 Fender amp voicing. Built in Vibratone, Delay, Chorus, Tremolo. Don't know what they cost where you are mine was $500 for head and cab in Canada.

X2 on the X2. I have a Super Champ XD and a Super Champ X2. Both are awesome 15 watt amps with a great price point and terrific sound.

[Crippled Lion]

Check out a Fender Deluxe Reverb. It's a nice amp for home use & gigging. I have a 6117 w/Hilotrons and run it through a DR and it sounds sweet. Very versatile. You can pick one up used relatively inexpensive.

[DimeStoreRiot]

You might also look for some moderately priced vintage amps, if you can find them, like a Silvertone 1482, or any Valco-made amp (branded as Supro, Gretsch, Airline) at about 17 or 20 watts. You can sometimes get really good deals on these, and I think the sound matches the kind of music you described yourself as playing.

[6stings]

Dillan, put all amps the guys recommended on the list and pick 3 of them!

Get all 3, one for The Beatles, one for Zeppelin, one for Country!

[Anakin2Solo]

Originally Posted by Tony65x55

I have a Super Champ XD and a Super Champ X2. Both are awesome 15 watt amps with a great price point and terrific sound.

I actually have both as well. Highly recommended. I cannot decide which one I like more. I am giving the other to my Dad. What is your opinion? Have you tried my Rockabilly Preset on Fender Fuse?

[Colonel Blues]

To me, the best current "low wattage combination" is :
- Vox Lil' Night Train
- Vox NT112 cabinet

This 2W (yes !) head is incredible, it's loud if needed and you also have a headphone socket. It has a wonderful warm Vox chime, for a price you can't beat !!!
This cab is equipped with a Celestion Greenback 12" that perfectly compliment the head !

I can tell you this because I own these and I still can't believe how good it is to play with !