Hello guitar people! I have looked around for small tube amps. Ive really intrested in the fender Ec (eric clapton) vibro champ, its pretty $$$$$. I bet is sounds great and all, havent tried it my self though.. I would like to know if you guys had any suggestions on cheaper amps. The thing is I like the fact of small one knobs amp some times, easy to care around. Ive got a Rocktron RC50c and a Fender Mustang amp that I really like, I´ve had a Blues junior too. Feels like I want to have a small tube amp, like in the size of that Fender Ec vibro champ I mentioned. but less $$$ blessed. how about the champion 600´s? my main pups choice would be p90´s for now on, if that helps;)

Take Care//Morgan

The usual suspects:
Hybrid Tube
Fender Vibro Champ XD
Fender Super Champ XD
Fender Super Champ X2

All Tube
Fender Excelsior

Egnater Tweaker 15W

Blackstar HT5R

VHT Special 6 Ultra

Blackheart Little Giant

Epiphone Valve Jr

Vox AC4TV

Can also give you a bunch of good sounding/quality, budget priced in the 15-20w range as well.

I know a lot of these amps really, most of them u mentioned seems to be more than one knob;)hehe the excelsior seems pretty intresting but is a slightly bigger amp, I got out and tested the vibro champ, that had fx loop and tube. To be honest I´d like way smaller than that, if you know what I mean;) The little giant is pretty cool saw a guy with a godin 5th avenue got a great sound of it;)

how about the champion 600 or Gretsch 5222? they seem a lot like each other.

I will check out the tube amp u listed,
Thanks a lot man

I forgot to mention the size/W so the 15-20w amp suggestions are very welcome btw;);)

Check out http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Forstarkare_point_to_point_typ_Fender_50_tal_38793 465.htm?ca=7&w=3 A 5 watts handwired point to point amp for 1795 swedish crowns, 220 USD. I guess it is based on an vintage fender circuit. Can't find any more info about the amp. There is a demo on youtube and you can call the store in Göteborg.
I know that I will try one as soon as I get a guitar back in the house....

Tack o bock! Denna lär man ju checka out;))

Orange Tiny Terror? awesome little amps! :D

I know a lot of these amps really, most of them u mentioned seems to be more than one knob;)hehe the excelsior seems pretty intresting but is a slightly bigger amp, I got out and tested the vibro champ, that had fx loop and tube. To be honest I´d like way smaller than that, if you know what I mean;) The little giant is pretty cool saw a guy with a godin 5th avenue got a great sound of it;)

how about the champion 600 or Gretsch 5222? they seem a lot like each other.

I will check out the tube amp u listed,
Thanks a lot man

VC XD is the Hybrid (SS tone voices and DSP fx, thru Tube Preamp and power)

SMALL, few knob options

Epi Valve Jr I already listed
Kustom Defender 5W
Blackstar Ht-1 or Ht1R
Blackheart BH1H Killer Ant
Fender Champ 600

Problem is onve you get into 5W or more, you generally start running into knobs. I for one have to have a seperate gain and master vol.

The Champ 600/Gretsch 5222 and the Valve jr. are complete snooze-fests to me.
Of that ilk I'd go Vox.

Orange Tiny Terror? awesome little amps! :D

Those orange amps seem very intresting;) for me they cost equal to a fender pro junior, half a EC vibro champ that would be, but I´ll check em out.

Princeton
Princeton Reverb

Princeton
Princeton Reverb


My favorite dream amp for many reasons but a lot $$$$ as for now;);)

The Champ 600/Gretsch 5222 and the Valve jr. are complete snooze-fests to me.
Of that ilk I'd go Vox.

In what way, to small sounding, effect, not enough knobs? maybe they need to many extra pedals ..

Orange Tiny Terror? awesome little amps! :D
Wise words. They're a cracking piece of kit.

If you're looking for something close to an exhaustive list of what small valve amps are available on the market then head over to http://www.jedistar.com/low_watt_amps.htm for a drool-worth collection.

In what way, to small sounding, effect, not enough knobs? maybe they need to many extra pedals ..

Anemic sounding. I put an old Epiphone Pacemaker (50's?) with 5 watts and a 6 inch speaker against the Gretsch. Epi is two knob. Volume & Tremelo intensity. the Epi has a richer tone and better grind when you crank it. I expect magic out of a tube amp when cranked and the Gretsch just goes "heh". Bought & sold a Valve Jr. with similar reaction.

This amp with a torn speaker cone is better than the Gretsch/600.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/539/Guyatone2.jpg
Guyatone GA-120

Here's the Epi.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/539/EP_back.jpg

Try out some cheap second hand thing you've never heard of and you may be surprised.

I really wanna try the hand wired vox ac4.

Honestly. for a SMALL TUBE amp I wouldn't get anything bigger than 5 watts.
I also wouldn't get any little combo with a junk combo speaker in it.

I would get a Vox Lil night train, or a regular for that matter.
Or a AC4tv head.
Maybe the Valve Junior head id it sounded good.
The Blackheart killer ant is a 1 watt 1 knob amp.

And stick it to a 1x12 cab leaded with a greenback, H30, or V30, (in those degrees from less to more breakup) get 16 ohms if you want more breakup, 8 if you want it cleaner.

If money werent an issue I would totally get the new Ampeg GVT5H (5/2.5 watts) but its like 350 bucks (w/o cab).

VHT makes a 6 watt 112 combo, and the next decent thing from that is an ibanez.

Would be easier to know what you wanna spend.

I know how you feel about wanting something in a small form factor, but I just dont wanna hear anything below a 12 at this point. so I might be the wrong guy to respond.

The OP needs to try, and more importantly listen to the plethora of options already listed. Because ULTIMATELY, it's not what any of us like, or think he should get, but what sounds good to him.

I know how you feel about wanting something in a small form factor, but I just dont wanna hear anything below a 12 at this point. so I might be the wrong guy to respond.

I didn't want to compare apples to oranges, but I had a single 6V6 combo with a 12 that a neighbor built for me and it was leaps and bounds better than any of the amps I was slagging earlier. But some of those little amps have their own cool vibe due to the constraints of the cabinet/speaker. That Pacemaker is fabulous for recording lap steel guitar.

Hi Morgan, the Ec amp you mentioned got a pretty so-so review in the UK magazine 'Guitarist'. I suggest trying as many amps as you can, and let your ears be the guide.

I didn't want to compare apples to oranges, but I had a single 6V6 combo with a 12 that a neighbor built for me and it was leaps and bounds better than any of the amps I was slagging earlier. But some of those little amps have their own cool vibe due to the constraints of the cabinet/speaker. That Pacemaker is fabulous for recording lap steel guitar.

I'm literally only talking about speaker size. Not cabinate size. ALL combos under 300 are smaller than 12" They made decent combo's with 12's I'm not questioning that at all. I just dont know what he wants to spend, but I cannot recommend anything under 12"

SCXD or SCX2, low price , great sound.

I guess I´d be spending in the price range of a Pro junior. 10 W maximum, or no around 5w is what I´m aming for actually, and one or two knobs. I allready have amps that have all knobs. This one are ment for caring around, Especially in the summer when we go to my parents place I usually take a few guitar with me, thought I would be cool to crank it up to a smooth tube overdrive. A tweed style little amp in the same style of the Ec Vibro champ;) hehe http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/amplification/instrument-amps/guitar-combo-amps/ec-series-vibro-champ-1-x-8-520308/review

I would really love one of the fender 5w 57 champs, but they seem to be overpriced..

I was into the lunchbox types of amps a while even Zt lunchbox or yamaha Thr5 :) but they simply does not look like I´d want them to, tweed, I´d like that, I guess I´d have to spend a little extra, or look for a used one. I like the small 5w tube amps !

Hi Morgan, the Ec amp you mentioned got a pretty so-so review in the UK magazine 'Guitarist'. I suggest trying as many amps as you can, and let your ears be the guide.

Good to know, yeah I´ll make sure to try em out ;)

I really wanna try the hand wired vox ac4.

Yeah they seem pretty cool too;)

http://www.thomann.de/se/vox_ac4tv_mini.htm this one is small but not tweed..;)

I guess a small fender is they way

I had this one for a while. I'm hesitant to recommend it since it needed some mods. Stock it's a bit dark and uninspiring, but even then it's good enough to tell its potential. The price at €145 is absolutely ridiculous.

Harley Benton GA15 Full Tube Guitar Combo - 15W, 1x 10" speaker, 1-channel, 3-band EQ, volume control, 2x 12AX7 thomann preamp valves, 2x EL84 power-amp valves, line out (jack), FX loop, 3x speaker outputs (4/8/16ohms), headphone output.

http://images4.thomann.de/pics/prod/200149.jpg

I might would look at the little Ibanez tube amp 15 watts all tube, with a Tubescreamer overdrive.

Honestly. for a SMALL TUBE amp I wouldn't get anything bigger than 5 watts.
I also wouldn't get any little combo with a junk combo speaker in it.

I would get a Vox Lil night train, or a regular for that matter.
Or a AC4tv head.
Maybe the Valve Junior head id it sounded good.
The Blackheart killer ant is a 1 watt 1 knob amp.

And stick it to a 1x12 cab leaded with a greenback, H30, or V30, (in those degrees from less to more breakup) get 16 ohms if you want more breakup, 8 if you want it cleaner.

If money werent an issue I would totally get the new Ampeg GVT5H (5/2.5 watts) but its like 350 bucks (w/o cab).

VHT makes a 6 watt 112 combo, and the next decent thing from that is an ibanez.

Would be easier to know what you wanna spend.

I agree with the 5 watt assessment. For practice you're OK. I just took a mid 60's BF Champ in trade and I'm shocked at the sound quality and the volume was good enough to practice with my Wednesday night C & W band.

5w plays over drums, usually my only requirement of any amp. Not to mention the "dummy cabs" the pros use to hide their mic'ed up 1/2 watter. Why be ashamed to mic up

Apart from the 'knob' issues I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned the Marshall C5 combo. Granted out of the box maybe a bit limited but you can have it modded to superb standard! Have a look at this guy's site: www.ratvalveamps.com
No affiliation, just a very happy customer :-)

Apart from the 'knob' issues I'm a bit surprised that nobody has mentioned the Marshall C5 combo. Granted out of the box maybe a bit limited but you can have it modded to superb standard! Have a look at this guy's site: www.ratvalveamps.com
No affiliation, just a very happy customer :-)

Its a bit big though for my opinion, I´d like one like the 57 champ in size, that one looks like in the size of the blues junior wich I have had. I´d mostly like on of those tweed type of amp:)

You need to check out a '57 Tweed Deluxe, or otherwise known as the (5E3). There are many other manufactures that sell them at a reasonable price. Or, you can build one (my choice).
If you want simplicity and tons of tone, this is the beast that will do it.

3GuSu5LBgag

Mine is in a 3x10 cab (larger than you are looking for), but the knobs consist of two volumes (one for each channel) and a tone.

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/attachments/ampage-area/3225d1245507691-logo-suggestions-100_2814small.jpg

Hey you can try the Bugera v5, is small and cheap, and you can mod it,

here some videos i stold from other forum

http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/Daneman_photos/?action=view&current=VID00453.mp4

Its a bit big though for my opinion, I´d like one like the 57 champ in size, that one looks like in the size of the blues junior wich I have had. I´d mostly like on of those tweed type of amp:)

It's actually surprisingly small for the sound :-)
This might give you an idea:

You need to check out a '57 Tweed Deluxe, or otherwise known as the (5E3). There are many other manufactures that sell them at a reasonable price. Or, you can build one (my choice).
If you want simplicity and tons of tone, this is the beast that will do it.

+1 for 5E3
I have Jim Frenzel's version, FM5E3DP, a wonderful little beast.

http://www.kustom.com/Content/20116/15H.jpg

You need to check out a '57 Tweed Deluxe, or otherwise known as the (5E3). There are many other manufactures that sell them at a reasonable price. Or, you can build one (my choice).
If you want simplicity and tons of tone, this is the beast that will do it.

3GuSu5LBgag

Mine is in a 3x10 cab (larger than you are looking for), but the knobs consist of two volumes (one for each channel) and a tone.

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/attachments/ampage-area/3225d1245507691-logo-suggestions-100_2814small.jpg

Where can I find more info about the 5E3 amplifier?

I bought my kit from Weber. It has been customized, and has some different components that a regular 5E3 doesn't have.
They now have a pre-built, hand-wired chassis Called the So Watt?! (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_weber.htm#sowatt) for $240. You can buy the cabinet elsewhere, and have a quality, hand wired amp at a bargain price.
If you search eBay, you will find them. Most that I have seen recently have been way overpriced.

This one (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-5E3-Tweed-Deluxe-Style-Guitar-Amp-Boutique-Amp-Great-Price-/320847310762?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab3fd6faa#ht_619wt_1344) is a over your budget, but it's pretty cool.

Thanks I´ll have a look;)

The dear little 15R-

http://www.squier-talk.com/forum/attachments/amps-sale-trade-wanted/9449d1325000255t-trade-vox-pathfinder-15r-fender-frontman-25r-user13279_pic10979_1316089929-jpg

Check out http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Forstarkare_point_to_point_typ_Fender_50_tal_38793 465.htm?ca=7&w=3 A 5 watts handwired point to point amp for 1795 swedish crowns, 220 USD. I guess it is based on an vintage fender circuit. Can't find any more info about the amp. There is a demo on youtube and you can call the store in Göteborg.
I know that I will try one as soon as I get a guitar back in the house....

Hello, have you even seen this?

http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Forstarkare_typ_Vox_60_tal__Reverb_tremolo_3879353 2.htm?ca=4&w=1

I havent, and thanks for sharing Valdez! That was pretty cool one too:)

http://www.bugera-amps.com/EN/products/BC15.aspx

Btw anyone knows anything about this little guy? Bugera bc15 one 12AX7 tube, hybrid amp. its not what I´d choose anyways, havent heard alot of the company eather..

anyone?

anyone?

Anyone think it would be worth a shot?

Anyone think it would be worth a shot?

I don't know, the 8" speaker...
The dealers on my side of the border sell BC15 for 1258,- NOK ($225) plus shipping, that's the double the US price. That make's me mad!!!

How much are they over there?

I don't know, the 8" speaker...
The dealers on my side of the border sell BC15 for 1258,- NOK ($225) plus shipping, that's the double the US price. That make's me mad!!!

How much are they over there?

Well the thing is its on super sale for 495 swedish kr. About 71$ that is. And I have a gift card laying around for that amount.:-) he he I thought it could be worth a shot. I getting it like for free :-D . Normal price here is 1200 kr . About 171$ us that is. So what you think.

Well the thing is its on super sale for 495 swedish kr. About 71$ that is. And I have a gift card laying around for that amount.:-) he he I thought it could be worth a shot. I getting it like for free :-D . Normal price here is 1200 kr . About 171$ us that is. So what you think.

Grab one! How about get me one for that price bro?:D

Got the bugera bc15 and I am very pleased with it for the money. Great little cool looking amp. Saving up for a 57 champ though:-):-)

Where can I find more info about the 5E3 amplifier?
At http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Tweed_Deluxe or Google for "5E3".