Tube Amp for 400-500

Squidgy Black

Hey guys,
looking to pick up a new amp for christmas, and i've got as budget of roughly 400-500 quid. the amp needs to be around 15-30 watts and MUST be 2 channels. at the moment, it'll only be used at home, so it has to be playable at low levels. i've been looking at the Laney VC15, the Bugera V22, but there's just too many to make a decision. if you've any idea's or suggestions, feel free to tell me
cheers,
stephen

darrenw5094

Blackstar HT-20, Hughes & Kettner Statesman range seems to be the business too. I just recieved a Laney LC50 this morning, so i will be testing it later today.......or maybe even now.:)

Squidgy Black

the ht-20's out of my price range sadly
the statesman dual with the 2 el84's looks pretty nice, i'll have to check it out

quicklickpaddy

Fender Deluxe Hot Rod on adverts!

Squidgy Black

quicklickpaddy wrote: »

Fender Deluxe Hot Rod on adverts!

yeah i was thinking of getting one, but i heard it's way too muddy at bedroom volumes?

Alanstrainor

stetyrrell wrote: »

yeah i was thinking of getting one, but i heard it's way too muddy at bedroom volumes?

I have a blues deluxe, which is a pretty similar amp. The drive channels differ. It is simply way too loud for bedroom use. 40watts is enough to burst ear drums. No joke i got a complaint from 13 houses away a couple of years ago. That's how loud this thing gets!
I do use it a lot keeping the volume at around 2, but it's still really loud and i pretty much only use it when there's no one in the house.

quicklickpaddy

Nah I've never had it sound muddy at all! But if you want to keep the wattage down, go for the Junior. Keeps the tubes cooking too

Squidgy Black

I think I'll have to pass on the hot rod then, at the moment the loudest I can play with my Blackheart little giant at around 11 o'clock on the 3 watt setting

ColmDawson

I recently got a Laney VC30 for about €500 from guitarampkeyboard. It's certainly what I was looking for; you might want to check it out.

Squidgy Black

ColmDawson wrote: »

I recently got a Laney VC30 for about €500 from guitarampkeyboard. It's certainly what I was looking for; you might want to check it out.

can it do bedroom levels?

at the moment, it's between the laney vc15 or the Fender Pro junior.

quicklickpaddy

Are you going to be gigging with it? If not then would ya go for the HT-5? If you are gonna be gigging with it, take clean headroom into account. If you're playing blues or that kinda craic it'd be grand but if you want something clear and loud enough for a gig you're gonna need to find a compromise between bedroom levels and headroom!

Grolschevik

I can vouch for the VC15. Great little amp, and dead portable, too. Volume wise, it's comfortable at "not annoy the neighbours" levels (unless you're really in love with output valve distortion) and just about giggable unmiked. If you've a miked-up gig, no problem whatsoever.

I'd look into picking up a 1x12" or 2x12" for more air movement and rounded sounds if you're going to gig it unmiked. Again: great little amp. My only change would be to give it a 12 inch speaker.

Squidgy Black

at the moment i won't be gigging with it, but more than likely i'll be gigging it soon.

the blackstar wouldn't cut it for a gig, 5 watts is a bit on the small side, even mic'ed.

quicklickpaddy

Well... I'd suggest trying something beforehand... You gotta make sure there's enough volume/clean headroom for practicing without micing up and all that

kingofpain

Hi Stephen

If you stick with the 10" there's some really cheap VC15s in UK

Was discussing same issue at tdpri.com and haven't settled yet, haven't been able to find something in town sadly

Since writing that post:
Tried a Kustom Defender 12" yesterday (it's on Adverts) left it unconvinced

Laney VC30-210 is excellent, the best tested so far, but too bulky for me

Will probably end up with a Laney Cub12R unless a good used Blues Jr comes up or decide to upgrade to something more exotic and expensive as well fx:

Studiotone Koch
Egnater Rebel 30/20
Egnater Tweaker

Squidgy Black

I've found an engl thunder 50 for 350 which is a steal gonna test it out next week, and if it's playable at low volumes I'll be a happy guy this christmas