15W portable tube amps. Where to start!

seachto7

Howdee all,

Been researching 15W tubes (again!!!), and tried a tiny terror yesterday, It was very basic in what you could dial in, but it sounded great, so that's no problem. It is what it is, plug in and play......

However, doing some research last night, I came across the Traynor Darkhorse, which looks appealing. Also the Vox Night train. Is this any good? Or would it be worth plumping for the AC15 instead?

Then I stumbled upon the Egnater Tweaker which looks great, but maybe a few too many tweaking buttons to be worrying about.

I suppose these heads have EQ which is potentially one advantage over the Orange TT.

I then branched off into Blues Junior Vs AC15 territory....

I already have a blues deluxe reissue, so fender cleans is sorted pretty much. I never use channel 2 on the fender.

I am looking for an alternative to the blues deluxe, but something of a lower wattage too. I don't play anything high gain, so it's not a big deal breaker for me, but I like to get it just past clean when it starts to growl a bit...

I know someone will chime in and say "Just get a hot plate!!"

MilanPan!c

there's one of these on Gumtree as we speak



http://www.vintageandrare.com/product/C.agnew-Tweed-518-2011-Tweed-11851

for less than 200.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O-fhfV-o-s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eRFWkykwmE

Just was looking at it myself..

Paolo_M

Getting a 15 watter to growl wont be much quieter than a 100 watter growling, it'll still be over half as loud (all other things, like speaker cab, being equal) which is still obnoxiously loud.

I'd always advise people when choosing valve amp wattage to choose based on tone not on expected volume, as there is little to no difference until you get right down to 5 watts and lower.

Lower wattages, like 15 watts, tend to use EL84 type power sections which have their own tonal signature. If that's what you like then cool, if you like the sound of EL34s then go for that.

Never go into it thinking you'll get a cranked 100 watt stack tone at lower volumes from a 15 watt valve amp. It ain't gonna happen, ever. It'll be just as loud-ish and sound different.

seachto7

Cheers for the suggestions. I don't want a 100 watt stack tone at all. My blues deluxe has good cleans, but if I want to get it to growl naturally I have to turn it way up. I know I could just use the drive and master on channel 2, but doesn't seem to do it for me...

It would be nice to have an alternative amp sometime as well. Not looking for a beast at all, but something I could maybe drive naturally at a lower volume than the blues deluxe.
I see a nice little tiny terror head and cab on gumtree at the mo........

Someone might scream "hot plate" again.....

Paolo_M

I see what you're saying, but a 15 watt amp will not be any quieter than a 40 watter. 3dBs is hardly noticeable and that's about all you'd get, definitely not worth the price of a new amp, assuming that's the only reason for buying the amp.

seachto7

yup, getting it to break up at lower volumes in small venues is what I am after.....

BostonB

Have you considered a Power attenuator.

seachto7

Power attenuators? I am aware of what they do, but am totally clueless as to what one would benefit a blues deluxe. I assume they would not suck any tone...

That little 5 watter could be good for recording purposes.......

BostonB

Look up people using them on youtube.

Dord

seachto7 wrote: »

Power attenuators? I am aware of what they do, but am totally clueless as to what one would benefit a blues deluxe. I assume they would not suck any tone...

That little 5 watter could be good for recording purposes.......

Check out Weber attenuators. I have a Weber minimass that I use with a little 3watt amp (Yes! you read correctly). They make attenuators for varying sized amps.

seachto7

Those Weber attenuators look interesting, might be just what I need....

wild turkey

Dord wrote: »

Check out Weber attenuators. I have a Weber minimass that I use with a little 3watt amp (Yes! you read correctly). They make attenuators for varying sized amps.

Great little yokes
I use one with my 1 watt blackstar at night
You pick them up used fairly cheap as well

seachto7

looked on ebay, but no second hand ones... :(