tube guitar amp on a budget?

Linas · #1 01-07-2010, 08:53 PM

I am in the market for a tube combo amp to play guitar out of. I dont need it to be super loud, as i am only going to be using it for practice. Can anyone recommend anything? Preferably it would have reverb, but if it doesnt, i suppose i can add a pedal. Hoping to keep it under around $200.

Brad Barker · #2 01-07-2010, 09:29 PM

not sure if such a thing exists. the fender blues jr. is about $450, and that's about as low as i've seen'em.

iamlowsound · #3 01-07-2010, 09:43 PM

Epiphone makes a 5w tube amp, the name escapes me right now. No reverb, but it is much cheaper than $400. Heck, Traynor makes a 15w one that has a reverb for less than $400.

lowsound

bertbassplayer · #4 01-07-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Barker

not sure if such a thing exists. the fender blues jr. is about $450, and that's about as low as i've seen'em.

Yes they exist...

Epiphone Tube Jr. 5 Watts all tube about $160 for the combo. It's VERY bare bones, just a volume knob.
Bugera V5 5 Watts all tube $150 - Gain/Tone/Vol and Reverb. Variable power switching 5W/1W/.1W
Vox AC4TV8 4 Watts all tube $175ish... Vol/Tone, Variable power switching 4W/1W/.1W

All 1x8 combos.

T-Bird · #5 01-08-2010, 02:48 AM

Hi.

Ibanez Valbee is a bit more versatile than the above mentioned amps.

Because of the cramped construction, modding is a nightmare.

The looks is an opinion bender, I hated 'em

.

On a positive side, it uses 6L6 power tube instead of the more common EL84, so almost every tube (including EL84) can be used with minor modding.

I had one for a while, but as my need for a small tube amp disappeared, I sold it.

Regards
Sam

bertbassplayer · #6 01-08-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Ibanez Valbee is a bit more versatile than the above mentioned amps.

Because of the cramped construction, modding is a nightmare.

The looks is an opinion bender, I hated 'em

.

On a positive side, it uses 6L6 power tube instead of the more common EL84, so almost every tube (including EL84) can be used with minor modding.

I had one for a while, but as my need for a small tube amp disappeared, I sold it.

Regards
Sam

I don't think the Valbee is available in the US, if it is I've never seen it.
Also I'd argue that EL84s aren't the more common tube, in small amps yes... but not overall.

kraigo · #7 01-08-2010, 07:15 AM

Shop for a used Fender Pro Junior. Great little amps.

KO

Deluge Of Sound · #8 01-08-2010, 09:16 AM

Epiphone Valve Jr. No reverb, but it fits your price range to a tee, and sounds good to boot.

MalcolmAmos · #9 01-08-2010, 09:32 AM

Tube amp at the price you want to spend is going to be hard to find. Now this may help. Us old guys get tired of lugging those boat anchors around and go solid state, check out the used inventory in your area.

Or if you see an old guy having trouble loading all his stuff, give him a hand and casually mention you sure would like an amp like that. He may surprise you.

neilshane · #10 01-08-2010, 09:38 AM

A Fender Super Champ XD can be found used for around $200. It's a hybrid amp with a 12ax7 and two 6v6s. I love mine. Lots of cool tones and some great effects too.

etechstan · #11 01-08-2010, 01:43 PM

I got rid of my Valve Jr. I loved it at first but it was a short honeymoon. It has one sound and if you price the mods for it, you're better off with the Vox or Bugera. Better yet, save another month or two and get the little Marshal.

T-Bird · #12 01-09-2010, 03:16 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbassplayer

I don't think the Valbee is available in the US, if it is I've never seen it.

Ok, didn't know that, seems very strange though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertbassplayer

Also I'd argue that EL84s aren't the more common tube, in small amps yes... but not overall.

We are talking about small amps here, aren't we

.
In the small amps that don't use sub-miniatures or other rather rare tubes, the Ibanez is the only exeption from the EL84 dominance I know of.

Regards
Sam

Mr. Lovejoy · #13 01-09-2010, 04:30 AM

Why do you need tubes for practice?

Brad Barker · #14 01-09-2010, 06:19 PM

ah, forgot about the epiphone!

jollygiantchris · #15 01-10-2010, 08:04 AM

You could always try to get a Valve Jr. Or maybe a used Carvin/Traynor. If you could find a Valve Sr. used it would fit the bill.

JasonNL · #16 01-10-2010, 04:50 PM

How about the Crate Blackheart amps?

Stanley Design · #17 01-10-2010, 11:39 PM

Yeah go for a blackheart 5w or if you find one used/can spend more than 200 you could get the 15w version.