9 replies to this topic

[mlerici]

It all started about a month ago when i bought my very first distortion pedal, the DS-2. Up to that point I was using a Marshall MG30dfx a Digitech GNX2 and my beloved Fender american standard Strat. I came to the conclusion that the digitech wasn't good enough for gigging since it lost sound quality at high volume levels so I decided to get a Ds-2. When i plugged it into my signal chain i found out that it sounded way to edgy or boxy or even metalish (like a tin can sound) if i played with the pedal turned on through the clean channel.
So here's the point: is it time to change the amp? I was thinking of selling my MG30 and getting a small 5 watt tube amp (probably an Epiphone Valve Jr. Halfstack, im thinking of buying a tube head and a cabinet since they have bigger speakers compared to combo amps which are being said to sound too boxy). Would it be worth it? are there any other less than US$300 amps that i should think about? Is there a huge diference in volume between a 5watt tube amp and a 30 watt solid state? (i read in some sites that tube amps are usually louder than same wattage solid state amps, my main concern here is wether i'm going to be able to use it for small/medium gigs or not) How good is the epiphone valve junior when it comes to getting that vintage clean sound so typical of John? How good are the other options available in the market? (read some good critics about the blackheart tiny terror for example)

[bobthecow]

Tube amps are not actually louder... you have to play them cranked all the way to get their full sound potential. You have to get those tubes hot or they sound like crap. The valve junior is alright, but make sure that if you get an amp with no equalization knobs that you go out and buy an eq though. If you are looking for a small gig amp, then the 5w is fine, if you are playing at a larger bar, or outdoors, you are going to need at least 15w.

If you want to know a few really good tube amps that are low cost, try these, and try to find them used.

$200 Vox AC4
$225 Epi Valve JR.
$275 Epi Valve SR.

I also always suggest the Marshall Haze 15, but that is most likely out of your range in price.

[little donny]

fender 57 champ sounds nice, costs a lot but you can have someone make you a clone for under 300$

[born2lose]

mlerici, on 07 November 2010 - 08:08 AM, said:

It all started about a month ago when i bought my very first distortion pedal, the DS-2. Up to that point I was using a Marshall MG30dfx a Digitech GNX2 and my beloved Fender american standard Strat. I came to the conclusion that the digitech wasn't good enough for gigging since it lost sound quality at high volume levels so I decided to get a Ds-2. When i plugged it into my signal chain i found out that it sounded way to edgy or boxy or even metalish (like a tin can sound) if i played with the pedal turned on through the clean channel.

You will always get this kind of tone by using a transistor amp, as they do not produce those types of distortion and harmonics which are comfortable for our hearing. Plus, the DS-2 sounds very harsh on it's own. So this combination will not really work out, unless you are trying to get that 80's Hairmetal - like tone.

So here's the point: is it time to change the amp?

I was thinking of selling my MG30 and getting a small 5 watt tube amp (probably an Epiphone Valve Jr. Halfstack, im thinking of buying a tube head and a cabinet since they have bigger speakers compared to combo amps which are being said to sound too boxy). Would it be worth it? are there any other less than US$300 amps that i should think about? Is there a huge diference in volume between a 5watt tube amp and a 30 watt solid state? (i read in some sites that tube amps are usually louder than same wattage solid state amps, my main concern here is wether i'm going to be able to use it for small/medium gigs or not) How good is the epiphone valve junior when it comes to getting that vintage clean sound so typical of John? How good are the other options available in the market? (read some good critics about the blackheart tiny terror for example)


The Epiphone Valve Jr. might be quite a good choice. I owned one by the time, but sold it somehow. But as bobthecow mentioned, be aware that you are very limited when it comes to the point of improving your sound quality. They have exactly 1 control, which is for volume. I was able to get a very nice vintage creamy tone out of it. Anyways, the Valve Jr. might be too big for your livingroom and to small for gigging.

My personal advise would be getting a used Marshall JCM 900 Dual Reverb amp which has switchable 50/25 watts. I got mine for around 400$ which is a good price for this head. Go for a good attenuator like the THD hotplate or WEBER Mass 50 to tied it down at home and you will have a perfect thing for your live situation. But if you are limited to 300$, which I honestly understand, you have to do some compromises if you want to get a valve head.

[SkylinGTR26]

ehh... check craigslist and buy an amp used. New gear is great, but you'll definatly have to shell out the money for it, you can get great deals on used stuff if you know how to make sure it works and all. IMHO, if i were you i'd look into getting a fender blues jr. They are great little 15w amps that are right in your price range, used. Its a freakin awesome little amp that'll be perfect for anywhere you play. You can mic it up at bigger shows and if you're playing small places you can still crank it to get a great saturated tube sound. This amp also works very well with pedals. You can also look into the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Thats what i'm playing my MIM strat with 57/62 pups into. You can find one fro about 300 used. They are simply amazing amps. Extremely versatile, but i'm not sure if you'll be able to crank it in the places you're playing at...

[mlerici]

Thanks everyone for the replies!! so i guess we can all agree that as limited as it is, even the valve jr would make a big tonal diference compared to my mg30dfx!
I'm diggin the fender blues jr, the vox ac4 and the valve sr...

[SkylinGTR26]

to be honest the vavle jr wouldn't be much of an amp... it just sounds cheap... its definitely not powerful enough. Look into the Blues Jr. or the fender super champ XD. I used to have a super champ XD, they're great, i just don't like all the digital effects its paired with. But you still get some awesome sound out of it. The Blues Jr really is your best bet.

[anachronism]

Vox VT-15 or Vox VT-30 is as good as any tube amp. I have a Blackstar HT-5, and I'm still looking to get a Vox VT-15. VT-30 would be better for gigging, and only $250ish new.

[bobthecow]

anachronism, on 10 November 2010 - 07:02 AM, said:

Vox VT-15 or Vox VT-30 is as good as any tube amp. I have a Blackstar HT-5, and I'm still looking to get a Vox VT-15. VT-30 would be better for gigging, and only $250ish new.

Of all of the hybrid amps, I like the vt the most...

That said, I like my amp to have its own sound, not a model.

[anachronism]

It has its own feel. You have to look at it as those sounds it makes rather than an imperfect imitation of something else. Listen with your ears, not your brain.