I want to get a quality tube amp on a budget. Please point me in the right direction. I'm pretty much looking at Fender tube amps on ebay or craigslist.
Please yay or nay the Hot Rod series, Blues, Deluxe Reverb (hard to find), Champ, etc.
Should I avoid reissues?
Should I save up for a higher dollar amp because I'm limiting myself with $400?
I don't need big watts, I just want quality tone. Any thoughts are very much appreciated.
check out guitar center "used gear"
you can do a custom search within the used stuff, and they always have a revolving inventory.
i currently play a fender deluxe reverb reissue, and have zero plans to play anything else...ever
Wow I would not have thought of this avenue. Thanks for your feedback. Glad you have an amp you love.
Yeah I play a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue as well and while I know the reissue's have a bad rap mine's working out pretty good for me. You may want to do some mods on it at some point tho if you do decide to get a DRRI. The DR's will likely cost you more than $400 tho.
Quote from: jadirusso on September 15, 2010, 08:53:52 AM
Yeah I play a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue as well and while I know the reissue's have a bad rap mine's working out pretty good for me. You may want to do some mods on it at some point tho if you do decide to get a DRRI. The DR's will likely cost you more than $400 tho.
what kind of mods? I've lately been thinking about putting a little money into my amp.
I know there is the big 'alcino" vs. celestion debate with trey's speaker.
also i think he replaces the lead tube with a whole different one.
what else have you done to yours?
Happy Orange - If you are looking to only spend about $400, I am a fan of those Fender Pro Jr's, it only has 1 - 10" speaker but in terms of bang for your buck, it's pretty sweet. You could also plug it into an 8 ohm speaker cabinet. But they are quite rugged and if $400 is your budget it's pretty hard to beat, especially if you are playing mostly at home. I also play a Fender 65 DRRI and am a pretty big fan of it. I also have an 8 ohm Hard Truckers cab that I can plug into that amp, which makes it sound quite deadly.
In terms of mods, I had a little work done on the circuit board to convert the reverb circuit so it works with both channels. It's a pretty easy mod to do, but as you guys know, the stock DRRI only has the vibrato and reverb on the second channel and not the first. I have also changed out the tubes, and I think it sounds deadly. If I were changing out the speaker, I would be very tempted to get a 12" tone tubby, the same as I have in my HT cab. They just sound so incredible. But I can't see me spending anymore money until I acquire my guitar from AO, it's all designed, just got to save up for the deposit funds.
Patrick.. I haven't really mod'd mine yet. I have thought about some stuff that I'd like to do tho. For a while I was getting that high end fizz so I was frantically looking for mod's to get rid of it but that seems to have mellowed quite drastically with more and more usage and I'm much happier with the sound I'm getting now so I'm not in a huge rush to mod.
Poster suggested a push/pull mid boost mod which I would love to get done and I definitely intend to try some different preamp tubes very soon. I'd also like to try some of the different speakers that people have suggested.
Quote from: ColForbin on September 15, 2010, 09:21:52 AM
In terms of mods, I had a little work done on the circuit board to convert the reverb circuit so it works with both channels. It's a pretty easy mod to do, but as you guys know, the stock DRRI only has the vibrato and reverb on the second channel and not the first. I have also changed out the tubes, and I think it sounds deadly. If I were changing out the speaker, I would be very tempted to get a 12" tone tubby, the same as I have in my HT cab. They just sound so incredible. But I can't see me spending anymore money until I acquire my guitar from AO, it's all designed, just got to save up for the deposit funds.
Quote from: jadirusso on September 15, 2010, 09:40:31 AM
Patrick.. I haven't really mod'd mine yet. I have thought about some stuff that I'd like to do tho. For a while I was getting that high end fizz so I was frantically looking for mod's to get rid of it but that seems to have mellowed quite drastically with more and more usage and I'm much happier with the sound I'm getting now so I'm not in a huge rush to mod.
Poster suggested a push/pull mid boost mod which I would love to get done and I definitely intend to try some different preamp tubes very soon. I'd also like to try some of the different speakers that people have suggested.
Thanks guys. Yeah, my only quam with DRRI is the mids. At least I think it's the DRRI, might be the rest of my gear, but a mid range boost anywhere would probably help me.
jadirusso--god damn that is a fine piece of koa, you must be buzzing.
I'd reco the HotRod Delux. I currently use this as my main amp and have not only no complaints but friggin' love the overdrive channel on here. The only mods I've done are a Tone Tubby speaker and swapped some tubes (most notably a NOS RCA 12AX7 from the 60's)
Quote from: Walker done done on September 15, 2010, 01:15:34 PM
I'd reco the HotRod Delux. I currently use this as my main amp and have not only no complaints but friggin' love the overdrive channel on here. The only mods I've done are a Tone Tubby speaker and swapped some tubes (most notably a NOS RCA 12AX7 from the 60's)
Thanks Walker, that makes me feel a little better because I dig these too, but was afraid that it wouldn't allow me to get Trey tones (since everyone is bowing down to the DR). But I'm sure it can be dialed in to get just the amount of clean/dirt/bounce/dynamics that will indeed make it worthy.
Orange.. I had a HotRod Deville 2x12 that I used for a long time and it is definitely a nice choice for the price so don't fear that the HotRod's won't get you a nice sound that you'll like because it likely will.
Quote from: jadirusso on September 15, 2010, 01:36:22 PM
Orange.. I had a HotRod Deville 2x12 that I used for a long time and it is definitely a nice choice for the price so don't fear that the HotRod's won't get you a nice sound that you'll like because it likely will.
Hey Russo - what's your profile pic anyways? Is that new? If so who's building it? That's one fucking sexy piece of Koa. I'd do it. :D
Hey Walker.. my name is Joe. AO is building my guitar.. the pic is the layout that I think I like the best out of the 4 that Andrew sent me for my Koa top. And yes kudos to Andrew's Koa guy for finding a really nice piece. And I know you are close to Andrew's place so just don't go making a mess on my Koa ;)
Yo dog..
hope you like the pics.
Check out a Carvin Vintage 16...killer tone. Also, Fender blues Jr...similar..compare the 2 side by side.
I have a hot rod deluxe for sale. It's one of the earlier made in the usa ones. $325. Sounds great.
I disagree with everybody.
Your not going to score a DRRI for 400 bucks unless its stolen or damaged.
I would have a clone blackface circuit amp made for 300. No it wont have a speaker cabinet, but itll sound better than most stock DRRI, and be brand new.
Otherwise, Id go the tweed route. Get a peavey classic 30 combo with the 1 12"
Quote from: posternutbag on September 15, 2010, 04:52:14 PM
I disagree with everybody.
SHOCKER ALERT!!! :o :o :o
LOL...you know I'm only rubbing you pal. ;D
Back in Vermont, I used a peavey classic 30 for a couple years.
Man the sucker would just work, after being rained on, mudded up in a field, beaten with a hammer (a game of nails gone bad)
Itll do about 4 usable tones, which is about 3 more than most amps. Get the one with the foot controller.
Quote from: sour d on September 15, 2010, 04:30:34 PM
I have a hot rod deluxe for sale. It's one of the earlier made in the usa ones. $325. Sounds great.
Ay yo Orangeguy, that's a good deal right there. You won't find a better amp at that price, IMHO.
I dunno man, my hot rod had a very shitty overdrive tone. Spent about 400 modding it, and unmodding it, in every imaginable way. Torress Engineering makes a bunch of mods for it, but meh, compared to a blackface circuit, the overdrive just isnt there IMO.
Might as welll get a Bugera V55. Its got more punch then the V22 and has great reverb plus its only $449.99
The bugera amps sound pretty good, but have reliability issues.
Have you played one before?
You guys are really digging in on the details. Carry on. I'm soaking it in.
Used Blues Jr.
Or a used Vix AC15 depending which you like better.
Yes of course Ive played for hours through a bugera. Its got a cloned fender sound going on. Just mickey mouse chinese guts, and well known reliability issues. To me it sounded a little thin for a fender copy. But meh, to each his own. I just like things that fucking work. And those little fuckers like to break in stand by.
Quote from: posternutbag on September 16, 2010, 03:01:55 AM
Yes of course Ive played for hours through a bugera. Its got a cloned fender sound going on. Just mickey mouse chinese guts, and well known reliability issues. To me it sounded a little thin for a fender copy. But meh, to each his own. I just like things that fucking work. And those little fuckers like to break in stand by.
Some one remind me not to ever buy a guitar from those mickey mouse Chinese!!!!!
Totally kidding of course, I played a bugera for one show and took it back the next day. I agree with poster in that it sounded thin to me. I wouldn't advise it.
Bugera amps look good, sound pretty ok, but when you use it a lot (everyday, for 3 hours, for a month) it will crap out. I used one for a little while while i was waiting for my Vibrolux to arrive... Someone mentioned the blues junior... Awsome amp! owned one for awhile... my only issue with it was that it didnt have an effects loop... Another amp to check out is the new Ibanez tube screamer amp... For the money ($299.99 for the head, $199.99 for the cab, or $499.99 for both through musicians friend) it really is a great amp. the built in tube screamer is a plus, no mid contol, but it has an effects loop. I would check it out... I just put the head on layaway actually... taking my rig to stereo ;)
Quote from: deadbearbobby on December 01, 2010, 08:41:37 PM
Another amp to check out is the new Ibanez tube screamer amp
I checked out some videos of this amp. It's "ok" i think (or maybe demos were not done properly). I'm really leaning toward a Blues Jr. NOS, the tweed style. I don't think I will be let down if I go that route. Thanks for all the input above fellas.
Happy Orange, I don't think there is any way whatsoever that you will be disappointed with a Blues Jr. I really don't, I love those amps. It's a solid decision to make in my estimation.
I totally agree with Mr. Forbin on this. I been using a buddy of mines Jr. for a while and really like it, even for gigs. Makes me think twice lately about lugging my super around, but then I really think about it and just bring the super :-). But yeah, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Iam getting more curious about those chinese hand made tube amps, ceriatone. i heard one of the dumble clones and it was pretty sweet. very bright sounding clean tone, chunky overdrive.
I am looking for something in this price range now. I have seen craigslist ads for a Peavey Classsic 50, Mesa Boogie Rocket 44, and a Bugera V22. Anyone have any experience with these amps? or other recommendations
Dan as you can see, this thread had me go with the Blues Jr. I love my amp. I have however enhanced it in many ways. The only thing to be concerned about it is that the gain is a grinding blues type. I keep the volume (pre amp gain) low but sometimes it gets grindy with the tubescreamers on full bore. Otherwise I'm spuing greatness all over myself. Watch some if my You Tube vids.
yeah, I'm with Happy. I had a Classic 50.....meh...it was alright. I mean, that's being a little hard on the amp. The Classic 50 is a good amp but if I were you I'd keep saving and find a deal on an old Twin, Super, or Deluxe. Not sure where your at but I'm in northern NJ and know a few guys that seem to constantly have old Fenders coming and going for good prices. The last amp I bought was for $800, it was an old twin (not sure of the year) and I traded that with these guys for the super that I've been using for the last 5 or 6 years. I know this probably doesn't help much but it's just my 2 cents. If your in the area at all I'd be happy to go on a little hunt for ya.
Blues Jr. is a great amp though.
Thanks I'm looking into one now. I live in the Orlando area, NJ might be a little far ;D
If you look around you can find DRRIs for about $500 used.
That said I have a Blues Jr. with a Celestion vintage 30 speaker and I like it for living room stuff and as a grab and run amp. I suppose you could gig it if you had it mic'd into a decent PA.
You can also pick up a used HotRod Delux for around $450. A great amp.
Reporting back now, I ended up buying the Vox AC15CC1 w/ a Greenback speaker. Ive only played it tonight on lower volumes, it sounds amazing even then. I just couldnt pass it up for under $400 ;D As mentioned everywhere the reverb does not sound that great but I might replace it in the future. Now the quest for pedals begins
Quote from: MomaDan on September 26, 2011, 11:12:09 PM
Reporting back now, I ended up buying the Vox AC, Now the quest for pedals begins
Congrats, I like Vox amps....but beware the pandoras box that is pedal GAS!!!