What is the best tube amp for under $400

[Poster]

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"

[Walker done done]

I disagree with everybody.

SHOCKER ALERT!!! 

LOL...you know I'm only rubbing you pal.

[Poster]

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.

[Walker done done]

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.

[Poster]

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.

[Brian27]

Might as welll get a Bugera V55. Its got more punch then the V22 and has great reverb plus its only $449.99

[Poster]

The bugera amps sound pretty good, but have reliability issues.

[Brian27]

Have you played one before?

[Happyorange27]

You guys are really digging in on the details. Carry on. I'm soaking it in.

[picture_of_nectar]

Used Blues Jr.

Or a used Vix AC15 depending which you like better. 

[Poster]

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.

[ColForbin]

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.

[deadbearbobby]

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 

[Happyorange27]

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.

[ColForbin]

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.