Decent tube amp 40Lbs or under?

[4Gtrs]

Beatlenut,
Sorry to hear about your neck. If you think 40 is tough, 50 is worse (much better than the alternative, though. I'm downsizing all of my gear too. I'm currently looking at a Rivera Clubster 25 http://www.rivera.com/pclub25-110.php. I understand it has two completely independent preamp channels, one voiced for blackface and one for Brit.

[franchelB]

Originally Posted by 4Gtrs

Beatlenut,
Sorry to hear about your neck... I'm currently looking at a Rivera Clubster 25 http://www.rivera.com/pclub25-110.php. I understand it has two completely independent preamp channels, one voiced for blackface and one for Brit.

While I would've loved to have the Clubster 25, I ended up getting a Peavey Delta Blues instead. Based on what my band does, the "DB" has all the features I would need.

[beatlenut]

I'm even considering a used Peavey Classic 30. Even less $ and I'd just add a Tonebone Hot British to beef up the distortion.

[dahn8]

You may have already looked into it, but since you like you amp so much, why not a smaller Traynor amp? I never played one but they seem pretty good on paper...

[trpullen]

Originally Posted by beatlenut

I'm even considering a used Peavey Classic 30. Even less $ and I'd just add a Tonebone Hot British to beef up the distortion.

If you want to drive down Edwadsville, IL (St. Louis). I will buy you lunch at a great place, introduce you to a Beatle fan of a dealer who just happens to have some sweet amps and some Rickenbackers and Taylors and...well...anyway. I am off work till Tuesday and can always stand a good music pilgrimage.

[beatlenut]

Thanks for the invite, but can't get away and it's just about 4 hours away which is tough on my neck driving that far. Sounds pretty cool though.

I might be settling on a Traynor YCV20WR at only 35 lbs. Found an online dealer that can give me a REALLY good deal on a new one. Only trouble, no local dealers to try them out. I bought the 80 based on reviews and was VERY pleased. The 20 seems to get more mixed reviews, but I (and everyone else) needs to realize a 15 watt amp is not going to sound like a wall of sound.

I just hope it can get loud enough to compete with a drummer in a basement jam.

[trpullen]

This is a pretty cool new amp from Peavey. good wattage, versatile and cheap.

http://peavey.com/products/browse.cf...+112+Combo.cfm

[beatlenut]

Yeah, I played that one, but didn't like it as much as the Classic.

Tom - any idea if 15 watts is loud enough for basement jams with a drummer?

[Daddyo]

Rather than sell the YCV 80, spend $30 and by a decent hand truck. I've got a YCV 40 and while it only weighs 42 lbs and I have no back problems, I still use the truck and it works great.

[beatlenut]

I've got too many stairs involved for the hand truck idea. Not worth it.

[trpullen]

Originally Posted by beatlenut

Yeah, I played that one, but didn't like it as much as the Classic.

Tom - any idea if 15 watts is loud enough for basement jams with a drummer?

I would say no. I have done the basement rehearsal with my 40w and did not dime it but was up into the power tubes pretty well. The funny part is...you need more wattage for a rehearsal than you do a gig these days. I would gig my 40w Rivera in Madison Square garden or a bar. Mic it and go. It is the high SPL of the basement jams that really needs power. Sounds silly but is true.

[jeffg]

Originally Posted by beatlenut

I might be settling on a Traynor YCV20WR at only 35 lbs. Found an online dealer that can give me a REALLY good deal on a new one. Only trouble, no local dealers to try them out. I bought the 80 based on reviews and was VERY pleased. The 20 seems to get more mixed reviews, but I (and everyone else) needs to realize a 15 watt amp is not going to sound like a wall of sound.

I just hope it can get loud enough to compete with a drummer in a basement jam.

I would not recommend the ycv20. I bought ordered one based on glowing reviews at HC and returned it in favor of the ycv40wr. The ycv20 has no volume - you have to turn it up at least halfway just to hear it in your quiet livingroom! It has none of the tube presence, bounce or push-back you are used to with your larger traynor, also no bass. You might be able to get by using it as a stage monitor (probably turned almost all the way up) - but no way in an open basement jam with a acoustic drummer.

jwg.

[beatlenut]

Once again mixed replies. Too bad no one local has one.

On other forums, guys have this amp and say they use it all the time for basement type jams and it is plenty loud. Wish I could find a used Reverend.

It's never easy is it!

[jeffg]

But it was lacking in more than just volume. My ycv40wr clean channel has that tube warmth, vibe, bounce, and feel that just hits you and makes you know this is a real tube amp and not a solid state. I have swapped out the original tubes for a set of JJs btw. The 40wr also has a celestion vintage 30 speaker. The ycv20wr did not have any of that tube vibe - it just lacked in presence and feel.

You might want to take a look at the Tech21 Trademark 60 amp. It is loaded with features that make it ideal for gigging and using as a stage monitor - and it is 35 pounds. It is solid state, but makes an attempt at tube emulation. A friend of mine has one and i have compared it side by side to my ycv40. I like the traynor clean channel better than the tech21's, but the Tech21 drive channel is way more versatile and crunchier than the traynor's. It is a little cheaper than the traynor also I think,

regards,
jwg.

[beatlenut]

I might just be back to the Peavey Classic 30. I found a used one at a decent price. I'll probably go with a Tonebone Hot British to beef up the distortion a bit. It's 25 lbs under what I have now. I hope 40 lbs is light enough.