15-30 Watt Tube Combos?!

[nhsmitty]

While not a tube amp (although it does sport A tube) I have to give a shout out for the VOX AD30VT. I'm digging the 4X10 Tweed (I think it's called) setting at the moment which is supposed to sim a 59 Bassman. The other 10 amp sims are great but if any sound like the real thing I have no clue, and the effects are cool. I'm not a fan of 5 too many gadgets or endless tweakability in an amp but it's a fun little amp. The built in power level control (from .5 to 30 watts) is really nice since I don't want to rattle the shingles off the roof these days. Still, I look forward to one day purchasing dedicated tube amp.

As for the Epiphone 5 watter mentioned before, I have a Valve Jr. head. Connected to an old 2x12 combo (4 ohms, 100 watts each) it's OK, good clean tone. To get it dirtier faster I found a single 10" 20 watter to be better. With no tone control it's limited and she needs to be loud to sound great. If you have access to some speakers it's fun to mess around with. At low volumes an overdrive and delay pedal adds color, but she still needs to be loud to be appreciated.

[schizorage]

Check out Tech21 amps... analog modeling (solid state)... great bang for the buck, although I've found that the 60 watt Power Engine 60 isn't as loud as any other 60 watter ive ever found...

[jmintzer]

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Re-Issue

About 25 watts, around $750 street price...


James

[DSEUFE]

I have always been a VOX AC30 fan......but, I just had the chance to play a B-52 AT-212 100-Watt 2 x 12" Combo Tube Amp......3 words......OH MY GOD......it was awsome.....you can use it in class A or A/B or solid state....the sound is incredible and it is wel under the grand mark.....a little more power than you wanted but you can adjust the output so you get full saturation from the tubes.....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...9&src=3SOSWXXA

[Herb Hunter]

Originally Posted by moo cow

i second peavey delta blues, the one with the 15" speaker, not the 2x12's.

What makes the single 15 version better than the twin 10 version? It would be helpful if you would explain your preference for the single 15 version.

Originally Posted by 815C

Budget = $1,000? Look around for an old Fender Vibro Champ, or an old Fender Bassman head (50w) through the cabinet of your choice.

Isn't the Blues Deluxe circuitry essentially the same as a '50s Bassman with the addition of channel switching and reverb?

[dahn8]

I dont think i saw the Peavey Classic 30 mentioned yet in this thread. I liked it a lot when i played through it. I just didnt like the fact that there was no protection for the tubes in the back.

Almost bought one... but then i found a used '59 Bassman RI for well under 1k.

[franchelB]

Originally Posted by dahn8

I dont think i saw the Peavey Classic 30 mentioned yet in this thread. I liked it a lot when i played through it...

if it helps, Peavey's Delta Blues is essentially a Classic 30 without the tremolo effect; and has a different speaker configuration from the Delta Blues series. The Classic 30 has a 12" speaker. The Delta Blues comes in either a single 15" speaker or 2 X 10" speakers.

[franchelB]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

What makes the single 15 version better than the twin 10 version? It would be helpful if you would explain your preference for the single 15 version...

I wouldn't say one is "better" than the other. It's all a matter of preference. Personally, I'd say that the 10"ers might provide a "tighter"/(more focused?)sound, but I prefer the "wider" frequency the 15" speaker provides.

[J-Ron]

Thanks again, everyone! I guess it would be helpful if I share a bit of the story behind this amp search. I've spent the last few years playing a Line 6 Flextone III+ and, although I enjoy aspects of this setup, I have not had the feedback from the amp that I have come to enjoy. It seems that no amount of tweaking can provide the type of feedback I get when I play through tubes! Since I'm less in the high gain distortion camp (which the Line 6 does quite well), I'm always left feeling like my sound is a bit lifeless. I play mostly in a large church auditorium and almost always mic my amps. I figure that 15-30 watts is plenty under those circumstances. I appreciate all the great feedback and will definitely be checking all of this stuff out...

[jamison162]

I tried and did not like the Crate V-series. I do own a Peavey Classic 30 and it is a great amp. Can be modded to sound better, good tubes, Celestion G12H30 and it rocks.

Also check out:

Budda Superdrive 18 (Used)
Orange Rocker 30 (Used)
Traynor YCV50 Blue
Valvetech Amps