blueswanabe
Guest
Aug 06, 2008
7:48 AM
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I am looking for a 5 watt tibe amp, something like the fender champ 600, but I want something with a few controls like gain, bass, treble and reverb.
Does anyone have any suggestions? It would also be a bonus if it had vintage looks.
I think the hohner hoodoo amp is something like what i am looking for, but it isn't out in the UK yet and it will probably be overpriced when it gets here.
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Train-train
14 posts
Aug 06, 2008
2:00 PM
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It does not have reverb but it' a heck of an amp.
BLACKHEART BH5-112 "LITTLE GIANT COMBO" AMPLIFIER
Class "A" all tube combo amp powered by an EL84 and voiced through a 12AX7 pre-amp tube. 5 watts, 4, 8 and 16 ohm speaker outs, solid state rectifier, volume with 3-band EQ, pentode (5 watt) / triode (3 watt) switch, 12" Eminence speaker, tuned open-back cabinet design. This combo is a truly classic boutique amplifier design delivered in a robust, stylish package!
http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/130N/BH5112_front_sm_.jpg
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eharp
77 posts
Aug 06, 2008
3:07 PM
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dang, train! you should be writing their brochures. almost makes me want to sell my Harpgear and buy one.
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mr sog
14 posts
Aug 06, 2008
7:23 PM
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If you're on a budget the epiphone valve special is pretty good for the price. 5W tube amp. I've also read on forums that they are improved quite a bit with a change of speaker and tubes. It has a few digital effects like chorus, flanger and delay. The general concensus seems to be that the effects are crap but it also has separate reverb and also gain bass mid and treble. As I say it's a cheapy but I like it (although I'm no expert on amps).
It's good with effects pedals too and I personally think it has a nice sound.
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Epiphone/Valve+Special+Combo/10/1
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DavidC
4 posts
Aug 07, 2008
1:40 AM
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I would agree about the Epiphone Valve Special. Got it for 115 GBP from Andertons, yes the digital effects produce some noise but I don't use them. The reverb is fine and sound is ok. From reading the comments from users I will probably change the speaker at some point but it does the job for me at the moment.
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MD1032
4 posts
Aug 07, 2008
8:41 AM
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I would go to any Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc, and just bring your mic and a couple harps and test out a bunch of the smaller, low-powered amps. Getting an amp with overdrive is definitely a must, and getting an amp you CAN overdrive is equally as important. Like Adam says, small amps are absolutely the key. You want to get a good distortion tone for a lot of stuff.
I got a small amp for free, it's a Suzuki SG-20 (not sure whether it's the same Suzuki that makes the harmonicas... there are too many companies named Suzuki over there), a small 20-watt guitar amp with Bass/Mid/Treble/Presence, and a gain mode. It really serves its purpose well for being a more budget-oriented amp. Something along that line is what you should get. I would say my amp's shortcoming is its speaker itself, but the amplifier section is good, and that's what you want.
I hate to say it, but you're not going to get a good reverb on any of the small amps. You'll want to buy a Digital Delay pedal or an FBX unit like the Alesis stuff (Quadraverb, Microverb). Better selectivity that way.
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Train-train
15 posts
Aug 07, 2008
3:15 PM
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Eharp caught me. I should be aware and disclose the info that I copy and paste from other websites. The Blackheart 5 watter I mentioned was copied from Elderly's. I have no affiliation with them, They are just the best music store I shop from. I am disappointed that these small amp prices keep going up.
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kudzurunner
78 posts
Aug 07, 2008
6:44 PM
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There's an amazing new Gretch 5-watt tube amp that I played through at a music store in Huntington, West Virginia after a recent clinic. Somebody here should post the numbers. It costs $190 or so--a third of the price of Brian Purdy's HarpGear1, which I consider the reference standard, and the sound, although not quite as loud, is just as good. I was shocked. I want one. The model number is something like 5122 or 5222. Google it. Amazing amp, right out of the box, and for a ridiculously low price. Not very loud, but great for practicing, recording, or miking through the house PA.
--Adam
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kudzurunner
79 posts
Aug 07, 2008
6:46 PM
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It's the 5222. Here's a google image search:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&resnum=0&q=gretsch%205222&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
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blueswanabe
Guest
Aug 08, 2008
4:15 AM
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I had a look on a few guitar forums, people seem to think that the 5222 is a rebranded fender champ.
I am atatting to thing about going for a HG2, i reckon the HG amps will be a better build and will probably hold their value quite well here in the uk after you get over the postage costs and import duty.
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blueswanabe
Guest
Aug 08, 2008
4:26 AM
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I had a look on a few guitar forums, people seem to think that the 5222 is a rebranded fender champ.
I am atatting to thing about going for a HG2, i reckon the HG amps will be a better build and will probably hold their value quite well here in the uk after you get over the postage costs and import duty.
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kudzurunner
80 posts
Aug 08, 2008
7:56 AM
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I checked out quite a few websites and there does seem to be some connection between the new/recent Fender Champ 600 and the Gretsch G5222. It's not clear that they have exactly the same circuitry, although some make that claim. It IS clear that the price is even lower than I noted; some are getting it for $150 or less, where the one I saw in Huntington, WV was about $180.
I trust my ears. I've played through a hundred different amps, and I own five right now: a 1955 Fender Bassman, a 1954 Fender Deluxe, an early 1960s Premier Twin-8, an early 60s Kay 703, and a Mouse (two Mouses, actually).
The Gretch, regardless of its pedigree, turned my head. It had a great sound. I've played through many different champs--Tweed, blackface, chromepanel, and "new" Tweed. This sounded like a vintage Tweed Champ. And that's right out of the box, not even warmed up.
I've also played through Brian Purdy's various HarpGear amps, and I love 'em. His HarpGear 1 is an amp I've been recommending to people whenever they ask about a smallish harp amp.
The Gretch gives his amp a run for the money. It's not quite as loud, I don't think. In fact, I'm pretty sure about that. But I'd love to A/B the two amps.
It's important to remember that I was using my dynamic mic (Shure PE5H), not a standard Astatic or Bullet-style mic.
I encourage harp players to check out this amp, regardless of its reputed pedigree (or lack thereof).
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Guest User
Guest
Aug 08, 2008
12:53 PM
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I think it is pretty certain that the Gretsch and Champion are the same amp.
There are a couple of mods you can do to make them even better.
Change the tubes for better quality ones, I used JJ Tesla and replaced the 12AX7 tube with an 12AT7 to reduce the gain for Harp.
Once the stock speaker is 'run in' it can sound good for small 6'' speaker. However, a Weber Signature speaker I have found is a definite upgrade.
The lack of volume is easily solved, you remove the fixed tone stack and replace it with a capacitor. This opens up the amp, increases the volume and in effect turns it back into a Fender 5F1 type amp.
Which brings you to a HarpGear 1 amp that, if I have my facts correct, is a quality hand built version of a 5F1.
If you go to YouTube and do a search using 'Champion 600 Harp' there are some examples of how good this amp can sound.
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kudzurunner
81 posts
Aug 08, 2008
6:40 PM
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It sounded like the OP was looking for a stock amp rather than a project amp, so my posts are in that spirit. But your mods all sound great.
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