I haven't bought an amp yet - I always used PA's for some reason, was considering buying one, then the band got far fewer gigs, and I put it on hiatus and concentrated on acoustic playing rather than spending the money on amplification.
Now it seems I have to bite the bullet and buy something soon - as I am in a band currently and need to get an amp. i want something with a hot overdriven sound but am anxious of spending a lot of money. Budget is around £300 MAX.
I saw the gretsch, heard a lot of good things about it. But I'm anxious as to how loud it'd be in a small bar/pub setup.
I've been eyeing up the electromatic recently, it's a lovely looking little amp.
Although they aren't valved, I would recommend the Orange Crush series as good solid state amps for that price area. I've got a 12w at home which gives a lovely warm overdriven crunch, they also do 20w and 30w models, I don't know how loud you want to go though.
The VHT amp that a few in here are digging into is the chic new kid on the block, and it's 200 bucks US. A few tube swaps and you're rockin'. If this were available or known of when I got my Epi(keep reading), i would have chosen it, hands down. I'll post some links for you the check out below. Plus, I THINK(someone correct me if I am mistaken)it already has a line-out installed so you can run right to a PA.
The Epiphone Valve Jr is extremely popular, and is available cheaper-either in a power head/cabinet form with a 12" speaker(recommended)or the combo. If you're handy, there are free mods available that , coupled with better-quality tubes, make this a great solution. Note:it doesn't have a line-out stock.
Just as a point of reference, here's a vid of me with my Epi Combo run thru the 12" speaker cabinet. it isn't mic'd up here, either. Of note is the fact I play with a jazz-trained guitarist who isn't a volume hog. Spare yourself my falsetto if you choose, and scroll ahead to Shotgun(two songs on one clip)-I play some more blues-type stuff, and tighten my cup and make it honk a bit. It's fairly loud. The biggest difference between the Epi and the VHT is that the Epi is an EL84(or 6QB5)power tube, which breaks up different and a bit more harshly than the 6V6 in the VHT.
Second what todd said. I've played both and own a VHT. Easy decision. Great amp for the money and even with a tube swap under $250. Rick Davis has a couple videos on his site: http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/ including Nic Clark playing through a modded one. Some people have been doing speaker swaps but I've let mine break in about 6 months and I'm happy with it. Maybe a little flat eq-wise, but nothing you need to change to make it ready to gig. No true line out to a PA though, just 4, 8, 16 ohms speaker jacks. Played a couple small/medium gigs with the amp mic'd through the house and it was plenty loud.
Yup. VHT. My amp sounds pretty good to me, BUT, it's modded. If you're an out-the-box plug and play person, and don't wanna fool with mods, definitely go VHT. Granted, my taste and others who have a stock Epi may vary. I've owned and played thru many amps in 21+ years of playing, so I'm a bit more finicky than someone who just plugs in and gets a 'decent' sound, perhaps. Now, if you get a good deal on the Epi half-stack and can either do the mods yourself or can get someone to do them, it comes down to the tube difference. The modded Epi with good tubes sounds MUCH better than the stock one with the ElectroHarmonix/Sovtek tubes. Without the mods, the tubes still make a difference, but you will want that tone mod, which is essentially a treble cut. ----------
Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Jan 11, 2011 7:43 AM
With all the amp talk threads here, I don't believe I've read anything about the Hohner Hoodoo Box 5 watt tube amp. It lists for $305 at Guitar Center. Any reviews for this amp? ---------- My YouTube Channel
OK i've kind of narrowed myself down. bearing in mind I'm on a budget and looking for value, a bit of volume, tube amp, some degree of aesthetic value and most of all a great sound - to the following:
Rocktronic 30 tweed amp Harley Benton GA 15 VHT Special 6 amp
I'm gonna use this for gigs so it'll need a line out which i think all 3 have. any advice?
Ok I've taken the very learned advice above, checked the net and narrowed it down to two amps:
- VHT Special 6 Combo, available at a price of £115.00 (USD 180) http://www.thomann.de/gb/vht_special_6_combo_av_sp1_6.htm
OR
-Harley Benton GA5 - sounds great in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4xXIkGhPtk (what a great sound for a budget rig!) Available for £70.00 (USD 109) at the same site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4xXIkGhPtk
Either way I'd say I'll be looking at mic'ing them up some time soon.
