Members killerbeez Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I tried the search to no avail so I'm asking the question straight up: which small 5 watt tube amp should I buy and why: *Peavey Valveking 8 *Bugera V5 *Fender Champ 600 *Epi Valve Jr I want a simple, no frills tube option in my stable. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dwerlin Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 Bugera, sounds decent and has a built in attenuator. Also to note, the Champion 600 is the only 6V6 amp in your list...so if you prefer the 6V6 tone that would be your selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kit_strong Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I'd add the Blackheart Little Giant to the list as well. I can't comment on the champion or Bugera. I have the Epi and the Blackheart and I definitely prefer the Blackheart. The Epi is a bit dark and muddy for my tastes. Maybe if I had an EQ pedal to stick in front of it I would like it better. But as it stands, the Blackheart wins simply because it has a tone controls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vintage55 Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I added a Bitmo Trio Mod to my first generation Valve Jr head. Big improvement in tone and versatility. You might be able to find a Bitmo-modded VJ on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fuelish Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I The Epi is a bit dark and muddy for my tastes. Maybe if I had an EQ pedal to stick in front of it I would like it better. Hell yeah - a $30 Danelectro Fish and Chips EQ pedal works wonders on the one trick pony EVJ ...... The EQ (and a few pedals) is enough for me to be totally happy with my EVJ head unmodded.... for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I always found the sound on the Champs kind of weak. I ended up with the AC4 but I love that Vox sound. Been impressed with the Blackhearts I've tried though. Nice sound. EG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrbrown49 Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 Vox ac4? I suggest going with head and cab with 12 inch speaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poolshark Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I have a hotrodded VJ combo that I like, but damn if that Champ 600 doesn't sound good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peavey_impact Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 Peavey JSX Mini Colossal is another sweet vintagey 5 watter with built in power scaling and tremolo. I believe they are discontinued and can probably be found for cheap these days... I had one for a while - sweet little amp that I regret getting rid of but I tend to gravitate to more modern sounding tones. It flat out killed through a 4x12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members metalheadUK Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I'm really enjoying my Epi Tube 10 currently. Sounds great..nice cleans, and great power amp drive. Bit loud to crank though! Got mine for next to nothing out of a 2nd hand junk shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zuzuman Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 Electar Tube 10 is a great, often overlooked amp. I put a new speaker in mine, which really helped un-muddy the tone. However, it really comes into its own when plugged into a 2x12. That said, I couldn't be happier with my Vox AC4. Sounds great through its own speaker, and even better through my 1X12 with Alnico Blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cats-o-caster Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 Another vote for Vox Ac-4 TV, tried it, sounds good even on 1/4 w attenuation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shenaniganizer Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 That Bugera V5 is seriously looking quite great on paper, and I keep hearing great things about it. I'm also heavily considering the AC4. Maybe I'll just get a V5 combo and an AC4, just for the fuck of it. whenever I get a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ncsu08ms3 Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 LOVE the VOX AC4... should have got it instead of my VOX AD30 (but I got a great deal on my AD30)... maybe I'll sell the AD30 and put that towards the AC4 sometime soon... Phillip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members srspud Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I'd add the Blackheart Little Giant to the list as well. I have the Epi and the Blackheart and I definitely prefer the Blackheart. The Epi is a bit dark and muddy for my tastes. Maybe if I had an EQ pedal to stick in front of it I would like it better. But as it stands, the Blackheart wins simply because it has a tone controls. Got my Blackheart after I had the Jr and stopped using the Jr because the Blackheart is great. I play it all the time and it sounds great with the stock tubes. 3 or 5 watt switch too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members A-20 Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I have the Vox Ac4 and do like it quite a bit. But honestly, I would pick up a Fender Super Champ XD if I was spending close to that cash. Last I checked they are $299 at Musician's Friend. Call in and use the code "Oct20%" for 20% off that. So you end up with $240 for a 15 watt amp that sounds great, has a lot of diversity, and can be played quite low in volume and have a great tone. If you need more volume its there to a point and if you get serious with it, a speaker swap for a Ragin Cajin by Eminence will give you a boost in volume and quality. That's my experience - hope it helps. If I were going on the cheap, I'd pick up the Peavey you listed because its $80 total at Musician's Friend with the above code. That's cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mahuska Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 I'm really enjoying my Epi Tube 10 currently. Sounds great..nice cleans, and great power amp drive. Bit loud to crank though! Got mine for next to nothing out of a 2nd hand junk shop. Not expecting to see the Electar this morning. I bought one new years ago from MusicYo. Did some of the Cap. and resistor mods, new Weber speaker, and yeah much better. I loaned it to a friend and he is using his 2/12 and pedals with it until he buys the HT-5. Do a search as I don't have the urls handy. There are some mods very easy to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve_man Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 blackstar.... http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Blackstar-HT-Series-HT5C-5W-1x10-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=483559 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Roy Brooks Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 Here is my dog Hobson chilling on the floor of my music room next to my ValveTrain 205. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vintage clubber Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 used crate vc508... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nanobug Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 You can pick up the Peavy Valveking Royal 8 @ music123 right now for $100 plus get 15% off with the coupon code TECHBAR http://www.music123.com/Peavey-ValveKing-Royal-8--5W-1x8-Tube-Combo-Amp-481661-i1383113.Music123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shamdog Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 Blackheart FTW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shamdog Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 You can pick up the Peavy Valveking Royal 8 @ music123 right now for $100 plus get 15% off with the coupon code TECHBAR http://www.music123.com/Peavey-ValveKing-Royal-8--5W-1x8-Tube-Combo-Amp-481661-i1383113.Music123 Hell of a deal! Can't do the 8" speaker, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Promit Posted October 28, 2009 Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 You can pick up the Peavy Valveking Royal 8 @ music123 right now for $100 plus get 15% off with the coupon code TECHBAR http://www.music123.com/Peavey-ValveKing-Royal-8--5W-1x8-Tube-Combo-Amp-481661-i1383113.Music123 Or call it into MF, who are showing the same price, and ask for OCT20% while you still can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members killerbeez Posted October 28, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 28, 2009 You can pick up the Peavy Valveking Royal 8 @ music123 right now for $100 plus get 15% off with the coupon code TECHBAR http://www.music123.com/Peavey-ValveKing-Royal-8--5W-1x8-Tube-Combo-Amp-481661-i1383113.Music123 That's what raised the question for me....I was leaning toward the Bugara V5 but the Peavey for under $100 shipped got my attention. Anyone here played one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.