Jump to content

A small-ish 15-20 watt amp for cleans?


Recommended Posts

  • Members

First of all, I'm not posting this in the amp forum because the effects forum is generally more geared at my style of music.

 

I just want an amp that's on the smaller side and about 15-20 watts. I will be using this as a clean amp only, so I want it to have great, chimey cleans and the ability to take pedals well. I generally like el84 amps a lot. Preferably, a low-noise amp with some sort of reverb (even if it's mediocre).

 

I know there are some threads out there but I still can't decide. I loved the sound of the Fender blues junior I tried but I've heard they have some hum problems and I plan on recording with the amp, so that'd be a problem. Vox AC15cc? Traynor Ycv20wr?

 

$700 or under, please.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

the ac15 is pretty good but that {censored} can get loud, i mean real loud for a 15w.

its pretty quite, i mean yes there will be some humming but you wont notice it unless you arent playing and the volume is pretty high. It gets some grit at about 5, somewhere around there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Ac15 will have a Master volume, something the VC15 and VC30 lack. That Master Volume is the key to having something that's nicely cranked up but won't kill the neighbours.

Loudness isn't just related to the output. The AC15TBX I owned was rated at 15 watts with a 15 watt speaker. It was actually quieter than my 10 watt Cornell Romany Plus amp with a 70 watt Jensen speaker.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I'd get one of these.

templar_feature.jpg

http://www.reevesamps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=53

The Templar Dragon is a two-channel amp with all the tone and necessities you will need at a modest price. The versatility of the Dragon is shown in its capabilities to play country, jazz, blues and rock with equal authority.

The normal clean channel has a wonderful open warm tone with a natural chime that can be used in all styles of music.

The lead channel offers up some tasty overdriven tones that will excel in both blues and rock settings.

What really makes this amp so versatile is the Master Volume. All you need to do is dial in the amount of drive in either channel then manage the output with the master volume. What youll find is super clean cleans and sizzling overdrive.

Boutique-style features at mass market prices is the use of Paper in Oil capacitor in the first gain stage. JJ power tubes and NOS 12AT7 in the phase inverter.


FEATURES
30 watts
Four JJ EL84s, two 12AX7s and one NOS 12AT7
2-channel preamp
Volume and gain controls on lead channel
Normal volume control on clean channel
Presence control
3-band passive EQ (bass, middle, treble)
Master volume control
Reverb level control
Spring reverb
Standby switch
Effects loop
External speaker 4,8,16 ohm
Footswitch selectable channel switching and reverb (footswitch optional)
1 year parts and labor warranty. See FAQ's for details.

PRICE
$599

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

there are two things holding me back: the possible hum from the Blues jr. and the unreliability of the Vox - otherwise the features are exactly what I want. I just NEED something reliable.

 

can anyone comment on if these problems are, in fact, true?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

ok...to settle this.

The vox isnt unreliable, maybe with the early re-issues but the bugs are worked out now. The ones that were bad got blown way out of proporation.

It held me back at first then i relized some people just talk out their ass.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The master volume thing is totally irrelevant for someone who wants an amp for cleans only. Why would he need to crank it?

 

Seriously try a VC range amp, they're extremely good even when compared to equivalent amps that cost a lot more money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The master volume thing is totally irrelevant for someone who wants an amp for cleans only. Why would he need to crank it?


Seriously try a VC range amp, they're extremely good even when compared to equivalent amps that cost a lot more money.

 

 

+1 totally. the cleans start breaking at around 8ish and no the master volume is not need on this amp as it has a drive volume on the gain (which is pretty much a MV). Reverb is pretty decent too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

You can solve the hum problem with a bit of heat shrink tubing. Make a thread, and someone who knows how to do it will tell you. I'd be all over a Pro Junior if I were you. Sounds way better than the Blues Jr, mostly because it doesn't have the bad eq.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

so, the question about the vox's reliability is still not answered, because some people say they are and some say they aren't.

 

and, anything more about the hum on the blues junior? does anyone experience this?

 

By the way, I forgot to mention that I really want a 12" speaker, which is why the laney/pro junior aren't big on my list.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members
The master volume thing is totally irrelevant for someone who wants an amp for cleans only. Why would he need to crank it?



I was imagining the OP in a more domestic setting. As for why would he need to crank it... dude! It's an amp! Everyone likes cranking it once in a while! :)

Right, so 12" speaker is needed. $700 or under. Do you need reverb? Effects loop? If you want a 12" ceramic speaker with a lot of clean headroom, I'd look at the Jensen Mod 12-70. Excellent speaker, great for that clean Fender-type sound. It's quite warm for a ceramic but in a different way to something like an alnico Celestion Blue.

if you don't need reverb or an effect loop, why not look for a head and then have a separate 1x12" cabinet?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Right, so 12" speaker is needed. $700 or under. Do you need reverb? Effects loop? If you want a 12" ceramic speaker with a lot of clean headroom, I'd look at the Jensen Mod 12-70. Excellent speaker, great for that clean Fender-type sound. It's quite warm for a ceramic but in a different way to something like an alnico Celestion Blue.

 

 

I could use some headroom, but obviously there is only so much a 15 watt tube amp will have. Some sort of reverb is definitely preferred, effects loop not mandatory.

 

If I can get a head and cabinet for $700, recommend away, but I have trouble finding any for that little.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...