New tube amp recommendations.

[jrfan]

My Carvin Nomad amp has developed issues.

A perfect excuse to look into something else with a better dirty channel.

I like the clips I've heard of the Blackstar ht5 head but what would like advice on what else I might consider.

This will be for home use only, Thanks.

[kayd_mon]

The Egnater Rebel and the Orange Dual Terror look good to me.

 

I like single-channel amps, so I guess I'm not the best to ask.

[golias]

VOX AC. The 4TV if you're playing at home, the 15 if you're playing out. The 30 if you're going to be playing on stage without a mic on it.

 

(Edit: Or the Night Train if you want a head you can use in a lot of different situations, and you don't care about built-in reverb.)

 

I like the cleans on the Peavey Classic 30 best (and the gain stage ain't bad at all, in a Fender-ish sort of way), but if I was buying strictly for dirt-tone, the (non-modeling) VOX tube amps would be my first choice by a long-shot.

 

(Disclaimer: I play my Peavey EVERYWHERE and would rather lose my actual speaking voice than lose the sound of my C30.)

[kayd_mon]

 

VOX AC. The 4TV if you're playing at home, the 15 if you're playing out. The 30 if you're going to be playing on stage without a mic on it. (Edit: Or the Night Train if you want a head you can use in a lot of different situations, and you don't care about built-in reverb.) I like the cleans on the Peavey Classic 30 best (and the gain stage ain't bad at all, in a Fender-ish sort of way), but if I was buying strictly for dirt-tone, the (non-modeling) VOX tube amps would be my first choice by a long-shot. (Disclaimer: I play my Peavey EVERYWHERE and would rather lose my actual speaking voice than lose the sound of my C30.)

 

 

If you don't care about channel switching, I whole-heartedly agree. I use Vox almost exclusively - I'll occasionally record with a Blues Jr. that I haven't gotten around to trading for another Vox yet. As Golias says, I use the AC4 at home, the AC15 for smaller gigs, and the AC30 for bigger ones. Vox is the best, IMO.

[stevics]

 

(Disclaimer: I play my Peavey EVERYWHERE and would rather lose my actual speaking voice than lose the sound of my C30.)

 

 

+1

C30 my only amp, so versatile, small in size big on sound. A good example can be bought for good price

[golias]

 

Vox is the best, IMO.

 

 

Just stay the hell away from the ValveTronics series. Digital modeling amps which frankly sound just terrible. If it ain't the AC series or Night Train, it's just VOX shamelessly cashing in on their brand identity.

[golias]

 

+1 C30 my only amp, so versatile, small in size big on sound. A good example can be bought for good price

[ExiledCrow]

Depending on how loud you want to get at home, you MAY want to look into the HT-1. I have the HT-5 and it's pretty rare that I get it above 3, much less wide open ....

[stevics]

 

One of these days, I'm going to hire a good amp guy to add a standby switch to my C30. That's the one feature which it desperately lacks. He can make room for it by removing the "Suck" switch (a.k.a. the "Boost" button.)

 

 

:phil:

 

When I first had the amp I wanted to add a boost footswitch mod. But I have found that I never use boost (don't like it) and the mod requires adding a PCB.

 

Yes a standby would be a most welcome addition.

[cratz2]

Hrmm... Even for home use only, I like the bigness of the bigger amps. I've never played a ~5 watt amp that sounds as muscular as a proper, gig-size amp turned down. I mostly play an HD500 into a Peavey Prowler for gain tones because the HD is my new toy, but over the last couple years, my main gain tones have been an OCD or a Direct Drive into a Fender Twin, an AC15 or a 5E3 clone. The 5E3 is kinda loose on the bottom end and is probably my least favorite of the three, but I could get along with any of them.

 

Of course, it depends on what you consider to be 'dirt'. A cranked Tweed Deluxe or AC15 with their power tubes cookin' aren't what I consider dirt. I consider dirt to be a drivin Plexi or better. Or as I said, a good pedal in front of a clean-ish amp.

[jrfan]

I have had a pod 2.0 for years and like the jcm 800 and Soldano dirt tones the best which is why I'm leaning toward the Blackstar.

I'm going to get the Nomad repaired and love it's clean channel but it's lead channel stinks.

I'm not impressed with the tones of the Hasserl mods either for the Carvin.

[golias]

 

Hrmm... Even for home use only, I like the bigness of the bigger amps. I've never played a ~5 watt amp that sounds as muscular as a proper, gig-size amp turned down. I mostly play an HD500 into a Peavey Prowler for gain tones because the HD is my new toy, but over the last couple years, my main gain tones have been an OCD or a Direct Drive into a Fender Twin, an AC15 or a 5E3 clone. The 5E3 is kinda loose on the bottom end and is probably my least favorite of the three, but I could get along with any of them. Of course, it depends on what you consider to be 'dirt'. A cranked Tweed Deluxe or AC15 with their power tubes cookin' aren't what I consider dirt. I consider dirt to be a drivin Plexi or better. Or as I said, a good pedal in front of a clean-ish amp.

 

 

I was about to point out that you really should give the AC4TV a fair shot... until I saw that you're the plexi tone junkie. If you want THAT sound at upstairs-apartment volumes, digital modeling is pretty much your only option. Buy a POD and plug into your living-room stereo.

[wagdog]

When I was gigging regularly, my hot rod deluxe went along for most of the ride.

 

Solid amp, doesn't cost a lot and sounds great (my opinion of course). I've seen them for $350 used often, and as low as $250 on rare occasion.

[cratz2]

I was about to point out that you really should give the AC4TV a fair shot... until I saw that you're the plexi tone junkie. If you want THAT sound at upstairs-apartment volumes, digital modeling is pretty much your only option. Buy a POD and plug into your living-room stereo.

 

Me? A Plexi tone junkie?

 

 

I laugh at you... ha ha ha.

 

I'm a life-long Fender Twin/Deluxe/Vox AC15 kinda guy. I just meant my idea of 'dirt' is not a Deluxe Reverb cranked to 8. My idea of dirt starts at a JTM with a pedal on front of it or a Super Lead turned up... that's all.

 

'Plexi tone junkie...'

[cratz2]

And for what it is, I like the AC4. It basically does about one and a half things, but it does them very well considering the price. It does a very decent 'cranked Vox' and it does a tolerable 'clean Vox' but not terribly loud. I know cranked ~5 watt amps seem to be all the rage these days, but the AC4 seems to be completely lacking in all the subtleties that I love about the AC15. Even the cheap CC1 and C1 versions.

 

Not rippin on the AC4 though. If something happened and I had to get a single $300 or less, brand new full tube amp (no modeling) to use for the next year, the 10" AC4 is absolutely what I would get but for what I want out of an amp, the Super Champ XD would be a far better choice and it even does a better Vox than the Vox!

 

 

In my opinion, of course.

[xStonr]

I have the PV Classic 30 and a Blackstar HT5. When no one is home I crank the PV and it sounds great. But lately with my wife home on medical leave, I find I play the Blackstar a lot more. Even @ 5 watts it gets quite loud but the dirty channel is just great. Also the ISF control allows you to go from a Marshally tone to a Fendery tone. I had a Vox AC4TV and found it lacking. So, in summery, if you are playing out, the PV C30 is great and if you're only playing in the Blackstar is the ticket.

[GAS Man]

[video=youtube;0OqCOPL2_GU]

[vintage clubber]

Rick - what's wrong with your Carvin amp? I know a guy in the west end who does very good work and very reasonably. There is also a guy in Chester, but I don't know if he is still doing repairs.

[Jarick]

Low watt amps TEND to be a little more midrangey at lower volumes whereas higher watt amps can be more bassy and possibly dull. Granted it depends on a billion things...and once you crank them up, obviously the higher watt amps put out a lot more low end and get much cleaner. Depends on your ideal tone.

[jrfan]

Rick - what's wrong with your Carvin amp? I know a guy in the west end who does very good work and very reasonably. There is also a guy in Chester, but I don't know if he is still doing repairs.

I called the guy in Chester (prism concepts) to have him look at it.

It started making a crackling sound so I looked at the tubes and one of the four el84's

was glowing brightly.

Next thing I knew the amp cut off (blown fuse).

The glowing el84 was cracked at the top so I replaced all four with new jj's from tube depot.

Now the tubes all look ok but the amp has little volume on either channel.

I love my Carvin guitars but have never really bonded with this amp.

Can you pm me the guy in the west ends info?

[Orange Jackson]

There is a good buzz around the jet city 20 watters.

[joecool1963]

jet city....

[vintage clubber]

I called the guy in Chester (prism concepts) to have him look at it. It started making a crackling sound so I looked at the tubes and one of the four el84's was glowing brightly. Next thing I knew the amp cut off (blown fuse). The glowing el84 was cracked at the top so I replaced all four with new jj's from tube depot. Now the tubes all look ok but the amp has little volume on either channel. I love my Carvin guitars but have never really bonded with this amp. Can you pm me the guy in the west ends info?

 

PM'd the info...

 

not familiar with prism concepts in Chester. The guy I knew was an older gentleman who worked out of his house. I believe his name was Tom Lucas, but it's been about 10 years since I sent him any work and I don't know if he is still around or doing repairs.

[Pincookie1]

I would recommend the Bugera v22 personally. But if you really want a jet city combo I have one I have been considering selling. Original box, paperwork. Used maybe 12 hours total. One gig, three or four practices. Again, I would recommend the V22. Built in attenuation decent cleans, solid gain channel. Pop in some JJ's and its a rocker for home and small shows.

[scott944]

Gotta say Jet City, as well - especially since you said you liked Soldano. The 20 watter (I have the combo, which has reverb) has been described as a "poor man's Atomic 16" and was designed by the man himself. I like mine even at very low volume. $299!