[11 Gauge]

I'm about ready to fire up a steady bread and butter gig at very small intimate places...

I've got amps that I could take but would rather not, because of personal value/replaceability/volume issues. I'd also really like something with a warranty. If it goes down, I'd rather it be the store's problem while I limp along with my '67 Champ or similar....

Right now, the Killer Ant seems like my clear favorite, but the Little Giant isn't far behind. Both stay clean for enough of the dial to be usable to me, and they don't sound like a Death Metal amp when you dime them. Obviously, the LG gives a little more headroom before it caves in. I put all of my little guys through a 1X12 cab, so if it's a combo with a chintzy 8", that's not an issue...

If I'm going to consider the LG, the Windsor Studio really isn't that far ahead - and it has the attenuator and a decent 12" built in. Compared to a Univalve, it seems like a great alternative for less than half the price!

I also checked out the Handsome Devil (which isn't available until August), and it seems to really nail the sweet spot with extended headroom, but just too much power for the cafes and such that I'll be using this amp for. A nice amp, but too much for my applications, and I've got others in the 15-20 watt category that really cover that space well anyway.

So that's where I'm at. My budget is about 400 clams max - I could cobble together a build from parts if anyone has a Turretboards/Hoffman/Ceriatone suggestion. I was thinking I could tweak a Vibro Champ, but time isn't on my side, I don't get everything wrapped up in a neat bow, and no warranty (within reason). I don't need trem, reverb, or any other creature comforts - a modest pedalboard is taking care of anything the amp doesn't have.

I'm sure that I'm probably missing a whole lot of small amps that are lesser known but somewhere around the cusp of my budget. Please include them. I basically need something that's like a Champ but a touch more versatile.

I also need this amp ready to go by mid July. I'm currently using my '67 Champ, and I refuse to leave it unattended during breaks. If it gets stolen, I will be one P.O'd mofo...