Top 5 small combo's w/ 2 channels and reverb under 1000.00... what are they?

wierdOne · March 26th, 2008, 12:03 PM

My cousin's looking for a tube amp under a thousand bucks... 2 channels... needs reverb... needs to be 40 lbs or under....

I think the Blues Jr. would be perfect for him.. but it's only one channel...

got any ideas?

Edit:

So... my cousin lives in Colorado.. and needs an amp to play his archtop through at home... He'd like 2 channels... but one is honestly enough...

I figure the Blues Jr. honestly enough for him.. that's what I have for house jamming....... but... he's looking to spend under a grand... (preferably around the 500.00 mark)...

bgood · March 26th, 2008, 12:08 PM

Used Rivera R55 or R30. Killer amps and can be had used for WAY under $1,000. Covers ground from Marshall to BF Fender type sounds. Plenty loud to gig. Heck for a Grand he could buy one of these used and have enough left over for nice MIM Tele.

Cassady · March 26th, 2008, 12:11 PM

I think that your cousin should consider the Traynor YCV20WR. It meets all of your criteria--it's tube, has two channels and reverb, and weighs under 40 lbs. I have one and think that it sounds great--the reverb leaves something to be desired, but in low doses, it's fine.

Channel 2 is the clean channel and is sort of Vox meets Fender clean; channel 1 is the dirty channel and, I think, is rather Marshally. It also has a D.I. output, a headphone jack and a really good two year warranty.

It can be a bit on the bright side, but it's a wonderful, well-built (although some won't like the printed circuit board construction) amp that is well under the $1,000 budget.

More info can be found at: http://www.traynoramps.com/products....&cat=63&id=251

Cassady

marshman · March 26th, 2008, 12:30 PM

Well, the DRRI is two channel, but not in the usual sense of the word.

Blues Jr ain't too awful bad--get a footswitch for the "fat" function and you might convceivably call it two channel.

The HRDx is '2 channel' and should come in well within the budget, and I have the Rivera R30 as well, also quite nice and within the price range when you can find 'em.

If he needs less clean stuff, maybe a Marshall DSL401? They're probably just out of range new, but plenty of second handers floating around out there.

purpletele · March 26th, 2008, 12:58 PM

I would say Deluxe Reverb and a good OD pedal if that's what the 2nd channel is for. I'm not a big fan of the Hot Rod line. They have a good clean, but I think the drive channel is a little harsh, but I'm not a fan of "drive" channels anyway. If they're still mounting their jacks direct to the PCB they are a big reliability nightmare.

If I had to choose something with a drive channel I would go for one of those crates that look kinda like ampegs with the big chrome 30 on the front. The one that come with Tone Tubby's. The Peavey classics and delta blues are pretty decent too.

My ultimate suggestion would be a Custom Vibrolux Reverb and an AB switch. Set the Normal channel at where it's breaks up (which is earlier than channel 2 anyway) and use the bright channel as your clean channel. Switch back and foth at will.

If you don't mind used a whole world opens up.

popthree · March 26th, 2008, 01:01 PM

classic 30

wierdOne · March 26th, 2008, 02:20 PM

sorry guys.. I just edited the topic.... i forgot to mention what he's using the amp for...

he's not a gigger..

purpletele · March 26th, 2008, 03:35 PM

In that case I'm going to say Deluxe Reverb again. They are HEAVENLY with an archtop. Good size and volume for at home, but can be used out too if he wants later. Used ones can go for around $500 easily.I think they're $800 new.

The CVR may be a little much for at home.

Also what about an AC 15 ? They have a good clean and a master if he wants a little dirt.

bgood · March 26th, 2008, 05:09 PM

In that case I retract my Riveras (overkill) and offer a BF Princeton Reverb with a good OD pedal. No two channel but with the OD you can be there. Good for the house - plenty loud. Might be just over the budget though.

If he can live without a traditional tube setup - the Vox Valvetronix amps are very good and cost WAY less money.

CatfishStudios · March 26th, 2008, 05:22 PM

Ive got class A, and Class AB tube amps..large and small..high watt and low watt..but what I use in my bedroom for practice is a Vox Valvetronix...I bought it on a whim while checking out the champion 600 at GC...got the vox instead just sounded great..Works well with my archtop, les paul or other buckers..but seems to shine best with tele's and strat's. I was surprised at the tone for sure.

ramseybella · March 26th, 2008, 06:12 PM

http://www.bonepickerguitaramps.com/
Little Halfbreed 20 watts reverb, dwell, midrange, PTP under $1000.00 Princeton size with plenty of volume punch & gain as well as lower sweet volumes.

wierdOne · March 26th, 2008, 06:57 PM

Well... I think he's going to buy my Blues Jr.... it's been modified by John Landgraff... so he's getting one heck of a little amp...

i'm taking that money and sinking it into a Smith Custom CS-10 w/ reverb...

I love amplifiers...

March 26th, 2008, 12:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
wierdOne Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Downtown Pensacola Florida... :) Age: 31 Posts: 967	Top 5 small combo's w/ 2 channels and reverb under 1000.00... what are they? My cousin's looking for a tube amp under a thousand bucks... 2 channels... needs reverb... needs to be 40 lbs or under.... I think the Blues Jr. would be perfect for him.. but it's only one channel... got any ideas? Edit: So... my cousin lives in Colorado.. and needs an amp to play his archtop through at home... He'd like 2 channels... but one is honestly enough... I figure the Blues Jr. honestly enough for him.. that's what I have for house jamming....... but... he's looking to spend under a grand... (preferably around the 500.00 mark)... __________________ 4 Amps, 3 Acoustics, 2 Tele's, 1 Beautiful Baby Girl Go play a Smith Custom Amplifier... you won't be sorry. www.whowell.org http://www.myspace.com/who_well Last edited by wierdOne; March 26th, 2008 at 02:20 PM.

March 26th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
bgood Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Emerson, NJ Posts: 175	Used Rivera R55 or R30. Killer amps and can be had used for WAY under $1,000. Covers ground from Marshall to BF Fender type sounds. Plenty loud to gig. Heck for a Grand he could buy one of these used and have enough left over for nice MIM Tele. __________________ Bob

March 26th, 2008, 01:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,837 47 Photos	classic 30 __________________ don't taze me bro !

March 26th, 2008, 02:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
wierdOne Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Downtown Pensacola Florida... :) Age: 31 Posts: 967	sorry guys.. I just edited the topic.... i forgot to mention what he's using the amp for... he's not a gigger.. __________________ 4 Amps, 3 Acoustics, 2 Tele's, 1 Beautiful Baby Girl Go play a Smith Custom Amplifier... you won't be sorry. www.whowell.org http://www.myspace.com/who_well

March 26th, 2008, 05:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
bgood Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Emerson, NJ Posts: 175	In that case I retract my Riveras (overkill) and offer a BF Princeton Reverb with a good OD pedal. No two channel but with the OD you can be there. Good for the house - plenty loud. Might be just over the budget though. If he can live without a traditional tube setup - the Vox Valvetronix amps are very good and cost WAY less money. __________________ Bob

March 26th, 2008, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cassady Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 550	I think that your cousin should consider the Traynor YCV20WR. It meets all of your criteria--it's tube, has two channels and reverb, and weighs under 40 lbs. I have one and think that it sounds great--the reverb leaves something to be desired, but in low doses, it's fine. Channel 2 is the clean channel and is sort of Vox meets Fender clean; channel 1 is the dirty channel and, I think, is rather Marshally. It also has a D.I. output, a headphone jack and a really good two year warranty. It can be a bit on the bright side, but it's a wonderful, well-built (although some won't like the printed circuit board construction) amp that is well under the $1,000 budget. More info can be found at: http://www.traynoramps.com/products....&cat=63&id=251 Cassady

March 26th, 2008, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
marshman Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 910	Well, the DRRI is two channel, but not in the usual sense of the word. Blues Jr ain't too awful bad--get a footswitch for the "fat" function and you might convceivably call it two channel. The HRDx is '2 channel' and should come in well within the budget, and I have the Rivera R30 as well, also quite nice and within the price range when you can find 'em. If he needs less clean stuff, maybe a Marshall DSL401? They're probably just out of range new, but plenty of second handers floating around out there.

March 26th, 2008, 12:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
purpletele Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morgantown,WV Posts: 679 10 Photos	I would say Deluxe Reverb and a good OD pedal if that's what the 2nd channel is for. I'm not a big fan of the Hot Rod line. They have a good clean, but I think the drive channel is a little harsh, but I'm not a fan of "drive" channels anyway. If they're still mounting their jacks direct to the PCB they are a big reliability nightmare. If I had to choose something with a drive channel I would go for one of those crates that look kinda like ampegs with the big chrome 30 on the front. The one that come with Tone Tubby's. The Peavey classics and delta blues are pretty decent too. My ultimate suggestion would be a Custom Vibrolux Reverb and an AB switch. Set the Normal channel at where it's breaks up (which is earlier than channel 2 anyway) and use the bright channel as your clean channel. Switch back and foth at will. If you don't mind used a whole world opens up.

March 26th, 2008, 03:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
purpletele Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morgantown,WV Posts: 679 10 Photos	In that case I'm going to say Deluxe Reverb again. They are HEAVENLY with an archtop. Good size and volume for at home, but can be used out too if he wants later. Used ones can go for around $500 easily.I think they're $800 new. The CVR may be a little much for at home. Also what about an AC 15 ? They have a good clean and a master if he wants a little dirt.

March 26th, 2008, 05:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 33 Posts: 727	Ive got class A, and Class AB tube amps..large and small..high watt and low watt..but what I use in my bedroom for practice is a Vox Valvetronix...I bought it on a whim while checking out the champion 600 at GC...got the vox instead just sounded great..Works well with my archtop, les paul or other buckers..but seems to shine best with tele's and strat's. I was surprised at the tone for sure.

March 26th, 2008, 06:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
ramseybella Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe New Mexico Posts: 1,044 48 Photos	http://www.bonepickerguitaramps.com/ Little Halfbreed 20 watts reverb, dwell, midrange, PTP under $1000.00 Princeton size with plenty of volume punch & gain as well as lower sweet volumes.

March 26th, 2008, 06:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
wierdOne Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Downtown Pensacola Florida... :) Age: 31 Posts: 967	Well... I think he's going to buy my Blues Jr.... it's been modified by John Landgraff... so he's getting one heck of a little amp... i'm taking that money and sinking it into a Smith Custom CS-10 w/ reverb... I love amplifiers... __________________ 4 Amps, 3 Acoustics, 2 Tele's, 1 Beautiful Baby Girl Go play a Smith Custom Amplifier... you won't be sorry. www.whowell.org http://www.myspace.com/who_well Last edited by wierdOne; March 27th, 2008 at 11:19 AM.