Looking for combo in the range of 500-850

Atticus 3 8 97 · May 5th, 2008, 10:23 PM

what kind of good combos can i get in this range? i've thought about vox and mesa but they are much more and probably wouldnt even be that cheap used, but im basically looking for probably a minimum of 30w tube, and something with a really good distortion, and a pretty good clean, obviously both would be great, but distorted probably comes first for me.. i know someone on here has got to have some ideas for me...

thanksssssss

Wardpike · May 5th, 2008, 10:32 PM

The latest Vox AC30s can be had in this price range. Not the greatest AC30s of all time, but still very decent amps!

Brian blaut · May 5th, 2008, 10:48 PM

I'm not an amp vet like many around here, but I have been in the market for an amp for the last year or so, I've done some homework, so to speak.

I bought the peavey classic 50 410. Decent clean. Not quite Fender sparkling clean, but decent all the same and nice thick 'n throaty overdrive. Weak in the reverb department though. They are used for easily under $500. Put some slap back in front and you be wearing a smile.

If you not in a hurry, I've heard nothing, I say nothing, but praise for lil' dawg custom made tweed amps. He can make you a smokey tweed deluxe, super, what have you... with whatever cab makes you happy. And it will be in your pricerange.

If you drop your wattage down, you can enjoy a Fender 65 deluxe reverb.

Other than that, there's your Fender Hot Rot Deluxe (don't know about the dirt channel, Blues Deluxe, Peavey Classic 30 (but do yourself a favor and get the 50), you can get a Vox AC15 and a Shure SM57 for $700, a used Fender '59 Bassman 4x10, Peavey delta Blues with a 15'' speaker...

Whether or not you like the dirt channels on these is of course preference. I didn't like the peavey classic 30. I thought it sounded small and boxy. But the classic 50 blooms nice and full, what with its 4 10s and all. To each his own.

I have an officemate that is just about given up on 30 wattish combos for dirt (he's not partial to the vox ac30). He's probably going to buy a good clean sparkling fender and run pedals in front. That's what works for him, even though he's into the heavier sounds.

I've seen a couple used Mesa's on craigslist for under 850 if that what you want. They are out there.

marshman · May 6th, 2008, 08:12 AM

I have a Rivera R30 1x12. Very competent amp--nice cleans with lead boost, good 'crunch channel' with lead boost, hi & lo gain inputs and pretty good reverb, as long as you're not doin' surf (to be honest, I don't think I've ever turned it up past 3, just not my thang). If I had to complain about something, it would be that the 'lead boosts' are pretty serious jumps in loudness terms. Temper that--

As I'm mainly a bass player, this is not an amp that I've ever had the opportunity to gig. I use it for home practicing, though my wife does travel enough that I occasionally get to really wind it up and it does sound good thus. We had a big jam session here last spring and an extra guy showed up--I handed him my tele and a cord and pointed him at the R30. Running my low-powered p'ups through the lo-gain input it was tough for me to hear him. I was, however, at the back of the room, other end of the jam space, with a 55watt Mesa on my right and the drums to my left.

Long story short, I'd recommend one, though the 2x12 R50 might be better, depending on your volume needs.

TeeBird · May 6th, 2008, 09:00 AM

A used Bassman Reissue?

John Thigpen · May 6th, 2008, 09:16 AM

Look at the Genz-Benz Black Pearl 1x12 also. It's at the top end of your range used ($950 new if you shop around). It's 30 watts with 4 EL84's and an Eminence Red Fang alnico speaker. Excellent sounding and versatile amp in the Vox/Matchless style. It' on a printed circuit board and built overseas, but the build quality is very good. Brent Mason is endorsing these. I have one and love it. It's not a pristine clean but still nice, and the moderate overdrives sound good even at low volumes.

A cheaper amp that no one has mentioned yet is the Crate V30 series. You can get these under $500, even under $400. 30 watts with 4 EL84. The overdriven sounds are actually more Marshall than Vox. The build quality is not as good on these, but the tone is one of the best bangs for the buck going.

John

Hoodster · May 6th, 2008, 09:17 AM

No contest--Lightly used Rivera Clubster.

Atticus 3 8 97 · May 6th, 2008, 10:50 AM

i'm thinking now instead of switching to a combo amp i might just switch my 412 for a 212, and i'm seriously considering an avatar cab

12ax7 · May 6th, 2008, 01:22 PM

If you can find one, I'd highly recommend the Fender Super 60 (my gigging amp of choice)... it dates from the "Red Knob" era of Fender from the early to late 1980s. The overdrive is amazing (as gritty or harsh as you want - the traditional Fender overdrive can be easily dialed in, but the beauty is that you can also go into Marshall or Mesa territory if that's your thing). Clean channel sounds like your stock Fender clean channel... bell-like and clear.

Puts out 60W with dual 6L6... both power and output transformers are complete overkill for this thing (huge), probably contributes to the uniqueness of the tone.

I've seen them go from $300-$500, a lot of people dismiss the red-knob Fenders as substandard but this amp has to be one of the best Fenders I've ever played through.

e-merlin · May 6th, 2008, 02:21 PM

I'd say a Peavey Classic 50 or Classic 30. The 50 used to be available in head form and they just started making the 30 as a head about a year and a half ago.

If sparkling clean is top priority, but you want good distortion, check out a used 5150 212 combo. They do clean really well on the Rhythm Channel, and you can clean them up even further with a low gain preamp tube in one or two spots and a speaker swap. They are available for around $400 on the used market.

boris bubbanov · May 6th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e-merlin

I'd say a Peavey Classic 50 or Classic 30. The 50 used to be available in head form and they just started making the 30 as a head about a year and a half ago.

If sparkling clean is top priority, but you want good distortion, check out a used 5150 212 combo. They do clean really well on the Rhythm Channel, and you can clean them up even further with a low gain preamp tube in one or two spots and a speaker swap. They are available for around $400 on the used market.

I got one Peavey Classic 50 2 x 12 for under $ 500, which included Florida sales tax, new this past fall I saw more than just that one. Pre and post controls really help dial in the right amount of distortion. That one is stock; a second Classic 50, now with JJs and Weber Blue Dog Ceramic 30 W is really satisfying at more realistic volume levels.

stantheman · May 6th, 2008, 04:46 PM

Get a Weber 5E7 Tweed Bandmaster 3X10 Combo.
Listen to early "China Grove" period Doobies or "Who's Next" period
Pete Townsend.
THAT'S "The Amp" - a 5E7 Tweed Bandmaster.
It does it all amazingly well and effortlessly too.
Mine was shipped "built" to my door for less than $750; you simply cannot go wrong - it's like The Amalfi Road - there's no way You can miss Positano!

TeleRookie · May 6th, 2008, 05:06 PM

I have a Carvin Belair and I love it. Awesome cleans and decent distortion. Takes pedals well. Price is good too! $620 for a 50watt all tube amp!
Here is a link to thier vintage series amps.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/group.php?cid=2

They are good for blues and classic rock tone but I doubt they are good for todays metal but never tried them for that. I am not into metal anyways

If you get one you have 10 days to check it out or return it if you dont like it.

casadyrocks · May 6th, 2008, 06:26 PM

The Vox AC30 CC2 is a great amp, although everyone wants to hate it. I highly recommend it.

I also agree with members recommendations on the Peavey Classic 50. I had one for three years, and it turned me from a lifelong Peavey hater into....
well....someone who thinks the Classic 50 is a great amp. It is a
"clean only amp" in my opinion, though.

I also see some Mesa Blue Angels and Mavericks going for the higher end of what you want to pay- they both kick ass.

stantheman · May 6th, 2008, 09:48 PM

Actually if You really need a 22 watter that'll really kick some butt check out the Mesa Boogie Studio 22+.
I just missed one that was under 400 bucks.
Real fine Amplifier.

Combsie · May 6th, 2008, 11:58 PM

Don't waste your money on imported junk. Get a used Rivera Pubster or Clubster. These amps sound great and will still be around when the Chinese stuff is sitting in a land fill. They can pretty much do any Stones Sticky Fingers through Some Girls era tone. Very complex sounding for the $$$$$.....Fendery or Marshally depending on how hard you drive the pre.

ol man · May 7th, 2008, 03:02 AM

Traynor ycv 40

nonvintage · May 7th, 2008, 07:25 AM

Get a used pull boost Silverface Princeton Reverb. Take out the chassis. Buy a 1x12 cab from JD Newell and get a Hellatone 30 from Avatar Speakers. Put the chassis in and you've got a mini Deluxe reverb. And it'll be loud enough to gig with.

pick & 2 fingers · May 7th, 2008, 07:42 AM

I played through a Peavey Valve King 1 12 w/a Hwy 1 Tele at a store recently & it was great. 50 watts - and well within your budget. The cleans were really good. The distortions weren't quite as good, but still fine. But with the $$ you save, you can get a good dist/od pedal.

My $0.02.

Atticus 3 8 97 · May 8th, 2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pick & 2 fingers

I played through a Peavey Valve King 1 12 w/a Hwy 1 Tele at a store recently & it was great. 50 watts - and well within your budget. The cleans were really good. The distortions weren't quite as good, but still fine. But with the $$ you save, you can get a good dist/od pedal.

My $0.02.

i got the peavey valveking 100 head, im thinking im just gonna downgrade my 412 to a 212 instead of going to a combo, i've got a distortion sound that i like out of the amp, im thinking an avatar cab

Axis29 · May 8th, 2008, 07:33 AM

How dirty do you want your dirt?

I love my DRRI (I Picked it up used for 550 a few months ago, but I got a great deal) and a few pedals round it out to full on dirty. I picked up two different Fulltone pedals for about 130 a piece, with my 550 for the amp, I'm still under your 850 budget with essentially a three channel amp! LOL

22 watts is plenty loud when you talk about tube watts... especially black face designed watts!

You might look at a used DRRI (I think in the range of 650 or so) and some form of dirt pedal.... You could get a good boutique dirt pedal and stay within your budget.

Or look at a solid state amp which are usually available cheaper. I think the Line 6 Spider II's are not bad amps for the bucks and you get several channels and built-in effects too.

The Peavey Classic 30 I tried sounded halfway decent, but I liked the Fender sound better.

May 5th, 2008, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Atticus 3 8 97 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston, MA Age: 20 Posts: 179	Looking for combo in the range of 500-850 what kind of good combos can i get in this range? i've thought about vox and mesa but they are much more and probably wouldnt even be that cheap used, but im basically looking for probably a minimum of 30w tube, and something with a really good distortion, and a pretty good clean, obviously both would be great, but distorted probably comes first for me.. i know someone on here has got to have some ideas for me... thanksssssss

May 6th, 2008, 08:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
marshman Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 664	I have a Rivera R30 1x12. Very competent amp--nice cleans with lead boost, good 'crunch channel' with lead boost, hi & lo gain inputs and pretty good reverb, as long as you're not doin' surf (to be honest, I don't think I've ever turned it up past 3, just not my thang). If I had to complain about something, it would be that the 'lead boosts' are pretty serious jumps in loudness terms. Temper that-- As I'm mainly a bass player, this is not an amp that I've ever had the opportunity to gig. I use it for home practicing, though my wife does travel enough that I occasionally get to really wind it up and it does sound good thus. We had a big jam session here last spring and an extra guy showed up--I handed him my tele and a cord and pointed him at the R30. Running my low-powered p'ups through the lo-gain input it was tough for me to hear him. I was, however, at the back of the room, other end of the jam space, with a 55watt Mesa on my right and the drums to my left. Long story short, I'd recommend one, though the 2x12 R50 might be better, depending on your volume needs. __________________ 42

May 6th, 2008, 09:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
TeeBird Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sebastian, FL Age: 46 Posts: 309	A used Bassman Reissue? __________________ Kawanga!

May 6th, 2008, 04:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
stantheman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 4,829	Get a Weber 5E7 Tweed Bandmaster 3X10 Combo. Listen to early "China Grove" period Doobies or "Who's Next" period Pete Townsend. THAT'S "The Amp" - a 5E7 Tweed Bandmaster. It does it all amazingly well and effortlessly too. Mine was shipped "built" to my door for less than $750; you simply cannot go wrong - it's like The Amalfi Road - there's no way You can miss Positano! __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

May 6th, 2008, 09:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
stantheman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 4,829	Actually if You really need a 22 watter that'll really kick some butt check out the Mesa Boogie Studio 22+. I just missed one that was under 400 bucks. Real fine Amplifier. __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

May 5th, 2008, 10:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wardpike Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 43 Posts: 591	The latest Vox AC30s can be had in this price range. Not the greatest AC30s of all time, but still very decent amps!

May 5th, 2008, 10:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Brian blaut Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California, USA Age: 34 Posts: 1,328	I'm not an amp vet like many around here, but I have been in the market for an amp for the last year or so, I've done some homework, so to speak. I bought the peavey classic 50 410. Decent clean. Not quite Fender sparkling clean, but decent all the same and nice thick 'n throaty overdrive. Weak in the reverb department though. They are used for easily under $500. Put some slap back in front and you be wearing a smile. If you not in a hurry, I've heard nothing, I say nothing, but praise for lil' dawg custom made tweed amps. He can make you a smokey tweed deluxe, super, what have you... with whatever cab makes you happy. And it will be in your pricerange. If you drop your wattage down, you can enjoy a Fender 65 deluxe reverb. Other than that, there's your Fender Hot Rot Deluxe (don't know about the dirt channel, Blues Deluxe, Peavey Classic 30 (but do yourself a favor and get the 50), you can get a Vox AC15 and a Shure SM57 for $700, a used Fender '59 Bassman 4x10, Peavey delta Blues with a 15'' speaker... Whether or not you like the dirt channels on these is of course preference. I didn't like the peavey classic 30. I thought it sounded small and boxy. But the classic 50 blooms nice and full, what with its 4 10s and all. To each his own. I have an officemate that is just about given up on 30 wattish combos for dirt (he's not partial to the vox ac30). He's probably going to buy a good clean sparkling fender and run pedals in front. That's what works for him, even though he's into the heavier sounds. I've seen a couple used Mesa's on craigslist for under 850 if that what you want. They are out there.

May 6th, 2008, 09:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
John Thigpen Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Rock Hill, SC Age: 52 Posts: 178	Look at the Genz-Benz Black Pearl 1x12 also. It's at the top end of your range used ($950 new if you shop around). It's 30 watts with 4 EL84's and an Eminence Red Fang alnico speaker. Excellent sounding and versatile amp in the Vox/Matchless style. It' on a printed circuit board and built overseas, but the build quality is very good. Brent Mason is endorsing these. I have one and love it. It's not a pristine clean but still nice, and the moderate overdrives sound good even at low volumes. A cheaper amp that no one has mentioned yet is the Crate V30 series. You can get these under $500, even under $400. 30 watts with 4 EL84. The overdriven sounds are actually more Marshall than Vox. The build quality is not as good on these, but the tone is one of the best bangs for the buck going. John

May 6th, 2008, 09:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hoodster Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 297	No contest--Lightly used Rivera Clubster.

May 6th, 2008, 10:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Atticus 3 8 97 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston, MA Age: 20 Posts: 179	i'm thinking now instead of switching to a combo amp i might just switch my 412 for a 212, and i'm seriously considering an avatar cab

May 6th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
12ax7 TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 15	If you can find one, I'd highly recommend the Fender Super 60 (my gigging amp of choice)... it dates from the "Red Knob" era of Fender from the early to late 1980s. The overdrive is amazing (as gritty or harsh as you want - the traditional Fender overdrive can be easily dialed in, but the beauty is that you can also go into Marshall or Mesa territory if that's your thing). Clean channel sounds like your stock Fender clean channel... bell-like and clear. Puts out 60W with dual 6L6... both power and output transformers are complete overkill for this thing (huge), probably contributes to the uniqueness of the tone. I've seen them go from $300-$500, a lot of people dismiss the red-knob Fenders as substandard but this amp has to be one of the best Fenders I've ever played through.

May 6th, 2008, 05:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
TeleRookie TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Age: 46 Posts: 34	I have a Carvin Belair and I love it. Awesome cleans and decent distortion. Takes pedals well. Price is good too! $620 for a 50watt all tube amp! Here is a link to thier vintage series amps. http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/group.php?cid=2 They are good for blues and classic rock tone but I doubt they are good for todays metal but never tried them for that. I am not into metal anyways If you get one you have 10 days to check it out or return it if you dont like it.

May 6th, 2008, 06:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
casadyrocks Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: colorado Posts: 112	The Vox AC30 CC2 is a great amp, although everyone wants to hate it. I highly recommend it. I also agree with members recommendations on the Peavey Classic 50. I had one for three years, and it turned me from a lifelong Peavey hater into.... well....someone who thinks the Classic 50 is a great amp. It is a "clean only amp" in my opinion, though. I also see some Mesa Blue Angels and Mavericks going for the higher end of what you want to pay- they both kick ass.

May 6th, 2008, 11:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
Combsie TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Santa Clarita Posts: 64	I vote for a used Rivera Pubster or Clubster Don't waste your money on imported junk. Get a used Rivera Pubster or Clubster. These amps sound great and will still be around when the Chinese stuff is sitting in a land fill. They can pretty much do any Stones Sticky Fingers through Some Girls era tone. Very complex sounding for the $$$$$.....Fendery or Marshally depending on how hard you drive the pre.

May 7th, 2008, 03:02 AM	#17 (permalink)
ol man Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 223	Traynor ycv 40

May 7th, 2008, 07:25 AM	#18 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 464	Get a used pull boost Silverface Princeton Reverb. Take out the chassis. Buy a 1x12 cab from JD Newell and get a Hellatone 30 from Avatar Speakers. Put the chassis in and you've got a mini Deluxe reverb. And it'll be loud enough to gig with.

May 7th, 2008, 07:42 AM	#19 (permalink)
pick & 2 fingers Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Jeff City Mo Age: 43 Posts: 221	I played through a Peavey Valve King 1 12 w/a Hwy 1 Tele at a store recently & it was great. 50 watts - and well within your budget. The cleans were really good. The distortions weren't quite as good, but still fine. But with the $$ you save, you can get a good dist/od pedal. My $0.02.

May 8th, 2008, 07:33 AM	#21 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 40 Posts: 1,046 1 Photos	How dirty do you want your dirt? I love my DRRI (I Picked it up used for 550 a few months ago, but I got a great deal) and a few pedals round it out to full on dirty. I picked up two different Fulltone pedals for about 130 a piece, with my 550 for the amp, I'm still under your 850 budget with essentially a three channel amp! LOL 22 watts is plenty loud when you talk about tube watts... especially black face designed watts! You might look at a used DRRI (I think in the range of 650 or so) and some form of dirt pedal.... You could get a good boutique dirt pedal and stay within your budget. Or look at a solid state amp which are usually available cheaper. I think the Line 6 Spider II's are not bad amps for the bucks and you get several channels and built-in effects too. The Peavey Classic 30 I tried sounded halfway decent, but I liked the Fender sound better. __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764