Looking for 1st tube amp - Suggestions?

castpolymer · June 28th, 2008, 07:47 PM

I have been playing on a Line 6 Spider 3 (2 x 12) for a while. I love the modeling capability, but I have run into a problem. My guitar instructor ( that sounds kinda weird as I am 37 ) plays with a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe at his studio. I love the way the Tele sound thru it. Anyway, I am now in the market for a tube amp. I do not play live ( nowhere near good enough ). I am looking for something that will not make my wife want to kill me, but will get loud. I play mosty classic rock ( I worship at the grizzled feet of Keith Richards ) and some surf guitar. Any suggestions from the tube wizards out there? Thanks for the input ahead of time.

dangelico603 · June 28th, 2008, 08:11 PM

Some kind of small tweed, like a Princeton or Deluxe (clones) probably.

JKjr · June 28th, 2008, 08:15 PM

+1. Small Tweed + Tele = Keef.

aunchaki · June 28th, 2008, 08:18 PM

Yup, from your household requirements to your taste in music, a small tweed clone is in order. The 5E3s are very much in fashion right now, lots of kits and builders (just search this amp forum here). I'm hoping to start a Tweed Princeton build this year [crosses fingers].

zook · June 28th, 2008, 08:18 PM

Ampeg SVT

Winnie

Rumble · June 28th, 2008, 09:32 PM

A Vox AC15 can get really nice tones at literally bedroom levels and easily gets loud enough for a drummer. So your wife won't kill you, and if you get to the point where you're playing with people, you'll have plenty of power on reserve. You won't have to go out and buy a new amp just to jam with folks. While a 5E3 or other tweed-types have unbelievable tone, without a master volume even the small ones may produce too much volume for everyday, at-home use.

The AC15 has both reverb and tremelo, so you can vary your sound a good bit and feed your surf side. It's all tube (unlike half-tube hybrid amps like the new Champs) and doesn't have any solid state clipping mechanisms. All this means you'll get about as classic a sound as you'll find in a modern tube amp with a master volume. It works beautifully at home, for recording, at jams, and even live. And it goes great with Teles. You can find them used in the $400-500 range and new for $599. No affiliation, I just have one I really like because it fits so many situations and sounds sooo sweet once I get it dialed in right.

Southern ILL · June 28th, 2008, 09:34 PM

To me....Tubes sound better pushed....so volume will be a issue.Even with lower wattage amps....Power brakes and power soaks work in lowering the overall volume but lets you still push the tubes and acheive that tube breakup we all love....but when using a power brake you also muffle the sweet tone you get pushing the tubes....especially at levels that won't disturb family members.......

I have played through but never owned one but a Fender Blues Junior is a great little amp.....I really liked the ones I played through but owned my Bassman head at the time and never had a use for one.

I have a Valvetrain 205...its 5 watts....Works great for me and I have used it in a fairly large worship service.our stage is mic'd and I play about 20 ft from the drummer so I have yet too mic' it.....Simple controls..just volume and tone....I have a pretty simple pedal board too....overdrive-reverb-tremolo....and it really a great setup.

I have now added a Vox Valvetronix to my setup and run them both......I am lovin' it......The Valvetronix responds like my old trusty Bassman head.....with pick attack and the volume knob I can set it up to whatever vibe I want and control everything from my Custom/D'lux.........

Here is a quick demo with just the Valvetrain 205 with some clean and dirty.....Neck pickup is a GFS Hot Liverpool Retrotron and bridge pickup is a GFS 62 Reissue.....

robt57 · June 28th, 2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zook

Ampeg SVT

Winnie

With two 4x12 cabs ??

Seriously, what is the budget ??

I have a Valve Junior Combo I like a lot. Tube swap and a Behringer compressor in front it is sweet.

G-P · June 28th, 2008, 10:28 PM

A tweed, Princeton Reverb or Deluxe Reverb. You could potentially 'outgrow' the PR, but it would still serve you well for a long while.

One thing to keep in mind; this doesn't have to be just the first in a long line of tube amp purchases. If chosen wisely, you would never need to go looking for another amp.

A couple of principles to keep in mind while your looking.

1. Any guitar will sound good when plugged into a good amp. But that $3K Les Paul will sound terrible plugged into a bad amp.

2. There is no quiet tube amp. Sorry, but even a Champ is going to be pretty loud. Adjust your or your wife's expectations accordingly.

3. An amp IS an instrument. It is not a piece of equipment. As such, no two amps of the same brand and model are the same. Each responds to your input differently, albeit slightly, but still differently.

4. You're going to play a lot of amps. Adjust your expectations accordingly. When you find the right one, you'll know it. Hopefully the salesman won't know it, otherwise you'll be at a distinct disadvantage when trying to negotiate a price (only suckers pay retail).

5. If you do find 'your' amp, it will likely be the only amp you ever need.

Good luck and enjoy the journey. It's a long road. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

RollingThunder75 · June 29th, 2008, 12:20 AM

If you like the way the Tele sounds through a Hot Rod Deluxe, why not just get a Hot Rod Deluxe?

beep.click · June 29th, 2008, 12:20 AM

If you like the Hot Rod Deluxe, get one of those.

castpolymer · June 29th, 2008, 06:18 AM

I guess since the Hot Rod Deluxe was the only tube amp I have actually played thru, I did not want to assume it was " the best " for the type of music I play.

beep.click · June 29th, 2008, 06:36 AM

Well, I have a Hot Rod, and I'd say it's good for classic rock and surf.

For what I do, I often prefer my Blues Deluxe RI to the Hot Rod. The Blues is overall brighter sounding, and it doesn't have as much distortion. For what you do, I'm guessing the Hot Rod might work better.

FWIW, the Hot Rod is supposed to be THE most popular amp on the planet these days.

Also, FYI, my tweed-covered Hot Rod came with a Celestion speaker; apparently, different models come with different speakers. I think the "standard" model has an Eminence. To my ears, that makes a difference in the sound.

Walker · June 29th, 2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by castpolymer

I guess since the Hot Rod Deluxe was the only tube amp I have actually played thru, I did not want to assume it was " the best " for the type of music I play.

I think that if you like the Hot Rod Deluxe, you would like a Blues Jr. Pretty similar amp in a smaller, cheaper package.

91xlntS-3 · June 29th, 2008, 10:43 AM

+1 on the Blues Jr., I gig with mine and 15 watts is more than enough usually. If not, stick a good mic in front of it. I agree that a tube amp needs to be pushed a little to get the best tone, and a 15 watt BJ is a loud amp for such a small package.

Try out a lot of different amps, you may be surprised to find that what works for YOU may not be a tube amp at all. Try as many different amps as you can, and be sure to take YOUR guitar when you do. That way, you'll know for sure what things will sound like!

Colt W. Knight · June 29th, 2008, 10:50 AM

Blues Jrs are amazing little tube amps. For Bigger tube amps I like Fender Deluxe Reissues, Blues Devilles, and Twin Reverbs. Kinda hard to go wrong with a tried and true fender tube amp for a tele though. They all will sound better in my opinion than a line six.

JKjr · June 29th, 2008, 11:41 AM

Great advice from G-P. I've bought tons of gear over the years, and as much as I like all of it, there are a few pieces that could cover most every situation FOR ME, and I have really bonded with. And these are not necessarily the most valuable or sought after.
One of these is a Valco amp. They were sold under many names, such as SUPRO, SILVERTONE, GRETSCH, MARTIN, and a bunch of others. Although SUPRO's are getting up there, many others are still under the radar and reasonably priced. Think "Tea for one", "Since I've been loving you", or" Stairway to Heaven", all played with a TELE. Just a straight ahead no frills big fat tube sound, not Fender, but not British either, voiced in the upper mids like the Ampegs Keith used for a while. Can you hear me knockin'?
Good luck finding that amp that's "you". Cutting to the chase is great, but getting there's lots of fun too.

giginthesky · June 29th, 2008, 11:47 AM

i'm no tube wizard but, i do own 5 tube amps. i get the most use out of my MIA blues jr. i know they make em in mexico now and i honestly don't know if there is a sonic difference between the two.
with the volume and gain knob you can dial in a decent overdrive at a lower volume. on the other side, i was playing with a very hard hitting, very intoxicated drummer last night and the blues jr rang through clear as a bell with my 50's tele.

beep.click · June 29th, 2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giginthesky

i was playing with a very hard hitting, very intoxicated drummer last night and the blues jr rang through clear as a bell with my 50's tele.

Wow, I'm going to have to try my Blues Junior with a band! I always have to have AT LEAST a 40-watt Fender, or an AC30, to stand a fighting chance.

Do you have to dime the Blues, in a situation like that?

Scott S · June 29th, 2008, 12:08 PM

For strictly home use, you won't need anything more than 5 watts -- I'd second the notion for a Champ (any variant) or tweed Princeton, or a clone thereof.

- Scott

JohnnyCrash · June 29th, 2008, 12:33 PM

Peavey Classic 30.

It has a Master Volume control so you can get dirt without having to piss of the wife. It has Reverb. It's small. It can be LOUD if need be. It sounds great clean or dirty.

...or a Champ. Be warned though, even a 5 watt Champ will piss of your wife and neighbors when cranked for distortion. 5 watts is LOUD.

zook · June 29th, 2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robt57

With two 4x12 cabs ??

Seriously, what is the budget ??

I have a Valve Junior Combo I like a lot. Tube swap and a Behringer compressor in front it is sweet.

No, SVTs always work best with two 8-10s

Winnie

giginthesky · June 29th, 2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beep.click

Wow, I'm going to have to try my Blues Junior with a band! I always have to have AT LEAST a 40-watt Fender, or an AC30, to stand a fighting chance.

Do you have to dime the Blues, in a situation like that?

not quite dimed but, i should mention it was on a riser, not the floor.

casadyrocks · June 29th, 2008, 01:12 PM

I agree that Vox Ac15,Fender HRD,Blues Deluxe and Peavey Classic 30's are all good choices. The problem with those, and things I would suggest=- like a Mesa F-30or Subway, is that they are not 2X12's. While I can only play all tube, I also need at LEAST a 2x12. This may not be true for you- but keep in mind that you have one now. I have had 1X12's before, and it's just never the same for me. Good luck on your search.

JohnnyCrash · June 29th, 2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zook

No, SVTs always work best with two 8-10s

Winnie

HAHAHAHA!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by casadyrocks

I agree that Vox Ac15,Fender HRD,Blues Deluxe and Peavey Classic 30's are all good choices. The problem with those, and things I would suggest=- like a Mesa F-30or Subway, is that they are not 2X12's. While I can only play all tube, I also need at LEAST a 2x12. This may not be true for you- but keep in mind that you have one now. I have had 1X12's before, and it's just never the same for me. Good luck on your search.

I have several 1x10", 1x12", 1x15", and 2x12" cabs and amps.

Sure, standing next to it, two or more speakers sounds fuller, but when it comes time to record -or- the audience is 10' - 20' + away, a 1x12" will do just fine.

I remember when I got my first single speaker'ed amp and was used to 2x12"s, 4x10"s, and 4x12"s... it sounded weird at first.

It's all preference, so try out 1x12" amps and look at the P

June 28th, 2008, 07:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
castpolymer Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oklahoma Age: 37 Posts: 375	Looking for 1st tube amp - Suggestions? I have been playing on a Line 6 Spider 3 (2 x 12) for a while. I love the modeling capability, but I have run into a problem. My guitar instructor ( that sounds kinda weird as I am 37 ) plays with a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe at his studio. I love the way the Tele sound thru it. Anyway, I am now in the market for a tube amp. I do not play live ( nowhere near good enough ). I am looking for something that will not make my wife want to kill me, but will get loud. I play mosty classic rock ( I worship at the grizzled feet of Keith Richards ) and some surf guitar. Any suggestions from the tube wizards out there? Thanks for the input ahead of time.

June 28th, 2008, 08:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
dangelico603 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 180	Some kind of small tweed, like a Princeton or Deluxe (clones) probably. __________________ "Don't just play something, stand there."

June 28th, 2008, 08:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
aunchaki Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 1,190 16 Photos	Yup, from your household requirements to your taste in music, a small tweed clone is in order. The 5E3s are very much in fashion right now, lots of kits and builders (just search this amp forum here). I'm hoping to start a Tweed Princeton build this year [crosses fingers]. __________________ Two Teles, One Strat, Two Acoustics (6 & 12 strings), Two Mandolins (4 & 8 strings), One Bass (5 strings)

June 28th, 2008, 08:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
zook Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Northeast Kingdom, Vermont Posts: 800	Ampeg SVT Winnie __________________ I have noticed that happy people are often evaluating themselves and unhappy people are always evaluating others. -William Glasser

June 29th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
RollingThunder75 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: WV Posts: 397	If you like the way the Tele sounds through a Hot Rod Deluxe, why not just get a Hot Rod Deluxe? __________________ Live every week like it's Shark Week.

June 28th, 2008, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
JKjr Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: raleigh nc Posts: 187	+1. Small Tweed + Tele = Keef.

June 28th, 2008, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rumble Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Age: 36 Posts: 829	A Vox AC15 can get really nice tones at literally bedroom levels and easily gets loud enough for a drummer. So your wife won't kill you, and if you get to the point where you're playing with people, you'll have plenty of power on reserve. You won't have to go out and buy a new amp just to jam with folks. While a 5E3 or other tweed-types have unbelievable tone, without a master volume even the small ones may produce too much volume for everyday, at-home use. The AC15 has both reverb and tremelo, so you can vary your sound a good bit and feed your surf side. It's all tube (unlike half-tube hybrid amps like the new Champs) and doesn't have any solid state clipping mechanisms. All this means you'll get about as classic a sound as you'll find in a modern tube amp with a master volume. It works beautifully at home, for recording, at jams, and even live. And it goes great with Teles. You can find them used in the $400-500 range and new for $599. No affiliation, I just have one I really like because it fits so many situations and sounds sooo sweet once I get it dialed in right.

June 28th, 2008, 09:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Southern ILL Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Age: 38 Posts: 898	To me....Tubes sound better pushed....so volume will be a issue.Even with lower wattage amps....Power brakes and power soaks work in lowering the overall volume but lets you still push the tubes and acheive that tube breakup we all love....but when using a power brake you also muffle the sweet tone you get pushing the tubes....especially at levels that won't disturb family members....... I have played through but never owned one but a Fender Blues Junior is a great little amp.....I really liked the ones I played through but owned my Bassman head at the time and never had a use for one. I have a Valvetrain 205...its 5 watts....Works great for me and I have used it in a fairly large worship service.our stage is mic'd and I play about 20 ft from the drummer so I have yet too mic' it.....Simple controls..just volume and tone....I have a pretty simple pedal board too....overdrive-reverb-tremolo....and it really a great setup. I have now added a Vox Valvetronix to my setup and run them both......I am lovin' it......The Valvetronix responds like my old trusty Bassman head.....with pick attack and the volume knob I can set it up to whatever vibe I want and control everything from my Custom/D'lux......... Here is a quick demo with just the Valvetrain 205 with some clean and dirty.....Neck pickup is a GFS Hot Liverpool Retrotron and bridge pickup is a GFS 62 Reissue.....

June 28th, 2008, 10:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
G-P Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PDX Posts: 147	A tweed, Princeton Reverb or Deluxe Reverb. You could potentially 'outgrow' the PR, but it would still serve you well for a long while. One thing to keep in mind; this doesn't have to be just the first in a long line of tube amp purchases. If chosen wisely, you would never need to go looking for another amp. A couple of principles to keep in mind while your looking. 1. Any guitar will sound good when plugged into a good amp. But that $3K Les Paul will sound terrible plugged into a bad amp. 2. There is no quiet tube amp. Sorry, but even a Champ is going to be pretty loud. Adjust your or your wife's expectations accordingly. 3. An amp IS an instrument. It is not a piece of equipment. As such, no two amps of the same brand and model are the same. Each responds to your input differently, albeit slightly, but still differently. 4. You're going to play a lot of amps. Adjust your expectations accordingly. When you find the right one, you'll know it. Hopefully the salesman won't know it, otherwise you'll be at a distinct disadvantage when trying to negotiate a price (only suckers pay retail). 5. If you do find 'your' amp, it will likely be the only amp you ever need. Good luck and enjoy the journey. It's a long road. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

June 29th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#11 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,803	If you like the Hot Rod Deluxe, get one of those. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

June 29th, 2008, 06:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
castpolymer Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oklahoma Age: 37 Posts: 375	I guess since the Hot Rod Deluxe was the only tube amp I have actually played thru, I did not want to assume it was " the best " for the type of music I play.

June 29th, 2008, 06:36 AM	#13 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,803	Well, I have a Hot Rod, and I'd say it's good for classic rock and surf. For what I do, I often prefer my Blues Deluxe RI to the Hot Rod. The Blues is overall brighter sounding, and it doesn't have as much distortion. For what you do, I'm guessing the Hot Rod might work better. FWIW, the Hot Rod is supposed to be THE most popular amp on the planet these days. Also, FYI, my tweed-covered Hot Rod came with a Celestion speaker; apparently, different models come with different speakers. I think the "standard" model has an Eminence. To my ears, that makes a difference in the sound. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

June 29th, 2008, 10:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
91xlntS-3 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 692	+1 on the Blues Jr., I gig with mine and 15 watts is more than enough usually. If not, stick a good mic in front of it. I agree that a tube amp needs to be pushed a little to get the best tone, and a 15 watt BJ is a loud amp for such a small package. Try out a lot of different amps, you may be surprised to find that what works for YOU may not be a tube amp at all. Try as many different amps as you can, and be sure to take YOUR guitar when you do. That way, you'll know for sure what things will sound like!

June 29th, 2008, 10:50 AM	#16 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 1,818	Blues Jrs are amazing little tube amps. For Bigger tube amps I like Fender Deluxe Reissues, Blues Devilles, and Twin Reverbs. Kinda hard to go wrong with a tried and true fender tube amp for a tele though. They all will sound better in my opinion than a line six.

June 29th, 2008, 11:41 AM	#17 (permalink)
JKjr Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: raleigh nc Posts: 187	VALCO? Great advice from G-P. I've bought tons of gear over the years, and as much as I like all of it, there are a few pieces that could cover most every situation FOR ME, and I have really bonded with. And these are not necessarily the most valuable or sought after. One of these is a Valco amp. They were sold under many names, such as SUPRO, SILVERTONE, GRETSCH, MARTIN, and a bunch of others. Although SUPRO's are getting up there, many others are still under the radar and reasonably priced. Think "Tea for one", "Since I've been loving you", or" Stairway to Heaven", all played with a TELE. Just a straight ahead no frills big fat tube sound, not Fender, but not British either, voiced in the upper mids like the Ampegs Keith used for a while. Can you hear me knockin'? Good luck finding that amp that's "you". Cutting to the chase is great, but getting there's lots of fun too.

June 29th, 2008, 11:47 AM	#18 (permalink)
giginthesky Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: south jersey Age: 36 Posts: 1,043 6 Photos	i'm no tube wizard but, i do own 5 tube amps. i get the most use out of my MIA blues jr. i know they make em in mexico now and i honestly don't know if there is a sonic difference between the two. with the volume and gain knob you can dial in a decent overdrive at a lower volume. on the other side, i was playing with a very hard hitting, very intoxicated drummer last night and the blues jr rang through clear as a bell with my 50's tele.

June 29th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#20 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,576	For strictly home use, you won't need anything more than 5 watts -- I'd second the notion for a Champ (any variant) or tweed Princeton, or a clone thereof. - Scott

June 29th, 2008, 12:33 PM	#21 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	Peavey Classic 30. It has a Master Volume control so you can get dirt without having to piss of the wife. It has Reverb. It's small. It can be LOUD if need be. It sounds great clean or dirty. ...or a Champ. Be warned though, even a 5 watt Champ will piss of your wife and neighbors when cranked for distortion. 5 watts is LOUD.

June 29th, 2008, 01:12 PM	#24 (permalink)
casadyrocks Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: colorado Posts: 117	I agree that Vox Ac15,Fender HRD,Blues Deluxe and Peavey Classic 30's are all good choices. The problem with those, and things I would suggest=- like a Mesa F-30or Subway, is that they are not 2X12's. While I can only play all tube, I also need at LEAST a 2x12. This may not be true for you- but keep in mind that you have one now. I have had 1X12's before, and it's just never the same for me. Good luck on your search.