Killer Ant/Little Giant/Windsor Studio? - Need Help!

[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...

[bluescube]

Maybe find a Palomino V16 or V32? My V32 sounds great even at low bedroom levels.

[Southern ILL]

I wanted really bad to love the PV Windsor Stud.......Tried really hard to like it.....I had extra speaker cabs. to run it through and I never could bond with it a little bit......I was diggin' its ability to change out the power tubes until it came time to do it....its hard to get to the tube....the bracket housing that supports the attenuator knob is right in the way.....impossiable to pull the tube with out removing the houseing.

Also-I couldn't get a very descent clean sound and EQ settings didn't do alot.....Sounded best with everything dimed....also the cab seems cheaply made.

[bassame]

11Gauge, you write as if you have tried all these amps but the Killer Ant isn't available yet, and won't be in time for your needs. The LG does a great loud clean and a good breakup; it takes pedals well for a Marshally sound. If you want a more versatile champ, get the XD :
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...mbo?sku=483069

[teleamp]

Roland C60.

[eugenedunn]

Has anyone heard about the BIT MO Killer Ant modification that makes it into a tube reverb unit? Sounds freakin' awesome. I just saw a brief mention of it in the Premier Guitar Online Magazine edition..... but nothing on the Blackheart or Bit Mo website....

Anybody?

[11 Gauge]

Originally Posted by bassame

the Killer Ant isn't available yet, and won't be in time for your needs

Dang - I just realized that when I went back to all of the places that had it f/s!

It looks like it's going to be the LG.

Not really interested in the XD - I like the simplicity of a couple of tubes, no fx, and no built in computers...

[11 Gauge]

Originally Posted by Southern ILL

I was diggin' its ability to change out the power tubes until it came time to do it....its hard to get to the tube....the bracket housing that supports the attenuator knob is right in the way.....impossiable to pull the tube with out removing the houseing.

Thanks for this info - this was a critical feature for consideration of the Windsor Studio, as I like to run 6L6's in my Champ, and was thinking about a KT66/6550/KT88 for the WS for larger places.

I change tubes like most people change their underwear. What good is no need to rebias if you can just throw another tube in there?

[e-merlin]

I like the Windsor Studio for what it is, a great little amp that gives you that creamy, saturated tube overdrive at any volume between bedroom and practice levels. As the name suggests, it was made with home recording in mind. I really don't think it's voiced for clean Tele tone, but it's passable.