Check out the newest news, views, lessons and more for Fender lovers -- FenderRocks.com

Okieactor · December 16th, 2009, 03:28 PM

What's your favorite combo tube amp that can be bought for under $500 on an average day? (Not that crazy instance where you found some $1500 amp for $300 bucks at a garage sale, but average used price.)

Requirements are just that it should sound good, be reliable, and be something you can play at home and also gig with if needed.

What's your opinion and why?

FMA · December 16th, 2009, 03:37 PM

I will be the first, but not the last, to recommend a Peavey Classic 30.
Another contender, which I think can be found for under five bills used, is the Kustom Coupe 36. Very nice sounding amp.

SirJackdeFuzz · December 16th, 2009, 03:59 PM

Blues Jr's is also a rock solid sub $500.00 amp !

casadyrocks · December 16th, 2009, 04:02 PM

I agree about the Classic 30, and there are several Mesa models available used under $500

timmer114 · December 16th, 2009, 04:11 PM

The Peavey Classic is a great amp. I like the USA Crate stuff also, the Palaminos and USA V-series were nice amps on the cheap.

Tim Armstrong · December 16th, 2009, 04:14 PM

I have a 70s Traynor YGM-3 that I bought from eBay about eight years ago for $210. I put a better speaker in it, so I now have around $300 in it. And it is GLORIOUS!

They can still be found for under $500.

Tim

TeleFunking · December 16th, 2009, 04:28 PM

If you need some effects and great clean, you should also consider a SCXD! I know it isn't all-tube but it is still an awesome little amp.

jbmando · December 16th, 2009, 04:39 PM

Well, not everyone's taste is the same, but I love my Crate V3112 which I picked up used for 200 bucks. 30 watts and just enough. Very loud amp which sounds fine at bedroom levels. Two channels (clean, drive) and reverb. 3 band EQ and a mid boost. Great amp.

Sterling Indigo · December 16th, 2009, 04:43 PM

BJ NOS Tweed version, great speaker, great amp-very moddable, gigable.

suave eddie · December 16th, 2009, 04:43 PM

You will hear conflicting opinions regarding these, but IMO, one of the best in this price range is the Mesa Boogie Subway Blues.

Jeru · December 16th, 2009, 04:45 PM

Another vote here for the peavey classic series. The C30 is a great amp; I had one for a long time, it gave up the goods reliably and never had any issues. Even better, find a Delta Blues -- Same all-tube 30 watts, choice of 2x10" or 1x15" reverb and tremolo. These can be had on craig's list ALL DAY for less than $500.

guitarbiker · December 16th, 2009, 04:46 PM

traynor YCV40 has two 6L6's or the traynor YCV50 has two EL34's both have Celestion speakers in them. I have both, sometimes use them both.

Dan German · December 16th, 2009, 05:30 PM

Lotta different answers to this question, and I don't think there'll be too many wrong ones, but I'll put my vote in for the Peavey Delta Blues. Or the Classic 30, but I like the tremolo and 2x10 configuration too much. As has been said, it's no problem at all to find these in excellent condition for well under you limit.

jmtaylor22 · December 16th, 2009, 05:39 PM

I would say a Rivera Clubster used can easily be had in this price range.

Hoodster · December 16th, 2009, 07:44 PM

I've never seen a Rivera Clubster for under $500 used. You might be able to steal the Clubster 25 1 x 10 in that range on a rare day, but I haven't seen it. I paid $675 for mine and sold it earlier this year for roughly the same price.

Back to the topic at hand, my vote would be for the Classic 30 or Delta Blues.

JosephB · December 16th, 2009, 08:07 PM

im really diggin my traynor YCV40WR, too. looks great, more versatile than an HRD and is a tank.

really depends on what you want to sound like/how much loud you need to be.

Twangthang · December 16th, 2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I have a 70s Traynor YGM-3 that I bought from eBay about eight years ago for $210. I put a better speaker in it, so I now have around $300 in it. And it is GLORIOUS!

They can still be found for under $500.

Tim

Just looked on ebay and found a YGM...
Why did you do that!!!

Glorious? Really?
It's on my watch list

EasilyAmused · December 16th, 2009, 08:11 PM

I'm a big fan of Traynor amps in that price range. The vintage ones can be really cool - as already mentioned, the YGM-3 is a killer amp.

I just picked up a YBA-4 for $450 - it's basically a marshall JTM-45 (or fender tweed bassman) with a 15" speaker. Hand wired, great transformers and rock solid build. FANTASTIC sounding amp for any price.

The new 40 watt Traynors are also pretty cool if you want more features. I like them A LOT more than a hot rod deluxe.

Mike Eskimo · December 16th, 2009, 09:05 PM

Peavey Bravo

All tube.

Does everything.

$200-$300 if you can find one.

jmtaylor22 · December 17th, 2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoodster

I've never seen a Rivera Clubster for under $500 used. You might be able to steal the Clubster 25 1 x 10 in that range on a rare day, but I haven't seen it. I paid $675 for mine and sold it earlier this year for roughly the same price.

Back to the topic at hand, my vote would be for the Classic 30 or Delta Blues.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rivera-Clubster-...item2a0349a3fa

I can paste in some more examples if you would like...

Here is one that went for $385

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rivera-Clubster-...item4a9cbfb9ed

December 16th, 2009, 03:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Okieactor Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Austin, TX Age: 33 Posts: 650 35 Photos	Best Tube Amp for under $500 used??? What's your favorite combo tube amp that can be bought for under $500 on an average day? (Not that crazy instance where you found some $1500 amp for $300 bucks at a garage sale, but average used price.) Requirements are just that it should sound good, be reliable, and be something you can play at home and also gig with if needed. What's your opinion and why?

December 16th, 2009, 03:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
SirJackdeFuzz Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Africa Age: 40 Posts: 2,572	Blues Jr's is also a rock solid sub $500.00 amp ! __________________ 60s Classic Series Tele (w Bareknuckle Blackguard Flatt 50's & Graphtech saddles) -->Fuzz -->EP Booster -->Trem/Vibe -->Delay -->'66Bassman. (+ Marshall Class 5)

December 16th, 2009, 04:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
TeleFunking Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brazil Age: 31 Posts: 186	If you need some effects and great clean, you should also consider a SCXD! I know it isn't all-tube but it is still an awesome little amp. Last edited by TeleFunking; December 17th, 2009 at 06:42 AM.

December 16th, 2009, 04:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
jbmando Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Plymouth Meeting, PA Posts: 3,857	Well, not everyone's taste is the same, but I love my Crate V3112 which I picked up used for 200 bucks. 30 watts and just enough. Very loud amp which sounds fine at bedroom levels. Two channels (clean, drive) and reverb. 3 band EQ and a mid boost. Great amp. __________________ Theory only seems like rocket science when you don't know it. Once you understand it, it's more like plumbing!~John McGann Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.~Mark Twain The hole for a pickup is a rout. No E.

December 16th, 2009, 04:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sterling Indigo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: East Lansing Posts: 2,392 5 Photos	BJ NOS Tweed version, great speaker, great amp-very moddable, gigable. __________________ Tweed is in the underpants!

Sponsored Ads	#
Forum Sponsor Sponsored posting Join Date: March, 2003 Location: Forum HQ Age: Posts: N/A	Sponsored by...

December 16th, 2009, 03:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
FMA Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,453 1 Photos	I will be the first, but not the last, to recommend a Peavey Classic 30. Another contender, which I think can be found for under five bills used, is the Kustom Coupe 36. Very nice sounding amp.

December 16th, 2009, 04:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
casadyrocks Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: colorado Posts: 645	I agree about the Classic 30, and there are several Mesa models available used under $500

December 16th, 2009, 04:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
timmer114 Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wisconsin Age: 44 Posts: 319	The Peavey Classic is a great amp. I like the USA Crate stuff also, the Palaminos and USA V-series were nice amps on the cheap.

December 16th, 2009, 04:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Super Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Age: 53 Posts: 18,861	I have a 70s Traynor YGM-3 that I bought from eBay about eight years ago for $210. I put a better speaker in it, so I now have around $300 in it. And it is GLORIOUS! They can still be found for under $500. Tim

December 16th, 2009, 04:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
suave eddie Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: canada Posts: 257	You will hear conflicting opinions regarding these, but IMO, one of the best in this price range is the Mesa Boogie Subway Blues.

December 16th, 2009, 04:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jeru Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Age: 36 Posts: 307	Another vote here for the peavey classic series. The C30 is a great amp; I had one for a long time, it gave up the goods reliably and never had any issues. Even better, find a Delta Blues -- Same all-tube 30 watts, choice of 2x10" or 1x15" reverb and tremolo. These can be had on craig's list ALL DAY for less than $500.

December 16th, 2009, 04:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
guitarbiker Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: ontario Age: 54 Posts: 477	traynor YCV40 has two 6L6's or the traynor YCV50 has two EL34's both have Celestion speakers in them. I have both, sometimes use them both.

December 16th, 2009, 05:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
Dan German Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rupert's Land Age: 52 Posts: 7,560	Lotta different answers to this question, and I don't think there'll be too many wrong ones, but I'll put my vote in for the Peavey Delta Blues. Or the Classic 30, but I like the tremolo and 2x10 configuration too much. As has been said, it's no problem at all to find these in excellent condition for well under you limit. __________________ "Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die." --Mel Brooks

December 16th, 2009, 05:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
jmtaylor22 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Covington Posts: 168	I would say a Rivera Clubster used can easily be had in this price range.

December 16th, 2009, 07:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
Hoodster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,678	I've never seen a Rivera Clubster for under $500 used. You might be able to steal the Clubster 25 1 x 10 in that range on a rare day, but I haven't seen it. I paid $675 for mine and sold it earlier this year for roughly the same price. Back to the topic at hand, my vote would be for the Classic 30 or Delta Blues. __________________ You can add dirt, but you can't add clean. http://www.youtube.com/Hoodrio

December 16th, 2009, 08:07 PM	#16 (permalink)
JosephB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Auburn, Alabama Age: 22 Posts: 1,360	im really diggin my traynor YCV40WR, too. looks great, more versatile than an HRD and is a tank. really depends on what you want to sound like/how much loud you need to be. __________________ Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion. -Jack Kerouac

December 16th, 2009, 08:11 PM	#18 (permalink)
EasilyAmused Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: London, ON, CANADA Age: 29 Posts: 429	I'm a big fan of Traynor amps in that price range. The vintage ones can be really cool - as already mentioned, the YGM-3 is a killer amp. I just picked up a YBA-4 for $450 - it's basically a marshall JTM-45 (or fender tweed bassman) with a 15" speaker. Hand wired, great transformers and rock solid build. FANTASTIC sounding amp for any price. The new 40 watt Traynors are also pretty cool if you want more features. I like them A LOT more than a hot rod deluxe.

December 16th, 2009, 09:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
Mike Eskimo Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Detroit Posts: 6,352	Peavey Bravo All tube. Does everything. $200-$300 if you can find one. __________________ Geeshie Wiley is my co-pilot

Check out the newest news, views, lessons and more for Fender lovers -- FenderRocks.com

IMPORTANT:Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult! No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.