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Toxic Tom · August 9th, 2012, 02:05 PM

So I'm looking to maybe get a small tube amp for practicing and recording. Something under £400 would be good. I'm thinking maybe blackstar ht-5, vox ac4, something bugera, Ibanez tube screamer amp. Something along those lines. Please advise me!

waparker4 · August 9th, 2012, 02:08 PM

I did a google search and found at least 4 pages of relevant hits from this site

https://www.google.com/search?q=tdpr...w=1429&bih=974

pondcaster · August 9th, 2012, 02:10 PM

Depending on what type of music you're playing, a Fender Blues Junior or Pro Junior might work out for you.

Definitely worth looking into.

gwjensen · August 9th, 2012, 05:00 PM

In the 5-watt range, you have to consider the VHT Special 6 for around $200. Hand-wired, blackface and tweed tones, hi/lo input, standby, half-power switch, 4/8/16 ohm speaker out.

Teleglide · August 9th, 2012, 05:14 PM

I love my VHT Special 6! I have the head version which I can run with any one of several cabs, usually a 1x12 with an Emi RW&B speaker.

bettyseldest · August 9th, 2012, 05:16 PM

I love my VHT Special 6!

+1

LGOberean · August 9th, 2012, 06:00 PM

I won't get into the whole "best" issue, but of the amps you listed, I've only had hands on experience with the Vox AC4. I think that could be a good amp for practicing and recording.

Now about the Blackstar HT-5, like I said, no hands on experience, but in YouTube video demos it sure sounds nice. Depends to some extent on what you play, of course.

ad720 · August 9th, 2012, 06:05 PM

That is a really difficult question to answer without knowing what kind of music you play and what kind of sounds you are looking for.

deadicated · August 9th, 2012, 06:18 PM

Another +1 for the special 6 or the special 6 ultra if you like a little more gain and tone shaping.

LTadrian · August 9th, 2012, 06:21 PM

I paid 185 for a refurbished Vox Ac4 from the guitar center website on black friday. Definitely worth it because this amp is awesome!

mexicolafuzz · August 9th, 2012, 06:38 PM

The fender Excelsior is great for the money also the little Greta amp is fine with a decent 1X12 or 4X12 cab. The Blackstar HT1, Fender Champ, Fender Vibro Champ and Voz Ac4tv are also worth a mention.

TheSmokingMan · August 9th, 2012, 06:59 PM

the ampeg 5 watter

bigmuff113 · August 9th, 2012, 07:00 PM

Orange AD5

brianswindall · August 9th, 2012, 08:15 PM

Have you considered vintage? Bought a 1960 Gibson Skylark for $450 last year and it sounds awesome. You've gotta do your homework but there are some great deals out there for unique vintage tone.

ludashoeless · August 9th, 2012, 08:28 PM

champ 600 or 5f1

gwjensen · August 9th, 2012, 09:26 PM

Here's another one to check out - Orange Micro Terror.

http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/a...-546818/review

JohnFrusciante · August 10th, 2012, 12:02 AM

Buy a used Peavy Classic 30 or a Fender Blues Junior. I owned the peavy along with vintage Fenders, Marshalls, Carrs, Reinhardt and other assorted boutique amps and the peavy always sounded damn good for a cheap amp

They're $350 used over here so I would imagine you can pick one up for less than 350 quid.

wbrown97 · August 10th, 2012, 02:38 AM

I have a Bugera V5, and it's fine, but not nearly the best in your price range. The Vox doesn't quite stand up to the larger Vox amps. Haven't used the blackstar, but I can highly recommend the VHT Special 6, and the Ultra version with a high gain channel. You should also look into the Blackheart Little Giant. Blackheart makes awesome amps. Good luck!

Dave_O · August 10th, 2012, 03:00 AM

Ibanez.

Piotr · August 10th, 2012, 04:23 AM

I've played a VHT Special 6 in a store this week and was blown away by the volume, headroom (with a tele) and tone quality. Wow!
(Disclaimer - for the size and price)

August 9th, 2012, 02:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Toxic Tom Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2012 Location: England Posts: 131	What is the best small (inexpensive) tube amp? So I'm looking to maybe get a small tube amp for practicing and recording. Something under £400 would be good. I'm thinking maybe blackstar ht-5, vox ac4, something bugera, Ibanez tube screamer amp. Something along those lines. Please advise me!

August 9th, 2012, 06:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
LGOberean Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2008 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Age: 59 Posts: 4,956 105 Photos	I won't get into the whole "best" issue, but of the amps you listed, I've only had hands on experience with the Vox AC4. I think that could be a good amp for practicing and recording. Now about the Blackstar HT-5, like I said, no hands on experience, but in YouTube video demos it sure sounds nice. Depends to some extent on what you play, of course. __________________ Larry G The soon to be famous musician/Cranks out Top 40 tunes in a bar/While his mind is somewhere on vacation/Far away from his voice and guitar Bob Bennett

August 9th, 2012, 06:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
deadicated Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Baltimore Age: 37 Posts: 402	Another +1 for the special 6 or the special 6 ultra if you like a little more gain and tone shaping. __________________ "One man gathers what another man spills."

August 9th, 2012, 06:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
mexicolafuzz TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Republic of Ireland Age: 28 Posts: 20	The fender Excelsior is great for the money also the little Greta amp is fine with a decent 1X12 or 4X12 cab. The Blackstar HT1, Fender Champ, Fender Vibro Champ and Voz Ac4tv are also worth a mention. __________________ The art of feedback

August 10th, 2012, 03:00 AM	#19 (permalink)
Dave_O Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 52 Posts: 4,330 37 Photos	Ibanez. __________________ My old Dad used to say------------- "People- they're not worth the paper they're printed on."

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August 9th, 2012, 02:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
waparker4 Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 5,310	I did a google search and found at least 4 pages of relevant hits from this site https://www.google.com/search?q=tdpr...w=1429&bih=974

August 9th, 2012, 02:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
pondcaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tryon, NC Age: 48 Posts: 1,933	Depending on what type of music you're playing, a Fender Blues Junior or Pro Junior might work out for you. Definitely worth looking into.

August 9th, 2012, 05:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
gwjensen Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Springfield Virginia Posts: 1,194	In the 5-watt range, you have to consider the VHT Special 6 for around $200. Hand-wired, blackface and tweed tones, hi/lo input, standby, half-power switch, 4/8/16 ohm speaker out.

August 9th, 2012, 05:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Teleglide Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,077	I love my VHT Special 6! I have the head version which I can run with any one of several cabs, usually a 1x12 with an Emi RW&B speaker.

August 9th, 2012, 05:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
bettyseldest Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK Posts: 212	I love my VHT Special 6! +1

August 9th, 2012, 06:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
ad720 Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phila, PA Posts: 264	That is a really difficult question to answer without knowing what kind of music you play and what kind of sounds you are looking for.

August 9th, 2012, 06:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
LTadrian TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Age: 18 Posts: 78	I paid 185 for a refurbished Vox Ac4 from the guitar center website on black friday. Definitely worth it because this amp is awesome!

August 9th, 2012, 06:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
TheSmokingMan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Belle Plaine, KS Posts: 297	the ampeg 5 watter

August 9th, 2012, 07:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
bigmuff113 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Antonio tx Age: 15 Posts: 2,299	Orange AD5

August 9th, 2012, 08:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
brianswindall Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2012 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 139	Have you considered vintage? Bought a 1960 Gibson Skylark for $450 last year and it sounds awesome. You've gotta do your homework but there are some great deals out there for unique vintage tone.

August 9th, 2012, 09:26 PM	#16 (permalink)
gwjensen Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Springfield Virginia Posts: 1,194	Here's another one to check out - Orange Micro Terror. http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/a...-546818/review

August 10th, 2012, 12:02 AM	#17 (permalink)
JohnFrusciante TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NYC Posts: 90	Buy a used Peavy Classic 30 or a Fender Blues Junior. I owned the peavy along with vintage Fenders, Marshalls, Carrs, Reinhardt and other assorted boutique amps and the peavy always sounded damn good for a cheap amp They're $350 used over here so I would imagine you can pick one up for less than 350 quid.

August 10th, 2012, 02:38 AM	#18 (permalink)
wbrown97 TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 90	I have a Bugera V5, and it's fine, but not nearly the best in your price range. The Vox doesn't quite stand up to the larger Vox amps. Haven't used the blackstar, but I can highly recommend the VHT Special 6, and the Ultra version with a high gain channel. You should also look into the Blackheart Little Giant. Blackheart makes awesome amps. Good luck!

August 10th, 2012, 04:23 AM	#20 (permalink)
Piotr Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Poland Posts: 745	I've played a VHT Special 6 in a store this week and was blown away by the volume, headroom (with a tele) and tone quality. Wow! (Disclaimer - for the size and price) __________________ Felwark - the band I play in

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