Need suggestions for bookcase amp

tpaul · March 26th, 2006, 11:15 PM

Hey, does anyone have a suggestion for a small, not too expensive, reliable and nice-sounding amp for the living room? Something that can fit on the bookshelf, by which I mean no more than 17 inches in height (depth is no problem, it's a very deep shelf). I like tubes but a good quality transistor amp would be fine. It would be nice if the controls and inputs were on the front, rather than the top. Reverb is a must. Something I can find used that isn't likely to suddenly need a new output transformer or switch. Doesn't have to be too powerful, a 15W or thereabouts should be ok, though a little extra muscle would be a plus.

Thanks for your suggestions,

-T

ruger9 · March 27th, 2006, 07:12 AM

I haven't found a "bookcase" tube amp with reverb. So I'll list the 1 tube amp I'd get anyway, even tho it doesn't have verb:

Tubes = Songworks Little Lanilei or 3350LT
http://www.songworks.com

Transistor = Vox DA5 (man, this is a FUN little box!)
http://www.voxamps.co.uk/products/da/da5.htm

I have the DA5, love it, and a Little Lanilei/3350LT is on my "to buy" list.

Soundsample of the Little Lanilei here:
http://www.tonefrenzy.com/effects/so...ilei_tube.html

Daddy Elmis · March 27th, 2006, 07:29 PM

a Reverend Goblin would be great for this -- 5/15 watt switchable, multiple voices, 1x10, 13-1/2" wide, 16-3/4" tall, 9-1 /2" deep. 22 lbs.

Maestro · March 28th, 2006, 08:19 AM

Crafter guitars makes 1 amp, It's a nce little box, has the best sound you can buy for less that 350 dollars. it's transistor and it has an electronic reverb and a whole bucnh of other cool effects (delay etc ) it's really a great practice amp/bookshelf amp.

And it has a microphone input!

simonc · March 28th, 2006, 11:20 AM

these amps look the best imo for what you want, in a living room amp....dont know what they sound like though.
www.electrosonicamplifiers.com

but i can definately reccommend the Mini Z as a contender, damn loud & fine sounding amp.

FMA · March 28th, 2006, 12:23 PM

Tubes: Fender Pro Junior. Great little amp.
SS: Vox Valvetronix AD15VT, a little 15-watt modeller. I have a 30-watt version. Fun little amp and inexpensive too. Sounds a lot more expensive than it is...

popthree · March 28th, 2006, 12:36 PM

a roland microcube is a good choice. they sound great, and you can buy one new for 125, or second hand/ebay for alot less. It has reverb/delay, chorus/flanger/tremelo, plus several useable amp models...the best model IMO is called Brit Combo. The controls are on top, but the amp is only 8" high so if you have 17" to work with, you should find it comfortable to use. they also work reasonably well for recording via the headphone/rec out to a PC or other recording device.

the little amp amazes me, how good it can sound, such a tiny package, such a tiny price...

edited...

oh yeah, i almost forgot...it can also run on 6AA batteries ..and the batteries seem to last a really long time
(AC adapter is included too)

a42 · March 28th, 2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popthree

a roland microcube is a good choice.

Agreed. But be aware that the on/off switch is on the back of the amp.

March 26th, 2006, 11:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
tpaul Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kingston, NY Posts: 810	Need suggestions for bookcase amp Hey, does anyone have a suggestion for a small, not too expensive, reliable and nice-sounding amp for the living room? Something that can fit on the bookshelf, by which I mean no more than 17 inches in height (depth is no problem, it's a very deep shelf). I like tubes but a good quality transistor amp would be fine. It would be nice if the controls and inputs were on the front, rather than the top. Reverb is a must. Something I can find used that isn't likely to suddenly need a new output transformer or switch. Doesn't have to be too powerful, a 15W or thereabouts should be ok, though a little extra muscle would be a plus. Thanks for your suggestions, -T

March 27th, 2006, 07:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
ruger9 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackettstown, NJ Posts: 1,726	I haven't found a "bookcase" tube amp with reverb. So I'll list the 1 tube amp I'd get anyway, even tho it doesn't have verb: Tubes = Songworks Little Lanilei or 3350LT http://www.songworks.com Transistor = Vox DA5 (man, this is a FUN little box!) http://www.voxamps.co.uk/products/da/da5.htm I have the DA5, love it, and a Little Lanilei/3350LT is on my "to buy" list. Soundsample of the Little Lanilei here: http://www.tonefrenzy.com/effects/so...ilei_tube.html __________________ "I've got callouses, from all those nights, spent playin' a Telecaster, 'till my fingers bled Bud Light" - Travis Tritt

March 27th, 2006, 07:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Daddy Elmis Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 961	a Reverend Goblin would be great for this -- 5/15 watt switchable, multiple voices, 1x10, 13-1/2" wide, 16-3/4" tall, 9-1 /2" deep. 22 lbs. __________________ Elwood: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we're sure glad to be here in Cocomo tonight. We're the Good Ole' Blues Brothers Boys Band from Chicago. I sure hope you like our show. I'm Elwood, this here's my brother Jake.

March 28th, 2006, 08:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Maestro Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The United Lowlands Of Holland Posts: 755	Crafter Crafter guitars makes 1 amp, It's a nce little box, has the best sound you can buy for less that 350 dollars. it's transistor and it has an electronic reverb and a whole bucnh of other cool effects (delay etc ) it's really a great practice amp/bookshelf amp. And it has a microphone input! __________________ A clean conscience is usually the result of a bad memory.

March 28th, 2006, 11:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,571 4 Photos	these amps look the best imo for what you want, in a living room amp....dont know what they sound like though. www.electrosonicamplifiers.com but i can definately reccommend the Mini Z as a contender, damn loud & fine sounding amp. __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

March 28th, 2006, 12:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
FMA Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,174	Along the "not too expensive" line... Tubes: Fender Pro Junior. Great little amp. SS: Vox Valvetronix AD15VT, a little 15-watt modeller. I have a 30-watt version. Fun little amp and inexpensive too. Sounds a lot more expensive than it is...

March 28th, 2006, 12:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,949 49 Photos	MicroCube a roland microcube is a good choice. they sound great, and you can buy one new for 125, or second hand/ebay for alot less. It has reverb/delay, chorus/flanger/tremelo, plus several useable amp models...the best model IMO is called Brit Combo. The controls are on top, but the amp is only 8" high so if you have 17" to work with, you should find it comfortable to use. they also work reasonably well for recording via the headphone/rec out to a PC or other recording device. the little amp amazes me, how good it can sound, such a tiny package, such a tiny price... edited... oh yeah, i almost forgot...it can also run on 6AA batteries ..and the batteries seem to last a really long time (AC adapter is included too) __________________ "chips are falling....." -Dr. Johnny Fever