Clueless about an amp for my Tele...(Newbie)

jls24 · May 16th, 2006, 04:00 PM

Hey guys, little intro...... Lefty, 23 years old just graduated college. Just starting out on this guitar thing. I have a Taylor big baby as my first guitar but I never messed with it much, just got a standard tele and Im really wanting to learn the guitar. Anyway.........

Looking for a good amp for my tele. Im intersted in all types of music but hear is the sound Im looking for in order of preference........

Country - Brad Paisley (Ill never be as good as him even if he played with one hand, but I like his style, but I def cant afford a DR-Z)

Country - Keith Urban (Big country fan so also looking for modern country sound)

80's Power ballads - (Bonjovi, Whitesnake etc, might not be the best choice for a tele, but anyway...)

Oldies - Beatles, Roy Orbinson, Elivis etc.

This is the type of music Im interest in, just wanted to see if you guys could put me in the direction of amp Im looking for, or the effect Im looking for. Right now in my house I just have a peavey PA with mixer and speakers, so it sound pretty dull.probably will try to sell it. Looking for a tube amp I believe, but the problem is Im only looking to spend about $500 (give or take acouple hundred if necessary.)

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys

lostpick · May 16th, 2006, 04:16 PM

Your just beginning and having a bunch of
amps and effects to play with will broaden
your amp familiarity. It will help you find
your sound. I discovered I love tweeds
this way...

zombywoof · May 16th, 2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostpick

Your just beginning and having a bunch of
amps and effects to play with will broaden
your amp familiarity. It will help you find
your sound. I discovered I love tweeds
this way...

Here is where I will always disagree. Forget the pedals, boxes and whatever. Learn to use your fingers to get soul, tone and effects first. Darn FX can make anyone sound good. Figure out how to get sound out of your guitar played clean through an amp first, how to, as example, overdrive your amp using your controls or maybe a Pignose for a preamp rather than buy an overdrive unit. Then go and play around with boxes and pedals to enhance your tone.

With regard to amps, there are tons to choose from. Just try one after another after another. I think Teles sound fantastic through one 15" speaker (old Ampegs as example). But that is just my taste. You will figure it out.

Robin Nahum · May 16th, 2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jls24

Looking for a good amp for my tele....

Welcome.

I started out with a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (40W, 1 x 12", 2 x 6L6). It sounded great (at least on the clean setting) with my AmStd Tele and I was very happy with it until I got infected with a desire for vintage gear. (The dirty settings on the HRD are nothing to write home about.)

HRDs are affordable, and resellable when you start to get a clearer idea of what you're after.

I found mine robust and reliable. Some users have reported here that they have not.

Vol. Knob · May 16th, 2006, 10:37 PM

Tweed Deluxe.

studio1087 · May 16th, 2006, 11:00 PM

Vox AD 30 VT.

Fantastic variety of tube tones. Plenty loud. $239 everywhere.

Read the AD30VT thread that's on the board right now.

The AD30VT would make a great second amp or practice amp if you buy a bigger amp some day.

I have the Vox AD30VT and a Hot Rod Deluxe. The Vox is a great amp.

Scott S · May 17th, 2006, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof

Here is where I will always disagree. Forget the pedals, boxes and whatever. Learn to use your fingers to get soul, tone and effects first. Darn FX can make anyone sound good. Figure out how to get sound out of your guitar played clean through an amp first, how to, as example, overdrive your amp using your controls or maybe a Pignose for a preamp rather than buy an overdrive unit. Then go and play around with boxes and pedals to enhance your tone.

+1... pedals and models and all that are just distractions. Learn how to play first. 8)

JohnnyCrash · May 17th, 2006, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vol. Knob

Tweed Deluxe.

Amen to the Tweed Deluxe.

Paisley's got this weird (but cool) compressed sound, yet it's sort of old school, slightly. Dr. Z amps will nab that sound (at a price tag you might not like), BUT I still vote for a Tweed Deluxe clone.

If you're going to be playing with a full band, the Deluxe aint gonna be loud enough though.

Throw a Tube Screamer (an older TS808 reissue or clone, preferably) in front of the Tweed Deluxe and presto, you're in a "Whitesnake-ish" area.

If you're looking for a tonal chameleon go for any of the modelling amps... If you're looking for REAL good tone and are interested in it more than a hobby - go with a '65 RI Deluxe for now, upgrade as you learn what you like.

Ptrallan01 · May 17th, 2006, 08:20 AM

Your journey starts now. Finding the right amp is an ongoing compromise with money and time.

My journey started with a cheap solidstate 2 channel yamaha that sounded pretty bad, moved to a solidstate Peavey Transtube that sounded very good with built in effects but it waasn't loud enough with a band. Traded that in for a Cyber Deluxe which I really like. Was told that ALL solid state amps stink, tried a Pignose G40V. Liked it and found it interesting but some what limited after the Cyber Deluxe, which has GREAT digital delays and reverb. (The other effects aren't to my liking). By accident I found a Dean Markley CD30 6L6 amp that had been modded somewhat in a pawn shop, LOVE the sound but again miss the versatility of the Cyber Deluxe (which I still have).

Finding an amp is not a one stop journey. Try several and be ready to trade them for something else along the way. Don't let anybody tell you, that you have to have this amp or that another one is absolutely no good. Let your ears tell you what you're ready for. Try somethings knowing that they are just for a short period. I did this with the Peavey Transtube 258 which is still my all time favorite amp but isn't loud enough. It did teach me a lot about clean and dirty channels and effects that helped me become a much better guitar player.

Enjoy the trip!!!!!

Peter

Sidney Vicious · May 17th, 2006, 08:28 AM

I agree with those who suggest you shy away from pedals and effects - as a slowly evolving newbie myself, having played around with a few pedals and solid state amps without satisfaction, I would recommend a small vintage tube amp - a Silverface Fender Champ to be precise - for playing around/learning.

If you get bored with it you can sell it or trade w/o losing $.

Or you may keep it 'til you croak.

About 200 on ebay before shipping.

And despite the wealth of good info about this speaker or that mod - buy a stock one and play it as is!

All IMHO of course.

a42 · May 17th, 2006, 08:35 AM

Don't spend a lot of money on your first amp. Don't worry about tube vs. solid state vs. modeling. Don't worry that it might not be enough to play with a band. Just find something inexpensive -- used if you can find it -- and buy it and learn to play.

You may not stick with the guitar and the less you spend now the less you'll lose later. If, on the other hand, you decide that the guitar is for you, you'll have a much better shot at finding what you like after you've played for a while.

Wayne Alexander · May 17th, 2006, 10:11 AM

Test drive a Vox AC15CC1. It's a 15 watt class A tube amp, with a master volume (allows gainy sounds at lower volumes, though it still sounds best full out), tremolo and reverb, plenty loud for most small-to-medium gigs, and very well built. They sell for $599 new with the "Wharfdale" speaker, or $999 with the Celestion Blue speaker. This is an amp that makes all the sounds you've listed, and sounds WAY better than any modeling amp. It's an amp that turns heads every time anyone hears it. The Wharfdale speaker sounds fine, start with that if money is an issue, and later swap it to an Eminence Red Fang or Weber Blue Dog Alnico (both under $150) or the real Celestion Blue (around $250). A real tube amp that's well designed (and this is a spectacular one) will inspire the heck out of you. Except for the Vox modeling amp mentioned above, none of the amps suggested so far will give you early or late Beatles sounds, this will. It will also do a better job on the semigainy country sounds you've mentioned than any of the other amps suggested. Make sure to play with your guitar through all the amps you're considering, both at soft and loud volumes, and crank all the controls various ways, before you buy anything.

mad dog · May 17th, 2006, 11:06 AM

Well you are in luck here. I have yet to find an amp the tele doesn't sound good through. Options are truly unlimited. According to my experience (not necessarily your list/requirements), this could work:

- BRDR/SFTR, DRRI: Probably the most flexible tone choice out there. Maybe upgrade speakers, maybe not. OD pedal or not. Doesn't really matter. If I could only pick one, this might be it.
- Tweed deluxe (if it's loud enough for you, another perfect choice)
- VR, SF or BF
- TR: any flavor, I like SF. Big, heavy. LOTS of clean.
- Tweed anything (almost), with Pro types high on my list
- BFSR/SFSR/SRRI:
- Gretsch/valco/supro old stuff. The list is so long. I'm partial to the Gretsch 6164/65.
- Gibson old stuff. Top choice for me, GA40. GA77 is right up there (15" speaker)
- Ampeg old stuff. Reverborocket is #1 for me. Gemini 1, Gemini II - VI, Jet, M12 mercury, M15, whatever. I love all of 'em.
- Bruno CT 45. Take all your money, buy one amp. Oh, but what an amp!
- Magnatone old stuff. Too many to list. My current favorite tele amps are Maggie M-10A custom, Twilighter 260. Exotic, not mainstream, good luck finding this stuff, if you do you're in for a real surprise.

KuuKOO · May 17th, 2006, 11:26 AM

Amen on the Magnatone.

My friend brought the "old cheap amp" that was just sitting in the basement over, an Estey 1x12. Yeah the pots wer scratchy but the sound, the sound! Sometimes you can get em cheap.

That Vibrato is AMAAAZING. I am not a great player but for a minute I thought I was Lonnie Mack (with Tele rather than the 'v).

popthree · May 17th, 2006, 11:26 AM

one option to consider is to go with a small practice/travel amp at first..... the advantage being you wont have much invested, you'll probably keep it forever, they are great for bedroom jamming AND...if you pick the right one, it'll sound pretty darn good.

the two to consider IMO are the Vox da5 and the Roland Microcube. the microcube retails for around a buck twenty five, the vox is a little more...but pocket change difference.

both amps have several models, and some useful basic effects. both amps run on batteries or ac adapters.

Also, if you wanted to get loud, you could line out to your PA. I have the microcube myself, (bought it long before the Vox was available) and it sounds terrific running direct to a PA.

I'd wait on the tube amp...spend the 125 on a nice ittle practice amp, put the balance of your 500 in a coffee can, and save up for a really nice old Fender or something.

telel6s · May 17th, 2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott S

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombywoof

Here is where I will always disagree. Forget the pedals, boxes and whatever. Learn to use your fingers to get soul, tone and effects first. Darn FX can make anyone sound good. Figure out how to get sound out of your guitar played clean through an amp first, how to, as example, overdrive your amp using your controls or maybe a Pignose for a preamp rather than buy an overdrive unit. Then go and play around with boxes and pedals to enhance your tone.

+1... pedals and models and all that are just distractions. Learn how to play first. 8)

I'm a tube amp guy. The fewer knobs the better, so long as they do theirr job. No real desire for master volume. I have short list of pedals but only use them for gigs to fit and/or compete with the rest of the band.....in the house I don't see the need.

All that being said, I think something like the Vox would be a good first amp as long as the user can pick two or three "patches" and then just stick with them. I think an amp like the Vox would help someone to figure out "their" sound without buying and selling a series of different amps over several years (decades?).

That said, if I had a $500 ceiling today....after 20+ years of playing and experimenting....I'd be looking at a short list including:

SF Princeton (non-reverb; PR's will be too much $$$)
Tweed Deluxe clone
Used AC15CC (I've already seen 'em listed for < $500)
Crate Classic 30

...plus one decent overdrive pedal.

Bopcat · May 17th, 2006, 12:52 PM

SF Princeton or SF Champ. These are "lifetime" amps. No matter what you move up to, these are good, useful amps. They will keep or increase their value with time. A good tube amp responds to your touch and will make you a better player. I'd rather have an average guitar and a good amp than vice versa.

petebradt · May 17th, 2006, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vol. Knob

Tweed Deluxe.

If you're going to be playing with a full band, the Deluxe aint gonna be loud enough though.

I don't know why people say this, I've played with a Deluxe with four or five bands and only once was it not enough, and those guys were earbleed loud. They were so loud I don't think my Bassman would have been loud enough.

If you're playing clubs, a Deluxe is just fine as long as you're not trying to be the Who at Wembley or something.

I've played clubs where we weren't supposed to get loud at all, with a SF Champ. The drummer had to use brushes and rods.

The one time I tried to use the Bassman at a club, it was a disaster. 40 watts in a club setting , in my experience, is way too much.

But ditto on the Tweed Deluxe.

jls24 · May 17th, 2006, 02:01 PM

Wow guys, thanks for help. Ive only browsed this forum a few times, but I think I might like it here :D . I appreciate all the suggestions. Im making a list of the suggested and go to the local music shop and see what I can find. I know that they have some VOX's just not sure of the model. Like I said Im just starting so Im basically strumming chords, and a few riffs at this point. When I bought the guitar I was hooked up to a Hod Rod Deluxe, and I loved the clean tone out of it.

On a side note my old man has the Line 6 pod. (It was the first one that came out not the 2.0) but I cant get very loud with it through my PA without a lot of static noise. Can you think of anything I was doing wrong?

Thanks again for the suggestions guys keep'em comin'.

David Barnett · May 17th, 2006, 02:31 PM

Tweed Deluxe assembled head, $330:

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubP...der5E3Kits.htm

Tweed Deluxe cabinet, $232.50:

http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/cgi...inets/tf=brand

Add a 12" alnico speaker and a set of tubes, and it's only $100-$200 over your stated budget, for an amp you'll keep for life, after you screw a few of the bits together.

If you know how to solder, the amp head is also available in kit form for much less.

KC · May 17th, 2006, 03:08 PM

in the +/- $500 range, the lil dawg d-luxe seems like a good choice (10-week lead time, though -- I'm still waiting on mine). tweed deluxe clone, alnico speaker, ptp wired.

I played an AC15cc the other week in the store & thought it was terrific, too. loud & versatile.

one of my fave sounds, for a little less, is the Gibson Goldtone GA15 -- widely available used for about $250-300, very cool little amp. I've got the 1x10 version but I might try & hold out for the 1x12 with reverb. No master volume but I put a sparkle drive in front of it for low-volume stuff (TV practice, etc).

nothing wrong with a silverface princeton reverb, either, if you can find a clean one in your price range that's been kept up. beware, though, of maintenance costs on older tube amps -- it's easy to spend a couple of hundred bucks just getting one into top playing shape. Good luck.

May 16th, 2006, 04:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
jls24 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9	Clueless about an amp for my Tele...(Newbie) Hey guys, little intro...... Lefty, 23 years old just graduated college. Just starting out on this guitar thing. I have a Taylor big baby as my first guitar but I never messed with it much, just got a standard tele and Im really wanting to learn the guitar. Anyway......... Looking for a good amp for my tele. Im intersted in all types of music but hear is the sound Im looking for in order of preference........ Country - Brad Paisley (Ill never be as good as him even if he played with one hand, but I like his style, but I def cant afford a DR-Z) Country - Keith Urban (Big country fan so also looking for modern country sound) 80's Power ballads - (Bonjovi, Whitesnake etc, might not be the best choice for a tele, but anyway...) Oldies - Beatles, Roy Orbinson, Elivis etc. This is the type of music Im interest in, just wanted to see if you guys could put me in the direction of amp Im looking for, or the effect Im looking for. Right now in my house I just have a peavey PA with mixer and speakers, so it sound pretty dull.probably will try to sell it. Looking for a tube amp I believe, but the problem is Im only looking to spend about $500 (give or take acouple hundred if necessary.) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks guys

May 16th, 2006, 04:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
lostpick Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Staten Island, NYC Posts: 988	Buy a Roland Cube 30 or Vox ADT30 Your just beginning and having a bunch of amps and effects to play with will broaden your amp familiarity. It will help you find your sound. I discovered I love tweeds this way...

May 16th, 2006, 10:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vol. Knob Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 563 77 Photos	Tweed Deluxe. __________________ I have a few bands: 7 Mysteries Zerababyl Inflammatory Rhetoric

May 16th, 2006, 11:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,771 36 Photos	Vox AD 30 VT. Fantastic variety of tube tones. Plenty loud. $239 everywhere. Read the AD30VT thread that's on the board right now. The AD30VT would make a great second amp or practice amp if you buy a bigger amp some day. I have the Vox AD30VT and a Hot Rod Deluxe. The Vox is a great amp. __________________ JLG Carry On

May 17th, 2006, 08:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ptrallan01 Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 549 3 Photos	Get ready Your journey starts now. Finding the right amp is an ongoing compromise with money and time. My journey started with a cheap solidstate 2 channel yamaha that sounded pretty bad, moved to a solidstate Peavey Transtube that sounded very good with built in effects but it waasn't loud enough with a band. Traded that in for a Cyber Deluxe which I really like. Was told that ALL solid state amps stink, tried a Pignose G40V. Liked it and found it interesting but some what limited after the Cyber Deluxe, which has GREAT digital delays and reverb. (The other effects aren't to my liking). By accident I found a Dean Markley CD30 6L6 amp that had been modded somewhat in a pawn shop, LOVE the sound but again miss the versatility of the Cyber Deluxe (which I still have). Finding an amp is not a one stop journey. Try several and be ready to trade them for something else along the way. Don't let anybody tell you, that you have to have this amp or that another one is absolutely no good. Let your ears tell you what you're ready for. Try somethings knowing that they are just for a short period. I did this with the Peavey Transtube 258 which is still my all time favorite amp but isn't loud enough. It did teach me a lot about clean and dirty channels and effects that helped me become a much better guitar player. Enjoy the trip!!!!! Peter __________________ Ooh, I want my guitar to sound like Jimmie Smith's organ!!!

May 17th, 2006, 08:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
Sidney Vicious Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Posts: 1,071 6 Photos	Fender Champ. Period. I agree with those who suggest you shy away from pedals and effects - as a slowly evolving newbie myself, having played around with a few pedals and solid state amps without satisfaction, I would recommend a small vintage tube amp - a Silverface Fender Champ to be precise - for playing around/learning. If you get bored with it you can sell it or trade w/o losing $. Or you may keep it 'til you croak. About 200 on ebay before shipping. And despite the wealth of good info about this speaker or that mod - buy a stock one and play it as is! All IMHO of course.

May 17th, 2006, 08:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
a42 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bowie, MD Posts: 191	Don't spend a lot of money on your first amp. Don't worry about tube vs. solid state vs. modeling. Don't worry that it might not be enough to play with a band. Just find something inexpensive -- used if you can find it -- and buy it and learn to play. You may not stick with the guitar and the less you spend now the less you'll lose later. If, on the other hand, you decide that the guitar is for you, you'll have a much better shot at finding what you like after you've played for a while.

May 17th, 2006, 10:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,018	Test drive a Vox AC15CC1. It's a 15 watt class A tube amp, with a master volume (allows gainy sounds at lower volumes, though it still sounds best full out), tremolo and reverb, plenty loud for most small-to-medium gigs, and very well built. They sell for $599 new with the "Wharfdale" speaker, or $999 with the Celestion Blue speaker. This is an amp that makes all the sounds you've listed, and sounds WAY better than any modeling amp. It's an amp that turns heads every time anyone hears it. The Wharfdale speaker sounds fine, start with that if money is an issue, and later swap it to an Eminence Red Fang or Weber Blue Dog Alnico (both under $150) or the real Celestion Blue (around $250). A real tube amp that's well designed (and this is a spectacular one) will inspire the heck out of you. Except for the Vox modeling amp mentioned above, none of the amps suggested so far will give you early or late Beatles sounds, this will. It will also do a better job on the semigainy country sounds you've mentioned than any of the other amps suggested. Make sure to play with your guitar through all the amps you're considering, both at soft and loud volumes, and crank all the controls various ways, before you buy anything.

May 17th, 2006, 11:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 740	Well you are in luck here. I have yet to find an amp the tele doesn't sound good through. Options are truly unlimited. According to my experience (not necessarily your list/requirements), this could work: - BRDR/SFTR, DRRI: Probably the most flexible tone choice out there. Maybe upgrade speakers, maybe not. OD pedal or not. Doesn't really matter. If I could only pick one, this might be it. - Tweed deluxe (if it's loud enough for you, another perfect choice) - VR, SF or BF - TR: any flavor, I like SF. Big, heavy. LOTS of clean. - Tweed anything (almost), with Pro types high on my list - BFSR/SFSR/SRRI: - Gretsch/valco/supro old stuff. The list is so long. I'm partial to the Gretsch 6164/65. - Gibson old stuff. Top choice for me, GA40. GA77 is right up there (15" speaker) - Ampeg old stuff. Reverborocket is #1 for me. Gemini 1, Gemini II - VI, Jet, M12 mercury, M15, whatever. I love all of 'em. - Bruno CT 45. Take all your money, buy one amp. Oh, but what an amp! - Magnatone old stuff. Too many to list. My current favorite tele amps are Maggie M-10A custom, Twilighter 260. Exotic, not mainstream, good luck finding this stuff, if you do you're in for a real surprise.

May 17th, 2006, 11:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
KuuKOO TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 92 2 Photos	Amen on the Magnatone. My friend brought the "old cheap amp" that was just sitting in the basement over, an Estey 1x12. Yeah the pots wer scratchy but the sound, the sound! Sometimes you can get em cheap. That Vibrato is AMAAAZING. I am not a great player but for a minute I thought I was Lonnie Mack (with Tele rather than the 'v).

May 17th, 2006, 11:26 AM	#15 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,683 44 Photos	keep it cheap and simple one option to consider is to go with a small practice/travel amp at first..... the advantage being you wont have much invested, you'll probably keep it forever, they are great for bedroom jamming AND...if you pick the right one, it'll sound pretty darn good. the two to consider IMO are the Vox da5 and the Roland Microcube. the microcube retails for around a buck twenty five, the vox is a little more...but pocket change difference. both amps have several models, and some useful basic effects. both amps run on batteries or ac adapters. Also, if you wanted to get loud, you could line out to your PA. I have the microcube myself, (bought it long before the Vox was available) and it sounds terrific running direct to a PA. I'd wait on the tube amp...spend the 125 on a nice ittle practice amp, put the balance of your 500 in a coffee can, and save up for a really nice old Fender or something. __________________ don't taze me bro !

May 17th, 2006, 12:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
Bopcat Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: California Age: 56 Posts: 202	SF Princeton or SF Champ. These are "lifetime" amps. No matter what you move up to, these are good, useful amps. They will keep or increase their value with time. A good tube amp responds to your touch and will make you a better player. I'd rather have an average guitar and a good amp than vice versa.

May 17th, 2006, 02:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
jls24 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9	Wow guys, thanks for help. Ive only browsed this forum a few times, but I think I might like it here :D . I appreciate all the suggestions. Im making a list of the suggested and go to the local music shop and see what I can find. I know that they have some VOX's just not sure of the model. Like I said Im just starting so Im basically strumming chords, and a few riffs at this point. When I bought the guitar I was hooked up to a Hod Rod Deluxe, and I loved the clean tone out of it. On a side note my old man has the Line 6 pod. (It was the first one that came out not the 2.0) but I cant get very loud with it through my PA without a lot of static noise. Can you think of anything I was doing wrong? Thanks again for the suggestions guys keep'em comin'.

May 17th, 2006, 02:31 PM	#20 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LIttle Rock, AR Age: 52 Posts: 5,339	Tweed Deluxe assembled head, $330: http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubP...der5E3Kits.htm Tweed Deluxe cabinet, $232.50: http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/cgi...inets/tf=brand Add a 12" alnico speaker and a set of tubes, and it's only $100-$200 over your stated budget, for an amp you'll keep for life, after you screw a few of the bits together. If you know how to solder, the amp head is also available in kit form for much less.

May 17th, 2006, 03:08 PM	#21 (permalink)
KC Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 1,231 15 Photos	lil dawg in the +/- $500 range, the lil dawg d-luxe seems like a good choice (10-week lead time, though -- I'm still waiting on mine). tweed deluxe clone, alnico speaker, ptp wired. I played an AC15cc the other week in the store & thought it was terrific, too. loud & versatile. one of my fave sounds, for a little less, is the Gibson Goldtone GA15 -- widely available used for about $250-300, very cool little amp. I've got the 1x10 version but I might try & hold out for the 1x12 with reverb. No master volume but I put a sparkle drive in front of it for low-volume stuff (TV practice, etc). nothing wrong with a silverface princeton reverb, either, if you can find a clean one in your price range that's been kept up. beware, though, of maintenance costs on older tube amps -- it's easy to spend a couple of hundred bucks just getting one into top playing shape. Good luck.