Which combo amp from this list?

[appar111]

Looks like I'll have some extra $$$ soon (as little as $500 to play with, as much as $1000). And here are some of the candidates I'm looking at for a great sounding amp that I can take out to gigs from time to time, but will also sound great in the basement:

Rivera Pubster 25W (1x10) $800
Richter 5E3 Deluxe $725-800
Used Mesa/Boogie Mk IIB 60W- $500
Peavey Classic 30 ($350-400 used, $550-600 new?)

I play alot of rock, and would like something that I don't need to use too many pedals with to sound good (maybe just a distortion or overdrive box).

So, knowing that, which would be the best choice? Also, are there any really good ones that I'm missing? I'd like something tube, and either a 1x12 or 1x10, and enough wattage to do a small gig and still have some clean headroom.

[Wally]

If that MKIIB has the graphic EQ and reverb, I say go for it. It takes some patient knob turning, but it will do rock sounds for you. If it doesn't have the Graphic, I consider that a big drawback. The lack of reverb would be less of a drawback for me.
The PUbster gets great reviews. I haven't heard one, but Ihaven't heard a Rivera amp that I didn't find interesting and usable.
IF that 5E3 clone is well-built, it should be a good straight-ahead amp. It won't be as versatile as something like a Boogie.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by Wally

If that MKIIB has the graphic EQ and reverb, I say go for it. It takes some patient knob turning, but it will do rock sounds for you. If it doesn't have the Graphic, I consider that a big drawback. The lack of reverb would be less of a drawback for me.
The PUbster gets great reviews. I haven't heard one, but Ihaven't heard a Rivera amp that I didn't find interesting and usable.
IF that 5E3 clone is well-built, it should be a good straight-ahead amp. It won't be as versatile as something like a Boogie.

The Boogie has neither the graphic EQ (the early ones didn't) nor the reverb.

Funny story about this amp-- I bought it about 7 years ago used for $450 or $475, and a friend of mine was starting to gig regularly in a cover band and needed a smaller amp to lug around, so I sold it to him for that price. I'm going to talk to him today about possibly buying it back for $475. He has since moved onto a completely different rig, so there's a good chance I can get it.

I would need to use a distortion or overdrive pedal with it, that's for sure, as the lack of the graphic EQ makes getting a decent lead tone difficult at anything other than stadium volume. The amp has the original "dinner plate" EV in it, and is loud as can be.

[BobbyB]

The 5e3 a basic great Tube amp for "roots/music" great tweed tone.

The Rivera is pretty much a souped up 5e3. 6V6 tubes,nice gain and reverb. Sweet tones. (Blues/BluesRock) Only has 10"speaker.

The Boogie Mark IIB is the "rocker" of the group. Lots of power,gain and overall good tone.(hope you play large clubs) LOUD!

Peavey Classic 30 great bang for the buck amp...IMHO not in the same league as the rest. Still a nicetube amp though.

[KC]

my pick off that list would be the tweed deluxe, kind of a one-trick pony but it's a good trick. I'm more of a blues guy & I like the edge-of-breakup tone you can get out of one of these. But there's also the everything-dimed approach that turns one of these into a real rock screamer. You won't miss the reverb, either, is my bet.

The problem is that it's actually pretty loud when you get it sounding good -- too loud for the basement, and maybe not loud enough for the gig, if you've got a real rock drummer. A sparkle drive will solve the basement problem, though, and a SM57 will make the gig work. And this should be a lifetime amp if properly put togther.

[scooteraz]

Loved my Classic 30 as long as I had guitars with humbuckers. When I started to fall in love with single coil sounds, it was hard to get a tone that wasn't too spikey to my ears. I think it is both a circuit and speaker issue. Others love them, and they are the best for the price point. Also surprisingly loud, maybe as loud as the Mesa 60 W (seems to have a really efficient speaker). While others have said how rugged these are, mine was not particularly. Nothing awful, just not in the league with Rivera or Mesa. Would be my last choice on this list if it were being used for single coils. Could come as high as 2nd if it were used exclusively with HB and price was the major issue.

Rivera Pubster is a great little amp. I have only tried, but like a lot. I second what BobbyB said. Good reputation for ruggedness. Downfall (or huge boost) could be the single 10" speaker. Would probably be my second choice on this list.

Mesa, as you noted too loud. And, if you are always looking for that Santana tone, probably can be set up to work great. But, if you are looking for other tones at the same time, a little on the fiddely side. Plenty rugged usually. Would be my 3rd choice on this list.

Richter 5E3. How can you go wrong with this proven circuit? Don't know the manufacturer, but she seems to have a following on the net. If it were me, and I was satisfied by the build quality and potential for future service, this would probably be my 1st choice.

[Wally]

My take on a MKII type of Boogie without the graphic is that it is hard to push for preamp gain and still get some low end going on. The graphic, which is post preamp allows one to run the preamp hot with the Bass pot low to avoid distortin the low end beyond usability and then pump up soem lows with the Graphic. If you don't go for preamp distortion, perhaps one would never miss the graphic. And, after all, that is the magic of a Boogie...cascaded preamp gain, right?

[BobbyB]

Oh yeah...I might add. I have owned and played through a lot of different amps. But my 5e3 is my favorite grab and go amp. It wont give you lots of clean, but the crunch tones are to die for. Crank it, add a SM57 and rock to your hearts content.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by Wally

My take on a MKII type of Boogie without the graphic is that it is hard to push for preamp gain and still get some low end going on. The graphic, which is post preamp allows one to run the preamp hot with the Bass pot low to avoid distortin the low end beyond usability and then pump up soem lows with the Graphic. If you don't go for preamp distortion, perhaps one would never miss the graphic. And, after all, that is the magic of a Boogie...cascaded preamp gain, right?

Yeah the early Boogies tend to be a bit fiddley to get the right sound. A pedal would be a necessity for getting distortion without taking people's head off. With that EV, it would do clean country & funk sounds ALL day long though.

So for that sort of sound, with a pedal providing all the gain & distortion, the Boogie would be great.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by scooteraz

Loved my Classic 30 as long as I had guitars with humbuckers. When I started to fall in love with single coil sounds, it was hard to get a tone that wasn't too spikey to my ears. I think it is both a circuit and speaker issue. Others love them, and they are the best for the price point. Also surprisingly loud, maybe as loud as the Mesa 60 W (seems to have a really efficient speaker). While others have said how rugged these are, mine was not particularly. Nothing awful, just not in the league with Rivera or Mesa. Would be my last choice on this list if it were being used for single coils. Could come as high as 2nd if it were used exclusively with HB and price was the major issue.

Rivera Pubster is a great little amp. I have only tried, but like a lot. I second what BobbyB said. Good reputation for ruggedness. Downfall (or huge boost) could be the single 10" speaker. Would probably be my second choice on this list.

I'd be using Esquires w/ single coild with this amp, so perhaps the Peavey wouldn't be the best choice. I had also heard they're not the most durable amps on the planet (certainly not as bombproof as a Boogie or the Rivera).

Rivera is leading the pack right now, if I discount the fact that I can get the Boogie for $475. Next behind the Rivera is the Richter 5E3.

If I do sporadic gigging, a small amp won't need mic'ing for smaller clubs, and anything I get up & play w/ my friends cover band at bigger gigs would be mic'ed anyway.

So either the Rivera or the Richter would work. I'll have to read up more on the Pubster to see how the 10" speaker handles things at gig volume. My Pro Jr which also has a 10" speaker did fine at the last gig and that was w/ a low wattage alnico speaker in it, so the Rivera should hold up & cut through fine).

[scooteraz]

Originally Posted by appar111

I'd be using Esquires w/ single coild with this amp, so perhaps the Peavey wouldn't be the best choice. I had also heard they're not the most durable amps on the planet (certainly not as bombproof as a Boogie or the Rivera).

Rivera is leading the pack right now, if I discount the fact that I can get the Boogie for $475. Next behind the Rivera is the Richter 5E3.

If I do sporadic gigging, a small amp won't need mic'ing for smaller clubs, and anything I get up & play w/ my friends cover band at bigger gigs would be mic'ed anyway.

So either the Rivera or the Richter would work. I'll have to read up more on the Pubster to see how the 10" speaker handles things at gig volume. My Pro Jr which also has a 10" speaker did fine at the last gig and that was w/ a low wattage alnico speaker in it, so the Rivera should hold up & cut through fine).

Between the Richter/Rivera it boils down to:

Rivera is a known item with known service, reliability and customer service. If you like the tones, you can't go wrong. I have found that Rivera amplifiers seem to have quite a range on the tone controls, so sometimes a little care is needed to find your tone (I read somewhere that some famous botique manufacturers limited tone control "strength" so guitarists would'n just go to the end of travel and find a tone that did not suit Rivera does not seem to subscribe to that; he will give you more than enough control).

Richter is botique (and probably has the advantages and disadvantages of small production from a single builder). You probably will be fine, but future support is a bit of an unknown from the manufacturer. Of course, 5E3, only three controls, and one tone knob has its advantages as well. With less to fiddle with, you can concentrate on your guitar and your technique more.

With either, you will probably be able to find techs that will help you after the warranty runs out. Really, you will probably be fine with either of these. Most likely, it comes down to tone and $. Of course, I would say purchase what you can afford. Usually, when I cheap out, I end up going back at some point and purchasing what I rejected in the first place as too expensive.

On volume, I have an 15-20 watt Victoria (depending on which document you want to believe) with 2x10" speakers. It is plenty loud for most small giging situations. I have used at church, and been told to turn down below 3. And that is even when we have real drums and a reasonably loud drummer. I have a valve Jr that I run through and Avatar 2x12" cabinet that can pretty much keep up with the Victoria volume wise. So, 25 W through a 1x10 should be fine for most applications, and in the future you need more volume you could get an extension cabinet and have more efficiency for your 25W if you don't want to mike.

[stantheman]

Actually...at 500 bucks I'd go with the EL-84 powered Peavey Classic with the
two 12's. For the money I think that is a KILLER AMP.
The one I played through a couple of months back was brand new at the Nashua Daddy's and the first thing that everyone noticed was all the CHIME.
I think dollar for dollar that amp sounded maybe better than most of the new crop that goes for twice it's cost.
They're everywhere so it should be easy for You to try one out.
Should be able to find a decent one used for 500 bucks.

[scooteraz]

Originally Posted by stantheman

Actually...at 500 bucks I'd go with the EL-84 powered Peavey Classic with the
two 12's. For the money I think that is a KILLER AMP.
The one I played through a couple of months back was brand new at the Nashua Daddy's and the first thing that everyone noticed was all the CHIME.
I think dollar for dollar that amp sounded maybe better than most of the new crop that goes for twice it's cost.
They're everywhere so it should be easy for You to try one out.
Should be able to find a decent one used for 500 bucks.

Isn't the 2x12 classic the 50 watt Peavey? I think those are $750-850 in the shops new. The only classic 2X12 items I can find on the web are a cabinet for about 450 which would go with a classic 30 head at about 450-500 (just based on web searches) or the Classic 50 212 for right at $800. I couldn't find a 2x12 peavey classic for $500 new as a combo. Only the classic 30 112 came in at that price point (and even then it was more like 550-600 new). Did not check used / ebay.

In any event, if that is the tone you love, it would still be an adequate purchase. But, a 2x12 would be a larger and heavier amp that was in the original list. I am assuming the portability of the smaller amp is a desired goal.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by stantheman

Actually...at 500 bucks I'd go with the EL-84 powered Peavey Classic with the
two 12's. For the money I think that is a KILLER AMP.
The one I played through a couple of months back was brand new at the Nashua Daddy's and the first thing that everyone noticed was all the CHIME.
I think dollar for dollar that amp sounded maybe better than most of the new crop that goes for twice it's cost.
They're everywhere so it should be easy for You to try one out.
Should be able to find a decent one used for 500 bucks.

That sounds like a great amp, but I don't really want a 2x12-- too heavy. I'd like to stick to a 1x10 or 1x12.

[Wayne Alexander]

At least play an AC15CC1x (the one with the Celestion Blue speaker). They're readily available, and are right in the $500-1000 price range depending on whether it's new or used, and how good you are at bargaining with music stores. Make sure to crank it up all the way as to the main volume control, and have the master volume at least at 50%, and control the distortion and volume from your guitar volume controls. You will either think it's way better than the amps on your list or you won't get it at all. My personal opinion is that it beats all the amps on your list in every way, but that may or may not be your view.

[Ricky D.]

In heaven, there are 5E3's just sitting around so that all the guitar players can use one any time they want.

I know a lot of people love Boogies, but for me it's just too hard to dial in the sound I want. Don't have first hand experience with the others.

[JohnnyCrash]

I'd say Peavey Classic 30 first -OR- a tweed 5E3 with an OD pedal.

[Chris S.]

I own both a 5E3 clone and a Peavey Classic 30, and I love them both -- but for different things. IMO, the tweed Deluxe clone will NOT be able to provide you with any clean sounds in a loud band context. It sings like crazy, and is incredibly touch-responsive -- a real joy to play through. But it has its limits for live work. Again, strictly IMO; YMMV. :-)

But given your budget, here's an idea : get TWO used PC30s (total $600 or so) and use the leftover $$ to buy a stereo chorus pedal and a stereo delay pedal (if you don't already own them.) Then set up those two amps about 3 feet apart, and play them in glorious

<--- { { { [ [ [ S T E R E O ] ] ] } } } --->

Nothing like it, IMO. And your sound will be HUGE, guaranteed. Just a thought. Best of luck, CS :-)

[tiktok]

Those are four not terribly similar amps in my opinion, although all with their strong points. Regarding the Boogie--I'm a big fan of them, but make sure to pick it up and carry it two hundred feet or so before making your decision.

[Tremo]

None of the above.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by Tremo

None of the above.

Wow, helpful. Care to elaborate or offer some suggestions as to what you think might be a good 1x10 or 1x12 combo amp for rock music? I'm definitely not tied to only the choices in my first post.

[Vol. Knob]

IMHO the 5E3. Simple critter. Season to taste with a stomp box or two (but no more). That is to say, if'n I were in yer shoes.

Or... If you were Me... Watch ebay for an old tube PA head, have a tech guitar-amp convert it and make it safe, then grab a 1x12 cab of yer choosing and you'll get in the same volume ball-park as the amps you list and you'll come in under budget, and you'll have an awesome conversation peice.

[maestrovert]

Originally Posted by Chris S.

..../....But given your budget, here's an idea : get TWO used PC30s (total $600 or so) and use the leftover $$ to buy a stereo chorus pedal and a stereo delay pedal (if you don't already own them.) Then set up those two amps about 3 feet apart, and play them in glorious

<--- { { { [ [ [ S T E R E O ] ] ] } } } --->

Nothing like it, IMO. And your sound will be HUGE, guaranteed. Just a thought. Best of luck, CS :-)

This is great advice !

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by appar111