Good Practice Amp?

ec271 · December 1st, 2003, 02:55 AM

I am looking for a good practice amp with 3-band EQ and reverb. I'd like to pay less than $400. (If I pay more than $400, I'll just buy a Peavey Classic 30). Any suggestions? Thanks.

Rob DiStefano · December 1st, 2003, 08:00 AM

What kinda "practice" - living room? group jams? band jams?

Tube or s/s?

A new $400 Blues Jr. will meet your requirements ... the nut to crack is the reverb ... I just bought a retail PV C30 for $420/delivered - for an added $20 and about 5 pounds more mass weight the C30 will give you an amp to gig with as well as do the "practice" thing.

WrapAround · December 1st, 2003, 11:03 AM

:D

Rob DiStefano · December 1st, 2003, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WrapAround

:D

I've seen *good* C30's going for less than $300.

Ben Harmless · December 1st, 2003, 12:57 PM

I'm getting ready to go pick up a nice used Boogie Studio .22+ that I've been lusting after for quite awhile, (actually since shortly after I sold my first one).

For $379 I'm getting an amp with one of the nicest clean sounds I've ever heard, and powerful enough to gig with to boot. In fact, the first time I played with one of my old bands, I used the .22 unmiced, with only the internal speaker, and did just fine.

The Peavey Classic and the Blues Jr. are both great amps that can be had used for under $400, but in my opinion, with great cleans, dirt, and very usable reverb, the Studio .22+ is the way to go. The only catch is finding one.

ec271 · December 1st, 2003, 04:11 PM

I'll be playing mostly by myself, so I don't need a lot of volume. I have no preference between tube and solid state. I haven't been able to find any used Peavey Classic 30s. The best new price I've found is $495. Where did you buy yours, Rob?

I will check into the Boogie Studio as well.

Thanks. Any more suggestions?

Scotland · December 1st, 2003, 04:32 PM

Try ebay. I just love em, I have a couple of Fenders but have now started gigging with the C30, it marries with the Tele like you wouldn't believe....and it's loud. Great value as a lot here will testify to.

Rob DiStefano · December 1st, 2003, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ec271

I'll be playing mostly by myself, so I don't need a lot of volume. I have no preference between tube and solid state.

There are some decent s/s amps around for under $100, if that's the case ... the Behringinger GM110 is one I like.

I haven't been able to find any used Peavey Classic 30s. The best new price I've found is $495. Where did you buy yours, Rob?

8th Street Music - they matched another vendor's price of $420 ... most everyone sells the C30 for $430.

Anonymous · December 1st, 2003, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ec271

I haven't been able to find any used Peavey Classic 30s.

Can't swing a dead cat around the Web without hitting one:

http://www.harmony-central.com/cgi-b...r=on&dealer=on

and/or:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...vey+Classic+30

Quote:

Any more suggestions?

Yes, the Crate V1512. It's not part of the old VC series, it's part of a new line just out this year. EL84s (2), 3-band EQ, reverb, and 12" speaker like the PVC30, but 15 watts instead of 30. I own both amps and can recommend them both based on having used them at gigs, but for practice the Crate is a little smaller and lighter, and offers earlier breakup.

Hope this helps, CS

11 Gauge · December 1st, 2003, 09:49 PM

-Fender Champ amp.

Sounds great, and your neighbors won't hate you, even with the thing turned all the way up.

Easy to maintain, cheap to retube.

Lightweight, and compact. A 4 year old could carry one for you. I wouldn't let them, though...

Only 2 band EQ, but you might never miss the lack of a mid knob.

No reverb, but most of the practice stuff has poor reverb IMO. The Champ loves pedals. It loves the EH Holy Grail pedal, which sounds really great thru this amp. Overdrive pedals sound great. Delay pedals sound great...

You should be able to get a Champ and the Holy Grail pedal for under $400.

I love my Peavey Delta Blues 1X15 (and Classic 30s) but those amps seem to sound best at 6 and beyond, on the volume dial. Even at 30 watts they get loud pretty fast...

ec271 · December 1st, 2003, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris S.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ec271

I haven't been able to find any used Peavey Classic 30s.

Can't swing a dead cat around the Web without hitting one

I should have written that I haven't been able to find any used Peavey C30s in my area. Because of bad experiences in the past, I'm a bit wary of ordering guitar equipment from websites such as ebay. Maybe I should give them another try.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I'll add the Crate to my list of amps to try. I'd also like to try the Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue (I started another thread about this amp, but no one replied).

ec271 · December 1st, 2003, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

-Fender Champ amp.

No reverb, but most of the practice stuff has poor reverb IMO. The Champ loves pedals. It loves the EH Holy Grail pedal, which sounds really great thru this amp. Overdrive pedals sound great. Delay pedals sound great...

I've played Champs and I like them, but good reverb is one of my minimum requirements.

Quote:

I love my Peavey Delta Blues 1X15 (and Classic 30s) but those amps seem to sound best at 6 and beyond, on the volume dial. Even at 30 watts they get loud pretty fast...

That's true. Even though a 30 watt amp is considered "small," most people just don't need that much wattage.

11 Gauge · December 3rd, 2003, 09:45 AM

like i said, most of the practice amp stuff has really underwhelming reverb. there is none that i know of that is tube driven, and even with a spring tank the built in opamp circuitry typically leaves much to be desired.

enter the EH Holy Grail pedal. it is certainly at least GOOD reverb IMO, and perhaps great - you really owe it to yourself to give it a try. the best thing about it is that if you like it, you are no longer limited to excluding amps without reverb.

before you try any amp you owe it to yourself to try the Holy Grail. it is the only one i've heard yet that gets really close to the tube driven, spring tank sound.

the Holy Grail is about a hundred bucks, and i think comes with a 1 yr. warranty (could be wrong - might be the standard 90 day thing). it has sounded great through every amp i've put it through, AND both on the front end of the amp and thru the effects loop as well...

ramblinmike · December 3rd, 2003, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

-Fender Champ amp....

i second that. strongly. reciently picked up an early 70s vibrochamp offa ebay. got it for around 230. one of the best amps i've ever played. weighs practically nothing, sounds fantastic, and its built like a rock. mine has the cheesy stock speaker yet it still is great. eventually i may put a weber in it, but maybe i'll wait til i'm not just playing alone in my dorm room...

mitscan · December 4th, 2003, 11:21 AM

a used Peavey Classic 20, which you will be able to get for under $250;

SF Princeton, which you should be able to get for under $400 (you may even be able to find a SFPR for that);

or a an old Gibson GA-5 (again under $400).

These don't have reverb, but that won't matter. The last two are amazing playing and sounding amps and they will only retain their value. I love the PV C20, as well; very underrated instrument, IMO.

11 Gauge · December 4th, 2003, 12:21 PM

a great amp. circuitwise, i prefer it over the C30, C50, DB, etc. it is stripped down, to perfection IMO.

not much wattage, but great sounding. no reverb, but once again, the Holy Grail will solve that problem.

i also seem to remember them having a headphone jack. when's the last time you saw one of those on a tube amp?

Adam Waldron · December 4th, 2003, 05:41 PM

My first amp was a Classic 20. It was great!

I traded it on a C30. I needed reverb and another channel. Yeah right.

Fool! Arghhh....one for the "One that got away" thread....

Silly 20 year old!

Cheers,

Adam

LPBlue · December 4th, 2003, 07:05 PM

One more vote for the Champ, it's a great all around amp that even my wife says isn't too loud ( I think she's going deaf), it goes anywhere with you and you can run one off a small inverter and battery for a fairly long time. I enjoyed tube power during the blackout this summer. :D
J.R.

ec271 · December 5th, 2003, 12:08 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm leaning toward buying a used Peavey Classic 30, but the Champ and the Classic 20 are promising alternatives.

guitarplayer · December 5th, 2003, 01:50 AM

I bought a Fender Deluxe 90 about 6 weeks ago for my son, he ended up buying a stack of some sort. To late to take it back to GC!!! Still in the box. Took it out tonight and tried it. Excellent cleans, has tons effects. I paid over $430 with tax. I'll sell it shipped for $350. I have it here in the garage sale.

December 1st, 2003, 02:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
ec271 TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 34	Good Practice Amp? I am looking for a good practice amp with 3-band EQ and reverb. I'd like to pay less than $400. (If I pay more than $400, I'll just buy a Peavey Classic 30). Any suggestions? Thanks.

December 1st, 2003, 11:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
WrapAround Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 803 14 Photos	How about an used Classic 30 for <$400? n/m :D

December 1st, 2003, 12:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,244 6 Photos	I'm getting ready to go pick up a nice used Boogie Studio .22+ that I've been lusting after for quite awhile, (actually since shortly after I sold my first one). For $379 I'm getting an amp with one of the nicest clean sounds I've ever heard, and powerful enough to gig with to boot. In fact, the first time I played with one of my old bands, I used the .22 unmiced, with only the internal speaker, and did just fine. The Peavey Classic and the Blues Jr. are both great amps that can be had used for under $400, but in my opinion, with great cleans, dirt, and very usable reverb, the Studio .22+ is the way to go. The only catch is finding one. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

December 1st, 2003, 04:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,468 3 Photos	Classic 30 Try ebay. I just love em, I have a couple of Fenders but have now started gigging with the C30, it marries with the Tele like you wouldn't believe....and it's loud. Great value as a lot here will testify to. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

December 1st, 2003, 09:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 3,000 10 Photos	GREAT practice amp- -Fender Champ amp. Sounds great, and your neighbors won't hate you, even with the thing turned all the way up. Easy to maintain, cheap to retube. Lightweight, and compact. A 4 year old could carry one for you. I wouldn't let them, though... Only 2 band EQ, but you might never miss the lack of a mid knob. No reverb, but most of the practice stuff has poor reverb IMO. The Champ loves pedals. It loves the EH Holy Grail pedal, which sounds really great thru this amp. Overdrive pedals sound great. Delay pedals sound great... You should be able to get a Champ and the Holy Grail pedal for under $400. I love my Peavey Delta Blues 1X15 (and Classic 30s) but those amps seem to sound best at 6 and beyond, on the volume dial. Even at 30 watts they get loud pretty fast... __________________

December 1st, 2003, 08:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 62 Posts: 4,755	What kinda "practice" - living room? group jams? band jams? Tube or s/s? A new $400 Blues Jr. will meet your requirements ... the nut to crack is the reverb ... I just bought a retail PV C30 for $420/delivered - for an added $20 and about 5 pounds more mass weight the C30 will give you an amp to gig with as well as do the "practice" thing.

December 1st, 2003, 04:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
ec271 TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 34	I'll be playing mostly by myself, so I don't need a lot of volume. I have no preference between tube and solid state. I haven't been able to find any used Peavey Classic 30s. The best new price I've found is $495. Where did you buy yours, Rob? I will check into the Boogie Studio as well. Thanks. Any more suggestions?

December 3rd, 2003, 09:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 3,000 10 Photos	Good reverb, Part II... like i said, most of the practice amp stuff has really underwhelming reverb. there is none that i know of that is tube driven, and even with a spring tank the built in opamp circuitry typically leaves much to be desired. enter the EH Holy Grail pedal. it is certainly at least GOOD reverb IMO, and perhaps great - you really owe it to yourself to give it a try. the best thing about it is that if you like it, you are no longer limited to excluding amps without reverb. before you try any amp you owe it to yourself to try the Holy Grail. it is the only one i've heard yet that gets really close to the tube driven, spring tank sound. the Holy Grail is about a hundred bucks, and i think comes with a 1 yr. warranty (could be wrong - might be the standard 90 day thing). it has sounded great through every amp i've put it through, AND both on the front end of the amp and thru the effects loop as well... __________________

December 4th, 2003, 11:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
mitscan Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 120	Try a used Peavey Classic 20, which you will be able to get for under $250; SF Princeton, which you should be able to get for under $400 (you may even be able to find a SFPR for that); or a an old Gibson GA-5 (again under $400). These don't have reverb, but that won't matter. The last two are amazing playing and sounding amps and they will only retain their value. I love the PV C20, as well; very underrated instrument, IMO. __________________ 'The best guitar players in the world are in Nashville, Tennessee.' -- Jeff Beck

December 4th, 2003, 12:21 PM	#16 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 3,000 10 Photos	ditto on the C20- a great amp. circuitwise, i prefer it over the C30, C50, DB, etc. it is stripped down, to perfection IMO. not much wattage, but great sounding. no reverb, but once again, the Holy Grail will solve that problem. i also seem to remember them having a headphone jack. when's the last time you saw one of those on a tube amp? __________________

December 4th, 2003, 05:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
Adam Waldron Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 607	My first amp was a Classic 20. It was great! I traded it on a C30. I needed reverb and another channel. Yeah right. Fool! Arghhh....one for the "One that got away" thread.... Silly 20 year old! Cheers, Adam

December 4th, 2003, 07:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
LPBlue Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Markdale Ontario...oot in the woods Age: 52 Posts: 267	One more vote for the Champ, it's a great all around amp that even my wife says isn't too loud ( I think she's going deaf), it goes anywhere with you and you can run one off a small inverter and battery for a fairly long time. I enjoyed tube power during the blackout this summer. :D J.R. __________________ It didn't make that smell when it was new, PULL THE PLUG!

December 5th, 2003, 12:08 AM	#19 (permalink)
ec271 TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 34	Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm leaning toward buying a used Peavey Classic 30, but the Champ and the Classic 20 are promising alternatives.

December 5th, 2003, 01:50 AM	#20 (permalink)
guitarplayer TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ohio/Florida Posts: 33	I bought a Fender Deluxe 90 about 6 weeks ago for my son, he ended up buying a stack of some sort. To late to take it back to GC!!! Still in the box. Took it out tonight and tried it. Excellent cleans, has tons effects. I paid over $430 with tax. I'll sell it shipped for $350. I have it here in the garage sale.