Advice on sub-$300 amp

I am looking for a pratice amp to compliment my teles and Vox Tonelab SE. I don't need anything fancy - all my modeling and effects are taken care of with the tonelab - just need something with a nice clean tone that will compliment the Tonelab and the occasional raw tele signal.

I am open to any brand, solid state or tube.

Thanks!

but it really depends on how its to be used. do you need more power ? is it for home or somewhere larger ?

but it really depends on how its to be used. do you need more power ? is it for home or somewhere larger ?

Strictly for home use. I just want something to practice with. Nice tone at a low volume.

if you do not need power, you can not beat a champ and $300 is the price

G40V, new from $199 to $300 (price is going up as people find out). Change the tubes if you like (some do others get some chinese tubes that aren't microphonic).
I got one for $117.50 used, changed the tubes and have a good CHEAP amp that can get really loud too!

peter

Another vote for a Champ. I just picked up a SF Champ for $240 on ebay last week and it sounds great. Certainly can't go wrong.

A MusicMaster Bass would be good also. The 12 speaker is a good option.

If its for home, there is a little 5 watt tube amp thats getrtin a lot of good comments from users right now: The Epiphone Valve Junior.

Its a 1 knob wonder that has a lot of people going, Oooooh! & Aaaaaah!

Comes in a little combo with an 8 " speaker, that seems to be surpising the heck out of everyone. Or you can get a valve Junior head. Both are being sold around a hundred bucks.

I shopped Champs a bit (and liked them a lot) but ultimately opted for the Valve Jr. combo. My decision was largely financial.

For low-vol., at home practicing I love the VJ. It's tones up to around 12 o'clock on the volume are awesome and not super loud. Above that the grind really kicks in. My only beef is the stock distortion is a good bit fizzy...harshly so to my ears. I do best at low amp volume and a Tube Screamer for kick and a Tube Driver for more distortion.

My next projcet will be some of the mods for this amp to take the fizzieness out.

+1 for the Champ.

For new production stuff take a look at a Fender Pro Jr.

I use Peavey Transtube amps (Bandit & Studio Pro), with a modeling pedal. With a model/muti-FX pedal, they are not level sensitive. I've played them at bedroom levels, to outdoor concert levels, with an extention speaker cabinet. You can find them used for 200 or less.

Tim

Vox AD series amplifier, it will definitly compliment your Tonelab, and they sound incredible for the money!

I have a Vox AD30VT, and I wouldn't part with it.

If you are mostly going to run your ToneLab through it, I would bypass some of the amps like Champ and others. The reason I say this is that you are going to want something that has a Power Amp in jack so that you can bypass the pre-amp. I know you can run the modeler straight into the preamp but it sounds better straight into the power amp and bypassing the pre altogether. If however you decide you won't use the ToneLab as much as just the amp alone, grab a Champ or something similar.

If you are mostly going to run your ToneLab through it, I would bypass some of the amps like Champ and others. The reason I say this is that you are going to want something that has a Power Amp in jack so that you can bypass the pre-amp. I know you can run the modeler straight into the preamp but it sounds better straight into the power amp and bypassing the pre altogether. If however you decide you won't use the ToneLab as much as just the amp alone, grab a Champ or something similar.

This is a good point, I don't see myself NOT going through the Tonelab that much. Can you recommend an amp that lets you bypass the pre (sorry for the newbie question)...

To be honest, since posting this thread a few days ago, I plugged the Tonelab right into the amp I use for my Korg TR61 keyboard (a Roland KC-60) and man does it sound sweet... Am I tempting the tele Gods by plugging my beloved MIM blue agave into a KEYBOARD amp? :shock:

would be to look for a little vox pathfinder. you can find them for about $100 and they are perfect for practice, nice tone....plus you get reverb and trem

If you are mostly going to run your ToneLab through it ... you are going to want something that has a Power Amp in jack so that you can bypass the pre-amp.
This is a good point, I don't see myself NOT going through the Tonelab that much. Can you recommend an amp that lets you bypass the pre (sorry for the newbie question)...
You can likely use the "effects return" (or "effects in") input on any amp that has an effects loop available.

Also, I was going to post earlier that there are very few questions involving "sub $300 amp" for which Peavey Classic 30 is not one possible answer – AND it has an effects loop. ;-) You have lots of good choices already, but a used PC30 is one of the best gear buys on the market. (IMO, of course.) Powerful enough that you can actually play gigs with 'em, too. I used mine for a small club gig this past Friday, and it performed like a ... well, I was going to say "champ," but it performed like a Peavey Classic 30. Hee. ;-) Best of luck, CS

Personally, I'd stick with either a Champ or an MMB, basically for one reason - PTP wired. A few other good reasons are - great tone, easy to repair, great tone, will only increase in value ... and of course, great tone. 8)

Roland Cube 15.......$95.
Was looking for a good, cheap, practice amp.
Read the amp reviews on Harmony Central for ideas.
One reviewer, a guitar/amp tech, said the DISTORTION channels, were, at best, mediocre.
But, said the CLEAN channel was so clear & "lush", that he uses it as his test bed, to check other equipment.
Well, not being into metal/grunge, I was looking for a nice clean sound...so I bought it.
Wow, was he dead on!
The DISTORTION channels are: C / C-.
The CLEAN channel: A-/B+ (remember, $95 amp).
I play a Squier Tele, and an Agile P-90 through it.
Sounds clear as a bell, and the 8 inch (closed back) speaker, really cranks for only 15 watts.
It's built like a TANK, with a 3 year warranty to boot.
Maybe the smartest buy I've ever made!
Except for my ENRON stock....what a steal!!!

an old roland blues cube would be a good fit if you decide to go solid state.