Inexpensive Tube Amps Suggestions

[Chiogtr4x]

Me too. I've had quite a few PCB amps, including tube amps, with some of them having the tube sockets mounted to the PCB itself, with zero failures to report (especially within 2 years), while I owned these amps, anyway.

Possibly the first one I remember getting was a Peavey Delta Blues in '95, with the tube sockets mounted to the PCB. I put a ton of hours on that amp, and had it until '05 or so, when I gave it to a friend. AFAIK, he still has it, and it's working fine. So I got 10 years with it and no failures, and he's now gotten an additional 20 years (assuming he's still using it).

I'm now also remembering that I got a Pignose G40V back in '98, and IMO that thing was built like garbage (at least the preamp PCB), but at least it didn't have the tube sockets on the PCB. I sold it to some guy who used it as harp amp back around maybe '08 or so, but I have no idea what's become of it. Anyway, in the 10 years I had it, it also never failed on me.

Anyway, I'm of the opinion that PCB tube amps (specifically) that tend to have failures are due to either design flaws, or assembly errors. As long as they are both designed and assembled correctly, it's not like they tend to have random malfunctions.

Also, it's not just the cheap PCB tube stuff that can be designed or built poorly. IIRC, Marshall (as just one company) has had failures with some of their more expensive/premium amps. I seem to remember there being issues with either the DSL or TSL stuff.

Just because you mentioned it have you ever, played or owned a classic Pignose amp?
-and if you did did you like it?

Thanks!
I feel like an old fart '60's/ '70's rocker that loves small amps ( me!) really should own one

 

[toanhunter]

best bang for buck would be a 5f2a kit valve amp, also when you make it yourself you can decide on the look, use any tolex you want, any speaker cloth, and speaker, it might not be as valuable as a branded one but it'll be your amp.

 

[turftone]

I'm curious about the Bassbreaker line. Are they voiced more like a tweed amp than a modern Fender? What sets them apart? They show up regularly on Craigslist at reasonably attractive prices.

There's some differences between models, but in general they were based on the Fender Bassman, which Marshall "borrowed" to make the Bluesbreaker amps, which Fender then in turn re-appropriated to make this line, hence the play on the various names to get to "Bassbreaker."

The 007 is supposedly the most tweed-like, and overall they have a more traditionally Marshall sound than Fender. These are not blackface amps by a mile.

The knock against them has been complaints about the difficulty in repairing them. I'm not sure they fail or have problems any more than any other amp, though, so I think it's mostly people wanting something to complain about? Not sure, because they all sound great imho, and at 7w with a Master volume, I'm even talking myself into getting one, lol, even though the last thing I need is another amp.

(But they sound so good!!! (he rationalizes ;-))

 

[arlum]

Threads like this one surprise me. Just the title Inexpensive Tube Amps Suggestions sounds like a thread from 30 years ago. If it's a tube amp rather than a hybrid amp, (tube pre and tube post), even with cheaper modern production tubes, I'm really surprised at both the question and number of helpful replies. I'm wondering how much the use of boards rather than hand wiring plus multiple other modern build techniques play a roll in this. I'm not disagreeing. I'm just kind of sitting back on my heels scratching my chin.

 

[monkeybanana]

I had a VHT and liked it. It had a fixed tone stack under the hood.

 

[Vibroluxer]

IMO, stuff like Bruno or Carr amps are simply not inexpensive, at least for the masses. IMO, that's an assumption I'm comfortable making, at least for the purposes of this thread.

And I think each person replying could basically justify, with details, why they subjectively think that something is inexpensive. For that reason, I could possibly see even something costing ~$1000 or so as being inexpensive, especially if:

- it is easily found used, with the original purchase price being substantially higher

- it has features that are similar to much more expensive amplifiers

- it has a reputation for longevity/durability, making ownership inexpensive over time

Well said.

And you, just by chance, described the VHT Special 6 Ultra. The only reason it's inexpensive is that it was hand built in China.

Thanks to all for the input. I'm certain to be buying a few of the amps mentioned.

 

[Srini]

~$350 used, ridiculously good:

View attachment 1401855

I don't know this from personal experience, but Traynor amps in general are reputed to be killer.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

Used, discontinued and now over a decade old…but with 13 watts, a 15” speaker (and with an even-handed drummer and/or mic’d) they’re more than loud enough to gig with and more versatile than people think.

View attachment 1401473View attachment 1401475View attachment 1401477View attachment 1401479View attachment 1401481

…plus, it doesn’t look like 1000 other amps.

I bought one of those - the stock dark brown one - about a month after they first came out. used off of craigslist.

I could tell the guy that I bought it from didn’t really like it so it probably had less than two hours of playing time on it.

I myself didn’t like it either. So I sold it to a bandmate pretty quickly. And forgot all about it.

Five+ years later we were practicing up in his space and I saw it and said well of course he still has it because he never gets rid of anything.

It had spent five straight years being his keyboard/modular synth/noise rock amp.

So it had probably a couple thousand hours on it because that’s primarily what the guy did.

At way too high and low of frequencies.

By all rights at the very least, the speaker should have been destroyed.

I plugged into it, and it was glorious.

A ragged out/played out one ? Couldn’t recommend it more highly.

 

[Fat Daddy Sambo]

Supro Delta King 12. I think they go new for around $600.00(?). Many have mentioned the Monoprice amps, they have a pretty good reputation too.

View attachment 1401471

Got it- saved about 20% getting the white one with racing stripes (I wanted the navy blue, but am a cheap old man).

It’s a solid amp but takes time to dial in with your guitar and effects. If one is patient, it pays off very well.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I bought one of those - the stock dark brown one - about a month after they first came out. used off of craigslist.

I could tell the guy that I bought it from didn’t really like it so it probably had less than two hours of playing time on it.

I myself didn’t like it either. So I sold it to a bandmate pretty quickly. And forgot all about it.

Five+ years later we were practicing up in his space and I saw it and said well of course he still has it because he never gets rid of anything.

It had spent five straight years being his keyboard/modular synth/noise rock amp.

So it had probably a couple thousand hours on it because that’s primarily what the guy did.

At way too high and low of frequencies.

By all rights at the very least, the speaker should have been destroyed.

I plugged into it, and it was glorious.

A ragged out/played out one ? Couldn’t recommend it more highly.

The biggest complaint about the original Fender Pawn Shop Excelsior v1.0 (the brown one like you had) was the speaker—people said they were just “wrong” sounding…I think you described it as well as I’ve ever heard it described.

That’s why Fender issued the Excelsior Pro model (like mine), with an upgraded Eminence speaker—the higher-quality speaker sounded better right off the bat, so there wasn’t the “break-in period of disappointment”…

However—just like you—I’ve heard several “well used” v1.0 models that sounded great…they probably just needed the speaker broken in.

 

[CB_2005]

I would suggest an older super reverb. I have a 67 and I would be lucky to get $1200 for it. It is heavy but you can carry the head and cab separate or take out a speaker. You will never need more clean headroom!

 

[czech-one-2]

Joyo aka Fame Sweet Baby JTA-05 Watt,View attachment 1402059 re-housed and Fame Memphis Blues 15 Watts.
both very good and affordable but not availlable anymore. at least around here.

Re-housed mine in this 1x10'' box. I love this amp! It was the ''Fame'' version of the Joyo.

 

[Alamo]

View attachment 1403555
Re-housed mine in this 1x10'' box. I love this amp! It was the ''Fame'' version of the Joyo.

Congrats, it's a great little amp. even better when in a bigger box with a bigger speaker.
you couldn't snag the Fame Memphis Blues, you where after?

 

[czech-one-2]

Congrats, it's a great little amp. even better when in a bigger box with a bigger speaker.
you couldn't snag the Fame Memphis Blues, you where after?

Ah, its still for sale, but my funds had to go unexpectedly elsewhere.