Obvious Repost: Best Single Channel Tube Amp

[Driveout02]

Ok.. I'll admit up front that I just posted a very similar question about a week ago.. but I've done some research and changed some of the parameters of my search, so maybe you can help me find this amp:

1. Combo amp with only one channel that does cleans really well. Any overdrive I need I can get from a pedal- I prefer it relatively clean anyway.

2. Very simple controls (e.g. Vol, Bass, Treble, Mids, or even just Vol, Bass, Treb- and spring reverb would be nice so I suppose there'd be a reverb control as well)

3. 30 or 40 Watts.. any less wattage it breaks up too quick at the volume I play at

4. Well made without breaking the bank (I originally said around $800 I believe, but after some research, realize the kind of amp I'm looking for will cost at least $1200, so I suppose that's my new cost floor)

It seems a lot of the amps I come across are almost there.. but either it has two channels (seriously, I don't use the gain channel.. so I don't want it.. more to go wrong), or some pre-set EQ switch (fender, marshall, vox-like sounds, more drive, clean boost, etc.). I want no switches.. unless it's on/off or standby.

I've looked at Mesa, Dr. Z, Traynor, Divided by 13, and a few others, and some models come close, but some are too expensive, and really none fit the bill perfectly. If I'm gonna spend that much money, I want it to be right. And anyway, why am I having such a hard time finding an amp that's seems like such a simple, no-brainer design?

Thanks again for your help!! Take care.

 

[dconeill]

...
I've looked at Mesa, Dr. Z, Traynor, Divided by 13, and a few others, and some models come close, but some are too expensive, and really none fit the bill perfectly. If I'm gonna spend that much money, I want it to be right. And anyway, why am I having such a hard time finding an amp that's seems like such a simple, no-brainer design?...

You're having such a hard time because nobody else wants the amp you want. Seriously. It's a question of marketing - manufacturers tool up to make amps that a certain number of people will buy.

I'm reminded of the laments that jazz guitar players used to make - why should I have to buy an amp that has features I don't want? They would say that such-and-such an amp had the tone they wanted "but I don't want a distortion channel." So instead of buying a perfectly good amp for a reasonable price and **just not using the unwanted features** they spent scads more money for no improvement in tone.

My point is, you'd be better off to find an amp whose tone you like and relax your insistence on minimal controls. Just don't use the controls you aren't interested in. The price would probably be lower, too.

 

[therecordfable]

Get out and keep on playin' some amps, never know you could fall in love with a cheap one.
I play a version 1 Mazerati head and Z best cab, about as simple as you can get.

 

[Big John]

Whats the big deal with 'single channel' ?, sounds like a silver face Twin thats been checked by a good tech would more than fit your needs = big, clean sound.
If you only want one channel then only - plug - into - one, the knobs are there so you can turn them and i'm pretty sure (90%) the 'bright' switch can be removed if you think it interferes so I really don't see the problem.
If you don't want a Twin then get someone to custom build exactly what you want but you know that won't be cheap ! ?

I wonder if you are playing live at the volume you say you are will all this 'pickiness' even show ?

The absolute best clean sound I have is my old MKIIb Boogie with the EVM12 but if you can find one that won't be too cheap either (and the Twin is a lot lighter in weight than a hardwood MKII).

 

[DMace]

I'd get a silverface Vibrolux Reverb and ignore the extra channel and vibrato.

 

[gospelfish]

Fender 59 Bassman LTD

Amazing amp. I love mine.

(link removed)

Edit - No reverb but it is not needed with this amp.

 

[newmachine]

"does clean very well" sounds like Vox AC30 to me. Just ignore the features you don't use....

 

[SackvilleDan]

Marshall Bluesbreaker (1962, 2x12) reissue. With a Tele, it won't break up until 6 or so; no reverb and mine had the tremolo disconnected. Dead simple amp that takes pedals very well!

 

[crackpot]

Super Reverb. Or you should be able to put a Bassman, Bandmaster or Bandmaster Reverb into a 1x12" (or whatever) combo cab w/a decent speaker and still be under budget. Just pretend the extra channel isn't there.

 

[krowbot]

"does clean very well" sounds like Vox AC30 to me. Just ignore the features you don't use....

+1

Agreed.

 

[Wally]

+1 with Big John on this one.....a good SFTR fits the bill, imho.
A good used Rivera amp will do it, too; but it has that 'other channel' that is built like a
5F6A BAssman/JTM 45 Marshall and gets nasty more easily. The OP might get addicted to tube overdrive and not have any use at all for those SS pedals????? (;^)

 

[Driveout02]

actually.. looking at the Vox AC30.. it might fit the bill and way under budget. Happens to be one of the brands I didn't look into too much. Thanks for all the suggestions!

A few questions though: I see there's a normal input, and a top boost input, but only tone controls for the top boost channel. I'm assuming that means the normal channel is kind of a set tone? Or am I misunderstanding this setup? Also, are the tubes connected to a PCB board (like my Peavey Classic 30)?

 

[tomfarnan]

I'd get a silverface Vibrolux Reverb and ignore the extra channel and vibrato.

Still hankering after that VR, Dmace?

I agree.

 

[meyekel]

Carr Rambler seems to fit the bill but it has trem also.

 

[eyerish]

I love my twin but he said in the 30/40
watt range. So I say get a silverface(cheaper) or blackface Bandmaster both in your price range with a cabinet and about 40 watts. Loved mine while I had it. I still have my 1970 Twin reverb and my 70 watt 1979 bassman 10 and lots of other High power amps. The bandmaster is a kick butt amp. You can find with or without reverb and buy with or without a cabinet and then cab to your desire. and it is 2 channels but they are jacked separately so just jack the channel you want and PLAY ON.

 

[motokev]

No question about it, my VICTORIA GOLDEN MELODY. BIG beautiful tones, works extremely well with pedals, beautiful reverb and tremelo. Has a EQ that actually works well. Hand crafted to perfection.

 

[KC]

AC30HW2 -- ignore the second channel.

silverface Super Reverb -- ignore the second channel.

the "normal" channel on my AC30CC does not have a tone control, just a "brilliance" switch, which I use when I am feeling insufficiently brilliant. It does go through the master volume and "cut" section, though.

 

[Stratelcaster]

Peavey VTM-60.

 

[longbow]

Try a VHT special 6 pretty darn simple and the vid's I have seen the amp sounds and performs very well. The only difference between the Special 6 and the Classic 6 is speaker size and about 350 bucks. thanks

 

[eugenedunn]

Allen Old Flame Suggestion

Gee....you seem to like exactly what I'd found in the Allen Amplification Old Flame. You can get it either in combo or head format. Any speaker combination you desire.

Single channel, runs either 40-ish watts with 6L6GC's or 25-ish watts with 6V6GT's. Bass, Mid Treble. Bright switch and variable RAW control that lifts the tone stack slowly to give you a more tweed like flavor. No Vibrato.....but a luscious 3-knob Reverb section like an outboard reverb tank (Dwell, Mix, Tone). PTP wired...big trannys for clean headroom.

Yes, it has an excellent post-phase-inverter Master Volume.....but really, you should just leave that maxed, and use the pre-volume to control overall loudness.

This is a simple toneful amp with lot's of clean headroom.....voiced similarly to a blackface Super Reverb with modern features like external bias points, bias pot, 4 & 8 ohm extension speaker out........

I use it exactly as you described...I use a pedal for big sustained distortion, but usually just crank my guitar volume knob to get amp overdrive for fat blusey tones. If you set up EQ and loudness with your guitar knob about a third down for clean, all you have to do is crank your guitar and you're there for bluesy solos.