5E3 is just too loud and no reverb. I loved my Princeton for moderate home use, it's still pretty loud. Something smaller would work, Champ or AC4...
practice amp in 2025 ?
- Thread starter brogh
- Start date
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39martind18
Poster Extraordinaire
I recently traded off both of my vintage Fender amps, a 1969 DR and a 1979 VR. and acquired Tone Master DR to put in my practice area. I did this for several reasons: because I gig with a TMDR, I wanted the same sound and settings that I use on the gig available in my practice space, and vice versa; also having the same amp in my practice space as my gigging amp ensures that should something happen to my gigging amp, I'd have an identical replacement. I really do not expect anything untoward to happen to my gigging amp, but having a "spare" gives me peace of mind. I use the 5-watt setting on the practice space TMDR for volume limitation and the 12.5 watt setting on my gigging amp.
Gladhander
Tele-Holic
I have a PRS MT15. It’s a great sleeper. Modern tones and they go for cheap used. Also a Peavey Classic would do you well but is more fendery. Possibly cheap depending on the model. What are you going for.
Linkslover
Tele-Holic
Check out the Fender Champion 40.
It's got a 12" speaker, 2 channels with individual volume controls, emulation of different speaker types and built in effects. Optional foot switch allows you to set up one channel for rhythm and the other for leads. New with switch is probably $250 - $275, but i just saw a used one on Craig's List for $95 and a used foot switch at GC FOR $10.
Has excellent cleans, great for pedals, loud enough to jam with others, but also won't get you evicted.
This would be an excellent starter amp until you're able to bust the bank on a good tube amp.
(Btw, I recently sold my Fender Super Sonic 22 and replaced it one if these.)
LL
mechanicdave
Tele-Holic
I would think you couldn't go wrong with a Blues Cube. Everything you want, nothing you don't. Plug and play
sadfield
Tele-Afflicted
There's lots of options covered that can do low decibels, but in my mind that's only half of it. Some small amps are too boxy or worse too beamy. Bigger boxes with good ambient effects are the way to go, I feel.
For very low volume practice, I like my 100w Katana Head and 2x10. I briefly had a Fender Champion 20 that came with a guitar, and it was far worse as a 'bedroom' practice amp. Boxy and Beamy. You want something that behaves like a TV, that fills the room without being loud. Some practice amps are better suited for louder jamming with friends than they are bedroom playing. YMMV.
For very low volume practice, I like my 100w Katana Head and 2x10. I briefly had a Fender Champion 20 that came with a guitar, and it was far worse as a 'bedroom' practice amp. Boxy and Beamy. You want something that behaves like a TV, that fills the room without being loud. Some practice amps are better suited for louder jamming with friends than they are bedroom playing. YMMV.
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havlma1
Tele-Meister
I used to have 57 deluxe, but it was too loud, so my choice is 57 champ. Use it clean for awsome clean and full soud, add OCD for marshall in a box 
edwardo_sanchez
TDPRI Member
The Big Trees with a surfybear metal for reverb. 2.5w of valve powered amp which can easily be overdriven at low volumes due to the onboard attenuator which lowers headroom whilst maintaining volume. Can be connected to a separate cab or straight into another amp or interface. It's own unique sound with elements of fender, vox and marshall (to my ears at least)
hemingway
Doctor of Teleocity
Okay.
On one hand you start with a perfectly reasonable premise. It's for home use only.
I read that to mean you don't want something stupidly loud. So it seems pointless to recommend any of the 40+ watt beasts with 12" speakers that some people are recommending. They're loud, big, and take up a lot of space.
But then you say no desktop amps and no boxy sounding amps.
So I think you need to be more clear about what you mean by home use only. Is size an issue? Where I live, in a small place with lots of neighbours, home use means a boxy desktop amp, and a 50 watt beast with a 12" speaker is a gigging amp. I would never even switch on an amp that size in my place.
Just saying.
On one hand you start with a perfectly reasonable premise. It's for home use only.
I read that to mean you don't want something stupidly loud. So it seems pointless to recommend any of the 40+ watt beasts with 12" speakers that some people are recommending. They're loud, big, and take up a lot of space.
But then you say no desktop amps and no boxy sounding amps.
So I think you need to be more clear about what you mean by home use only. Is size an issue? Where I live, in a small place with lots of neighbours, home use means a boxy desktop amp, and a 50 watt beast with a 12" speaker is a gigging amp. I would never even switch on an amp that size in my place.
Just saying.
Southpaw Tele
Friend of Leo's
I just bought a Line 6 Catalyst 100 a few months ago on Line 6’s outlet on Reverb for $199 new. It’s not the newer CX model but I updated the firmware and it does everything the CX does now. It has 100, 50, and 0.5 watt settings. I use a Helix when I play out, but this thing is nice for just plugging in and noodling around. The 60 might be a better option. My son uses a Fender Champion 20 that is also really great for the price.
Highway 49
Friend of Leo's
I missed what the budget is, so I’ll stick with the TDPRI tradition of just recommending what I like… Fender ‘57 Custom Champ, plus pretty much any reasonable reverb pedal (Catalinbread Topanga is v. nice), and any old overdrive (Ibanez TS9 surprisingly nice with single coils into the Champ). Secondhand, that’ll all easily come in under £1,000, and you’ll be set for life. It works well at home, and just as well out with an E609 mic. on the front.
If on a tighter budget, the Vox AC4TV is a great little amp and can be had for not much money at all. That and an EHX Nano for reverb, and maybe an overdrive pedal if the .25 watt setting on the amp is still too loud.
The great thing to me about both of these solutions is you can switch on and you’re away, with very few things to need to set/fiddle with - very rock and roll
If on a tighter budget, the Vox AC4TV is a great little amp and can be had for not much money at all. That and an EHX Nano for reverb, and maybe an overdrive pedal if the .25 watt setting on the amp is still too loud.
The great thing to me about both of these solutions is you can switch on and you’re away, with very few things to need to set/fiddle with - very rock and roll
rgdr
TDPRI Member
AC4 TV is cool. Put in a Weber speaker and off you go.
tugboat1980
Tele-Holic
Years ago I built a tweed champ kit in a bigger Princeton sized cabinet with a 10” speaker. Perfect home amp. Any tweed builder can do one. Or you can build one through a Weber kit. Get the 10A125P with it. No flub, no box. JJ 6V6S and ECC803S tubes (regular is more gritty ala the Stones or AC/DC, gold pin brighter and smoother). Great, rich clean sound at house friendly volumes and takes drive pedals well (red llama style pedals and Rats, even better both at the same time, are especially cool with the amp) and when cranked it won’t make your ears bleed. Clean, think piano volume. Cranked, think trumpet volume.
Practice is exactly what the champ was designed for.
Practice is exactly what the champ was designed for.
Supro Delta King 5 watt, killer little amp
SlideGuy123
Tele-Meister
Chiming in with the Champion 20. It has an 8" speaker, different amp emulations and built in effects, small/light form factor but doesn't sound boxy to me, headphone jack, intuitive controls. It sounds great for practicing, and I've used it with my lap steel for acoustic jams, and even for a porch jam with electric instruments and drums. Worth checking out (I think it's now been replaced by the Champion II 25 watt).
mannyandlily
TDPRI Member
The Roland Micro Cube is a great little amp. I also have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and a PRRI that are both too loud for tube overdrive sound at home, but I set both amps’ volume high while controlling the overall volume with the guitar’s volume knob. I probably will never blast the amps at 10, but I use OD pedals anyway.
bogdan101
TDPRI Member
Same as in 2024.
xtrajerry
Doctor of Teleocity
Blackstar.. I have a few of their amps.. https://blackstaramps.com/tv-10-series-launch-page/
I’ve had tube heads and combos with 22, 40, 60, and 100 watts, with 1x12, 2x10, 2x12, and 4x12s, and never have I had a problem with great clean tones at low volumes, along with a gain channel or pedals for great overdrive sounds at low volumes.
That said if you only want or need low volumes, then a solid state modeling combo with a 12” speaker is probably the way to go. I’ve liked the Katanas I’ve played in shops.
That said if you only want or need low volumes, then a solid state modeling combo with a 12” speaker is probably the way to go. I’ve liked the Katanas I’ve played in shops.
Area51
Tele-Holic
My practice amp is a Positive Grid Spark. Surprised this one hasn't been mentioned yet. It's small and easily portable from room to room or even to take on a vacation. Has many sounds which can be modified with their phone app. You can also stream music through it. Both by itself or of when you want to play along with the music.
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