Finally going for a decent tube amp...

KareemMonzer

Hey guys,

So this is a tough one... I've had my Fender Stratocaster American Deluxe for a few years now, but never got around to buying an amplifier good enough for it. To be honest, due to spacial and financial constraints (I've been a student for the past four years living in student accommodation) I've had to settle for amps that were truly rubbish: Line 6 Spider III, Marshall DSL5C and a Marshall MG15CFR (current amp, and by far the worst). I've decided to go for a tube amp, for maximum quality and a combo since I don't play any live gigs or anything of the sort, it'd only be used for home playing (not more than 50W). 

Given my history with Marshall amps, I'm tempted to lean away from them, but I can appreciate that the Marshall amps I've had were exceptionally bad and therefore, I would be open to the idea. Tha main hurdle is the fact that I like to play a really wide variety of genres. I mostly play Metallica, Iron Maiden and Guns N' Roses, but I also love playing a more bluesy John Mayery-Hendrixian genre with a relatively clean tone. So versatility is key! 

I'm also a pedal guy, so I want something that works great with stompboxes. My budget is around £1000 ($1325) give or take £200 ($270).

I've done a little research and found a number of interesting ideas, though I'd be open to others:

Fender Bassbreaker

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III

Orange Rocker 15/32

Marshall DSL40C

Marshall JVM205C/215C

Lastly, I'm looking for an amp that will last. No nonsense Marshall MG quality crap. 

I'd really appreciate the help guys,

Cheers!

nick79

If you can find one used then i would suggest a Mesa Boogie Rectoverb 25.Will cover all the bases you have listed and more, and will last a lifetime. 

You have a healthy budget to play with though so you have many many options, i suggest the Rectoverb as i have one (well, a Mini Rec but basically the same thing only its a head rather than combo and no reverb) and for me it pretty much does everything. 

KareemMonzer

nick79 said:

If you can find one used then i would suggest a Mesa Boogie Rectoverb 25.Will cover all the bases you have listed and more, and will last a lifetime. 

You have a healthy budget to play with though so you have many many options, i suggest the Rectoverb as i have one (well, a Mini Rec but basically the same thing only its a head rather than combo and no reverb) and for me it pretty much does everything. 

Actually, that exact amp is my dream amp. But, it is unfortunately way over my budget. Any 2nd best option?

BluesyDave

If you like Mesa you could get a Mesa Express 25+ for your budget (secondhand) there are a couple on fleabay now.  Failing that, what about Rivera?  Either amp will get you good clean and plenty of gain on tap.

timmysoft

Perhaps one of the Hughes &Kettner Tubemeister range. I have the TM1812 and it’s hugely versatile. 

ICBM

KareemMonzer said:

I've done a little research and found a number of interesting ideas, though I'd be open to others:

Fender Bassbreaker

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III

Orange Rocker 15/32

Marshall DSL40C

Marshall JVM205C/215C

Of that list I would buy the Marshall JVM - whichever you have room for, but the 215 is fine. Your sound choices are quite Marshall-based overall, and that's by far the better-sounding of the modern Marshall options you've listed in my opinion.

You should also consider a Rivera of some sort - they do a very good combination of Fender and Marshall-type sounds, with outstanding build quality.

randella

KareemMonzer said:

nick79 said:

If you can find one used then i would suggest a Mesa Boogie Rectoverb 25.Will cover all the bases you have listed and more, and will last a lifetime. 

You have a healthy budget to play with though so you have many many options, i suggest the Rectoverb as i have one (well, a Mini Rec but basically the same thing only its a head rather than combo and no reverb) and for me it pretty much does everything. 

Actually, that exact amp is my dream amp. But, it is unfortunately way over my budget. Any 2nd best option?

I found a used Mini Rec for £800 a few years back, so may not be beyond the realms. If you don't *have* to have a combo it's doable. 

It it really is a very very good amplifier. At a pinch I could do a whole gig on clean (pushed) but then you've got so much other goodness too. Hit it with a drive (I use a boggo SD-1) and it really sings on either channel. 

It's not a Marshall, nor is it a Fender, but it does an approximation, and transparently enough that you can find your own tone. I bloody love it. 

It's loud too. Nearly forgot that bit. 

randella

Either way that's a tidy budget. You'll find something very nice, whatever make or model it might end up being. Happy hunting 

Maynehead

Are you looking to buy new or used? If used, that budget will practically get you anything!

AllthegearNoidea

BluesyDave said:

If you like Mesa you could get a Mesa Express 25+ for your budget (secondhand) there are a couple on fleabay now.  Failing that, what about Rivera?  Either amp will get you good clean and plenty of gain on tap.

+1 on the express

Sassafras

Rivera make lovely, versatile amps.

Exorcist

I've had some expensive amps and sold them, I'm currently just running a little egnator tweaker 15 head which has been a keeper  backup amp. I'll be looking for the next shiny boutique one no doubt, but this tweaker really does do a good job and I'm finding it hard to justify spending the muller! I'd go and try as many as you can (not just expensive ones) and let your ears decide what you need. IMHO of course!

nick79

I paid £550 for my Mini Rec. Admittedly i was very lucky but they are out there. If your dream amp is a Rectoverb then make it happen! That way you only cry once

Boromedic

This would do you I reckon, well within your budget mate:

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/115934/

I appreciate that its a bit over the wattage you were after but not by much!

ICBM

Boromedic said:

This would do you I reckon, well within your budget mate:

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/115934/

I appreciate that its a bit over the wattage you were after but not by much!

Much more importantly, the volume controls work properly. It's far better to have a 55W amp with a decent MV than a 5W one without, in fact…

If you want a mix of Fender and Marshall sounds with extremely high build quality, that's going to be very hard to beat at that price.

JerkMoans

Boromedic said:

This would do you I reckon, well within your budget mate:

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/115934/

I appreciate that its a bit over the wattage you were after but not by much!

What a splendid suggestion. Chiming Fender cleans on one channel, and more hair than an 80’s metal band on the other. And for roughly half your budget!

grungebob

I Just so happen to have a Mesa Rectoverb combo for sale in the classifieds well within your budget 

darthed1981

Seeing no-one has mentioned it, I'd recommend auditioning a couple of better modellers, including the Katana.  I used to have a Marshall MG250DFX and it was rubbish, so I feel your pain, but modelling and SS have come along leaps and bounds.

Otherwise I seriously hope you have understanding neighbours, as most of the valve amps you listed sound lousy at normal "home" volumes, and if you were to get a 50w valve amp and drive it to get a good sound, your neighbours three streets away could be affected as well!

There are lower powered valve amps, like the Blackstar HT5, Bassbreaker 007 etc. that could fit your bill?  As a pedal guy you might want to steer away from the Bassbreaker 007 though as it has no FX loop.

ICBM

darthed1981 said:

Otherwise I seriously hope you have understanding neighbours, as most of the valve amps you listed sound lousy at normal "home" volumes, and if you were to get a 50w valve amp and drive it to get a good sound, your neighbours three streets away could be affected as well!

Personally, I completely disagree. I find it far easier to get a decent sound at low home volumes with a good big amp with the master volume turned down than with a small amp.

darthed1981 said:

you might want to steer away from the Bassbreaker 007 though as it sounds like it's underneath a sofa in the next room.

Edited for accuracy .

BintyTwanger77

nick79 said:

I paid £550 for my Mini Rec. Admittedly i was very lucky but they are out there. If your dream amp is a Rectoverb then make it happen! That way you only cry once

@KareemMonzer There's a Rectoverb 25W combo at Coda Music for just tiny shade over your budget. Stunning amp.

darthed1981

ICBM said:

darthed1981 said:

Otherwise I seriously hope you have understanding neighbours, as most of the valve amps you listed sound lousy at normal "home" volumes, and if you were to get a 50w valve amp and drive it to get a good sound, your neighbours three streets away could be affected as well!

Personally, I completely disagree. I find it far easier to get a decent sound at low home volumes with a good big amp with the master volume turned down than with a small amp.

To be fair I've never had one in my home, only in guitar shops, but I found even a Vox AC4 needed to be far louder than felt social in the shop to sound decent.  It is possible Vox AC4s suck though!

My home volume is also very, very low.  I mean on my Katana its usually set at 0.5w with the master at about 9 o'clock!  If I could justify a "fair" home volume I've no doubt you are correct.