I don't need an amp at all since I already have a Vox AC15, a Blues Jr and a JCM 9000 (hugely under-rated but too rock for my tastes so will sell it), but since I the BJ's tubes went it occurred to me for the price of replacing them I could buy a used solid state Peavey Bandit 112 off Ebay for not much more. I have heard them on Youtube and they sound pretty fine to me when used with a setup that is in accordance to my ears. If you Google this query a lot of people also like to talk about used Tech 21 Trademarks or Roland's Blues Cube, which are a fair bit more expensive even secondhand I was wondering what people think the extra value added is by these dearer models? I believe they are more versatile and model a big range of sounds, but TBH I dont really like fiddling with the amp settings too much. I prefer to dial in my usual tone and then manipulate it using the pedal board - my Blues Jr is a great pedal board for example. Any thoughts people?
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The Bandit beats it hands down on all counts in my opinion.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
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Always wanted to like the bigger ones but couldn't - didn't sound as good imho
The Blues Cube would be the one to look for then, if the Fender blues thing is what you're after. The sound is modelled on a '59 Bassman. It's the most convincing pretendey valve amp I've played. Not just in sound, more so in terms of 'feel' and responsiveness.
Obviously, total different ball park price-wise to a used Bandit.
I had a Deluxe 90 in the shop for a quick service last week - it sounded great, both clean and dirty. They’re also well-made, reliable and easy to work on.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Clean channel was set a little scooped
Dirt channel was low gain, thrash switch enabled (cringe at the name, but it just scoops mids) and dialled to taste. Quite responsive, liked pedals and worked nicely for bluesy stuff.
Try one out, they show up in cash converters and music shops a fair bit, but make sure you spend time dialling. The eq is powerful, and I ignored the thrash switch for a few days because of its name. Turns out it was exactly what I needed...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Good clean and overdrive sounds, and a very nice (albeit slightly scooped 80s flavoured) distorted tone with the gain cranked. I sold mine to a friend who had a full 100w stack, as he preferred the sound of the little solid state Fender for rehearsals (where he couldn't get his stack working at volume). I gigged it, and then he gigged it, for a good few years with no reliability issues.
Mine has been perfect for blues jams, small, light and I actually find it surprising loud for its size. I was a bit shocked at how nice it sounded with my R8.
I have even used it with my band and it _just_ about kept up, where I normally use 50w Marshall JCM800.
My experiments with a Bandit would probably suggest the clean channel plus an appropriate OD pedal. Let’s face it seeking a great edge of break up tone is a big reason why people buy valve amps.
An Award Session Blues Baby seems like it should be on your list, not on budget from new but I guess it’s possible one will turn up used.
Incidentally, I have a MKII model of my BJ. Are the latest one a significant upgrade? I would doubt it, but am just curious.