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Post subject: LOUD Bluesy Tonemakers in the 15-30 Watt Range?
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:07 pm
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I've played some of the popular practice/rehearsal/small gig amps, such as the Fender BJR, PJR, Super Champ XD and Crate V18 Palomino. All of them are excellent tonemakers, but none of these are LOUD enough for me.

I need some recommendations for a LOUD bluesy tonemaker that can be used unmic'ed. I would prefer a Fender, but at this point, I'm open to anything. Also, I want to spend $500 or less.

The ideal amp will be one that is:

  • small footprint
  • lightweight
  • 15-30 watt
  • LOUD
  • reliable



Does such a thing exist? What are your ideas?

Thanks for the help.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:36 pm
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There are two clear Fender choices as you look to upgrade from that volume range into great tone WITH volume (and improved headroom): The Blues Deluxe Reissue (40 watts) and the Deluxe Reverb Reissue (22 watts).

The BDRI is obviously louder with more headroom. The DRRI is clearly louder than the BJ/V18 sphere, a lot more headroom, and has something the BDRI lacks: that glassy top end BF shimmer made famous by the BF Twin among others.

I like the BDRI for a rockin, gutsy blues gig where phat dominating mid-range grind and THUNK that hits you in the chest rules the day.

I like the DRRI for it's glassy, funky spank and absolutely gorgeous 6V6 breakup at 4 and above. Lead tones to die for with tremendous touch and response.

That whole BJ 15-watts "sounds like 40" is a myth. While it is loud for 15 watts, you can definitely get easily drowned out with a BJ or a V18 or whatever in that range at a raucous gig or jam. I have. The BDRI buys you a good dose of Drownout Insurance. And it has bottom end to burn, remarkable for such a small form factor.

The DRRI is about in the middle--mostly you'll hold your own with it, clearly blowing away the BJ crowd. Its steely BF treble presence cuts in like afterburners really well once the heat is on so you can get heard above the fray when necessary. But forget THUNK or chest tones. Not much bottom end.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:45 pm
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Maruuk wrote:
There are two clear Fender choices as you look to upgrade from that volume range into great tone WITH volume (and improved headroom): The Blues Deluxe Reissue (40 watts) and the Deluxe Reverb Reissue (22 watts).

The BDRI is obviously louder with more headroom. The DRRI is clearly louder than the BJ/V18 sphere, a lot more headroom, and has something the BDRI lacks: that glassy top end BF shimmer made famous by the BF Twin among others.

I like the BDRI for a rockin, gutsy blues gig where phat dominating mid-range grind and THUNK that hits you in the chest rules the day.

I like the DRRI for it's glassy, funky spank and absolutely gorgeous 6V6 breakup at 4 and above. Lead tones to die for with tremendous touch and response.


Both are excellent choices, but:

The BDRI carries a bit too many watts and pounds...
The DRRI carries a bit too high a price.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:02 pm
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Once again, the Deluxe 5e3 either Fender or a clone like Mission Amp. It's one of the most dynamic circuits Fender ever designed. No pedals required.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:06 pm
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Watts aren't the whole story, the BD breaks up fine at around 4. It doesn't have that "too clean too loud only breaks up when the windows do" problem that the Bassman or the Super Reissue have. And I never had a problem carrying it around at 45 lbs.--5 lbs. less than an HRD which sound does not compare to it.

If you still need to fill the gap there are real lightweight minimalist tube wonders like the Pignose G40V at 28 lbs and $319. A better bargain there is none.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:41 pm
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63supro wrote:
Once again, the Deluxe 5e3 either Fender or a clone like Mission Amp. It's one of the most dynamic circuits Fender ever designed. No pedals required.


I understand that these 5E3's go for a lot more than the $500 that I'm willing to spend. True?


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:47 pm
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Maruuk wrote:
Watts aren't the whole story, the BD breaks up fine at around 4. It doesn't have that "too clean too loud only breaks up when the windows do" problem that the Bassman or the Super Reissue have. And I never had a problem carrying it around at 45 lbs.--5 lbs. less than an HRD which sound does not compare to it.

If you still need to fill the gap there are real lightweight minimalist tube wonders like the Pignose G40V at 28 lbs and $319. A better bargain there is none.


I'd like something in the 30-pound range. The DRRI meets my wattage and poundage requirements, but it's simply more green than I care to spend.

The Pignose G40V gets mixed reviews on H/C, but I'll look at them again. Someone else in another thread had mentioned the Carvin Vintage 16, but there are issues with that one as well.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:06 pm
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The Pignose is the only tube amp in existence to my knowledge which meets your stringent requirements for cost/weight/volume. The Peavey Windsor Studio (37 lbs, $399) might as well, especially with a KT66 which gives it 20 watts through a 12" speaker. But Peavey can't seem to ever release the sucker.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:13 pm
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Maruuk wrote:
The Pignose is the only tube amp in existence to my knowledge which meets your stringent requirements for cost/weight/volume. The Peavey Windsor Studio (37 lbs, $399) might as well, especially with a KT66 which gives it 20 watts through a 12" speaker. But Peavey can't seem to ever release the sucker.


I realize that I'll have to compromise in one way or another, but I don't want to compromise on tone, volume or $$$. I'll carry a few more pounds, if needed.

Yea, I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Peavey Windsor Studio. If all the hype is true, it'll give the Super Champ XD a run for its money. The last I read, they are planning a Spring/2008 release.

I'll look at the Pignose again.


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Post subject: Re: LOUD Bluesy Tonemakers in the 15-30 Watt Range?
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:25 pm
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How do you know the amps you have tried aren't loud enough? Have you gigged with them or played through a mix?

At the risk of offering what purists may consider a foolish alternative, a solid state amp can offer a lot of power at a reasonable price, weight, and good dependability. I have a Fender Deluxe 900 (which Fender may have stopped making, but the amps are selling new on eBay for less than $500, used for less than $400). It weighs areound 30 lbs, puts out 90 watts through a 12" Celestion, and has built in effects and tone variations that can overcome some of the solid state tone defects. I think the 90 watts may be the equivalent of 30 tube watts. I have gigged with it unmiked and have had no problem cutting through the mix

FenderGuy53 wrote:
I've played some of the popular practice/rehearsal/small gig amps, such as the Fender BJR, PJR, Super Champ XD and Crate V18 Palomino. All of them are excellent tonemakers, but none of these are LOUD enough for me.

I need some recommendations for a LOUD bluesy tonemaker that can be used unmic'ed. I would prefer a Fender, but at this point, I'm open to anything. Also, I want to spend $500 or less.

The ideal amp will be one that is:

  • small footprint
  • lightweight
  • 15-30 watt
  • LOUD
  • reliable


Does such a thing exist? What are your ideas?

Thanks for the help.

_________________
JZ
Standard Stratocaster; Standard Telecaster; Gibson Flying V; Epiphone Dot; OLP TinTop. Fender amps: Twin Reverb 15, Deluxe 900, GDEC 30, Super Champ XD, Mini-Twin; Others: Line 6 Spider III; Crate DXJ112; Peavey Renown; Ashdown Fallen Angel FA50.


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Post subject: Re: LOUD Bluesy Tonemakers in the 15-30 Watt Range?
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:44 pm
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jkzimm wrote:
How do you know the amps you have tried aren't loud enough? Have you gigged with them or played through a mix?

At the risk of offering what purists may consider a foolish alternative, a solid state amp can offer a lot of power at a reasonable price, weight, and good dependability.


Well, I played the SCXD, BJR, PJR at Sam Ash, and I played the Crate at Guitar Center. I played each for several hours (over a few days) and each time, there were others there, A-B'ing their own selections. My "sense" tells me that the 15-watters were not going to cut it.

I just bought a new Frontman 212R last Thanksgiving, and I really like it; but it's too bulky and too heavy to use at rehearsals.

I WAS using a Roland Cube 30, which was the prefect size and volume; but I sold it after buying the SCXD. I thought the SCXD was my answer. Was I ever wriongh on THAT one!


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:18 pm
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Peavey Classic 30. Cheap, great sounding amp. 500 buck won't get you much that's really decent or reliable in tube tone land. Even used that kind of cash won't go too far unless you get lucky.
If you're handy with a soldering iron and can follow a wiring diagram, you can build your own 5e3 complete with a cabinet and speaker for about 600 bucks.
It's all up to you. Once in a while you can find a 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue for about what you're looking to spend used.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:04 pm
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The Carvin Nomad is $489, only 40 lbs, all-tube w/2-12" speakers. And American-made!


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:33 pm
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The Epiphone Blues Classic 30 is pretty nice for the money $549.00. It has a tube rectifier and can be knocked down to 15 watts. It has two twelves bot is a bit heavy. I tried one out and it's really hard to get a bad sound out of it.


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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:05 pm
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Maruuk wrote:
The Carvin Nomad is $489, only 40 lbs, all-tube w/2-12" speakers. And American-made!


Actually, the Carvin Nomad is a 1x12 (the Belair is 2x12), but I like the numbers. The Vintage 16 looks cool, too, but it's only 16 watts.

Is the Nomad a player?


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