My Fellow Fender Fanatics:

I went out this weekend and jammed with some friends this weekend, it was a great experience. I have not played music with other players in a very long time. There was a drummer there, another guitarist, and myself. If we had a Bassist and Singer, it would have been perfect. I was there with my Roland Cube 30x, the drummer and guitarist were really loud.

The other guitarist had a 15 watt Fender Deluxe set to 3 and was way drowning me out. (and he said that this was to be a quiet session, I hate to see his idea of loud)

My amp was set to 8 and was very crackly. Although my Roland Cube 30X is a very good practice amp, it just could not keep up, and I knew it wouldn't after the first minute of playing.

So I am now on a budget and have to be cautious about spending money. I was looking at the Hot Rod Blues Jr which sells for around $500 and the Super Champ XD which sells for $300. I have played on both but cannot decide which one to get. One amp has different voicings and effects, the other is just a single channel tube amp. The one with more stuff is less expensive. The $300 amp I could get a lot sooner than the $500 amp by about 2 1/2 months worth of saving.

Both amps are rated at 15 watts and are tube amps. Has any one else played both amp and which one did you like better. Keep in mind I am looking for an amp that can keep up with these guys, not over power them.

If there are cheaper tube amps out there please feel free to voice opinions on those, but I am on a Fender kick these days and like the tones from the Fender Tube amps. Please do not recommend any solid state amps with emulators.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I just picked up a Super Champ XD about a month ago, and I am loving it! I bought mine from ThePerfectGuitar.com for $269 and free shipping. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I started playing with people several years ago. At that time, I only had a Fender Frontman 25R (25 watts). I used it for a few months, had it cranked up all the way, yet it could not truly compete with the drummer, bass player and others there. I had it cranked up, which caused the sound quality to deteriorate.

Anyway......I ended up buying a tube amp with a lot more power and now it's no longer a problem.

Are you sure 15 watts did the job for everyone at your jam? Especially with a drummer? (and remember.......they said it was a "quiet session") I know amps are expensive, but what if you put out the money and in the end........the 15 watt amp was not enough? Then you spend even more money buying yet another amp. I think I would be patient......save a little more money and get what you truly want and need. Of course.......unless you saw what those 15 watt tube amps were capable of..........and you were satisfied. Just a thought..........

Also......solid state amps are less expensive, and you might be able to afford more power and volume with one of those. Don't be in a hurry....check everything out and in the end.......be satisfied and sure of your purchase.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

As far as tube amps go, I think Orange amps outclass all others. But they are a bit more expensive.

You can't beat the SCXD. Not to mention it's probably one of the least complained about amps on here.

Check out a Pro Jr.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I thought so too until I tried Egnater.

Of course! It's cheap, LOUD, affordable, 15 watts, not expensive, simple circuitry, wonderful tone, and it won't break the bank!


-The Screamin' J

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CURRENT RIG:
2008 Squier bullet stratocaster modified with Rumpelstiltskin pickups -> Dunlop GCB-95 Original Crybaby -> Fender Vibro Champ XD

"Could you take the stain from this pair of pants, and put in on this pair of pants?"

I second that - the Pro Jr. is a great amp. Try to find one of the tweed ones...they look outstanding.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220474802883&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

If the superchamp is anything like the vibrochamp get that one. The pro jr is a good choice too.

Marshall have a new bunny on the track its pretty much a 5watt bluesbreaker combo with a 10" speaker capable of pushing a 4x12 quite easily. Ofcourse being marshall its going to sound like its atleast 12 watts.

http://www.dv247.com/guitars/marshall-class-5-class-a-all-valve-guitar-amp-combo-5w--66796

Ofcourse as Mr Allthumbs and myself know, the only real option for amps is blackstar.

Orange and Egnater indeed .... pffft

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No no and no

Syclops,

I think you misunderstood. I already have a 30 watt solid state tube amp. My friends 15 watt tube amp blew it out of the water. It has always been my understanding that a tube amp is more powerful than their solid state counterparts.

The drummer was not holding back when playing, the other guitarist was not either. His amp was set to 3. It was a Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr. I really loved the tones he was getting from it and it could go higher. My 30 watt solid state was barely keeping up and was crackeling bad.

I have always played solid state amps, but I am ready for the switch to tube amps. I guess I was just wondering which one was better suited for small jam sessions like the one we had?

Thanks for the reply.


RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I'll have to look into these amps, but I have never seen them around here at my local shops.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Thanks for the advice, but I like reverb with my amp. I know the Hot Rod Jr and Super Champ XD have this option. But not a bad price. I keep this one as an option, but I will have to buy a reverb pedal to go with it.

RK

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Not a real expert, but I've heard that the Blues Junior's volume pot is non-linear, so it probably won't get much louder than 5. Maybe more intense.


-The Screamin' J

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CURRENT RIG:
2008 Squier bullet stratocaster modified with Rumpelstiltskin pickups -> Dunlop GCB-95 Original Crybaby -> Fender Vibro Champ XD

"Could you take the stain from this pair of pants, and put in on this pair of pants?"

Joey Bonemassa and that class5 marshall
http://www.guitarist.co.uk/page/guitarist?entry=joe_bonamassa_launches_new_marshall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce1fiU31MFU

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No no and no