Which Tube Amp on a Budget

rkreisher · **Posted:** Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:23 pm

Syeklops wrote:

rkreisher wrote:

Syeklops wrote:

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.

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

Ok.....I got it now.......Like I said before......I'm not familiar with those amps, and haven't heard them in a jam environment. Also......I was once at Guitar Center.......and the salesperson told me that you couldn't compare tube watts (for volume and power) against solid state watts (meaning 40 watt amp in tube, was not the same as 40 watt amp in solid state for power and volume.) I wasn't sure whether or not to believe him.

I do know that my 40 watt tube amp has been up against a 100 watt solid state and it's never had any problem keeping up with it, so if you tell me the two amps you've mentioned, kept up with the drums, etc......I'll believe it. After all.......you should let your own ears be the judge. Good luck on whatever it is you choose.

Well his Hot Rod Blues JR did (on 3 mind you); however, I have not heard the Super Champ in a gig/jam-type environment yet. We didn't have a bass in the mix either.

Which amp do you use? It may give me another option (and another few months to save up for).

RK

Syeklops · **Posted:** Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:54 pm

rkreisher wrote:

Syeklops wrote:

rkreisher wrote:

Syeklops wrote:

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.

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

Ok.....I got it now.......Like I said before......I'm not familiar with those amps, and haven't heard them in a jam environment. Also......I was once at Guitar Center.......and the salesperson told me that you couldn't compare tube watts (for volume and power) against solid state watts (meaning 40 watt amp in tube, was not the same as 40 watt amp in solid state for power and volume.) I wasn't sure whether or not to believe him.

I do know that my 40 watt tube amp has been up against a 100 watt solid state and it's never had any problem keeping up with it, so if you tell me the two amps you've mentioned, kept up with the drums, etc......I'll believe it. After all.......you should let your own ears be the judge. Good luck on whatever it is you choose.

Well his Hot Rod Blues JR did (on 3 mind you); however, I have not heard the Super Champ in a gig/jam-type environment yet. We didn't have a bass in the mix either.

Which amp do you use? It may give me another option (and another few months to save up for).

RK

Well........I hate to tell you this........but I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Now I know everyone in here hates that amp, but so far (three years), I've had no problems with it, I love it's sound, it's very portable, and it definately keeps up with drums, and everyone else in a band. And I'm able to keep up with everyone with the amp volume set at just above 3, and the guitar volume at mid range. (Ok......now I'm waiting for everyone to trash my amp)

rkreisher · **Posted:** Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:06 pm

Syeklops wrote:

Well........I hate to tell you this........but I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Now I know everyone in here hates that amp, but so far (three years), I've had no problems with it, I love it's sound, it's very portable, and it definately keeps up with drums, and everyone else in a band. And I'm able to keep up with everyone with the amp volume set at just above 3, and the guitar volume at mid range. (Ok......now I'm waiting for everyone to trash my amp)

I am not going to trash-talk your amp...I had a feeling that was what you had. I have been looking at those too. A little expensive, but I could save a few months longer for one as well. I just wanted to get onto the tube amp game a little sooner. It isn't like I am going to gig at bars any time soon or any thing, just jam sessions and practice sessions for me. Thanks for the option for me to think more closely about.

RK

Syeklops · **Posted:** Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:15 pm

rkreisher wrote:

Syeklops wrote:

Well........I hate to tell you this........but I have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. Now I know everyone in here hates that amp, but so far (three years), I've had no problems with it, I love it's sound, it's very portable, and it definately keeps up with drums, and everyone else in a band. And I'm able to keep up with everyone with the amp volume set at just above 3, and the guitar volume at mid range. (Ok......now I'm waiting for everyone to trash my amp)

I am not going to trash-talk your amp...I had a feeling that was what you had. I have been looking at those too. A little expensive, but I could save a few months longer for one as well. I just wanted to get onto the tube amp game a little sooner. It isn't like I am going to gig at bars any time soon or any thing, just jam sessions and practice sessions for me. Thanks for the option for me to think more closely about.

RK

I was lucky enough to buy it when it was only $600 new.

nikininja · **Posted:** Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:12 am

Twelvebar wrote:

63supro wrote:

SlapChop wrote:

63supro wrote:

[

That's too funny. I believe the expression he uses is, a grand is just peanuts to him. LOL. That crap don't impress me in the least.

You know what I always say:

"Nice checkbook. Let's hear you play."

How true. I know a lot of people with nice stuff but can't play and a lot of people who have what could be perceived as garbage that can do incredible things with it.

Money and arrogance don't impress me in the least.

Now that I no longer gig, and am I guess really just a hobbyist, I have much better guitar gear than when i used to rely on music for part of my income.

Kind of funny when you think about it.

Not really mate. Gone from gigging to burntout then back to gigging again. The only difference now is that whilst i've got some nice gear, i still favour the tried and tested tool (even if all thats original on it now is the neck). I dont deviate in amps, just have 2 of em so i never get too stuck. As you know in a live situation if it can go wrong it will, regardless of cost or place of origin. Its simply due to the stress's unleashed live. What i have for work is not always what i have for pleasure. I remember when i used to use the most appalling fuzz pedals for screwing around at home. Everyone in the band hated the pedals, i loved em the cheap nasty affairs they were. Cost has nothing to do with performance at all. The attitude of 'nice gear must be lacking in skills' is equally as preposterous and corksnifferish as the 'crap gear crap player attitude'.

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