Okay, so i am pretty decent at guitar. I have a Fender HSS strat. The amp i currently use is a small Vox Valvetronix. Its either 8 or 10 inches. I bought it about 1-2 years ago. Needless to say, I need to upgrade. I'm not going to be gigging any time soon, but sometimes me and my friend jam, and my amp just isn't loud enough. So it comes down to this:

-I need reverb
-Tube amp
-Under $500
-Probably 12"
-Loud enough to play over a drum set, and still sound good at lower volumes

Right now the ones I have in mind are the Jet City 12", Kustom Defendor 50w, and Blues Jr.
Tell me what you think

Thanks in advance!
-Joe

After playing a Blues Jr. for several months now I can say truthfully that it's a great little amp that gets a gutsy full tone at lower volumes but absolutely sings when cranked. Some of the smaller Marshall and Vox amps are great too and that goes for their hybrids that are exceptional in their ability to sound like a fully tubed amp.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I'm in the same spot you are, and I'll be ordering the Jet City jca2112rc in the next few days. I have read quite a few negative reviews on the Kustom Defender during my search. And it goes without saying that a Blues Junior is never a bad choice. If I was you I'd choose between the Jet City or BJ.

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Check out my new FB music page!

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SOLID!

Peavey classic 30

Blues Jr.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

The scxd is also a good bet for under 500 bucks same wattage as a blues jr. I have one and I love it. I A/Bed it back and forth with a blues jr in my local store every couple of days for a month or so and decided that the super champ was a little more versatile. Best wishes on finding the right amp and let us know what you decided on.

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Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancin'

id go the blues jr

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blues - its a religion...

Hi Wasabi, You say you want to be able to play over a drummer and folks think a 15 watt amp is the bomb. If you mike it thru a 1000 watt PA, you'll be fine.

I tried to be heard in a rock band with a 22 watt Blackface Deluxe Reverb and just got blown off the stage. I tried to turn up, but the amp was driven so hard that my chords turned to distorted mud. It changed the whole character of my sound and I was just lost. This is why I have suggested that people practice at stage volume so they will know what to expect live.

I wouldn't get an amp with less than 40 watts if I wanted to gig. Actually I always played Twins and Dual Showmans, but I know those amps are way out of the conversation.

i have a 40 watt peavey envoy forhome use andsmaller gigs. it's nice and light, and has a good sound.

for louder needs, i have my fender stage 100. when i play it at home, i can't turn it above 1

if you want to go the other mfr. route, the peavey valveking series. nice sound, nice price, i believe 50 watts.

there's lots of great choices- you'll find one

look, just save some extra cash and go get you a Mesa Express 5:50.
killer tones, very gig worthy, 5watt settings as well.
plenty of gain on tap for roaring solos. will cut through any mix anywhere too.
this amp will last you for yrs to come and work well with just about any type of music you play.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Here's also an item to think about: when practicing with others, the solution isn't always for everyone to turn up, in some sort of arms race that will result in mutually assured hearing destruction.

If you are playing loud, keep ear plugs handy.

Try Vox AC30VR. 2X12 AMP! On sale this pres-day week-end. This amp cranks and rocks.
!15% off at GC and with discount under $500. good luck
Keep Jammin! Enjoy Life!

Twins are great if you are playing larger venues ...I used an old silverface for over twenty years..when i was young and full of piss and vinegar and when the road crew didn't mind hauling them in and out...that said now i wont play in a situation where I need that kind of stage volume. My back and ears love me and as far as playing with drummers or playing rock my deluxe works fantastic and nowadays its rare to find a sound man who doesn't mind the responsibility of making sure the stage mix is workable....hmmm guess I'm getting old or something.....harrrumph!!!!

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Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancin'

Lots of people gig with a Blues Jr. Just depends where your playin.