Hi there,

I have a budget of £350 (can go up) to buy a better amp than my Marshall MG15. I do not know whether to go solid state or tube, since size and weight are an issue-I can't have anything significantly bigger than my Marshall, and I need to be able to transport it.

Consider than sometimes I use my ME-25 multi effects, sometimes my wah, and sometimes just the amp. I like the overdriven sound of my current amp on its own, although often feel I am running out of gain when trying to do Hendrix style music(trying... ). I want to use it with my band-not too much quieter than my Marshall, but also I want to use it on my own-not very loud-this is the thing putting me off a tube amp.

Any advice appreciated.

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"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
Blackstar HT-5R
Taylor Big Baby

http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The Tube .vs. Solid State .vs. Hybrid is never ending. My best suggestion is to try everything and choose that which meets your needs. Now as to volume to practice at home, you can get a very good attenuator that sits between the amp and the speaker. An attenuator effectively soaks up power and lowers the volume while letting the amp perform at it's sweet spot.

Remember that you are looking for that tone and volume first. You can always fix the volume issue at home with any number of options including an isolation cab is that works.

I have a SS-22 (The little or no hum version) with a weber power speaker for home. It's the best of all worlds for my needs. P.S. the SS-22 is a bit more than that $320 EU closer to $600 EU?

Fender Pro Junior - tube amp - google it!

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I have heard that attenuators wear out the tubes very quickly? is this true?

_________________
"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
Blackstar HT-5R
Taylor Big Baby

http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0

the mustang ain't a bad little amp.

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IF I DO SOMETHING STUPID,DON'T SAY A WORD...

Attenuator devices of various designs are often inserted between the amp and speaker of an all tube amp so that you can crank the amp way up to get tube crunch, distortion, compression, etc as if playing the amp very loudly when actually it is playing at a moderate and comfortable db level. It is in essence a dummy load that dissipates the lion's share of the amps wattage before it so much as gets to the speaker.

An attenuator device that is properly designed, installed and used does not accelerate tube wear. However cranking the power amp section nearly wide open, which is what people usually do with an attenuator circuit device, causes a strain on more than just the tubes/valves. Everything then has to work very hard.

That question is like asking if driving a vehicle with a big V-8 makes you more likely to have a fatal accident. It doesn't. But the big V-8 lets you drive faster. It isn't the V-8 that kills you, it is the sudden stop.

So long as you follow the basic guidelines of whatever attenuator circuit device you are using, you are fine. Just remember that the amp is working hard, you are just hearing a fraction of the output.

I'm a tube amp fan so here a a couple of inexpensive great sounding tube amp suggestions.

Blackheart Handsome Devil
Fenders Pro Junior
VHT Classic 18 or Classic 20

Any of these will definately get the job done.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

It's all personal choice. i have a couple of each. It's hard to beat a small Fender tube amp like the pro Junior or a Solid State amp like the Fender FM212DSP. . Personally I'd never buy a new amp as there are lots of 'almost new' used amps for sale.

One thing to consider is whether or not you need a headphone jack.

I have a Jet City JCA2112RC 20 watt, all tube combo. I paid 300 bucks for it brand new, and it's done nothing but impress me. It can easily be turned down to bedroom volumes, and has more than enough grunt to keep up with a band.
I also saw someone recommend a Blackheart Handsome Devil; those are great sounding amps as well.

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TUBE,TUBE,TUBE. that is all.

What he said!

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You dig?

Today I stopped at the music store to buy a recorder and tuck the opportunity to play with some toys. I went for a Pro Jr. and a squire strat. What a cool amp that is. Reliability is the only Concern that I would have.

You asked for an opinion so here it is. Tube amp all the way!!!!!!

As far as as volume goes don't let the tube amp mislead you. A 20 watt solid state amp is just as loud as a 20 watt tube amp. Just like 20 pounds of feathers weighs the same as 20 pounds of bricks. Watts are watts and pounds are pounds.

That being said (here's a contradiction) the wattage rating is for clean amplification. You can push a tube amp harder than a solid state into distortion and attain a louder volume. Sounds a lot better too!!!!!

I don't know the conversion rate into US dollars today (unfortunately for me it's less). My recommendation is probably more than you want to spend, but highly suggest looking into the Peavey Classic line. Very versitile, and built like a tank. I have the classic 2/50. It has a master volume so you can crank the pre's and lower the master volume to your liking, or vice versa. Just depends if you want pre amp or power tube distortion / saturation.

You can usually find a good used one online for around $400 (US).

P.S. Pardon my typing I had a few margaritas tonight.

+++++++100000 well said. I usually set my amp to 4-5 in the house and attenuate down. I tried the ss-22 at 4-5 (Both Gains and master) once... wife wanted to toss me and the amp out the second floor window. LOL

OK, thanks for the advice.

Someone mentioned hybrids-what are these and how do they work? What is the benefit to a hybrid/drawbacks?

_________________
"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
Blackstar HT-5R
Taylor Big Baby

http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0