I am looking to upgrade my current Marshall 15 watt combo amp to a slightly more powerful amp. I'm thinking 50 watt.

I've considered valve amps, but have decided I don't want a valve amp at this point, I do appreciate that most truly good amps are valve amps though.

I am after some suggestions on some decent SS amps? My current amp has some built in effects, which cause the speaker to make a fuzzing sound. A friend of mine has an older SS Marshall with no built in efects and has no fuzzing! I'd like a simple decent amp that I can get a good range of tones from, I like to play rock, classic rock and metal and also some blues. Id like one that will sound decent with my multi effects console (boss gt100).

Any suggestions please? My budget is around 500 gbp (about 800 usd) Thanks!

What is it that makes you want to stay away from valve? The price, sound, etc.? Blackstar's ID series is pretty interesting in the way they that they didn't model amps, but rather the valve architecture. You can choose tube types and voicing, and the wattage matches that of a tube amp. As you probably know, an SS and a tube with the same wattage - the tube will be much louder, but not with this. If you're not wanting any of the downsides to tube, this might be a good choice for you.

The only thing putting me off tube is that the valves need replacing and biasing. If I had the money to spend on an expensive valve amp I could justify having this done. But I can't justify the cost of this on a budget valve amp. I would use the amp several hours a day so would envisage they would need replacing regulary.
I also don't know of anywhere local to me that is able to bias valve amps, and I don't want to mess with them myself!

in my experience, tubes last a lot longer than what you are thinking.

of course a lot depends on how you will be using it. at low/moderate volumes, you could easily get 5 to 10 years out of a set of tubes.

I own three all tube combos.

I bought my Marshall in 96, I've done a whole sale tube change twice and I've used that amp more than any of the others.

My Fender HR Deville (4x10) I picked up new in 2000, I've change the tubes once, (about 3 years ago and they were actually fine, the problem was a cold solder joint but since it was at the shop I figured I'd just have it all done at once.)

Gibson Gold tone bought in 2002, still has the stock tubes in it, (these are plug and play, it's a class A amp. and this one does not require biasing.)

I use all of these amps for various applications, sometimes I'm cranking em, sometimes, just at moderate to low volumes.

that said,,,

for Solid state amps, check the new Acoustic SS amps, they get good reviews, my Brother inlaw has one of the 2x12 combos, he likes it.

If you want to try a modeling amp, check out the Mustangs (III or IV would be well in your price range, these amps are wicked cool)

Good luck!

/KB (Ray)

You might like to try a Vox VT50 while your at it - nice little amps and quite versatile.

I particularly like the way the VR circuit in the valvetronix amps works. It's not really a tube sound - only a tube amp can deliver that - but to my ear they get a bit closer than other modelling amps I've tried. Some of the models are way off what they are aiming to be, but they're generally pretty nice.

Well within your price range too

p.s. [edit] I've not tried any of the Mustangs

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Thanks for all the suggestions!

I was looking at a valve amp (a Line 6) and in the manual it strongly suggested the replacement and bias of the valves at least every 12 months, could be that the valves used in these may be inferior?

good share for us. thanks for topic

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I had a look at the VOX Valvetronix, these use a power valve, wouldn't that still need replacing and biasing when required? Are the valves in modeling amps likely to last longer? The VOX looks good though. Looks like the VT50 has been replaced by VT40+?

I have no experience with the VT or VR - amps , but I checked it out briefly right now , and It seems that they use a 12AX7 -tube , which is a preamp tube . At the same time they say they get it to behave like a power tube. I get the idea - but it still should not require any biasing....

I am sure they are great amps , but you should try to see if you like 'em ! I've got 2 tube-amps, but also a Roland 40XL2 , which I am very satisfied with .(A very nice bonus on this one , is the built-in looper,which is nice if you've not got one) A friend played an XL80 on a gig this weekend , which also worked nicely. Good luck with the choice !

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A-man

Good ss amps - tech 21 trademark 60 1x12 (60w), fender frontman 212r (100W) , fender mustang lll (100W) , good luck in your search .

I have heard that Tech 21's are very good SS amps, but they only ship these within the US! I live in England, and can't find and stockists of these in England.

Essntially yes they should last A LOT longer. The way these amps use the pre-amp tube it is likely the tube would never need to be replaced unless it flat out failed. If you are interested in learning more, do some googles on "Valvestate and Tube Replacement" there's a number of threads that explain in detail.

and since this is used in the pre-amp stage (pre-amp tube) so there is no biasing required for this. Only power tubes need to be properly biased in most amps.

Mustang III verses VOX --- I've had one of each, the Mustang has way more flexibility in the area of your effects path and remote controlling the settings via foot switches.

The Vox amps have limitations to what effects you can use simultaneously. For example, you can't combine reverb and delay, you have to choose one or the other, (at least that's how my AD30VT was, and I think I see the same setup on the newer ones.

Also I don't think you can combine the compressor with other effects unless you use the combo slots the amp offers.

and I think the foot switch will just advance you thru the amp settings. (Could be the newer ones have more flexibility here... my experiences are with the ADVT series)

so you would not be able to have a compressor, Reverb and Delay as your effects path, which is a pretty common, usable chain.

The Mustang's have a lot more flexibility, you have four slots for effects, Stomp (Compressors, Overdrives, distortion, Fuzz) Modulation (Chorus, Trem, Flange, etc) Delay (Stereo, Analog/Tape, etc.) and Reverb (multiple choices here too)

The effects can all be adjusted, bypassed etc..

If you hook up the included 2 button foot switch, and purchase the optional 4 button foot switch, you have infinite control over your amp models, effects, tap tempo and you can even engage the tuner which you can view from the 4 button Foot switch (not quite as fine tuned as the LCD display, but in a pinch gets your tuning cleaned up if something goes haywire mid set.

We haven't even talked about installing Fuse on your PC and hooking the amp up via a USB cable yet have we?

IMHO if one is trying to decide between a VOX and a Mustang, the Fender is the hands down winner if you're serious about a SS combo.

If you're going to go Mustang, go for either a III or a IV

I have a M3 and I absolutely dig it. I've been using it more than my other amps lately.
it's just a blast. oodles of cool sounds.

Look for a Fender Stage 112SE - great non-tube amp!

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How does the mustang iii sound at lower volumes? The purpose of me upgrading amp is that I want one a bit louder for when practicing with friends, but can also be used in my bedroom at lower volumes! 100watt seems a bit powerful for what I want.

A loud, quality SS amp.. this can be none other than the Roland Jazz Chorus. Clean channel is heaven.. not so much with the distortion end. Throw a nice OD in front of the clean channel and it will bring you to tears.

I hear the older models from the 80's sound a little better. They are all truly reliable, workhorse amps. I'd say find one used and run with it.