Allthumbs i wasnt trying to make a recommendation just trying to err you on the side of caution and patience.

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No no and no

Understood, and of course your comments and concern are both greatly appreciated and respected. I was speaking mainly in refference to not getting into a rush. which I know from past experience can easily lead to disaster. I'm just suffering from information overload and not really sure what I'm talking about anymore.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Which makes me say Super Champ XD or Blues Jr, go used to save some $$$.

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http://www.bluesrepublic.org/

2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab

Amen brother!

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http://www.bluesrepublic.org/

2008 Fender American Stratocaster
2008 Fender Deluxe Telecaster
Fender Power Jazz Bass Special 1987 (MIJ)
Egnater Renegade Head
Egnater Tourmaster 2x12 cab

I love both of these amps and can find champs within my price range. My only complaint with either is no headphone jacks. Its kind of stupid to pin so much importance on that, but I play A LOT through headphones so as not to disturb the family.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

I understand that. I'm not suggesting that those who can't afford it try and figure out a way to financially secure a divided by 13 or some high end tube amp. My point was this....if considering a hybrid because you want tube goodness, buying a tube pre/SS hybrid is no different than buying a SS amp. and that while tube amps may be more expensive, you can always find a used one and look for a good deal. Heck, the last tube amp i sold was a peavey classic, and a very good sounding modded one i may add. I sold it for $200. there are plenty of tube amp deals, and my point to him was go that route wihich IS affordable or just buy a SS amp, because a hybrid won't sound like (more importantly FEEL like) a tube amp unless its got a tube power section, and those generally aren't cheap. Music man amps for example go for a lot. there aren't many hybrids with tube outputs around.

In a sentence, you can get a tube amp cheap enough for a cash strapped kid to afford with a little looking, but a hybrid with a tube pre will not get him what he wants, so he may as well get a line 6 or such.

I am now ampless

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Right to cut through all the BS. Amps up to the £300 range are all pretty similar. Options, sounds and performance dont vary wildly. That end of the market is far too cut-throat and competetive for any of the big manufacturers to show any weakness.
They do however push their own sounds with the modeling technology. A vox modeler is going to give good AC sounds and not so good for say marshall sounds. The same goes for fender and peavey. Fenders modelers sound great on fender sounds, Peavey vipers sound great for peavey sounds. Thats not anything derogatory to any manufacturer its just a fact of their marketing stratergies. They want to present their higher end amps in the best light possible, even if that means making their version of the competition sound not so good.

It makes it a simple decision. Decide who your dream amp is made by and buy their modeller it will get you closer for less money than anything else. Your a bit stuffed if your amp of choice is a mesa or marshall. Although out of modellers i found line6 to do the better mesa sound and behringer to do the better marshall sound. Neither fender, vox or peavey do a decent clone of those 2 amps.

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No no and no

Roland Cube 30X. $245. Not a hybrid but in your price range new. Bought one for my Son last year. Very good amp for the $ and has a headphone jack. I plug into it a lot. I play through a DRRI and Bj NOS.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=487032

On the finances thing. it may be prudent to stick with your headphone vox thing for a while longer than you would like, and diligently save to add to your budget. remember that you will have a quality amp (even a practice one,) for a very long time, possibly for decades. I have some 20 year old or more gear, that i plan to use til i die, or it dies. So if you consider that length of investment, it makes more sense to spend a bit more now, and get something you are truly happy with, rather than a compromise.

You'd be surprised how often you can stumble upon a sweet deal if you look around. Keep an eye on craig's list, and haunt your local pawn shops.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

has any of you tried the fm or g dec amps? are they any good? ive tried the
super champ xd and was really impressed, pity they dont do a fifty watt
version for live stuff, as the price would be quite reasonable

I'd never rule out crate.
A audition i went for, the lead guitarist who i had to match had a 30watt crate valve amp. At practice levels it ruled my jcm800. Its very much a amp for buisiness in a blues/70's rock scenario.
Never worry about wattage. A half decent soundman and a 2bit P.A can get a 15watt s.s to act like a stage amp.

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No no and no

Ok. so I've been reading up on this blackheart little giant stack amp. The 5w tube w/ the 12" eminence speaker. I plan on going and demoing one on Monday. Anyone have any experience with this amp?

See link for details: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=483078

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

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Yes. The Valve Jr. Is in fact LOUD. =) You'd be surprised what 5 watts can do!

Got one, it died. It just went Boom one day. But maybe it wont happen to you.