Best amp for a blues loving strat? I'm not looking for huge volume, but I want that authentic tube tone. I've considered Fender amps so far because they've got the tubes in my price range. One option is the 5 watt Champion reissue which is small and looks cool, another is a Blues Jr. and then there is a Fender Hotrod Deluxe with my name on it. I'm not going to need a Hotrod Deville because it just has so much power.

The little tube Champion reissue is easy to carry around and is tube, but I'm concerned it will be too tinny and limited because it's so small. Realistically, this might be a good fit but hows it play? Anybody got one? Too trebly? Fender, how about a 10 watt version at least?

A Blues Jr. with a Jensen speaker sounded cool in the store, but I'm concerned about only having 15 watts for that much weight and money. Is it too trebly?

The Fender Hotrod Deluxe seems to great power and also to be portable for a couple of hundred more than the Blues Junior. Also, I would think ti's going to offer real good tone. The downsides are it's getting to be pretty expensive and heavy.

Suggestions?

I play thru a Blues Jr. Relic (from GC).
It is the same as the standard Jr. except that it has a Jensen P12R in it. WORLD OF DIFFERENCE !!!
It is vintage Fender all the way. (Think 15 watt Super Reverb !!)

Another thought is the new-ish Fender G-Dec amp line. Mine came with a shoulder strap. The tones are quite adjustable and it will mimic historic amps through it's synthesizer-like circuitry. Depending on the model, it comes with a bunch of pre-set "personalities" that can be tweaked to your taste. Or you can customize your own.

I have a hot rod deluxe and love it. It's 50 pounds which makes it portable, but the thing can crank if you want it to.

I play a Vox AC15TBRX with Celestion Blue Alnico speaker which is
bloody loud, i used to have a Fender Blues Deluxe (tweed) 40watts,
was nice also. I use a G-DEC as practice amp at home.




Peter

An old Pro Reverb is the best amp for single coil pickups.

Laney VC15-110 (All valve)

http://www.laney.co.uk/show_prod.php?prod=VC15-110

_________________
Fender Highway 1 upgr.

I'm fond of the old Super Reverbs and the old Deluxe's.

_________________
"is that a real poncho...i mean
Is that a mexican poncho
Or is that a sears poncho?
Hmmm...no foolin ...." FZ

I play my Strat thru a 30w 15" Peavey "Delta Blues" Tube Amp w/ the Blue Marvel Speaker. Brilliant tone! I'm currently using SOVTEK Tubes, a bit on the brighter side than I've used in the past but was perfect for my last recording project. You can take this amp to any stage any size and mic it up for pure power and tone.

_________________
50th Anniversary Fender American Standard Strat
DG-27SCE/N Fender Acoustic/Electric Cutaway

Official MySpace

Hot Rod Deluxe is a great amp. affordable, powerful and portable. plus I added a 12 inch Traynor extension cabinet and it deepens up the tone.

I use a hot rod deluxe with my strat. It is a great amp with lots of tone. It can be a little loud in small spaces, but cranks when needed.

I have a Hot Rod Deluxe and a Blues Deville 410. Depending on the size of the room either is a great amp. For diffrent tones, you can always add the appropriate pedal.

Very interesting.

I have a '66 Pro Reverb and it sounds great but it's a little on the heavy side,I'm gettin' old. ,but still it's a great amp,it's got lots of headroom at lower volumes before you push it into overdrive,think of it as a 40watt Twin.....but a Deluxe Reverb is also a great amp,I own several and for the tone,and light weight,it's hard to beat.