I am looking to get a combo amp in the range of 50 watts and I would like suggestions as to which ones would be a good idea.

I am looking to buy used. So even if a model is no longer in production I will still consider it.

My thinking is that a 50 watt combo would be enough to play small bars and similar places. Which is all I will need for awhile. If this thinking is wrong please let me know.

I have been looking at the Fender combos and Marshall combos such as the Valvestate series. Can someone explain the Valvestate series to me please? The Marshall website is of no help at all. Is this model a tube amp of sorts? From what I can gather it seems like it is partially a tube and partially a solid state amp. Is that correct?

I'd like to stay under $500 (used) if possible.

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2009 Fender Strat MIM
2002 Squire 20th Aniv. Strat
30 year old Les Paul copy which is currently in the process of being rebuilt.

I'd advise a Marshall Vintage-Modern combo.
http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp ... Code=2266C

I'm sure you could get one for about £500. There generally about £650 new.

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• Fender American Series Stratocaster (Olympic white, maple)
• Gibson Flying V (dusty faded cherry)
• Fender 1969 Custom Shop Stratocaster (3-tone sunburst, maple)
• Fender Highway One Stratocaster (Honey blonde, rosewood)

I would look at a new Marshall MG250DFX amp. I purchased one at Guitar Center about a year ago for $449. Best Buy now has them marked down to $349. You won't be sorry. I play it with my American Standard Strat and it sounds so good. The saturation with the gain can be added to sound just like the tube series. It is a solid state model and replaced the valvestate series.

How about a Tech 21 Trademark 60? 60 watts, solid state, two channels, reverb and a 12" speaker. Weighs in at about 40lbs or less. It is a good sounding amp and has the Sans Amp type DI output. You can get one used for under $500. A friend has one and loves it. I tried it and thought it was a good amp. Tech 21 is made in the USA and their support is good. Or there are a bunch of Fender amps to consider. You can get a Fender Super 60 all tube for under $500. Let's see what everyone else comes up with.

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www.300guitars.com

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Peaveys. The Classic 50 is a fine sounding amp. For the money, and weight, a Bandit (Tanstube series, 80 watts) is a darn nice amp. Just my 2 cents.

Fergot about Peavey's.... I had a Special 150 years ago and could not kill the darn thing whatsoever. Took a beating and kept on repeating. Sounded good with my Tele for my classic rock/country/rockabilly cover band I was with at the time.

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www.300guitars.com

You have a lot of options, your best bet is to get out to the stores (with your guitar in hand) and start playing

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

I read a story about a guy who's Bandit got hit by a car and flung 30 yards down the road and still worked just fine, albeit with a few scratches. They are darn-near indestructable.

I have one word for you.... Egnater

I never really thought of Peavey for guitar amps. I used to only use Peavey for my Bass amps. But never considered them now that I started up guitar. I'll look into them.

They never let me down when I was playing bass so I know they can stand up to abuse

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2009 Fender Strat MIM
2002 Squire 20th Aniv. Strat
30 year old Les Paul copy which is currently in the process of being rebuilt.

I have seen the Used Marshall Valvestate AVT50 in the $200-$300 range. Thats why I was looking into them. Simply because the price is right.

Whats the deal with that series? They are not all tube nor are they all Solidstate. Can someone explain this series to me?


I was also looking into the Fender Deluxw "Hotrod" series. I can find those in the right price range. What do you all think of the Deluxe series amps by Fender?

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2009 Fender Strat MIM
2002 Squire 20th Aniv. Strat
30 year old Les Paul copy which is currently in the process of being rebuilt.

The Fender Hot Rods are great powerful amps, in my view far better than the Valvestate

It sounds to me like you are looking in the right range of power in the 50 watt area, especially if you're talking tube amps. Tubes are always louder than solid state. The Marshall Valvestate amp I have is a 50 watt AVT 50. It is called a hybrid because it is solid state with a preamp tube. I have owned it for 6 years with no problems. The dirty channel gives that Marshall tone everyone likes, and that channel is nice and loud. The clean channel is not as loud, but you can get some nice edgy clean tones. To get it loud on the clean channel you must crank the gain knob and the volume. I don't think they make that amp anymore, and in my opinion some of the higher powered Valvestates tend to lose that typical Marshall tone. Not that they are bad, just slightly different than typical Marshall.
A friend who works at a guitar store had one like mine, sold it to get a newer more powerful version, and ended up wishing he had kept his AVT 50. He also gigs several times a week, and had very good luck with his.
I hope you find what you're looking for.

63supro, you've got to quit encouraging me!! I'm running out of reason to tell the wife why "I need" another piece of equipment!
What do you think about the Blackstar? I think allthumbs has one. I need to ask him.
I had an old Peavey years ago and like the poster above said you could not kill it or my sons Crate bass amp.

The Marshall Valvestates are damn good sounding amps. There are lots of goofs on the web that slander them to no end but I disagree. I used my AVT50 at my bands final gig and it sounded great. Total Marshall and plenty loud.

Marshall discontinued the Valvestate line but they can still be bought used or some places still have some new ones left over. If you like the classic Marshall tone you will get it for sure at a fraction of the price of a tube amp.

They have a ECC83/12AX7 tube in the preamp section. The rest is solid state.