NickyTyler

Hola everyone,

So I'm a rock out with my rooster out kinda guy. My preference is towards mesa rectifiers for distortion, but I'm in the market for a small "lunch box" head.

I have a 2x12 recto combo, but that thing is a beast to be lugging around all the time. I'm also living in an apt now, so its almost useless now to try to practice with because it isn't capable of using its indoor voice while sounding orgasmic.

I wanted something I could jam with in my apt...practice at the jam space with the band...and be able to mic it up at a gig and sound good. Is that asking too much?? Maybe.

Anywho...from what I've looked at it seems like the blackstar ht5 head or the orange dark terror may fit the bill. I see mesa makes a mini recto head now...but still selling at a grand and no one locally seems to carry it. Id rather go a less expensive route, especially if ill be experimenting.

Anyone have any feedback or suggestions on these?

I do dig the ht club 40 blackstar...but never had a chance to play an ht5. Anyone know if they're similar tonewise, just a difference in the wattage?

Same goes for the mini recto. Anyone tried one of these? Curious as to if these pull off the tone of their high wattage siblings.

And the dark terror or any other suggestions for my rectifier inspired tastes?

EDIT:



...with a budget around $500 buckaroos

gregs1020

budget? other stuff.

tubemeister?

BobDetroit

dude, just buy a used Vypyr in a size that suits you and be done with it.

NickyTyler

Ideally id like to get my hands on something new or used for under $500. Beyond that I might as well stick with lugging aroung my recto and practicing on a small solid state.

NickyTyler

Gig with a solid state modeling amp?

I pity your ear drums sir.

BobDetroit

You already have a Dual Rec for gigging so a good sounding light weight cheap practice amp seemed to make sense for your apartment. I didn't really expect you to gig with the Vypyr, but you're welcome to shove it up your ass.

bburritt1

Ouch.

They do have tube Vypyr's.... And hell blackstar has the new I.D's but if you looking for a lunch box....used orange Dual or Dark terror all day long. Not a recto sound but hell there awesome to play.

__________________
The Rig of Joy:
Stiff Amplification Dirthead 20w
Bugera 2x12 Cab
Fender Partscaster Korean Made
Epiphone Prophecy
Washburn Southern Cross 34 of 100
Ibanez TS9,AD9,GCB95, Multi Chorus and TU2

BobDetroit

LOL yeah.. He'll get over it.

The problem with those lunchbox heads if you're trying to downsize is you still have to lug around a cabinet.

bburritt1

Very true. But it makes the head easier for travel. I have a bugera 212 cab its super light. or the DV mark cabs. But very true indeed. Combo's are the shizz.

__________________
The Rig of Joy:
Stiff Amplification Dirthead 20w
Bugera 2x12 Cab
Fender Partscaster Korean Made
Epiphone Prophecy
Washburn Southern Cross 34 of 100
Ibanez TS9,AD9,GCB95, Multi Chorus and TU2

Marrowoflife

If you're looking at these: blackstar ht5 head or the orange dark terror

don't forget about the orange jim root. I'd take that over the dark terror.

I have been using the HT40 combo for a few years and have no complaints except moving it around no fun (<>bad as a 4x12).

Blktiger0

I, too, think it would be worth considering that you pick up a used Vypyr Tube 60 and call it a day. Use your Recto for gigs and the Vypyr for home stuff. The Vypyr has a headphone jack, USB silent recording, and can also be used as a backup amp, in case your Recto is in the shop or something, as it's plenty loud enough for gigging.

Avoid the Blackstar stuff. It's decent, but at the price, you can get MUCH more amp for your money. You can't really dog on the Vypyr and be considering one of those, considering they're hybrid just like the Tube Vypyrs, but have zero headroom and are not ver versitile at all.

If you really want a smaller amp head, it would certainly help if you gave us a genre or bands similar to yours. Plus, a location would certainly help, too, so that we can have an idea of availability and pricing.

However, smaller tube amps in your price range (going off of prices in my area) would be:

Egnater Rebel 30
Egnater Rebel 20
Egnater Tweaker 15
Egnater Tweaker 40
Orange Dual Terror
Orange Dark Terror
Orange Tiny Terror
Orange Jim Root #4
Orange OR15
Jet City JCA20
Jet City JCA22
H&K Tubemeister 18
H&K Tubemeister 5
VHT Special 6
VHT Special 12/20
EVH 5150 III Mini (You MIGHT find it for $500 used, probably a bit more)
Krank Krankenstien Jr
Krank Rev Jr Pro
Krank Rev Jr. Sandard
Vox Night Train 15w
Marshall Class 5

A lot of those are also available in combos, if you want to go that route. If you want a combo, you could also go with:

Marshall JCM2000 DSL401
Peavey 6505+ 112

__________________
My Rig:
Moser Bastard V
- Pups: Bridge
Epi Les Paul Standard
- Pups: Bridge Neck
Egnater Vengeance
- JCA24S w/WGS Retro 30s
- ZW-45 Crybaby
- MXR 10-Band EQ
- ISP Decimator
(^Those are links^ )

AshersUK

I've had a Vox Night Train 15W for a 12 months, I've really enjoyed it, great collection of sounds but not super-high gain. Got some lovely cleans.

NickyTyler

Simmer down sourpuss.

Makes sense for my apartment, but not what my post was about.

Nevertheless I took your advice and shoved a Vypyr up my ass. I'm now farting with scooped mids and a hint of reverb.

NickyTyler

+1
I agree good sir. I was assuming I'd get 2 cabs....

Leaving a 1x12 cab at the jam spot and having another 1x12 at my apt. I'd just have to bring the head back and forth.

If the gig doesn't have a cab, I can bring one of the cabs with.

Even then I'd anticipate it being less of a pain than dragging this 2x12 combo around.

gregs1020

yea but come on be serious you aren't going to mic a HT5 for a gig now are you?

scour the used sites for the orange you want.

/inb4cathpostsahandcart

bburritt1

Ive seen it happen and you would be surprised. Dont let the 5 fool ya. Obviously not for a metal mayhem thrash friday at your local venue but for small clubs and a sound man who cares.

__________________
The Rig of Joy:
Stiff Amplification Dirthead 20w
Bugera 2x12 Cab
Fender Partscaster Korean Made
Epiphone Prophecy
Washburn Southern Cross 34 of 100
Ibanez TS9,AD9,GCB95, Multi Chorus and TU2

Blktiger0

TS replies twice and still doesn't give any hint of a genre or any bands to give us an idea of the type of tonehe wants...

__________________
My Rig:
Moser Bastard V
- Pups: Bridge
Epi Les Paul Standard
- Pups: Bridge Neck
Egnater Vengeance
- JCA24S w/WGS Retro 30s
- ZW-45 Crybaby
- MXR 10-Band EQ
- ISP Decimator
(^Those are links^ )

R45VT

Dual Rec mini.

/thread

__________________

NickyTyler

...take a wild guess.