T.Verhoeven

Hi there,

I'm a beginning guitar player, but I dislike the sound of my SS amp. I'd like to upgrade to a tube amp for home use, definitely not gigging, so it doesn't need to have 100+ watts. My budget is around €550,- just for the amp. I already have a guitar (Gibson LPJ 2013 with 490R and 498T pickups) and a cable (Spectraflex Fatso Flex). I live in the Netherlands and the used market is just bad here, that is why I am searching only for new gear.

Because I'm just a beginner it is hard to say what I play, but this is some stuff I really like:







Of course I have watched video's, read reviews and checked online stores and the following amps seem to be well for what I'm looking for:

Huges and Kettner Tubemeister 18 Combo
Vox AC15 C1
Blackstar HT5R Combo
Fender Blues Junior III

Are those amps suitable for what I'm going to play, or do I need something entirely different (like I said, I am just a beginner. I have no real experience with those amps besides from checking them out on the internet)?

Thanks in advance!

Trecion

They might be too loud for playing at home.

Maybe consider the:
Vox AC4,
Blackstar HT1
tubemeister 1 or 5

There are 2 Vox AC4 on marktplaats.

If volume is not a problem I think the Vox ac15 and the blues junior would suit your needs

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Wesbanez

Egnater Tweaker 15?

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T.Verhoeven

I don't really like the sound of the AC4, and the HT1 and Tubemeister 1/5 don't have a footswitch option. That is why I prefer the HT5 and TM18.



That amp is way too expensive here.

GABarrie

Any amp can be quiet enough for home, it won't sound exactly the same as if you cranked it, but they have volume controls for a reason.

But I agree about the AC15 or the Blues Junior, go for the Humboldt Hot Rod Blues Junior from PGS if you get one because the speaker upgrade counts for a lot.

EDIT: just realised you're European, so PGS is less viable, especially with that budget. You could look for a used blues junior (it would pretty much have to be used for that budget anyway) and put an Eminence Cannabis Rex in later when you have the funds

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Wesbanez

Really? That sucks, can pick one up for around 350 quid in the UK, I assumed you'd get one for 550 euros...

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CaptainAmerican

to be honest although the marshall mg is solid state and gets alot of hate I can make it sound just like a tube amp or any other amp pretty much

I tend to recommend this to everybody because they are great amps which are versatile and reliable.

I also own a blues junior and vox ac and theyre both pretty good I think although I modified mine

Wesbanez

No, you cant. Your ears and brain are flat out lying to you if you truly believe that .

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CaptainAmerican

there is no need to be like that

this is all just advice and my personal experience after trying and owning many many amps

maybe you just dont have the skill or havent spent enough time with that amp.

like i said if you wantan actual tube amp i think the blues junior and vox ac are good choices. I recommend you customize these a bit eventually though

I K0nijn I

The Netherlands has a decent used market, TS. ;-)
Took a quick look on Martkplaats (Belgian myself and I reckon it's decent, bought some stuff using the site already) and found these you might want to check out:

Mesa .50 Caliber (400)
Vox AC15C1 (395)
Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue (550)
Vox AC30CC1 (550, but you could get him down I think)
Vox AC30CC2 (600 but might get him down)
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (425)
Mesa Caliber 50+ (450)
Orange Rocker 30 (600, but you probably can get him down)
Hiwatt Hi-Gain (450 with original speakers, 550 with V30 / Greenback combination - which I would choose)
Mesa Boogie Rocket 44 Head + Cab (375, was a combo, no footswitch)
Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 + Sanpera I (380 - it's a modeller, but a good one)
Epiphone Valve Standard (225)
Peavey Classic 30 (450)
Vox AC30CC2 (550, but debatable)
Bogner Alchemist 112 (375)

There's probably more if you look around on other sites and all that.
You could get a new Blues Junior or Vox AC15C1 slightly over your budget, but I'd urge you to look used.

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And some pedals.

Wesbanez

I owned a 30w MG for around a year in my fledgling years, that was enough time to realise it was crap and in no way comparable to a half decent tube amp. If you have the "skill" to make an MG sound passable.... good for you?

TS - Some of the options K0nijn posted would make you a very happy man. The Vypyr Tube 60 is incredible versatile but the Bogner would be my pick of the bunch, maybe the Hot Rod deluxe too

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SteveJB1989

Amen!

Sledgeman

I can recommend the Tubemeister 18. It's very flexible and perfect with the red box if you want to record or play thru a soundcard and headphones.

I have the head and this cab -> http://www.thomann.de/nl/vht_specia...bavsp112vht.htm

50 euros over you budget, but i think it's more flexible with the head than the combo. Only downside is the head has no reverb, but i have a good reverb pedal so it doesn't matter.

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T.Verhoeven

Wow, that are a lot of options. I finally narrowed it down to four, and then someone posts this haha. If you hear the YouTube video's I posted, which of those amps will make them sound best?



Why would it be more flexible? IIRC you can connect the combo to extra cabinets right?

I K0nijn I

I'd definitely check the Classic 30, Vypyr Tube (due to the versatility it has), Hiwatt Hi Gain (which I find nicer for cleans than high gain, tbh), Vox AC series and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

Then go with what you think sounds best. I'm not a fan of the Classic 30 myself, but if you like it, it should work really well for what you want I think, for instance. :-) I personally like a good Vox AC15 or AC30. I took into consideration that you might want to jam with a band and/or play live one day, hence the higher watt options as well. For home use, 15 watts is more than enough, but you'll want more in a band if you want to stay clean.

The Hot Rod Deluxe (and other "cheap" Fender amps) tend to need a drive pedal for drive sounds though, in my opinion, as their built in drive isn't the best imo, so think of those kind of things as well. Think of the use of pedals you might want in the future. A Fender typically takes pedals a lot better than a Vox, in my opinion. Also think of maybe having an effects loop or not (which you'll want for delay pedals, reverb pedals etc.).

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MetalNick

Don't go by YouTube videos only. If you have a shortlist of used amps on Marktplaats, consider asking the sellers to try it out. Not all sellers will like that (Marktplaats has a lot of people who want to sell or buy stuff, but not deal with people), but I bought my JCM 900 combo through Marktplaats and drove to Delft to try it out. I'm currently selling that (I think it probably has too much overdrive and power (50 watt tube, switchable to 25) for your taste, so don't worry about advertising) but recently bought a JCM 900 head, but again, not without trying it.

Having your own guitar there, being able to dial your own preferred tone, taking a look at the condition of the amp (you will not believe how many 'new' things I've bought on that site which were damaged) and face-to-face negotiations really make buying a used amp a more pleasant affair. After all, we are a country of 'undertakers'.

If you are going for a new amp, be sure to check the prices. I've seen prices vary from town to town, but there's German dealers (Thomann for instance) who usually get a better deal for amps and have free international shipping for purchases over 100 euro.

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Sledgeman

Sorry about that, i didn't mean flexible like that. Just alot easier to carry around. If you get a 2x12 it will just be anoying with the speaker in the combo.

Plus, i read alot about changing tubes in the combo being a hazzle, since the cabinet is glued. The head is much easier to open.

Either way, you will get an amp that sounds great and is very versatile.

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T.Verhoeven

Thanks for your input all. I didn't think of opening the combo's to change the tubes yet. Are the other ones mentioned here also difficult to open?

I K0nijn I

Depends on which one I suppose and what you eventually choose (if you still have to choose). For some it might be as easy as popping new tubes in, for other, you may need to adjust the bias and all that. I don't know much about that myself, but others here will be able to help you for sure. :-)

__________________
Gibson SG Standard
Ibanez RG7321 (modified)
Mesa Boogie Lone Star
Orange TH30
And some pedals.