Best "affordable" tube amp?

[sbreide]

Hiya...

I'm looking to find an affordable ($1000 or under, hopefully) tube amp. Combo or head, doesn't matter. Don't play metal but would like some high gain sounds... although I'm not against using pedals to do that.

I played a Peavey Valve King... there was a strange middy hump in the sound and it seemed to lose note definition even at medium gain settings. Also played a Line 6 Spider Valve... still not convinced.

Oh yeah... I would like it to be loud enough to supply cleans while keeping up with a loud drummer.

So what else is out there that I'm missing?

[stump]

There are a bunch of options especially if you look at used. Marshall DSL/ TSL, Genz Benz El Diablo and Black Pearl, Peavey Classic, Triple X and JSX. The list goes on. Your best bet is to go to some stores and try out a variety and then shop for price based on what you like. Higher wattage amps typically will give you louder cleans, but it does depend on the amp design. Good luck.

[Senor Forum]

Easy.

Budda SD18 1x12 combo.

There's a guy selling one right now in the for sell section for under a grand.

And yes, they are AMAZING amps.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=417944&highlight=budda

EDIT: Also, don't be fooled by the 18 watts... 18 "Budda watts" are more like 40 watts. :)

The clean headroom will be fine, and if anything, find an SD30 used.

[Alister]

From what you indicated, I would rec. used Fender Bandmaster heads, even 60's. For way less than a grand, btw. You probably would need a competent tech to go through them once, retube, etc., but you'd be good to go for another 20 years with a great amp.

[wedewer]

Peavey classic 50 head for me. I have owned two. I paid about 325.00 for each. Can't think of a better bargain than that. I would play it live because my Marshall Jubilee was too valuable to bang up for a cheap cover gig. I had a lot of soundmen come up to me and tell me that they couldn't believe how good the classic 50 sounded. Ran it through a orange 212 and it killed. I dare you to find not only a good tube amp for that price, but find one with 2 good channels. The clean was killer.

[aleclee]

http://images.aleclee.com/misc/succ/best.jpg

If you go used, there's not a lot (aside from some booteek stuff) that can't be had for under a grand. My fave budget high gain amp is the Soldano T50/T100 though its cleans are good but not great. The subjectivity of such things inspired the image above.

[Ogre]

Lots of bang for the bucks w/ a Fender Pro Junior.

[Senor Forum]

http://images.aleclee.com/misc/succ/best.jpg

The important thing is that you're trying to be helpful.

[lancerontrack]

peavey classic 50 is loud very affordable and very dependable.

[aleclee]

The important thing is that you're trying to be helpful.Disabusing someone of the notion that there is a "best" is helpful. We've seen too much bullshit here that stemmed from the bogus assumption that there's some absolute measure of tone quality.

Besides, I did make a "constructive" suggestion in my post.

[elgalad]

The new Chinese AC30s are excellent amps, but it really depends on what sort of sound you're chasing.

[Senor Forum]

Disabusing someone of the notion that there is a "best" is helpful. We've seen too much bullshit here that stemmed from the bogus assumption that there's some absolute measure of tone quality.

Besides, I did make a "constructive" suggestion in my post.

I quoted you and I see nothing of that in the quote?

Don't blame me, Mr. Late to the Party.

:tapedshut

[DaBreeze]

If you can build one, check out the Weber kits. Most people upgrade switches, caps, pilot lights and jacks(on marshall types). The upgrade is only a few dollars.

[soldano16]

If you like some high gain, a Soldano Atomic 16 certainly fits the budget. I use it as a combo but folks drive 4X12's with it and say it kicks ass. Soldano's are top quality tone.

[justonwo]

In that price range, I've see several used Riveras. That would be my strong recommendation.

[mmasters]

Really depends on what kind of amp you're looking for.

For that price I think you'd be hard to beat a used Silverface Super Reverb or Goodsell S17

[jimmyohio75]

IMO, the best bang for the buck in tube amps is the new Traynor YCS50. It is only $700 brand new. Near Fender clean and Marshall Plexi in the same amp. 50 watts, switchable down to 15, just awesome...check it out:AOK

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OxesX58wX7Y&feature=related

[VaughnC]

Hiya...

I'm looking to find an affordable ($1000 or under, hopefully) tube amp. Combo or head, doesn't matter. Don't play metal but would like some high gain sounds... although I'm not against using pedals to do that.

I played a Peavey Valve King... there was a strange middy hump in the sound and it seemed to lose note definition even at medium gain settings. Also played a Line 6 Spider Valve... still not convinced.

Oh yeah... I would like it to be loud enough to supply cleans while keeping up with a loud drummer.

So what else is out there that I'm missing?

Fender 4X10 '59 Bassman reissue. Big cleans, add a pedal or two for the rest.

[Drew68]

Hiya...

I'm looking to find an affordable ($1000 or under, hopefully) tube amp. Combo or head, doesn't matter. Don't play metal but would like some high gain sounds... although I'm not against using pedals to do that.

I played a Peavey Valve King... there was a strange middy hump in the sound and it seemed to lose note definition even at medium gain settings. Also played a Line 6 Spider Valve... still not convinced.

Oh yeah... I would like it to be loud enough to supply cleans while keeping up with a loud drummer.

So what else is out there that I'm missing?

I'd recommend trying out a Marshall DSL-50. I found mine new for $949. You can find them used for much less. The high gain channel has more gain than I'll ever need but the classic gain channel has a great crunch and an excellent clean sound. Plus, it has real spring reverb. Extremely versatile amp that doesn't get the respect it deserves.

And even at 50 watts, plugged in to a 4 x 12 cabinet will give you stage volume to spare.