Cheap low wattage tweed amp?

[marvelboy_04]

ok, well im currently running a tophat club royale mkii, and it covers all the vox and marshall tones i want in spades, but im also wanting some other tones. ones a smooth dumble sound, but im hoping a zendrive can satisfy me on that, (otherwise is there such thing as a 20-30 watt cheaper dumble clone?) but im also wanting more fender tweedy type tone like early zz top or neil young. i love clips of the tungsten crema wheat and id love to get these types of tones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X1AOlkabwo&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMwhT...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah0xC...eature=related

thing is the price for that amps a bit much though i have a couple amps i can trade worth maybe 600 a peice, so whats a good low wattage amp that can nail that? any with master volume? any good deals on vintage fenders? what models etc.? thanks

[marvelboy_04]

would this nail it? how is this deal?
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/1835444269.html

[olin]

What do you consider low watt? I really like my Valvetrain Tallboy 205. It's only 5 watts so it has almost zero headroom but it's great for tweed crunch at fairly moderate volumes. If you look for a used one, you can get one for close to the $600 mark and then you can keep one of your amps!

http://www.valvetrainamps.com/vt205tb.htm

[daveIT]

Originally Posted by olin

What do you consider low watt? I really like my Valvetrain Tallboy 205. It's only 5 watts so it has almost zero headroom but it's great for tweed crunch at fairly moderate volumes. If you look for a used one, you can get one for close to the $600 mark and then you can keep one of your amps!

http://www.valvetrainamps.com/vt205tb.htm

I grabbed one of these (1x12) off eBay in mint shape for $500 a couple weeks ago. Great little amp. 4 and 8 ohm outs...I plugged it into my Dr Z Z Best 2x12 and it sounds amazing.

[mbargav]

Originally Posted by marvelboy_04

would this nail it? how is this deal?
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/1835444269.html

This is a very good deal for a very good amp. If you like the sound definitely jump on it.

[marvelboy_04]

well hopefully about 15-30 watts with probably 20 preferable, but i may could get away with 5 like the swart

[marvelboy_04]

so is what im wanting a 5e3 tweed deluxe? whats the cheapest way to get that?

[mbargav]

Originally Posted by marvelboy_04

so is what im wanting a 5e3 tweed deluxe? whats the cheapest way to get that?

If you are handy with electronics, build it from a kit. Other than that, there are several builders that offer 5E3s at lower prices than the top ones (Clark & Victoria). They always seem to pop up on the emporium frequently.

[Darkness]

Li'l Dawg D-Lux will knock your socks off. Best 5E3 clone I've heard. IMO nothing on it's price range can touch it. Give Jim a call. He'll be more than happy to talk with you about his awesome amps. You won't regret it.

[marvelboy_04]

other than clark and victoria, what are other builders that make cheaper copies? even the lil dawg or ceriatone would be close to a grand by the time i had the full thing with speakers and tubes etc. im really gassing for the tungsten crema wheat, but it seems to be more of a hotrodded deluxe while the tungsten cortez is the true copy.

now the swart is based off a tweed princeton, so how close does it get in sound to the deluxe? and can it get over drums for band practice, or can it hold its own if mic'ed?

[mbargav]

Originally Posted by marvelboy_04

now the swart is based off a tweed princeton, so how close does it get in sound to the deluxe? and can it get over drums for band practice, or can it hold its own if mic'ed?

That Swart 6V6 is not going over drums unless you mic the hell out of it.

[pbradt]

Originally Posted by marvelboy_04

other than clark and victoria, what are other builders that make cheaper copies? even the lil dawg or ceriatone would be close to a grand by the time i had the full thing with speakers and tubes etc. im really gassing for the tungsten crema wheat, but it seems to be more of a hotrodded deluxe while the tungsten cortez is the true copy.

now the swart is based off a tweed princeton, so how close does it get in sound to the deluxe? and can it get over drums for band practice, or can it hold its own if mic'ed?

Don't let them use Orange drops in the amp. Demand Mallory 150s or something equivalent.

[Chicago Slim]

For $199 the VHT Special 6 combo, is a single ended tweed Deluxe design, when the boost is engaged. Not only does it sound good, but it's hand wired, and it as loud as I'll go for a non-master volume amp. Plus, the normal mode is a blackface circuit. For a more powerful tweed sound, I use a Kustom '36 Coupe, or '72 Hardtop. It's easy to dial in a tweed sound. I play them along side my buddies two tweed Bassman clones, and I have much more control, with the master volume Kustoms.

[marvelboy_04]

and where could i get the cheapest kit. i have friends that are a bit more electronically skilled than me.

[mbargav]

Originally Posted by marvelboy_04

and where could i get the cheapest kit. i have friends that are a bit more electronically skilled than me.

Mission definitely has the best quality kits, but they're never in stock! http://www.missionamps.com/kits.shtml

Mojotone kits are great (my Champ is a Mojo kit). http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/Tweed-Style-Amp-Kits

I have a Marsh kit 5E3. I went with the Marsh because they offered a lacquered cabinet as an option. Marsh also sells pre-assembled amps for very reasonable prices. http://www.marshamps.com/

Weber is OK, but you can do better.

Or you can just source your parts and do it. Takes a bit more work, but a totally feasible option.