Backup Amp Head Recommendations

[dulcetpine]

My main amp is a Mesa Boogie F-100 and that is not going to change, but I am interested in buying a cheap solid state backup amp head just in case I blow a tube at practice or a show.

Anyone have any recommendations? I don't need a dirty channel because I pretty much use pedals for that 90% of the time. I just need a solid state amp that is fairly loud, gritty and no frills...

...and economical would be nice.

[BCRich86]

I keep the Marshall JMP-1 preamp in with my wireless rack as a backup.
If I blow a tube or something, just plug into the JMP-1 run a line direct to the board and finish the night.
For me, quick easy and always with me whenever I take my wireless so it's no extra trips to/from the truck.

[3th3r]

I don't have one, but the EHX 44 Magnum gets praises for its usefulness as a backup/recording/portable amp.
Plug your pedals to its input jack and a speaker cab into its output jack.

Here's a review at Premier Guitar

[Sirloin]

Originally Posted by 3th3r

I don't have one, but the EHX 44 Magnum gets praises for its usefulness as a backup/recording/portable amp

Here's a review at Premier Guitar

+1 and I do have one

[dulcetpine]

Originally Posted by 3th3r

I don't have one, but the EHX 44 Magnum gets praises for its usefulness as a backup/recording/portable amp.
Plug your pedals to its input jack and a speaker cab into its output jack.

Here's a review at Premier Guitar

yeah, i thought about those, but my cab is rated at 4ohms and those state that you can only use it for 8-16 ohm cabs, safely.

[3th3r]

Originally Posted by dulcetpine

yeah, i thought about those, but my cab is rated at 4ohms and those state that you can only use it for 8-16 ohm cabs, safely.

That's easily fixed with Weber's Z-Matcher device between an amp and a cab, but then you're starting to complicate the simple setup.

[Sirloin]

Yeah, I wouldn't the 44 Mag into a 4 ohm load

[smolder]

Were I in a gigging band at the moment... I would carry a slightly modified 1974 Bassman 50 in my trunk.

Its a tough call of dollars vs quality of tone. But it makes no sense for me to purchase even a $50 dollar SS amp since I have this. I'd be lucky to get $400 for it in this market, but it's worth much more than that to me.

[wrxplayer]

I carry a Tech 21 Trademark 30 with me. Has a direct line out. Sounds decent and its clean setting is actually pretty clean. You can find them used for <$200.

It's also and ok practice amp of "open mic night" amp.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampli...bo-di-amplifer

[FlyingVBlues]

I got a Traynor DH25H Quarterhorse from my wife for Christmas. It's solid-state, very compact (5.5 x 7.5 x 2), 25 watts, has two-channels, and has reverb. For me it's a great solution as a backup amp. I used to bring a DDRI that I had put into a head cab, but this is much easier to deal with. I have a Z-Matcher (great device!) which I can use if my cab isn't the 8 ohms that the Quarterhorse uses.

http://www.traynoramps.com/products....&cat=56&id=439

[demea26]

Maybe a Bugera V55? I saw one on craigslist for 200 today (and may buy it) and if its anything like the V22, I'd buy two!

[dulcetpine]

these are all awesome suggestions.

Truth be told, I am thinking about putting vintage30's or greenbacks in my cab anyway, I could just wire it at 8ohms and there will be no issue.

Keep the suggestions coming! I love gear hunting.

[Calloway]

Crate Power Block. I love mine, I really honestly do. It won't replace my Bassman, but if something were to happen to it, I would have no issues using my power block for a while. I have flown in for gigs and used it and been totally happy with the clean and overdrive I get out of it. I would replace mine in a heartbeat if it died.

[dulcetpine]

Originally Posted by Calloway

Crate Power Block. I love mine, I really honestly do. It won't replace my Bassman, but if something were to happen to it, I would have no issues using my power block for a while. I have flown in for gigs and used it and been totally happy with the clean and overdrive I get out of it. I would replace mine in a heartbeat if it died.

Interesting. I notice on the back panel, the Mono channel is 8ohm and there are two 4ohm stereo channels... considering I have a single 4ohm cab, can I simply run one side of the stereo setup and essentially run the amp 4ohms 75w and not do any damage?

I like this amp because it would fit perfectly into the cavity of my speaker cab and stay there until needed... like a first aid kit.

[RGB]

Yeah, it's safe to run one side. One of the tech people from Crate responded to a thread awhile back, stating that it's a class D amp and can be run with no load...as a headphone amp, for instance.

I've used mine to run a single monitor from one side with no load on the other and it worked fine.