Grab and go amp, under $400

[Martyk]

What do you recommend?

So many raved about the Fender Blues Junior but I HATED it(unreal thin and farty), can't imagine that the Pro Jr sounds any better. Just my opinion.

I want something easy to go to jams with, lightweight, don't want to spend a lot of $. Reverb not required, channel switching not required. I would prefer1x12 but 1x10 may work.

I'm spoiled by my great boutique amps, but for this I want something I don't really care too much about, no emotional involvement here, just want it to sound, well, good. Is that so much to ask for? Oh, and I want it to be cheap, under $400.

Hit me with your big sticks, boys and girls!

[Bearded]

The obligatory list of amps that can be had in that price range:

Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket
Peavey Classic 30
Reverend Hellhound
Fender Super Champ (if you're lucky)
Crate VC Series
Trace Velocette
Gibson GA-15
Tech 21 Trademark 60

I'm sure I'll think of more. But that should give you some things to look for and try out.

I'm biased but the Subway Rocket is far and away my favorite .

Also, IMHO, the Pro Junior sounds way better than the Blues Jr.

Joe

[Unburst]

Originally posted by Martyk
What do you recommend?

So many raved about the Fender Blues Junior but I HATED it(unreal thin and farty), can't imagine that the Pro Jr sounds any better. Just my opinion.

Not so much an opinion as an assumption.
They are two entirely different amps.

Well worth trying a Pro Jnr. I have one and it sounds great for an amp you can buy used for $250.

I use it a bunch for recording through a Marshall 2x12, I don't have any boutique gear but I do have some vintage Vox, Fender and Marshall amps and it hangs very well in that company.
You will need a pedal for low volume gain though.

[ericb]

Originally posted by Martyk
What do you recommend?

So many raved about the Fender Blues Junior but I HATED it(unreal thin and farty), can't imagine that the Pro Jr sounds any better. Just my opinion.

I want something easy to go to jams with, lightweight, don't want to spend a lot of $. Reverb not required, channel switching not required. I would prefer1x12 but 1x10 may work.

I'm spoiled by my great boutique amps, but for this I want something I don't really care too much about, no emotional involvement here, just want it to sound, well, good. Is that so much to ask for? Oh, and I want it to be cheap, under $400.

Hit me with your big sticks, boys and girls!

PV Bravo , Pv Classic50, Fender Blues Deluxe, Fender Deluxe Reverb RI ,etc... Youy didn't say what type of music you play , so obviously that figures into the equation.. I have a 1962 Fender Brown Deluxe that'd be killer for some blues guys.. I got it for about 200.00 (They go for 1000 tho) .. ANyway, I have lots of cheap amps but my combos that are grab and go are more money (Thd, Marshall 6100, Demeter tga3, Tremoverb, Valvetronix(sorta broken, sorta not!) , old Fenders, Engl Screamer,etc)

ERIC

[Mook]

Crate V1512.


Mook

[straticus]

My fav all time under $400.00 amp (used) is a Peavey Classic 50 4x10.

Killer bang for the buck amp!


BC

[aarondavis]

I'm not real big on modeling amps, I rely on a couple of different Top Hat amps. But I played through one of these amps recently and I was impressed with the results. The Vox Valvetronix AD30VT, is very versatile and has effects to boot. Musicians friend has one for $239. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...base_id/112941

It's worth a try.

[Chris S.]

Originally posted by Mook Crate V1512.

+1

And another vote for the Peavey Classic 30 as well. The Crate will give you some very cool overdriven tones at reasonable volumes. The PC30 is just a great gig-able amp and an outstanding value at $275~$325 used. All IMO, as always. :-) CS

[Boogs]

used Peavey Classic 30 with new speaker and tubes.

i'm liking mine with a Cannabis Rex for great cleans/moderate OD.

[Frankenstrat2]

Reverend Hellhound is a VERY impressive combo in the price range.

[Martyk]

Man, PV takes the prize so far, who would have thunk it true!

Thanks mateys....

[ericb]

Originally posted by Martyk
Man, PV takes the prize so far, who would have thunk it true!

Thanks mateys....

Most musician's I know would think it true.. You are on a forum where most people have lots of money and expendible cash and don't play in bands and prize their amps instead of use them regularly and throw them around and dent them and spill beer on them. They're lucky to me I guess.... I prize some of my stuff for sure and am proud of some ,but I always try to buy what's best for my situation. Almost every musician I know has loads of PV gear from amps to pa to recording gear.. .All I have currently is a PV/AMR VMP2 Tube recording preamp, and a PV modded 5150 head, but have owned other PV amps in the past... They're reliable as hell , and sound great. Use your own ears instead of mine or another internet strangers!

ERIC

[Frankenstrat2]

Originally posted by ericb
You are on a forum where most people have lots of money and expendible cash and don't play in bands and prize their amps instead of use them regularly and throw them around and dent them and spill beer on them. They're lucky to me I guess....
ERIC

Excuse me?

[ericb]

Originally posted by Frankenstrat2
Excuse me?

What' s the matter?

ERIC

[Martyk]

Originally posted by ericb
Most musician's I know would think it true.. You are on a forum where most people have lots of money and expendible cash and don't play in bands and prize their amps instead of use them regularly and throw them around and dent them and spill beer on them. They're lucky to me I guess.... I prize some of my stuff for sure and am proud of some ,but I always try to buy what's best for my situation. Almost every musician I know has loads of PV gear from amps to pa to recording gear.. .All I have currently is a PV/AMR VMP2 Tube recording preamp, and a PV modded 5150 head, but have owned other PV amps in the past... They're reliable as hell , and sound great. Use your own ears instead of mine or another internet strangers!

ERIC

No, I actually said that about PV because I have never been impressed by any PV I've played. But I was admitting that there was room for a pleasant surprise if I was wrong in that impression.