Baby on Board - Recommend me an amp

[fuzzfoot]

I've searched the forum, but can't find quite what I'm looking for to push me over the edge to buy something. Now that we have a new baby, I need a small amp for practicing. The good ole days of practicing at band level are gone. I still want to be able to get close to the tones I had with my main rig. My main amp is an old Hiwatt Custom 50 and I occasionally use the Twin Reverb. I use a lot of Cornish stuff and like to control my sound from my pedal board. Can anyone recommend some smaller practicing amps that:

1. Have lots of headroom.
2. Take pedals well (lots of fuzz too!).
3. Under $1500.
4. Sound amazing for their lower volumes.
5. Still good for studio recording.

I don't want to go the power scaling or attenuating route either. I've considered picking up an old Fender Champ as I heard they take pedals well. Also considered a Super Champ for it's clean channel. I just don't know...

I really appreciate any help! Fire away!

[thesjkexperienc]

A Swart STR tweed does all of that except the headroom thing. I have a 4 year old and 10 month old twins and it has been a fantastic amp to use pedals through late at night and sounds KILLER when you can turn it up a bit when the family is away. And there is a real clean one on ebay right now.

My wife has a tweed Champ and while it sounds fantastic it cant run with the Swart.

[zosozep7]

well..... I just picked up a Fender deluxe Reverb tonight. A 65 RI. 22 watts (Im sure you know that allready). I paid $850. My local guitar shop Huber and Breese gave it to me for the old price. I guess if your going to buy a Fender, you should hurry because they raised their prices as of recently. Many shops still have old stuff laying around.

You mentioned a Super Cahmp? I got one of them at Guitar Center for $279 as of recent and that is a nice little sounding amp and its pretty damn loud! Ive heard people say they dropped a Eminence Ragin Cajun speaker in them for a nice sound. Im still looking for one of them speakers.

Thats the best I got for you. Right now, Im really digging this Deluxe! Man is this thing LOUD for a 22 watt!! Gald I bought it! HOpe this helps

[Fifthstone]

If you like Hiwatt tone, check out Reeves Amps. I have their Custom 6 combo and it has plenty of clean headroom for what you're talking about. Takes fuzzes nicely, flexible tone controls, and extremely well built. All for about $800 for the combo.

[Bottle_Rocket]

I second the DRRI option. Loud enough to gig with unless your with a real LOUD band. It takes pedals great and has a superb Fender clean with 'verb and Trem.
I use mine in my apartment all the time with a Tube Screamer and it sounds great! Used it at a jam and was way cool when you get to turn it up.
The new prices of Fender gear is hard to swallow though. Maybe you can find one for less than 900 bucks.

[Gasp100]

It seems odd that you don't want to even consider the power scaling or attenuator option. I have baby #3 on the way...
(just kidding)
I went for a Suhr Badger. It has built in power scaling and so many great tones (mine has not arrived, but I had them same exact config and sold it away because I thought I could be happy playing thru headphones... no way!). You can grab a Badger head used for $1200 or less. Hell, I grabbed the Badger head AND matching cab on ebay for $1550 shipped!!!! Beat that!
Seriously though, I would not dismiss power scaling technology. There is a reason why many of the great booteek builders are incorporation it into their designs. Many people who love to play are in the exact same position as you and I.

[markom89]

I'd maybe look at a used Swart AST... headroom is quite decent and it takes pedals very very well. I'm a pedal nut and when I had it it was great! Check it out!

You could also look into the Badger, which as I can see has already been mentioned. Good amp.

[fuzzfoot]

Great suggestions! I really appreciate the input and feel I have a good list to start shopping with.

[Jimmydeez]

Originally Posted by markom89

I'd maybe look at a used Swart AST... headroom is quite decent and it takes pedals very very well. I'm a pedal nut and when I had it it was great! Check it out!

You could also look into the Badger, which as I can see has already been mentioned. Good amp.

+1.... the AST is a great amp at low volumes with pedals.

[semi-hollowbody]

Originally Posted by zosozep7

well..... I just picked up a Fender deluxe Reverb tonight. A 65 RI. 22 watts (Im sure you know that allready). I paid $850. My local guitar shop Huber and Breese gave it to me for the old price. I guess if your going to buy a Fender, you should hurry because they raised their prices as of recently. Many shops still have old stuff laying around.

You mentioned a Super Cahmp? I got one of them at Guitar Center for $279 as of recent and that is a nice little sounding amp and its pretty damn loud! Ive heard people say they dropped a Eminence Ragin Cajun speaker in them for a nice sound. Im still looking for one of them speakers.

Thats the best I got for you. Right now, Im really digging this Deluxe! Man is this thing LOUD for a 22 watt!! Gald I bought it! HOpe this helps

I also have a drri...AND THEY ARE LOUD AS HELL...but sound good at low bedtime volumes, and take pedals very well...:RoCkIn