help me decide

[jerry.atrik]

I understand there are a million different "what amp should I get"/"how is this amp?"/"this amp with this speaker" or something threads, but it's going to be a real ordeal to go tracking down all the answers in old topics, and my question sorta encompasses several different questions but doesn't really directly ask any of them (what I mean by that is I'm NOT asking thoughts on amps, rather thoughts of amps compared to each other).

Because I'm currently not gigging, living with folks, and don't have a lot of cash but want good tube sound (well, relatively good. I know I can't get the best), I want me a good 5 watt or so tube amp. Now there are only about 8 or 9 different ones I think so right away that narrows everything down.

So I've done a lot of research, and these are the three that would best fit my needs . . . I think. Having played none of them, I really need other people's feedback.

Blackheart Little Giant

Vox AC4TV

Epiphone Valve Jr. (this one I have not heard as much good words or sound clips on YouTube of as the other 2, but 250 for a head and cab on MF, don't wanna rule this guy out JUST yet)

I'm rather an eclectic musician, and stylistically I lean towards jazz, acoustic music, jam bands and indie rock if that helps at all . . .

As far as what tone I like, the clean is reallllly important. But if I JUST wanted clean, I'd save a lot of money getting a bigger solid state and just turn it down. In the area of overdrive, I love the Vox sound. Love it love it love it. As long as it's not cranked so you cannot discern the notes in a chord at all. Even a simple major chord sounds, in my opinion, awful with heavy overdrive. I love all of the sounds off of eat a peach too . . . but if I don't have a good clean at a volume high enough to at least keep up with acoustic instruments, the amp is no good.

Alright, now onto COMBO vs HEAD/CAB

I personally want the head/cab because I think it looks sick, and on a more practical level the ability to switch out with other heads in the future and to get a bigger speaker. But with the Vox and Blackheart, their combos are not too shabby on size. Epiphone combo is out of the question. Wouldn't even bother with the valve junior as a combo.

So the Blackheart and Epiphone cabs all get fairly solid review. No questions there. But concerning the Vox . . . this mentioning of "particle board" or something keeps coming up and apparently this is a huge turn off. I have not a clue why, and probably should.

So, that being said, assuming that the vox cab meant to go with the vox head is crap (or is it? I don't know), is there any reason why I cannot stick the blackheart (it's 20 bucks cheaper) cab under the vox head, or even better yet the epiphone (it's about 40 bucks cheaper). There is the ohmage deal and I'm very sure the vox ac4 head would accomodate them both (all three speakers are 16 ohms I think).

And if anyone's used these speakers, thoughts?

to wrap it all up, first of all i understand I'm a lengthy typist and appreciate anyone that actually reads this. Also if you happen to know of previous topics that cover exactly this, please redirect me instead of posting anything explaining what a search function is.

I'm personally leaning towards the vox head with the vox cab, but without playing any of them I'm rather in the dark other then what the websites have to say and YouTube posts where no 2 sound alike.

Also please don't tell me to get the Fender Super Champ XD, Vibro Champ XD, or champ 600 because I simply don't care for any of them. Good value or not I'm always going to wish I had something else, and would eventually sell. The three I've pointed out above I intend to always keep as a small amp for whatever purposes a small amp is for.

Thanks for any and all help.