Smaller, cool, affordable, amps - which one???

[Gasp100]

For some reason I want a smaller, kick around combo to just plug and play for small jams, parties, sitting on the deck with a brew playing, etc...
The first amp that jumps to mind is a SF Champ. But, you never really know what you are going to get and the 8" speaker doesn't seem to take a pedal that well. So, what should I consider? My budget is under $1K and preferably MUCH less than that right now. To recoup costs I would probably have to sell one (maybe even 2) nice guitars. Right now the AxeFX is designated to recording, headphones and low volume studio playing (which is 95% of my playing time anyway).
Here is a partial list:

SF Champ; - MAYBE if the perfect Princeton came along for a really good deal I would consider it? I do like the historical signifigance of these amps.
PRRI? - I liked that amp alot, might still be too much amp with no MV.
Mesa Express 5:25 - looks really cool, extremely versatile and includes an FX loop that I might be able to run my AxeFX through.
Ampeg??? - I really have no experience with these amps, but I know there are some enthusiasts out there on TGP. Reverorocket II or something?
Gibson - same as above?
Reeves Custom 6
Winfield - sort of been there, done that but they are nice amps, especially for the price.
Marshall Studio 15 - always wanted to hear one of these, might be too much.
Others???

I'm pretty much open to anything, I feel like 6v6's work very nice in lower volume, lower sized combo packages but I also love the EL84 as well. To be clear I consider the AxeFX my real "amp" and as I move towards possibly gigging again, that would most likely be the rig. But, it's always nice to have a little alternative tube monster that you can throw in the car and go... I also have a Hardwire Tube Overdrive pedal that I can's seem to sell which I would probably keep for more OD options. I also have a Weber Silver Bell alnico which I ALSO cannot seem to sell so I'm leaning towards a 12" speaker'd amp to maybe reuse that great speaker.
Any help appreciated, sub $500 would be awesome. Anything on ebay a huge plus, I have a coupon.

[pickslide]

Look into the Kingsley Keep. http://www.kingsleyamplifiers.com/cageamp/cageamp.html

I really like mine. I thought about selling it to try something else, but after playing it more, I decided to "keep" it. Very versatile, just at the edge of your price range and loads of tones from clean to scream. Also takes pedals very well.

[Gasp100]

Originally Posted by pickslide

Look into the Kingsley Keep. http://www.kingsleyamplifiers.com/cageamp/cageamp.html

I really like mine. I thought about selling it to try something else, but after playing it more, I decided to "keep" it. Very versatile, just at the edge of your price range and loads of tones from clean to scream. Also takes pedals very well.

Yes, I did some research after seeing yours for sale (I was lurking behind the scenes on that one). The price looks nice for a booteek build. Is the builder based out of Canada?

[farlowhigh]

Gasp, definitely check out the Reason Bambino as it uses tubes that are in between 6v6s and el84s soundwise and it has 2 watt and 8 settings...great clips just posted in the Reason Bambino thread in amps and cabs. Jonathan Schlegel is a great player and has 6 video demos there where you can really see the versatility of the amp...3 channels where the 3rd is the stack mode that combines the other two...the head is only 700 new and even has a headphone jack for your silent playing needs. I am almost certainly going to buy one of these and those recent demos clinched it for me...so, take this for what it is...an excited potential owner who likes the clips and knows what other amps you have had. those clips are mostly if not all in the 2 watt setting and that is pretty impressive stuff to my ears.

Eric

[amp boy]

hey,

My first amp was a Vox VR30, now discontinued.
So they have the pathfinders now.
try'm...some are lemons...and some are quite nice.

prob could get one used for about 100 bucks or less.

save up and get what you want.

[Gasp100]

Originally Posted by farlowhigh

Gasp, definitely check out the Reason Bambino as it uses tubes that are in between 6v6s and el84s soundwise and it has 2 watt and 8 settings...great clips just posted in the Reason Bambino thread in amps and cabs. Jonathan Schlegel is a great player and has 6 video demos there where you can really see the versatility of the amp...3 channels where the 3rd is the stack mode that combines the other two...the head is only 700 new and even has a headphone jack for your silent playing needs. I am almost certainly going to buy one of these and those recent demos clinched it for me...so, take this for what it is...an excited potential owner who likes the clips and knows what other amps you have had. those clips are mostly if not all in the 2 watt setting and that is pretty impressive stuff to my ears.

Eric

Thanks Eric, I knew I was overlooking some good stuff. I've heard the name before, but I did not know they had clips. I will check it out as I trust your instinct -- you are the KING of low wattage, kick ass amps... one only needs to check your sig! Thanks for the tip.

[Singin' Dave]

If you dig the old SF Fender mojo, the Musicmaster Bass might be one to check out. Can be had for ~$300 or so and might fit the bill nicely.

Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket is another to check out. Tidy little amps that wail and have MV so you can play them at lower volumes if desired. Can find these for under $500.

Crate Vintage Club 20 and Peavey Classic 20 are other sleepers.

That being said, if you can find a Princeton for under $500, jump.

[Gasp100]

Originally Posted by Singin' Dave

If you dig the old SF Fender mojo, the Musicmaster Bass might be one to check out. Can be had for ~$300 or so and might fit the bill nicely.

Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket is another to check out. Tidy little amps that wail and have MV so you can play them at lower volumes if desired. Can find these for under $500.

Crate Vintage Club 20 and Peavey Classic 20 are other sleepers.

That being said, if you can find a Princeton for under $500, jump.

Yes, the Musicmaster is definitely on the list. I've been told it's basically a Champ in a 1x12 cab. Not sure if the 55 watt, 8ohm Weber Silver Bell would be a good fit. I also believe some models of the MM amp use the same tube that is being used in the Reason Bambino (6AQ5 or something or other)?

[FFTT]

I'm one of those newly re-discovered vintage Ampeg fans and I'm telling you these amps are more contagious than the swine flu.

From smooth jazz, sparkling cleans to serious Keefer Crunch, these
amps kill almost anything else out there in their price range.

Set at 1/2 volume my '64 Reverberocket sounds HUGE with my old Digitech Valve FX processor, so running the Axe FX should be amazing.

Depending on the build, between 18 to 21 watts RMS 28 watts wide open.
Reverb and Tremelo unsurpassed.

With a low efficiency driver, you can get bedroom/studio tones or go to a high
efficiency driver for cutting through and even better cleans.

In a smaller 5 watt amp, I think the Red Iron Amps 5 watter
looks like a blast and I like the idea of the Octal preamp tube.

A clean used Gries 5 or 20 if you can get someone to let go with
their cold dead fingers.

Allen Sweet Spot for a real nice Princeton circuit.

These are just a bit over what stated for your preferred budget, but well
worth considering.

[Silver_Strings]

I have a Mesa Studio caliber amp, Its faily versatile especially with the graphic eq. It sounds good at low to high volumes