First valve amp - where to start?

[redfin]

Hi,

been playing electric guitar seriously for about a year. Currently playing through a Pod HD500 and a Roland cube. I'm not in a band and probably never will be (work + family leaves little time) so probably looking at something low wattage. Also have limited opportunities to really crank the volume.
But nevertheless I'm keen to take the plunge and get a "real" amp. Just not sure where to start.

Do I take the cheap option knowing that once I start it's a slippery slope that will entail buying lots of kit on the never-ending search for "perfect tone"? Or do I take the plunge and start with something mid-high end? Or should I take option 3, do nothing, and learn to love the Pod more?

(When I say "cheap" I'm talking sub-1K, probably made in China. I live in Aus and it would seem to cost about $1K to swap a 110V power supply with a 240V model and ship a US amp to Australia.)

[yabasta]

Do I take the cheap option knowing that once I start it's a slippery slope that will entail buying lots of kit on the never-ending search for "perfect tone"? Or do I take the plunge and start with something mid-high end? Or should I take option 3, do nothing, and learn to love the Pod more?

I think most folks will recommend a blues jr. Great little amp.

Cheap or insanely expensive amps, doesn't matter its all a slippery slope looking for tone!

[guitar-rookie]

Hi redfin..if you're looking for used gear - here's a good place to look:

http://www.ausband.com.au/modules.ph...=viewforum&f=2

I think the Blues Jr is a good amp to start with as well - alternatively my first tube amp was the Reason Bambino - pretty awesome as well and Anthony at Reason Amps was great to work with!

[V-P]

Actually, the Roland Cube isn't a bad choice for getting tubish sounds at low volumes. There are other good choices like the solid state Vox amps, Tech 21 etc.

My experience is that to make a tube amp sound like a tube amp (if you know what I mean) you really need some volume as well. They generally sound sort of bland and boring when held back. And I really have been looking for one that does the trick.
It's like getting a fast car but not going faster than 40. You'd have more fun in a go-kart at that speed.

[HHB]

I use my epiphone valve jr at home and small gigs.love this amp. Fender pro jr also. I think you should start small and simple

[plexistack]

Originally Posted by redfin

Hi,

been playing electric guitar seriously for about a year. Currently playing through a Pod HD500 and a Roland cube. I'm not in a band and probably never will be (work + family leaves little time) so probably looking at something low wattage. Also have limited opportunities to really crank the volume.
But nevertheless I'm keen to take the plunge and get a "real" amp. Just not sure where to start.

Do I take the cheap option knowing that once I start it's a slippery slope that will entail buying lots of kit on the never-ending search for "perfect tone"? Or do I take the plunge and start with something mid-high end? Or should I take option 3, do nothing, and learn to love the Pod more?

(When I say "cheap" I'm talking sub-1K, probably made in China. I live in Aus and it would seem to cost about $1K to swap a 110V power supply with a 240V model and ship a US amp to Australia.)

Amps differ so much, it's impossible to suggest one unless you give an idea of what tone you're after. Clean Fendery sound? Dirty Marshall sound? Refined Boogie sound? Smooth VOX sound?

BTW, I'd avoid China-made amps, but do what you must.

I guess you're looking for something with EL84 tubes and a master volume. That should narrow it down a bit?

[stratzrus]

I'd consider getting a silverface Deluxe Reverb, the earlier the better. They are great amps, easy to work on if it ever needs repairs, and are still a bargain for a vintage handwired amp (under $1K).

[teemuk]

Roland Cube + HD500 isn't a bad rig at all and in the right hands will actually sound much better than most of those inexpensive things you call "real amps".

[Fatherflot]

I use my epiphone valve jr at home and small gigs.love this amp.

And the nice thing about this choice is that it is very easy to upgrade and mod it. I upgraded the tubes and that made it better (TAD powertube, Tungsol preamp). Then I added a Weber speaker and that improved it further. Now I just finished modding mine with a kit from Watts Tube Audio --- Heyboer output transformer, switchcraft jacks, hand-wired "voxy" component board. Even this final mod only took a few hours. I now have a hand-wired vox-style boutique amp with all top quality components. The sound is absolutely incredible.

Packages are also available to turn it into a Fender Champ or a small Supro clone. Prices are reasonable and it really is so easy.