Best 1X12 combo you actually would use.....

Reverend Hellhound
SF Pro/Twin or Vibrolux Reverb

 

I've been looking for a hand-wired 1x12 combo, and so far, the Carr Rambler is winning the test! Wow - great warm, "organic" tone, and it sounds great with my Tonebone Classic pedal. It's expensive ($2,000), however.

I've had a PV Classic 30 since '94, and it's been in the repair shop at least 5 times. It's a decent little amp, but a poor design internally. It has three circuit boards connected at right angles by about 30 tiny wires that have a propensity to break just 5 minutes before a gig!!

So, I want to jettison the PV, and get a solidly made, hand-wired 1x12 combo. Gonna go try a used Groove Tubes Soul-O 45 today.

 

Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, hands down.

 

Orange Rocker 30 combo. Very thick tone and the master volume sounds great. No attenuator needed.
Just noticed you said under $800. I don't think you can find one that cheap, or I'd have another one.

 

Isn't the bass on the Rambler a little flubby when the Rambler is pushed?

 

I have a Boogie DC-3 combo. I've sold a few amps over the years, but I'll never sell this one. It does everything.

 

Alessandro working dog line. Just a little more than that new, used probably right in you range. THey don't show up often used though.

 

Best 1x12 combo I have ever used is a Tone King Meteor II 740A.

 

Keep your eye open for a Sundown 1-12" 50 or 100 watt combo--very dynamic. You can minimize the small cab middy sound if you install EVM 12-L and Weber Beamblocker. Jeff R.

I've done 2-3 wildly-varied gigs per week with this and pdlbrd for years.

 

what I would do...

buy this amp
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mullard-EF86-Marsland-Mercury-Magnetics-XFMR-tube-amp_W0QQitemZ7377097527QQcategoryZ38075QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

...and put it in a 1x12 combo box from Weber or Mojo, pretty close at least to your price range. Not affiliated whatsoever, but I have one of Mike Whitney's amps (nmv version of this one) and they totally kick ass, meticulously hand built, marshall tone out the wazzoo. Just IMO (!!), things like the mesa or hellhound or rivera will sound like toys in comparison.

 

+1 for the Rivera R55/12. One just sold here for $450 shipped, too. I have one with a matching Los Lobottom Sub 1 (300 watt 1xJBL 12" spkr) subwoofer, and the pair sounds like a 4x12, but you can carry the whole rig to the car in one load with no helpers!

Hard to beat that amp below $800. Others great amps I've used at that price point include the VHT 50/12 (both EL84 and EL34 versions) and a modded Carvin BelAir.

slick51

 

I'd have no problems at all finding some excellent tones for less then 800 using any of these amps and a pedal or two:

• Ampeg Gemini (the 12" version)
• Ampeg ReverbeRocket II
• Fender Blues JR (or was it the HRDeville...got 'em mixed up in my tiny brain)
• Peavey Classic 30
• Reverend Hellhound

 

+1!:AOK

 

mesa rectoverb

 

VHT Pitbull 45. could use maybe a bit more in the clean headroom department, but try one and see. Excellent amps.

 

Hemlock beat me to it, but for features and tone, I don't think you can beat a Pittbull. Quite a few have sold here on the Emporium for $850.

 

I've never played a more awesome 1x12 combo than my Mazerati 1x12 combo. Mine came loaded new with a V30 and it works great. This amp has nuts AND balls. I've never heard a 1x12 combo that can hang like this one. It excels with both my Lentz S and my 04 R8 w/Seths.

Scott

 

If you need clean headroom I'd go with a Holland.