I need a cheap 1x12 tube combo, any suggestions?

[Stephen Davis]

So, it finally happened, I plugged in my Dr. Z Prescription ES at a gig and had MAJOR problems. I turned out that the 12" driver in my cab was completely frozen up. I was lucky enough to be close to the house and my roommate brought me another rig. But, it definitely made me wake up to only carrying an extra head to gigs, even if I carried that. So, I now want to find a cheap 1x12 tube combo that I can take as a backup to all gigs. I would like to keep it under $300, since it will strictly be a backup. I am thinking a Peavey Classic 30, or a Carvin Noman. What do you guys carry?

Rabbit

 

[rotren]

This on may be more than $300, but how about a used Reverend Hellhound? Nice little amps, can be found on eBay for around $400 I think. Single channel, good blackface sound. I love mine!

 

[Baba]

I think the Classic 30 is an excellent choice, not much can touch it for the price range.

 

[Stephen Davis]

i really don't seem to play as well on blackface tones. I prefer el84 and el34 tones. The $300 limit is more of worrying about the amp getting stolen at some of the wonderful bars I end up at on the weekends. I hope to leave it in the blazer most nights, and we all know drunken bar flys NEVER steal gear. So, the less $ the better.

Rabbit

 

[LaXu]

If you can find the (now discontinued) Laney TT-20 combo, that is pretty good sounding too.

 

[aquadog]

Even better than the classic 30 is the classic 50. You should definately be able to pick one up for that price used.

 

[Stephen Davis]

Do they make the classic 50 in a 1x12? If so, is it el34's instead of el84's?

Rabbit

 

[bluesdoc]

C30 is a great choice.

But I also have a C50 head I'd sell for a very good price. VERY capable amp with the EL84 chime that the Hellhound does not have (I was a longtime HH user).

jon

 

[Antero]

The Carvin Nomad's pretty sweet... and if you're a tweaker, there are always hasserl's mods...

 

[GCDEF]

I use a Tech 21 Trademark 60 as backup. Got it for $350 used.

 

[Member 995]

I'd get a used Fender Blues Junior. I think they sell for about $375 new, so you can do a lot better used. These have a really nice clean sound. The secret is to run the master wide open and use the volume control to set the output level. Throw an overdrive pedal in front of it for more tonal variety. These use EL84 output tubes, but don't really have the classic EL84 sound.

Bryan

 

[David-R]

Originally posted by GCDEF
I use a Tech 21 Trademark 60 as backup. Got it for $350 used.

+1

TM60 is my practice amp. VERY reliable but you may need to mic it, 60 watts of solid state really isn't very loud in a mix.

 

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by David-R
+1

TM60 is my practice amp. VERY reliable but you may need to mic it, 60 watts of solid state really isn't very loud in a mix.

It's plenty for practice and for adequate stage volume, which is all I need. We always mic everything, so I've never had it all the way up, but it'll hang with a drummer with no problems.

 

[vbjamin]

Throw a Greenback or your choice of speaker in a C30 and your ready. I have played around with the tubes as well with many great sounds resulting. This little combo is very reliable and versatile for the $$. A clean boost works great on both channels.

 

[rotren]

How does the Tech 21 compare to the Vox Valvetronix?

 

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by rotren
How does the Tech 21 compare to the Vox Valvetronix?

I had a ADVT30 which was one of the worst sounding amps ever. The Trademark 60 is much better. On the other hand, I have a Tonelab SE which sounds fantastic, better than the Trademark, so I guess it depends which Valvetronix you're talking about. It seems the bigger ones, 60 and over and the Tonelabs have different circuitry than the smaller 50 and under. The big ones are great, the smaller ones, not so.

 

[Shemp]

Originally posted by GCDEF
I use a Tech 21 Trademark 60 as backup. Got it for $350 used.

+1 Great amp for the dough. Also a Hot Dod Deluxe should be under $400 used.

 

[B Vance]

Originally posted by bluesdoc
C30 is a great choice.

But I also have a C50 head I'd sell for a very good price. VERY capable amp with the EL84 chime that the Hellhound does not have (I was a longtime HH user).

jon

The Peavey Classic 30 or Classic 50 would be great. Very versatile amps as well. Great sounding gain too IMHO. You can pick one up used for next to nothing. Also, Peavey is supposed to be coming out with its new, low-priced, 100% powered tube amp called the King I think. It is priced at under $400 new!!! That would be a great back-up amp.

You can pick up a used Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue for like $600 in the Buy and Sell section here on the Gear Page too if you look at the right time.

 

[Marcello]

traynor YCV20 is very good, throw new tubes and its fantastic.

 

[RupertB]

used Carvin x60
used Peavey Classic 30

For VERY small and light, I usually carry a sf Vibrochamp as a backup (8" speaker though).