Doing a little research. What are your favorite low power tube amps? Let's say under 15 watts and what do you feel are it's pros and cons?
In the 15 watt neighborhood, I really like the old Fender tweed deluxes. At that rating is a deluxe-type amp with it's own sound, the Ampeg Mercury. Really fine amp. Then there are the various older Gibsons. My favorites are the two-tones of '58 through '60 sor so, with the Les Paul (GA40) at the top of the heap. The cons are you might get drowned out on a loud stage. The pros are TONE. All different (the Gibson in a tone class by itself), but still recognizeably tweed-like 6v6 flavors. If you're not drowned out, you can turn up. The organic feel and almost physical push of these amps at high volume is addictive. Plus, it sounds so good your brain will fall out (as Soupy Sales would say.)
Thanks Mad Dog! I looked thru the threads on low power tube amps and there is some info but I think what I am after is more detailed. Here's a question, (and I am aiming for home use here) are the low power tube amps being used with low power speakers? and if so are you getting tube growl and speaker breakup? To me the ideal situation for a low power setup would include both for more realistic distortion at lower power. Well here's the scoop and why I am asking this esteemed panel of experts. I am working on a little project so I'll just ask flat out. What in your opinion and experience would be the best low power amp/speaker combination to deliver real amp/speaker distortion. What would you like to see on the market? Your input is much appreciated. Thank you in advance. Cas
I play with either a tweed deluxe, or a 17 watt FultonWebb (marshall/vox thang) I play them through a 15" speaker, a Weber p15n - I believe it's about a 25 watt speaker. Personally, I like that I get almost the same displacement as a 2x12 cab, with a decent-sized combo cab, and I prefer to hear the tubes breaking up, not so much the speaker. Different strokes, I guess.
Hi Doug, thanks. Hi guitarmook, We all have different tastes and none are better than others. If that setup sounds good to you i think it's great. I have a 15" Eminence speaker that i just love for it's fullness and sweet mids. So you never know until you try these things. Thanks for the input. PS: Dough makes some killer amps, and i mean killer!!!
On that basis, the best amp I've owned at copping big amp tone at low volumes is the Emory Superbaby. I use it with a variety of cabs from 10w Jensens to 75w Fanes and find a good use for all of them (although a 10w Jensen isn't happy with a cranked and distorted 7w amp-it sounds nice clean).
I'll second the Superbaby. Best low volume solution with real amp tone/breakup/speaker interaction. However, the Baby must have good tubes and good speakers in the circuit. It is a very transparent tonal microscope. My Superbaby loaded with a Mullard EL34/CV4004/GZ-34 thru a Bruno pine 2x12 with Blues is the best low volume, house-approved guitar rig I've ever heard. Perfect tones and responsiveness at loud TV volumes.
Now this is starting to sound good. Chime in you...... low power tube amp slinging guitar playing aficionados. It's for a good cause!
The Bad Cat Cub is an excellent 15 watt amp. Outstanding, low volume clean tones. This amp is great for the bedroom. There nothing like being able to get that Matchless/Bad Cat tone at a reasonable volume. It will handle the majority of gigging situations either straight up or mic'ed. The only complaint I've ever heard about the amp is a lack of clean headroom for medium to large gigs without mic'ing. I solved the problem by buying a second Cub.
I love my '79 Fender MusicMaster Bass amp. I changed the tubes (all three of them) to JJs and put in a Weber 12A125 8 ohm speaker and it sounds great with all my guitars. It's such a simple 12-15 watter with only volume and tone knobs. Inexpensive too
Tweed Champ with a larger cabinet to fit a 10" Weber Blue Pup Alnico speaker. I'm done searching for low power amps! No more farting speaker, and its still portable enough to take to the in-laws house.
TopHat Club Deluxe, Club Royale, are two of my favorites, great clean-to-crunch tones in the Vox-Marshall vein.
I had a Fender Blues Jr. that was cool, but I would really like to have a Fargen Mini-Plex with a single Greenback cab.
hey cas, ill put in a vote for the emery superbaby. i dont own one, but i think the clips on his website sound great. for 15 watts and under, thats the one id be looking at. id love to try one, but it doesnt look like something youll find in a store. brad d.
I'd like to see a 2Xel84 power stage, a preamp based on either a Trainwreck Liverpool or a hot Marshall, all point to point using top grade components. Speaker would be an alnico 10" Weber Blue Pup (or an Eminence neodymium), in a smallish ported cab similar to the Raezer's Edge designs, with Fenderesque tilt back legs. Wood for the cab would be aged pine except the baffle would be high grade fir plywood. This would be a separate head and cab. Head would be in a nice wood box. Give a shout if you build it!
Sweet! Thanks for all the input so far guy's. This is very helpful, so feel free to post your dream low power tube amp/speaker setup. I am taking notes and intend to use them.