New Amp time...considering Budda and........

I love my TopHats! For ~30w the Vanderbilt 33 is probably the way to go, 2x6L6 in Class A, nice mix of Fender/Vox/Marshall tones and impeccable build quality. FWIW I have three of 'em, a 20w Club Deluxe and 35w Embassy both w/ 6V6s and a 50w Emplexador...

 

Budda Superdrive 30 owner here. Amazing amp. +1 on Top Hats as well (also have an Emplexador - outstanding amp as well - more square in the Marshall Plexi category). You might want to look at their Club Royale, King Royale, and Supreme 16 and Vandy models.

 

If the $ is no issue, than you might want the /13 or a Bruno, but for the price there's nothing better than the SD30 if you like Budda. I've only ever played one Tophat and I didn't like it at all. I haven't had enough experience to say one way or the other on a Bogner.

The next amp I'm getting is the Cameron CCV 100. Best amp I've ever played and it's not even close.

 

I have a Budda SD 18 and love it. To give some perspective I've owned over 10 amps over the last 2 years and and sold them all. I love the Budda.
I of course kept my 71 and 74 Marshall Super Leads but I've had those for over 20 years. But the Budda is a tone monster and can be had for about a thousand used.

 

I play a Les Paul as well and it has an ass load of bottom end.
You have to remember there is always going to be a trade off when using a combo or small wattage amp. I just purchase a Budda 2x12 closed back cab that I'm going to be using with my combo for extra omph. But it's got plenty of bottom end without it.

 

Also take a look at the elmwood stinger...and the cornford combos....I took the hurricane in, not thinking much, but I was floored! Also Cornford is about ot release some new PCB amps that are going to be VERY affordable in 30 or 50 watt offerings.
Josh

 

Burst59 and Rock72 got it right. The Budda SD30 is just a GREAT amp. The best sounding amp I have ever played. These are finally starting to get some recognition.

I have a bunch a highly collectable amps that just sit around now. They are now just investments.

Amazing tone just amazing. All night long when I'm gigging I'm just smiling to myself playing through this amp.

Very few amps are INSPIRING to play thru. The Budda SD series is INSPIRING every time.


plexi

 

Have you heard a Brown Note D'Lite? 22 watts with 6V6's, 33 watts with 6L6's. Lots of other circuit options, and custom voicing available.

 

I have a Superdrive and its the only amp Ive owned that I wont sell. And I buy/sell often.

 

Reinhardts are definitely worth checking out. I have an "18" w/ el84's and it's great. You can also get it w/ 6v6's for more of that vox/Fender chime. If you want to keep it @ 30 watts the JKC33 is one to consider.

 

Just got my Budda SD30 II yesterday...Put it with a closed back, and you'll get that oomph...Especially with a Port City Wave!

 

I have different cabs, 2x12's and 4x12's, so I got the head. I played the open back 2x12 vs. the 18 open back 1x12, and the 18 had more "perceived" thump, but I feel that's b/c of the open back design and the 30 had to drive 2 speakers instead of one.

Closed back cab will provide more thump, imo, but it's a personal preference thing.

Never played it with a Mesa cab, and I don't have much experience with their cabs, so I cannot attest to how it will sound.

I believe their amps will sound great with their own cabs.

I played mine with a mix of G12-75 and WGW V30 in my 2x12's.

 

I think the Budda should sound great through the Mesa 2x12. V30s are my current fave speakers for Buddas (I prefer them over the Budda Phat 12s). And you certainly wouldn't need to worry about lack of thump or bass with the Mesa cab.

 

I have SD18 1x12. Love it, gig with it. The MV, nicely ranged eq, drive/clean and pull modern controls give all the flexibility you need for tone. Plenty loud for bars. You can dial up sufficient but not huge bottom - an extra speaker cab will help that. Plus, the amp weighs 45
pounds - save your back.

 

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned the orange rocker series. In particular the Rockerverb 50 is amazing. Comes with 6v6 tubes for beutiful clean sounds, and the drive channel is just juicey and smooth. FWIW I think its better than the Bogner Shiva. The reverb on that amp is also amazing.

Chase

 

I've got a buddy here that has a SD45 II for sale if you're looking for more oomph than the 30. I believe his ad is no longer in the emporium, but PM me if you'd like me to put you in touch. It's like new and has KT66's I believe. Sounds frickin' awesome, and if I needed it I would pick it up in a heartbeat.