[Splattle101]

I tend to agree with ES350: grab an early silverface Super Reverb. You can pick them up for under a grand US. I have a 1973 or 74 silverface that I’ve refurbished and converted to 65 blackface standard. You would probably need to have the filter caps replaced and get it some general TLC, but you’d have a kick-arse, hand-wired amp for your trouble and expense.

Regarding duties, it can double as a practice amp, but only if you have pedals to kick it along. With a Les Paul, mine starts to break up at about 3.5-4 on the vol. That’s loud. At 5 it’s nicely saturated. At 6 it’s a beautiful thing. That’s where I like it.

Yes, you can use an attenuator very easily.

I have heard good things about the RIs, but I’d go for an old one anyway. Apart from the initial outlay being less, it’ll also be hand wired. This means it’ll be easier and cheaper to repair down the road. Also easier to mod: it’s a two channel amp. Do you want a Fender on one side and a Marshall on the other, perhaps? There are a lot of possibilities.

Cheers,
Splat