Which low wattage tube amp?

[essguitarman]

I need a low wattage tube amp, preferably under $600. Any suggestions, heads or combos?

[hellraiser_666]

seriouse recommendation on orange AD-5. very very sweet sounding british amp, sounds great on clean, and got a amazing tone when cranked, not muddy ones, very clear distorition. I love it, i got one with a MXR gt-od infront of it to either push it harder, or have a good drive tone late at night. and not to mention its dirt cheap

[eddy999]

There is a 'sticky' thread on this very topic, with many different options and opinions discussed.

see here: Lots of People Looking For/At Low Wattage Amps!

[Deftone]

Yea, there's so many great options out there it really comes down to your personal preference. What are you looking for in an amp and what type of tone do you want?

[Echevarria]

Originally Posted by Deftone

Yea, there's so many great options out there it really comes down to your personal preference. What are you looking for in an amp and what type of tone do you want?

Exactly. Are you playing in small clubs, at home or jam with friends? Type of music? Do you use a the amp for OD or a pedal? Etc... We'll can help you out but we need more info.

[Echevarria]

Oh, and the sticky link above is a treasure on low-watt amp info's.

[tojo]

First, I am by no means an expert on amps, but I do have several of the low wattage variety as I exclusively play at home after the family unit has gone to bed at night. Volume control is of utmost concern.

I have currently a VOX DA-5 (5W) which is primarily a travel amp that I take on the road - it runs on batterries, a Blackheart Killer Ant Head (1W) with the Blackheart Killer Cab (1x10), and a Blues Junior NOS Tweed (15W).

But I recently found a 1966 Blackface Fender Champ, all original (5W). Since I brought it home, it is all I use now. I try the others from time to time and they are all good for certain applications. But I end up firing up the Champ again after about 10 minutes. You can't beat that hairy vintage Blackface tone - if that's what you're in to. Makes me toes curl and that's always a sure sign of tube nirvana...

With nothing more than a TS808 in front of that Champ, I have found what I've always been looking for. If you can find an old Blackface Champ around, and they can be found, I highly recomend it. I paid $500 for mine. They seem to run in the $400 to $600 range - sometimes less sometimes more. I have already considered selling off all the others I have, just because they tend to sit there idle now most of the time...

Long live the Champ !

[kungpow!]

Originally Posted by tojo

Long live the Champ !

+1

Can't go wrong with a Champ. You just can't. Blackface or silverface variety. It'll need a new speaker, no biggie. Look for a SFVC on CL for $300.

[hipofutura]

Originally Posted by tojo

With nothing more than a TS808 in front of that Champ, I have found what I've always been looking for. Long live the Champ !

I have come to the same conclusion. Like you, I only play at home and for my own enjoyment. I have two amps. My Champ clone and a Dumble clone. The Dumble HRM is just about the greatest tone monster ever designed, yet I play the little Champ 99.99% of the time. The Champ and Tube Screamer are all one needs. Just about every desirable tone is in there somewhere.

The problem with the Fender Champ is the speaker. You would be astonished at how much nicer that Champ sounds with a 10" Weber 10A100 alnico. It's what I use.

[acstorfer]

My amp is based off of a champ and it is spectacular! With pedals, any sound is manageable and at any volume.

[danzego]

Me, I'm pretty high on the Egnater Tweaker right about now.

[Deftone]

Originally Posted by acstorfer

My amp is based off of a champ and it is spectacular! With pedals, any sound is manageable and at any volume.

So is my 5 watt custom head and I agree.

[BMS]

The Orange Tiny Terror's are coming down in price for a used head. Don't buy the TT combo though. These heads sound great through 412's or a single Celestian Blue.

[Deftone]

For under $600 I think the Egnater's are your best bet.

[acstorfer]

I had an Egnater Rebel and if his other offerings are as good, well I am thinking you will like it.

If you can spend a little more ($850), then the Swart Space Tone. I KNOW you'd like it!

Funny how we all push the stuff we own.

Also, you will probably have to look into Phaez as well. They get a ton of great reviews. 14 or 18 watts for under or around $400 and you can have him custom desig something for you. Maybe he'll do a 5 watter?

[danzego]

Originally Posted by acstorfer

I had an Egnater Rebel and if his other offerings are as good, well I am thinking you will like it.

If you like the Rebel, do yourself a favor and check out the Tweaker.

Yes, obviously I decided I'm going to keep mine.

[essguitarman]

What about the Traynor dark horse?

[essguitarman]

I need help deciding between the:
Marshall Class 5
Mesa Boogie Transatlantic
VHT Special 6
Vox AC4
Vintage 47 VA-147
Orange Tiny Terror
Traynor Dark Horse
Egnater Tweaker

[danzego]

Originally Posted by essguitarman

I need help deciding between the:
Marshall Class 5
Mesa Boogie Transatlantic
VHT Special 6
Vox AC4
Vintage 47 VA-147
Orange Tiny Terror
Traynor Dark Horse
Egnater Tweaker

We need help, too. Answer Echevarria's questions. You'll get answers that are tailored to your needs and will whittle down your list some.

[tazzboy]

Vox AC4 is good choice, but don't forget the Vox Night Train.

[faded studio]

get a blues junior

[mmcquain]

Originally Posted by danzego

Me, I'm pretty high on the Egnater Tweaker right about now.

I'm GASing for the Tweaker based on all I've read... please tell me more about it!

[essguitarman]

I don't need something super versatile, just something that'll give a great (or very good) blues and classic rock tone.

[danzego]

Originally Posted by mmcquain

I'm GASing for the Tweaker based on all I've read... please tell me more about it!

There are, I believe, three Tweaker threads going on in this forum right now. There are also some pretty decent vids on Youtube (make sure you catch the two by "dognmoon", who gives a nice run through of a few of the amp's sounds; just keep in mind that he uses a Tele, which is brighter than what you'll hear with an LP). Between what has already been posted and the vids, you'll have a good idea of what the Tweaker is all about.

[Deftone]

If the Mesa TransAtlantic is on your list, that's what I would buy.

[Jammers5]

Originally Posted by essguitarman

I need help deciding between the:
Marshall Class 5
Mesa Boogie Transatlantic
VHT Special 6
Vox AC4
Vintage 47 VA-147
Orange Tiny Terror
Traynor Dark Horse
Egnater Tweaker

I have the Class 5, Orange Tiny Terror and the Traynor Dark Horse. The Dark Horse is the most versatile of the lot for variety of sounds, and the cab with the greenback is amazing. If portability is what you are after the Marshall Class 5 is great, but beware, it is very loud and have to use a Tubescreamer clone or a Marshall Guv'nor Plus for overdrive at low volumes. The Tiny Terror and PPC112 is nice, but to me, a one trick pony. I find the cleans flat and lifeless, and the overdrive is really hot. A fun little amp when you want to rock out, but for the money, probably not the best choice.

I have not tried the Tweaker as there is not Egnater Dealer in Newfoundland. However I do own a Rebel 30 Head and absolutely love it. From what I can hear on Youtube I would keep that one in the mix too.

J5

[>Photi G<]

If you want that kind of tone, I'd say Vox AC4H, Vox Nightrain, or Marshall C5.

[essguitarman]

Right now, I'm really leaning towards the:
Marshall Class 5
VHT Special 6
Traynor Dark Horse

[essguitarman]

Thanks for all of your help guys! With so many great small tube amps, it's really hard to decide.

[BMS]

Originally Posted by essguitarman

Thanks for all of your help guys! With so many great small tube amps, it's really hard to decide.

Yeah the market is saturated with them. So many amps, yet so little time!