Anyone know anything about tube amps?

[Masterurethane]

This is a long shot, but there must be some guitarists here right?

I'm looking for an all valve 1x12 Combo for £300-£500.

I play a Rickenbacker 330/6 and need a decent versatile valve amp, I'm currently debating between peavey classic 30, vox AC15, marshall dsl 401, marshall tsl601, fender blues junior, fender hot rod.

The more expensive ones would need to be second hand, obviously.

I need decent clean tones and a nice warm overdrive, any help would be great appreciated.

Thank you!

[HilandDoug]

Master, there are TONS of guitar players on fencing.net! I'm one, and am a bass player, too.

Although I play through a solid state Ampeg, I have a few friends that have old tube amps. One has a nice Fender from '68 that looks like its still brand new. It has a rich, melodic sound that my Ampeg just can't duplicate (although it does have some neat effects built in!) Another friend has the Marshall tsl601 (I'm pretty sure that's what it is), and if you can find one of those in your price range, that's the way to go. From little gigs to concert halls, it'll be just what you need.

That's my two cents worth, anyway. Let us know what you decide on, and how you like the sound.

[Masterurethane]

Cheers, I've been swaying towards the tsl601, for that unadulterated rock vibe, but the vox ac15 is just a gorgeous amp, though probably a bit less versatile.

I think it would be worth saving up more money and getting one of these two rather than opting for something cheaper like the classic 30 (which is still a great amp)

I'll look into the second hand market

Thanks for posting

[deadly lefty]

Im a guitarist,too. after 4 years of acoustic I bought myself a Fender Strat and i love it. Whatever amp you decide to buy make sure you can test it out very well

[DangerMouse]

Of the ones you listed, the marshalls are probably the most versatile, but I think the clean tones are kind of lacking and the overdrive is too played out. What you really want is to find an old Mesa Boogie combo. Great clean tones and super warm overdrives. No I don't have a contract with them and don't really even play guitar much, but I worked as a sound guy for a few years and those were the only mass produced amps that sounded great everytime.

Rock on!

[slimrbp]

Hi,

For a different approach try Bluetone Amps .

It's a small British company making a solid state amp which retails at £499.

The owner is an experienced audio engineer and guitarist. I haven't tried one myself but some of the guitar mags liked it and they have testemonials from a few famous guitarists.

[vegan]

Well, wow-!
I am a jazz player- so for rock stuff, I mostly have old info, but i work in a vintage guitar store (teaching) and our tech suggests to avoid the newer "tube" amps because some of them have parts wired to a board (largish circut board for control of the amp, mostly prefab). This is bad because if something goes wrong, it's quite a bit harder to fix. Look for some older fenders, a just post cbs amp should be around for 500 or so pounds (close 800- us). Bluetones are supposed to be quite good, as are orange combos. Boogies are ok, but kind of dry sounding clean (at least to me- not that this is bad- if thats what you want). Also, if you can find some older gibson made products- they aren't bad either- just tricky to find for a reasonable price. Don't forget to look at sites in the us, the power modifications are not that hard to do, and amps are often a bit cheaper here. Finally- don't leave out some of the oddball companies- selmer, silvertone, oahu, ect. They made some of the best tube amps ever.
Oh, right- you won't need as much power with a tube amp- they get pretty loud, I'd say 2/3's as much as you'd think for rms or solid state.
GOOD LUCK
b.

[Masterurethane]

Thank you all for the tips.

Realistically I know I don't need more than 20watts of power. The orange AD15 might be a good bet, as it's all class A and hand wired and things, bit on the pricey side though, along with cornford. I might check out ths second hand market for something along similar lines.
I'll check out bluetones as well.

[DangerMouse]

Originally posted by Masterurethane
The orange AD15 might be a good bet, as it's all class A and hand wired and things, bit on the pricey side though, along with cornford.

Don't put too much faith in "Class A" circuitry. It doesn't necessarily sound better than other classes of tube circuitry. It is just one way of building an amp.

[Haze]

sure. http://www.thetube.com


Sorry I misread the thread title when it first came up, I did quite well to hold back for this long I think.

[Masterurethane]

From my experience with fender, ashdown and vox, a class A amp can be turned up to a reasonable volume before the clean signal starts to break up. For crunch and distortion class A/B is probably superior, a la Marshall and Mesa.

The orange ad15 is looking perfect at the moment I must say, marshall is a bit too dirty and vox a bit too clean. It's also a refreshingly basic amp, no reverb or effects loop or anything. Just gain, volume and eq, which is the way forward in my opinion, a guitar and a valve amp can provide every natural tone worth having.

Thanks for the advice people, lol abot the tube map.