About power and usability

[kotornut]

Hey guys. I am looking for an amp. Hopefully, I'll be able to buy one soon. I'm becoming more simple in my set up. I prefer to have few pedals and to use my guitars controls to change my tones. So I'm looking into a class A amp with only one channel. But I can choose between a 20 watt combo or a 100 watt head. I'm wondering if 100watts will be too much power and I'll always have to crank it to get the tone since it's class A. I don't really want to have to shell out the money for a power break. Or if I use the 20 watt combo through a 4-12 if that will be enough power for small live applications. What do my fellow guitarist think. Anyone have experience playing a 20 watt amp through a 4-12? Or do you think I'll be able to use the 100 watt for smaller applications?

[Lefty Robb]

remember 100 watts is only twice as loud as 10 watts.

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

I've got a Laney VC30, which sounds good on its own, but absolutely rocks through a 4x12 cabinet.

Do you have any particular amps in mind?

Rock on!

[kotornut]

Thanks Rob. Is that really true? If it is then that takes a load off of my mind.

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal4Ever

I've got a Laney VC30, which sounds good on its own, but absolutely rocks through a 4x12 cabinet.

Do you have any particular amps in mind?

Rock on!

Yup, I want to see if the Peavey Windsor is worth the little money they ask for it. The Head is ￥49900 ($499) and the Combo with 1-12 is $400 or so. Some people love it other's say it's only so so. Please feel free to recommend me anything you can. I play in a classic/hard rock band. We play originals and cover songs from bands like Zeppelin all the way to 80s rock styles like Randy Rhoads and Van Halen and even some Paul Gilbert. So that's my tone palate. It doesn't have to do balls out metal, but it has to have good gain for the afore mentioned tones.

But remember I'm on such a tight budget. I'm traveling back to the States for Christmas and I'm not in a high paying position (I teach English). Also, my wife and I want to try to have a kid or two soon. But she's kind about my guitar passion and let's me buy a few things as long as I'm not going crazy. My range is up to $600 or so, and I would go used, but here in 'expensive gear' land it's hard to come buy any decent used amps. And like I said, I'm trying to simplify and do it cheaply so a power break or attenuator isn't something I want to do.

[GLG421]

I've got a Marshall AVT20 that I run through a 4X12. Without the 4X12 it get's overrun by drums, but has no problem when I've got it running through the cab. So in theory, you should be fine, but I guess it depends on the amp you settle on.

[Lefty Robb]

Originally Posted by kotornut

Thanks Rob. Is that really true? If it is then that takes a load off of my mind.

Yup

[waylay00]

Wattage is really more about how much clean headroom you have, not volume.

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

If you are looking at a small combo check out the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, the Peavey Classic 30 and the Laney VC30. They are the best of the smaller tube combos i've tried that were not worth a small fortune. I snagged the Laney cause the price was too good to refuse, but I would have been happy with the Fender or Peavey.

For a small stack, have you thought about an Orange Tiny Terror or an Egnater Rebel? I don't have a clue about Japanese prices, but they both get lots of good reviews.

How is the 2nd hand gear market in Japan, maybe you can find a 'bay bargain?

Good Luck, I hope you get the tone you are looking for.

Rock on!

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal4Ever

If you are looking at a small combo check out the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, the Peavey Classic 30 and the Laney VC30. They are the best of the smaller tube combos i've tried that were not worth a small fortune. I snagged the Laney cause the price was too good to refuse, but I would have been happy with the Fender or Peavey.

For a small stack, have you thought about an Orange Tiny Terror or an Egnater Rebel? I don't have a clue about Japanese prices, but they both get lots of good reviews.

How is the 2nd hand gear market in Japan, maybe you can find a 'bay bargain?

Good Luck, I hope you get the tone you are looking for.

Rock on!

Thanks for the advice, but I don't want an American sounding amp I want a Brit dirty amp. I don't want to run a distortion pedal any more. I agree the Classsic 30 and hot rod are nice (the hot rod is expenisve in Japan because it's "Fender"). The Rebel and the tiny terror ar eboth a bit out of my range over here.

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

The Laney VC30 sounds like it'll get you where you want to go. It's great for hard/classic rock(needs a boost for metal though), very British sounding(it's apparently a Vox AC30 rip off), and it has great cleans. I love mine.

Is the 2nd hand market in Japan any good?

Rock on!

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal4Ever

The Laney VC30 sounds like it'll get you where you want to go. It's great for hard/classic rock(needs a boost for metal though), very British sounding(it's apparently a Vox AC30 rip off), and it has great cleans. I love mine.

Is the 2nd hand market in Japan any good?

Rock on!

Well I don't know very well because the things start out so expenisve. You know $4000 for a Mesa Recto head and so on. But I've seen a deal or two I though I'd liek but it went quickly. Also, we use Yahoo auction here not the bay. So it7S not as easy to use IMO. BUt I'm keeping my eye out for a JCM 800 (too powerful or not I still want one), maybe a 5150/6506, Laney stuff and Vox and other things.