Desperate cry for tube amp!

AKMG · #1 08-21-2006, 06:35 PM

So as I've posted in the classifieds section in search of a tube amp head, my Line 6 75W head just isn't cutting it for me and the rest of the band tonewise. So I'm desperately calling out for suggestions on what tube amp to get that's under $500, but fairly decent. Reliability is one of the things I'm looking for, but I'm also looking for the ability of smooth, warm cleans but also the diversity for hard, thick, chunky distortion.

The Bay has no Laney's anymore [in my price range] and I've been looking at the B-52 AT100, although I might be able to squeeze a hundred or so dollars off from Guitar Center. But again, open to any suggestion. I was looking also at the Peavey VK100 Head.

EDIT: Also looking into the Peavey 6505 [but finding one at $500, or even $650 shipped is a rare find. If you do have one, PM me ASAP! Thanks]

Dee · #2 08-21-2006, 06:57 PM

I think the Carvin X-100B might be a good choice, I sometimes see them going cheap. If you find one, try to get the one with the black tolex, though, not the grey carpet covering. Apparently the tolex ones sound better (different tubes, I think).

AKMG · #3 08-21-2006, 07:04 PM

I'm looking at one on the Bay with a HOT ROD MOD 1B [Carinv X-100B, Tolex version]. Is that good?

Direct from the auction page...

"You are bidding on a Carvin X100b with Hot Rod Modification 1b. This amp was made for 6L6's, but I rebiased it for EL34's; I liked the overdrive better. Everything on it works, and it sounds great. The transformers have some rust on them. I don't have the footswitch or front logo. I bought it for the EQ that my combo didn't have, but it's too loud for my house.

History: I bought it from a guy who had it for years; he said it sounded and worked great. When I received it, it had EL34's in it, but the circuit was still wired for 6L6's. I replaced the grid resistors with 350 ohm/5 watt resistors per the schematic, changed R127 so the tubes would idle at about 75% full power (Eurotubes JJ EL34L match #3

; I did not connect pins 1 and 8. I used it with the power switch set at 50%; I thought it sounded best there.

You get:

-Four JJ EL34's that have ~ 30 hours or less on them. One has the plastic key broken off, but I made a mark on the plastic mount; it works fine.

-Three 12AX7's in various states of use, but they work.

CONTINENTAL US BIDDERS ONLY

UPS GROUND ONLY

MONEY ORDER OR PERSONAL CHECK (MUST CLEAR BEFORE SHIPPING)

AS-IS NO RETURNS"

Dee · #4 08-21-2006, 07:10 PM

I honestly don't know anything about amp mods, but the guy *seems* to know what he's talking about. Are there any bidders? What's the current price? And can you post the item number?

A good person to ask is probably Jim777 (one of the moderators here). He has an X-100B, I believe. Hopefully he can answer this thread, but if not, maybe shoot him a PM.

EDIT: No worries about posting the auction number, I found the amp.

Here's some more:

320017398804 <--- $450 Buy It Now. Only a few hours left on this one.

190022731893 <--- needs re-tubing. Great condition, though. It's a 1988 model.

mfergel · #5 08-21-2006, 08:49 PM

So, are you specifically looking for a Laney? I may have one for sale. Haven't decided yet or not. It's a PRO TUBE 100.

Racerx2k · #6 08-21-2006, 09:17 PM

I'd go for mfergel's Laney, a Carvin X100B, or that Peavey Valveking. Oddly enough, those are the three amps I'm looking at, in the near future, myself.
Fergel, you got any soundbytes of the Laney to share? I had one, back in the day, and wish I still did. Especially since NOW I have the Laney cab to match!

surfdog777 · #7 08-21-2006, 10:39 PM

There is a Legacy head for sale right now in the gear classifieds for $525.00.

supermau · #8 08-21-2006, 10:59 PM

I'm pretty happy with my ValveKing 212 which is the same as the head.

AKMG · #9 08-21-2006, 11:02 PM

I've actually narrowed down my choices to the following, which pretty much doesn't say much haha... [but as always, still very open for decent amps within my price range]

-Carvin X-100B, tolex cover
-Carivin VL100
-mfergel's Laney if he decides to sell it

lol
-Peavey 6505 [although I'm 3rd in line if the first 2 buyer fall through. It's selling for $510 in great condition]
--=If the 6505 falls through, the VK100, although that's on the bottom of my list because I've heard people say that it loses all it's tone and sound [and becomes muddy] after the 5-6 mark.

Most likely the X100B though because it has an EQ to adjust the tone to precision.

**elcid** · #10 08-21-2006, 11:14 PM

AVT150 isnt a tube amp

supermau · #11 08-21-2006, 11:17 PM

If you want a real tube amp then I'd drop the Marshall off your list. AVT just isn't the same thing.

supermau · #12 08-21-2006, 11:20 PM

For what it's worth - if you need to turn your ValveKing up PAST 5 or 6 your going to blow your own head off and shatter your bones. Unless your playing Wembley I doubt you'll need to turn up that loud. These things are LOUD on 1.

I don't know if you plan on trying any of these out first or just buying online but it's always a great idea to take your guitar and go play these amps first. Online reviews (including mine) are great but there's nothing like trying it yourself. The VK is great for me but maybe not you?

My first amps were Marshall solid state combo's (like 20 years ago) so I decided to by an AVT because of all the great reviews without actually playing one first - wasted my money. I did find a VK212 in town and tried it first - good to go.

Racerx2k · #13 08-21-2006, 11:42 PM

I actually like the Valveking BETTER than the 5150/6505. I find the tone to be more usable. I don't know what it is: Lots of people RAVE about the 5150s, but I just don't like them.

AKMG · #14 08-22-2006, 12:01 AM

Well the guitar center I go to surprisingly doesn't carry Peaveys or Carvins...

The used guitar shop that's also in my town has a Carvin all tube head although it's pretty beat up and missing a few knobs. I think it might even be missing a tube or two haha

So online is basically how I'm going to do it, mainly the Bay. Thus I'm relying heavily on online reviews. Obviously, I can't get a tone like my other bandmate's Stilleto, but I can try to get something tubey sounding... right... ?

supermau · #15 08-22-2006, 12:05 AM

Well you gotta do what you gotta do. I found out GC didn't carry Peavey as well, luckily (thankfully!) there's competition for them where I live. You can at least try on an AVT at GC and see what you think, but it's not all-tube and it doesn't sound all-tube.