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TL;DR – I need suggestions for a new tube amp head $1000 or less.
I’m looking into getting a new amp head. It’s been a really long time since I’ve truly looked at what’s out there and need some help with a starting point. I don’t have a full specific direction I want to go but I do have a couple of needs & wants.
First off, for reference my last big purchase that I’ve been using as my main rig since the early 2000’s is a Crate Blue Voodoo 300… the monster 300 watt version. I also have the 150 watt version as a backup. I also have a Crate Stealth 50, a Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 and a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 36. The Crate Stealth is bad @$$, designed by Lee Jackson & oozes that hot rodded Marshall 80’s hair metal sound. I like the Peavey well enough but to me, modeling amps are more of a novelty, kind of a jack of all trades, master of none thing. The Tubemeister is pretty cool too but is nearing the being too bright category. The Blue Voodoo is my sound & I love it, but at this stage in life a 300 watt tube amp is just way overkill. Not that it wasn’t always overkill, but it’s too much for bedroom use or small jam sessions.
So that leads me to now looking for something to better suit my needs. As I said I don’t have a true direction but there are a few needs & a couple of wants.
Needs:
-Tube Amp somewhere between 50 & 100 watts (closer to 50 may be better)
-Independent tone controls for each channel
-$1000 price limit (could be convinced to go up to $1300 is it’s the right amp)
-Suited for heavy rock and power metal
Wants, but not requirements:
-Selectable wattage
-Head that can handle 4 ohm cabinet
-3 channels (2 would be sufficient)
-Can cover multiple genera from blues to metal
-Tube monitoring and auto bias
-Built in reverb would be nice but not needed
-Mid boost/cut switch but not needed (I like my mids)
Other options:
-Can be new or used/current or vintage
-brand doesn’t matter much as long as it’s reliable
-Would prefer a head but a combo with 12” speaker & extension cabinet capability will work
Lastly:
-No 5150/6505 suggestions – Great amps but I’ve never been able to bond with them
Thank you in advance for the help!
I’m looking into getting a new amp head. It’s been a really long time since I’ve truly looked at what’s out there and need some help with a starting point. I don’t have a full specific direction I want to go but I do have a couple of needs & wants.
First off, for reference my last big purchase that I’ve been using as my main rig since the early 2000’s is a Crate Blue Voodoo 300… the monster 300 watt version. I also have the 150 watt version as a backup. I also have a Crate Stealth 50, a Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 and a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 36. The Crate Stealth is bad @$$, designed by Lee Jackson & oozes that hot rodded Marshall 80’s hair metal sound. I like the Peavey well enough but to me, modeling amps are more of a novelty, kind of a jack of all trades, master of none thing. The Tubemeister is pretty cool too but is nearing the being too bright category. The Blue Voodoo is my sound & I love it, but at this stage in life a 300 watt tube amp is just way overkill. Not that it wasn’t always overkill, but it’s too much for bedroom use or small jam sessions.
So that leads me to now looking for something to better suit my needs. As I said I don’t have a true direction but there are a few needs & a couple of wants.
Needs:
-Tube Amp somewhere between 50 & 100 watts (closer to 50 may be better)
-Independent tone controls for each channel
-$1000 price limit (could be convinced to go up to $1300 is it’s the right amp)
-Suited for heavy rock and power metal
Wants, but not requirements:
-Selectable wattage
-Head that can handle 4 ohm cabinet
-3 channels (2 would be sufficient)
-Can cover multiple genera from blues to metal
-Tube monitoring and auto bias
-Built in reverb would be nice but not needed
-Mid boost/cut switch but not needed (I like my mids)
Other options:
-Can be new or used/current or vintage
-brand doesn’t matter much as long as it’s reliable
-Would prefer a head but a combo with 12” speaker & extension cabinet capability will work
Lastly:
-No 5150/6505 suggestions – Great amps but I’ve never been able to bond with them
Thank you in advance for the help!