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How's it going, everybody? I quit playing for a long time, and haven't posted here in nearly a year. I'd like to get back in the game, but I seriously need new gear.

Most of all, I need an amp. I would like to get a moderately powered combo, because, ideally, I would be able to use it to practice at home as well as in a jam setting. I prefer all-tube but there have been some pretty impressive solid-state amps out lately. As far as tone goes, I need something with plenty of mid-range cruch as well as a low end heavy enough for metal. At the same time, I'd like to be at least versatile enough to pull off cleans convincingly. Another big factor is price. I would like something no more expensive than $700-ish.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Maybe a Laney combo? They're not that expensive, and people say some of their combo's have excellent cleans and distortion. I don't own a Laney combo though, so I'll let somebody with experience chime in.


Originally Posted by SuneMaybe a Laney combo? They're not that expensive, and people say some of their combo's have excellent cleans and distortion. I don't own a Laney combo though, so I'll let somebody with experience chime in.

What a weird coincidence. I was just thinking about Laney.

I'm also considering Peavey, though. They seem to be an undeniable combination of tone, durability, and value for cash.

Laney, LC 30 mrk II

Yea you can look at the Laney stuff, my VC50 does all that very well IMO. Also Peavey is a great amp maker, my friend/other guitarist ordered a 2x12 valveking. They sound great in clips, and the price sounds even better. Cant wait till he gets it, but they just pushed the ship date back a month

Traynor and Peavey pretty much rule the price range your in...for the sounds you're looking for!?


This is one good amp!
Like a darker Marshall sound.

Check Ebay for used Carvin XV-212's, I got one for $200, all tube, amazing clean and distortion sound and loud as hell!

The new Crate (VFX ?) series of amps sound killer and the Vox Valvetronix AD60VTX (ok, I just bought one so I may be partial) will give you a wide palate of amps, effects, stomp boxes etc. That amp is $799 but you HAVE to change the tube.

Thanks for the recommendations, everybody. Peavey Valve King and Laney LC are at the top of my must-play lists. I'll see if I can scare up some Traynors, too.Originally Posted by saladinCheck Ebay for used Carvin XV-212's, I got one for $200, all tube, amazing clean and distortion sound and loud as hell!

That sounds like a great deal, but does Carvin have the same quot;direct salesquot; policy towards amps that it does towards guitars? If so, how can you test one out before buying it?

75lespaul - Thanks for the recommend, but I'm not completely sold on Crate. My first amp was a Crate, and the sound was terrible. Of course, it was a low-wattage solid-state combo, so there's a possibility that Crate makes quality tube products. But I'm a bit wary. I'll have to give it some thought before I plunk down money for Crate, but having said that, I'll keep an open mind.

The only amps I've almost completely ruled out are Marshall and Mesas. In both cases, you have tone that is immaculate as long as you're willing to spend over 1000 bucks. In my price range, neither Marshall nor Mesa seems to offer anything truly excellent.

Get a used Mesa F50, or a Fender Hot Rod deville or Deluxe 2x12. Peavey 5150/6505's combos are nice and have verb!

I've got a Marshall AVT275 for sale on the trading post. You might like it.

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Look for a used Rivera.

Can't go wrong with a classic 30. You will have to boost it for metal, unless you can turn it up past half way in your house.

I wish I could figure out how to build a small jam amp for less than $700. I bet I'd own the market if I could figure out the economics.

Scott, if you built a under $700 amp i'd buy ten! well maybe not 10, but I'd have to get one.

Peavey Valve King 50 watt Combo

Plenty of volume for gigs, also quiet enough for practice

Great cleans with enough distortion to handle Metal.

ROCK ON ~ XXX

haha

Fender Super Twin reverb, old one.