Small jazz amp recommendation?

javithompson · #1 08-01-2011, 02:39 AM

Hi all,

I want to buy a small amp to play at home. I am looking for a warm tone at low volume. I already have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, but the warm tone comes when the volume is a bit too high for my place... I once tried the Blues Junior which I liked a lot, although no reverb.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Javier

oldane · #2 08-01-2011, 03:41 AM

Many like the Blues Junior for jazz, and the missing reverb ought not be a problem with all those pedals around. They do not sound exactly like a spring reverb, but at the low reverb levels used in jazz, I doubt anyone will hear any difference.

And then there are the usual suspects: Jazzcat, Henriksen, Polytone, Evans. They are all solid state, which gives a more uniform sound at all sound levels and they can thus be used both for home practicing and gigging.

jazzuki · #3 08-01-2011, 03:42 AM

Try a Roland Micro Cube-all you need is these in such a small amp.

skiboyny · #4 08-01-2011, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javithompson

Hi all,

I want to buy a small amp to play at home. I am looking for a warm tone at low volume. I already have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, but the warm tone comes when the volume is a bit too high for my place... I once tried the Blues Junior which I liked a lot, although no reverb.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Javier

Princeton with a 12" speaker. Hard to beat.

TruthHertz · #5 08-01-2011, 05:45 AM

Look at the other threads in this forum, you'll get lots of information by others who asked the same question.
Total agreement on the Princeton recommendation, silverface 70's if you can find them, and you can.
Did you read this thread?
http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/jazzg...iging-amp.html

Use the search feature, try amp or small amp and see what people said last week, last month, yesterday... lots of information
David

benjazzman82 · #6 08-01-2011, 05:46 AM

A cube 40XL is great for me....if you are on a budget. Loud enoigh for most small gigs...

Best of luck

ben

jorgemg1984 · #7 08-01-2011, 06:10 AM

A Blues Junior has reverb... Tube amps usually don't sound good at bedroom volumes, you must go solid state. If you will just use it at home I would worry that much about size / weight. Any good jazz amp will do the trick probably - use the search on the forum.

pingu · #8 08-01-2011, 06:43 AM

my old Bjnr sounds good at low volumes too
(and has a reverb spring BTW)

Cube 40/80 might be a good option too
or an Ibanez wholetone

Anandbhat · #9 08-01-2011, 07:52 AM

Fender Superchamp XD! Great value and flexibility.

Doctor Jeff · #10 08-01-2011, 08:32 AM

Epiphone Valve Jr is a great small tube amp (5w). It doesn't have reverb, but I have an EH Holy Grail reverb pedal that takes care of that. Small, lightweight, and has a warm tube-driven sound at low volumes. Can be found used for ~$100.

I am also fond of the Princeton Reverb reissue, but it is bigger and a lot more expensive.

Today I did try out the Super Champ XD and was quite impressed. 15W with warm tube-driven sound and digital overdrive and effects, including several reverbs. I was not so impressed with the Mustang 2 because it seemed too complicated and derived its tube sound from modelling. If I were in the market for a new practice amp I think I would get the Super Champ XD.

Archie · #11 08-02-2011, 06:53 AM

I am also very fond of my Princeton Reverb reissue.

I would also recommend a Tech 21 Trademark 30. I have one, it sounds very good, is small and light, and costs about 1/3 what a Princeton Reverb costs.

kambor · #12 08-02-2011, 08:54 AM

zt lunchbox, or the acoustic version for a different tone. I have used the lunchbox succesfully by itself with a jazz band (sax, guitar, bass and heavy hitting drummer), and with an extension cabinet (1x12) in a rock setting (2 guitars, bass, and drums open air with PA for vocals).

For small clubs without PA, if your drummer plays with brushes, it has enough power.

I heard the zt club once, and it definitely improves the tone a lot (1x12 speaker), and doesn't weigh a ton. I needed the lunchbox because I have to drive on bicycle, but if I had a motorcycle or a car, I would go for the club. Plus, they're cheap!

BrightSizeLife28 · #13 08-02-2011, 09:05 AM

The lunchbox doesn't have 'warm tones at low volumes' IMHO. It's selling point is that it's so loud for such a small package. I have one, but it lives in my car as a backup/ take to uni. Also doesn't have reverb...
Very cool for what it is though

. But I wouldn't recommend it in this situation.

whiskywheels · #14 08-02-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anandbhat

Fender Superchamp XD! Great value and flexibility.

+1

Also try Blackstar HT-5.

kawa · #15 08-02-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javithompson

Hi all,

I want to buy a small amp to play at home. I am looking for a warm tone at low volume. I already have a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, but the warm tone comes when the volume is a bit too high for my place... I once tried the Blues Junior which I liked a lot, although no reverb.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Javier

You don't need a new amp, chose the just settings for mellow jazz tones.

Treble ; 1～2
Middle ; 6～8
Bass ; 3～4
Master ; Max
Volume ; 2.2～3

I don't have any low power amps but I play same low lebel volume with enough good sound by Twin Reverb and Vibrolux Reverb and Polytone Mini-brute Ⅱand Peterson and Envoy 110.

Mark James · #16 08-09-2011, 09:12 AM

I really like my Fender Mustang I set on 65 Twin Reverb adjusted to taste. A good friend of mine who is a seasoned Jazz guitarist and has a stunning collection of jazz boxes plugs whatever suits him at the moment, Koll, Super 400, etc. into a Crate Taxi he picked up at a garage sale and it, (he), sounds really good. Course, when he plays out he uses either his Evans or Henriksen amp.

Al_F · #17 08-09-2011, 10:46 AM

I have Mustang II that sounds good at low volumes especially on the twin reverb setting as mentioned above. We also have a Vox AC4 which is spectacular at low volumes, playing it clean, highly recommended and a great deal if you can find one used.

Ruston · #18 08-09-2011, 12:34 PM

Any thoughts on the Fishman Loudbox Mini?

spiral · #19 08-09-2011, 12:39 PM

I would concur with much that was said above.

Mustang II sounds great at low volumes and gives you a nice Fender sound. Built cheaply but costs less than a week of food.
Blackstar HT5 is pretty great as well but the reverb sucks--if you like reverb--if not, i actually found this to be the closest to a "jazz amp" sound that people seem to like. warm and smooth.
Blues Junior III gives you lots of variety in a small cab. sounds great at low volumes and has very low noise at idle. It definitely has reverb.

jorgemg1984 · #20 08-09-2011, 12:57 PM

For the price of the blues junior, check the Deluxe VM, a little more expensive but with more to offer I think.

I tried a Loudbox Performer for jazz and didn't liked it, although its amazing with an acoustic guitar. I assume the Loudbox Mini would not behave very differently.

spiral · #21 08-09-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

For the price of the blues junior, check the Deluxe VM, a little more expensive but with more to offer I think.

Might be overkill for home practice. The one i tried was really noisy at lower volumes.

jorgemg1984 · #22 08-09-2011, 01:12 PM

Yeah, its true.. Well if money is not an issue I guess nothing beats a Princeton to use at home...

TruthHertz · #23 08-09-2011, 01:19 PM

I second the Princeton thought. Through many more expensive amps, it's the Princeton that is my number one voice. Best kept secret.
David

hallpass · #24 08-09-2011, 02:45 PM

If you can swing it, I recommend a Fender Princeton Reverb. If a PR is too expensive, I'd recommend a Super Champ XD. I have and love both.

djelley · #25 08-09-2011, 03:06 PM

I suppose it depends upon how small is small? I have the Ibanez Wholetone and that amp has an awesome jazz sound. It is pretty much a one trick pony, but its a great trick!

wygant78 · #26 08-10-2011, 05:11 AM

Many like the Blues Junior for jazz, and the missing reverb ought not be a problem with all those pedals around. They do not sound exactly like a spring reverb, but at the low reverb levels used in jazz, I doubt anyone will hear any difference.

woyvel · #27 08-10-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anandbhat

Fender Superchamp XD! Great value and flexibility.

Checked out an Epi Joe Pass through one recently and WOW, did it sound sweet.

whiskywheels · #28 08-10-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

I would concur with much that was said above.

Blackstar HT5 is pretty great as well but the reverb sucks--if you like reverb--if not, i actually found this to be the closest to a "jazz amp" sound that people seem to like. warm and smooth.

There is no reverb on HT5. I guess that's what you mean by "the reverb sucks"

funkmp · #29 08-10-2011, 08:52 AM

After years of trying everything I finally gave up on tube amps in my flat. You can get distortion from the pre-amp, but the warmth is in te power tubes and at a volume that my neighbours can't appreciate... On stage and for rehearsals I still use a twin-speaker 50 watt tube amp (Koch).
Hendriksen Blues-amp (10 inch with tweeter and reverb) has a beautifull round sound even at low levels. Same goes for Polytone.
Construction and speaker are key elements to a good sound, and contribute more to the cost than the elecronics in small SS amps. That's why good small amps don't come cheap.

jorgemg1984 · #30 08-10-2011, 09:05 AM

The Blues Junior HAS reverb. Its bad but its there. You can grab an 80s solid state amp and put an EV for a cheaper price than the Blues Junior and you will get a much better jazz amp.

WET Reverb - Neunaber Technology Effects

This is supposed to be the most natural reverb for reverbless amps.