Decent dirt cheap amps ???

aniss1001 · #1 01-12-2012, 05:12 PM

I need to look towards the really cheap ones. So if anyone has had good experiences with really cheap amps (for jazz) please let me know about it?

I'm currently looking at models such as:

Roland Cube20
Vox VT20+

(They seem kinda similar.. anyone has tried them?)

Or even something as cheap as the:

Crate Flexwave (Probably not very good but REALLY cheap .. haha)

All input is more than welcome...

jorgemg1984 · #2 01-12-2012, 05:28 PM

How much is really cheap?

aniss1001 · #3 01-12-2012, 05:39 PM

Hmm... well sort of in the price range of the ones I mentioned. The thing is though I live in argentina so I pay around double of what you guys would pay it seems

The cheapest prices I have found here are:

Vox Vt20+ $262
Roland Cube20 $296

And I might add:

Fender Mustang I 20w $320 (And now it's allready getting kinda expensive for me)

jorgemg1984 · #4 01-12-2012, 05:44 PM

And the used market? Might be your best option!

aniss1001 · #5 01-12-2012, 05:49 PM

Not sure. The used market here is really horrible. People tend to charge 90% of the original price even if they have used the item for years. Haha.. I'm not kidding. It truly sucks buying stuff here. And please don't even suggest buying stuff abroad and having it shipped here....

JonnyPac · #6 01-12-2012, 05:55 PM

I'm playing through an old cheap Peavey bass amp with a 10" speaker for smaller gigs. Cost me only $40!

SamBooka · #7 01-12-2012, 06:18 PM

Garageband cost me 5$.

jorgemg1984 · #8 01-12-2012, 06:32 PM

Well then you're stuck with new... Here in Portugal you can find 80s solid state amp for 200€ from time to time. I can't really help you then, good luck!

aniss1001 · #9 01-12-2012, 06:37 PM

Checking out the used market as we speak... This is sorta the Argentinean Ebay:

Amplificadores - Instrumentos Musicales en MercadoLibre Argentina, donde comprar y vender de todo.

If you see anything that isn't utterly crap for less that 1200 pesos let me know hehe

What about this one?

Amplificador Guitarra Fender Skx 35r Reverb 35w 12´ Taiwán - $ 760,00 en MercadoLibre

jorgemg1984 · #10 01-12-2012, 06:48 PM

Amplificador Peavey - $ 1.200,00 en MercadoLibre

Amplificador Peavey Envoy 110 35w U.s.a - $ 900,00 en MercadoLibre

That Peavey should be fine (the Frontman 25R should be usable also)

aniss1001 · #11 01-12-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Amplificador Peavey - $ 1.200,00 en MercadoLibre

Amplificador Peavey Envoy 110 35w U.s.a - $ 900,00 en MercadoLibre

That Peavey should be fine (the Frontman 25R should be usable also)

OK? The Peavey? Seriously? I wouln't have thought it

Have you tried/heard this particular model? In a jazz setting? Ah and I have heard not so good things about the Frontman. But I dunno... Anyway thanks a lot for the suggestions

jorgemg1984 · #12 01-12-2012, 07:07 PM

Not that model - but I have a Bandit 65 that I like a lot although it can quite bright sometimes (too many mids I think). I will fix that by doing some mods to the amp... 80s Peaveys are usually very loud, clean and reliable and even if not voiced for jazz can give a good jazz sound.

But beware sometime old amps can be tough to find parts if you nedd to repair it - although Peavey's reliability is legendary. Is it near you so you can try it? Maybe someone on the forum has tried that specific model...

aniss1001 · #13 01-12-2012, 07:12 PM

Hmm it's not THAT near. I guess I could go there but I'd prefer to be as sure possible before I go on that mission. Ah and it's from the 90s (not 80s) BTW. Anyway I'm considering it.

And off course if anyone has tried this one I'd like to hear about it...

jorgemg1984 · #14 01-12-2012, 07:33 PM

But it's still USA made and pre-transtube so it should be good. I have heard other people complementing on Peavey SS amps so you might be lucky about getting some insight.

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...avey-amps.html

Do a search on the forum and on google.

kawa · #15 01-12-2012, 07:38 PM

Guitar:Gibson '67 ES-175DN V8 T10

Strngs:Gibson SEG-1040ML

Shield Cable:Belden 9778

"Amps & Settings" Amps were tilted by legs or stand.Sound check point was flont of speaker(Mic set point)

Fender '66 Vibrolux Reverb(Speakers Jensen C10NS):T2 B3.5

Fender Twin Reveb 100W(Speakers:Rola): T1～2.5 M6～8 B1～2 Master Max(Equal to without master)

Fender Twin Reverb '65 Reissue(Speakers: Eminence):T1 M6～8 B3

Peterson P-100G-MkⅡ(Speaker:Eminence ME-10):Gain 1～3( Volume use) L/MIn M1/Min M2/-4 H/-2 Master/Max(Equal to without master)

Polytone MIni-BruteⅡ: Master/Max B/+1 M/+2 T/+1 Gain/2～4(Volume use) Contour/10～11( O'clocK) Program/edge Tone color switch/

Center

Peavey Envoy 110(speaker:Bule Marvel)(Ser.G0113936):Modern mode B3 M2 H0

Important things: Balance for solo tone and backing tone.

LIke to guitar,not like to electric piano.

and I know the super long seller over 40 years famous BANDIT 112.
Barney Kessel and Jim Hall were used on the stage in Tokyo.

I think the current model of BANDIT 112 is very good with enough power and sound.
__________________

Billnc · #16 01-12-2012, 10:00 PM

My Polytone crapped out. I have to practice through a Peavey Transtube Rage. That thing sounds surprisingly good! My teaching studio has provided me with a 2001 (when I started there) Studio Pro 112 I hate! The guy along side me has a Bandit I like better (I even like the rage better than the Studio Pro) Til I get my Polytone fixed I'm on the lookout for something cheap too (really cheap) I'll post if anything interesting comes up.

aniss1001 · #17 01-12-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billnc

My Polytone crapped out. I have to practice through a Peavey Transtube Rage. That thing sounds surprisingly good! My teaching studio has provided me with a 2001 (when I started there) Studio Pro 112 I hate! The guy along side me has a Bandit I like better (I even like the rage better than the Studio Pro) Til I get my Polytone fixed I'm on the lookout for something cheap too (really cheap) I'll post if anything interesting comes up.

Hmm... Which rage amp are we talking? And would you say it is worth buying?

cosmic gumbo · #18 01-13-2012, 02:37 AM

I've played through oodles of other peoples cheap Crate amps through the years, and they were more than adequate.

aniss1001 · #19 01-13-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmic gumbo

I've played through oodles of other peoples cheap Crate amps through the years, and they were more than adequate.

OK? Could you mention some models or something to go for? It seems that Crate makes some really bad amps too. I mentioned the Crate Flexwave as the cheapest alternative but I have never found anything googling it in a jazz context. So I dunno?

Jazzman301 · #20 01-13-2012, 04:19 PM

Something with a 1x10 or even 1x12 is preferable. I had a roland cube 20 that was not bad for jazz. I feel like you could get a cube 40XL in our price range. It has a single 10" speaker and sounds nice. It defiantely has a very useable jazz tone. I think as for new amp this is a solid choice. I have a cube 80xl that I call a poor mans polytone. The reverb sounds nice on both plate and spring models.

If you are thinking of tubes maybe a Fender super champ XD?

Hope this helps

'Mike

Peter C · #21 01-13-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

I feel like you could get a cube 40XL in our price range. It has a single 10" speaker and sounds nice. It defiantely has a very useable jazz tone.

You bet: Roland Cube 40 XL Series Amps - Alex Hutchings @ Nevada Music UK - YouTube

aniss1001 · #22 01-13-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

Something with a 1x10 or even 1x12 is preferable. I had a roland cube 20 that was not bad for jazz. I feel like you could get a cube 40XL in our price range. It has a single 10" speaker and sounds nice. It defiantely has a very useable jazz tone. I think as for new amp this is a solid choice. I have a cube 80xl that I call a poor mans polytone. The reverb sounds nice on both plate and spring models.

If you are thinking of tubes maybe a Fender super champ XD?

Hope this helps

'Mike

Hmm... The cube 40 is out of my price range (atleast us$ 460) and the Super Champ is WAY over my price range (atleast us$ 660)...

jorgemg1984 · #23 01-13-2012, 05:32 PM

Why don't you save more money and buy a better amp in some months?

aniss1001 · #24 01-13-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Why don't you save more money and buy a better amp in some months?

I'm currently studying here in Argentina. I have a scholarship from my country (Denmark) which was good money when I was planning to move here. Meanwhile the inflacion here went crazy and prices tripled in the last 2-3 years so now I barely get by. I have no means of saving money untill I finish studying and move to another country (probably back to Europe), but we're talking 2 years or so and I need an amp NOW if I'm not to lose interest in playing guitar completely. I current own an SX tele clone and a Guitar link (guitar/usb interface) which is what I use to practice. But I'm getting really tires of that. Anyway not sure how to invest the little money I have. I'm considering either buying a cheaper semi-hollow guitar and selling the tele OR upgrading the tele with new pickups, pots, etc. Either way I will need some kind of amp now too. I hope to make a final decision in the days to come. I'm in Buenos Aires right now, but I live in a city called Cordoba 10 hours from here. I hope to make a decision and buy what I need before I go back (in Cordoba it's even harder and more expensive to find stuff). Sorry to bore you with the details of my situation but you asked (sort of)

jorgemg1984 · #25 01-13-2012, 06:35 PM

Oh no bore - I did ask and I majored in economics some years ago (I am majoring in jazz now). Inflation has always been a huge problem in south america and Argentina's figures are way below the actual numbers - they are even restraining dollars these days right? Buenos Aires is one of my favorite places on earth - I want to visit other places like Cordoba, Mendonza and Patagonia in the future.

Do you need the amp to gig or just to practice? If it's just practice the Cube 20 is not brilliant but works for that matter.

Jazzman301 · #26 01-14-2012, 09:41 AM

$460 US??? I can easily find them for $219 from multiple sources. I am not sure what they are going for over there but they are a reasonable price. If thats out of your league then I would suggest any of the cube amps will sound ok to good for jazz. The larger speakers sound better.

I would say keep the Tele and try to get your hands on a Lollar Charlie Christian pickup for the neck position. Save you money on buying another guitar and buy a decent amp. Also using flatwound strings will help give you a nice jazz tone. I like the GHS Pat Martino strings(the lighter gauge) for my Dearmond M75 and my father in laws tele. Also Labella strings are just fantastic and last forever, especially the black nylon wound strings.

'Mike

aniss1001 · #27 01-14-2012, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Oh no bore - I did ask and I majored in economics some years ago (I am majoring in jazz now). Inflation has always been a huge problem in south america and Argentina's figures are way below the actual numbers - they are even restraining dollars these days right? Buenos Aires is one of my favorite places on earth - I want to visit other places like Cordoba, Mendonza and Patagonia in the future.

Do you need the amp to gig or just to practice? If it's just practice the Cube 20 is not brilliant but works for that matter.

It's a practice amp. It doesn't have to be loud just sound GOOD :P And I used to live Buenos Aires before I moved to Cordoba. Personally I really like the northern part of Argentina. Salta for example. Cordoba is quite boring. But ok while Argentina is one of the worst countries for buying hardware it does have it's moments

jorgemg1984 · #28 01-14-2012, 11:33 AM

Oh I am sure Argentina has it's moments but they are probably easier for a Portuguese than a Danish to enjoy them

If it's a practice amp, buy the Cube, leave the forum and PRACTICE!

aniss1001 · #29 01-14-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

$460 US??? I can easily find them for $219 from multiple sources. I am not sure what they are going for over there but they are a reasonable price. If thats out of your league then I would suggest any of the cube amps will sound ok to good for jazz. The larger speakers sound better.

I would say keep the Tele and try to get your hands on a Lollar Charlie Christian pickup for the neck position. Save you money on buying another guitar and buy a decent amp. Also using flatwound strings will help give you a nice jazz tone. I like the GHS Pat Martino strings(the lighter gauge) for my Dearmond M75 and my father in laws tele. Also Labella strings are just fantastic and last forever, especially the black nylon wound strings.

'Mike

Well the cheapest cube40 I found here was us$460. And if I try to buy it online and have it shipped here it will end up costing the same or more in my experience. Local customs here are horrible. Plus it's a messy country. No garanti that I'll ever see it. Or it could break in the process. I have really bad experiences with that here. So.... us$460 it is

Ah and thanks for the input. I'll be looking into those strings (just found out that tomasstik strings do not exist here)..

aniss1001 · #30 01-14-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Oh I am sure Argentina has it's moments but they are probably easier for a Portuguese than a Danish to enjoy them

If it's a practice amp, buy the Cube, leave the forum and PRACTICE!

Ok?! I was kind of getting used to the idea of the used Peavey Envoy (or a newer pevey). I dunno?! :/ Hehe and not sure why it's easier for Portuguese to enjoy Argentina ??