Gigging Combo?

[Basshead]

Hey fellas, Im looking for a 20-30w combo for gigging, not too heavy be great, dont wanna break my back, Im fine with one single channel, gain, eq and master, reverb be great but optional, I prefer if has a nice breakup, I like to run it just about to break so I can play with my vol control in the guitar and use a klon tyoe to have more gain if needed.

There are tons of amps these days, what would you think is a good choice, new or used?

[spencer096]

Victoria 35210 or Dr. Z Carmen ghia

[AllanAllen]

BAM into a Toob, I used to use a Blues Jr, but I wanted something lighter and smaller.

[Spook410]

Price range would help with suggestions. Most common answer would be a Fender Deluxe Reverb. Tube version (harder to maintain, heavier) and digital version (Tonemaster, lighter, cheaper). Some say they like the response of tube version better. Some say it doesn't matter in real world situations. Both should be available in music stores to try out.

[sgosnell]

Nothing I have breaks up easily. I do not want breakup, I want clean up to 11 on the knobs, so I'm afraid I can't be of much help. These days I mostly use a Quilter Soundblock US into a Toob Metro. I can lift the entire system with one finger. I also have a DV Mark Little Jazz, but it's not getting much use since I got the SBUS/Metro.

[Basshead]

Something like the old Kotch combo 50w I can get used for about 450, for instance, another ones easy to find for around 500 are the old Peavey classic 30 or Marshall jcm900/2000, first small Engls too...another option is a DV Mark 40w with a Klon type pedal for the breakup/crunch sound.

[Cunamara]

Hey fellas, Im looking for a 20-30w combo for gigging, not too heavy be great, dont wanna break my back, Im fine with one single channel, gain, eq and master, reverb be great but optional, I prefer if has a nice breakup, I like to run it just about to break so I can play with my vol control in the guitar and use a klon tyoe to have more gain if needed.

There are tons of amps these days, what would you think is a good choice, new or used?

Sounds like any tweed Deluxe copy (Fender 5E3).

[jim777]

I went with a Fender TM Twin, 33 pounds, 2 Celestion 12's, and it can be set to anything from 1 watt to 85 watts depending on how loud you want the breakup or how loud you needed the clean sound to be. Cost me a grand and sounds (and even looks) great. It's a big(ish) amp, but my smaller 1x12 Boogie combo is a full 50 pounds heavier! If you're looking for 20 watts and a single 8" speaker it's not a first choice, same goes for separate head and speaker, but it is light and does everything well for damn near any type of gig you might encounter.
If you live close to the Philly area, you can come over and try mine

[58flame]

Budda Superdrive will do what you want. Less than 40lbs and quite loud.

[Greywolf]

I'm fond of my 30th anni Blues Jr. It has a creamback Celestion that really smooths it out.
15W EL 84's plenty of volume. the tooled cover is just a cool plus

[kris]

It all depends on how loud you want to play.

[AllanAllen]

I've never had a gig that needed the Blues Jr turned past 4. YMMV if you're doing fusion or trying to lose gigs staying loyal with a too loud drummer.

[Sigmund451]

Those Blues Jr are powerful. I passed on one becuase it just didnt want to be quiet enough for home practice. It felt like a team of horses pulling to get away. I opted for a Quilter Superblock. That might not be enough power for a lot of player but it works great for me and it can sound excellent at low volumes. Of course they make more powerful versions.

[BreckerFan]

I think the issue with an edge of breakup sound is that tube amps only do that sound at one volume unless you use an attenuator. And for bar or restaurant gigs, a 15w 1x12 is too loud to get that sound.

My Fender Champ actually does well for edge of breakup in that kind of setting, but even that can be too loud. You almost have to own a champ, princeton, and deluxe and pick which amp you need based on the room.

[Greywolf]

I have a Tweed Blues Deluxe RI that is delicious as well as the Jr, but it's a little heavy . I use the low input which is a 59 Bassman tonestack. Works great for clubs

[joebloggs13]

My Bartel Starwood can get into that sweet spot and has a great master volume. Reverb is superb as well.

[Marker]

Tweed Deluxe - warm, 3D sound that works very well if turned up a bit and controlled from the guitar vol/tone.

Will get you that very musical breakup sound as well when you want it. I use mine with my 50s L-5CESN and it’s a match made in heaven.

Lightweight, small - perfect no fuss amp.