portable amp for jazz about $400

**konstantine** · 07-27-2013, 03:13 PM

any idea?

**Bill C** · 07-27-2013, 03:17 PM

save up for a Mambo :-)

**cosmic gumbo** · 07-27-2013, 05:50 PM

Roland Cube

**monkmiles** · 07-27-2013, 06:36 PM

How much power do you need/want?

Fender Super Champ X2 (nice combination of modeling, tube power amp, has Fender models obvously but also a flat jazz amp model, goes new for $350)
Ibanez Wholetone
Roland Cubes
ZT amps
Fender Excelsior

**Zywicki** · 07-27-2013, 07:10 PM

Easy. ZT Lunchbox or ZT Club. They're 200 watts, in very small, lightweight package. I've got the lunchbox with a 6.5" speaker - but don't let that fool you, I use it with a 19 piece big band. The combo has a 10", more than enough for a good size club. They gain is even usable if you want a bit.

**604bourne123** · 07-27-2013, 09:56 PM

From what I hear most jazz guitar is from the ability of the guitarist.Its got nothing to do with the kind of guitar or the amplifier.

**604bourne123** · 07-27-2013, 10:19 PM

no authenticity is a statement regarding jazz guitar and jazz amplifiers okay that means you agree with what I said.

**604bourne123** · 07-28-2013, 05:05 AM

From what I hear modelling and tube are factors that determine sound qualities.Reverb is a nice thing to have.Hand wired and sodered are other things to consider,so is weight,Stereo or mono output.The colour of your amp and the colour of your guitar are they matching?.

**konstantine** · 07-28-2013, 06:35 AM

I dont need it to be extremelly loud, but I want it to be light. I have a Rivera Jazz Suprema 1X12 40lbs that sounds great but its not easy to move it around.

@Bill C Saving up for a Mambo is something I do consider because I like what I hear from it.

@HallPass The SuperChamp X2 also sounds interesting as well as the Laney Cub 10 for less money..

I didnt like the Cubes I have played so far...

any other ideas?

**Bill C** · 07-28-2013, 06:50 AM

What type of guitar are you amplifying?

**medblues** · 07-28-2013, 10:14 AM

Take a look at this if you don't mind used.

I have the Magnum 44 W Electroharmonix pedal size amp and a bass cab with an Eminence Basslite in it which will probably cost around $400 but a very light setup.

Originally Posted by konstantine

I dont need it to be extremelly loud, but I want it to be light. I have a Rivera Jazz Suprema 1X12 40lbs that sounds great but its not easy to move it around.

@Bill C Saving up for a Mambo is something I do consider because I like what I hear from it.

@HallPass The SuperChamp X2 also sounds interesting as well as the Laney Cub 10 for less money..

I didnt like the Cubes I have played so far...

any other ideas?

**monkmiles** · 07-28-2013, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

OK, so "36 pounds" is out then.

If you're looking at the SuperChamp X2 and Laney Cub 10, you may also wish to consider the Ibanez TSA5 Combo or a VHT Special 6.

Have you played the tsa5? I'm looking for feedback on one. Super light weight and tube preamp and poweramp.

**monkmiles** · 07-28-2013, 02:57 PM

Appreciate the feedback about the tsa5, Jabberwocky! Thanks! I was thinking/hoping it would sound like a Fender Champ. It seems like the tsa5 could be useful for a couple purposes for me: 1) Playing at home (instead of my bigger tube amps). 2) Occasional duo jams. I would just use a reverb pedal with it. I like that it has a 10" speaker (as opposed to 8") that I can swap with a couple I already have (Eminence Copperhead and a Jensen c10r). I tend to prefer tube amps it seems.

Originally Posted by konstantine

@HallPass The SuperChamp X2 also sounds interesting as well as the Laney Cub 10 for less money..

Yes, I've heard/read good reviews of the Laney Cub 10, other than it could use a speaker replacement. It's very light weight and its two 6v6 power tubes really make it more like a 12 watt amp than what most assume is 10 watts. I've been wondering how Fendery it might sound given the 6v6, which I wouldn't normally expect from Laney.

There is also the VHT Special 6 and the bigger 12/20. They are not light wieght though as I'm guessing the use bigger transformers or a heftier cabinet. And there's the Ibanez tsa15 Jabberwonky mentioned.

**konstantine** · 07-29-2013, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by Bill C

What type of guitar are you amplifying?

I'm currently using a Semi Hollow and an Archtop with Floater.

Originally Posted by hallpass

Yes, I've heard/read good reviews of the Laney Cub 10, other than it could use a speaker replacement. It's very light weight and its two 6v6 power tubes really make it more like a 12 watt amp than what most assume is 10 watts. I've been wondering how Fendery it might sound given the 6v6, which I wouldn't normally expect from Laney.

There is also the VHT Special 6 and the bigger 12/20. They are not light wieght though as I'm guessing the use bigger transformers or a heftier cabinet. And there's the Ibanez tsa15 Jabberwonky mentioned.

I dont really need much headroom, I have the Rivera for that, I need it to be compact, but I'm afraid that the 6watters might sound a little boxy and start to break up very soon..

There are a couple of nice clips of the Cub10 in youtube, I guess I need to find a place to try that and the SCX2.

**pingu** · 07-29-2013, 07:30 AM

Fender Pro Junior maybe , if you want tubes

**disco~juice** · 07-29-2013, 11:40 AM

I'm really happy with the mambo 10".
Fits strait ahead jazz, conteporary, fusion, funk.
Save up for it.

**Bill C** · 07-29-2013, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by konstantine

I'm currently using a Semi Hollow and an Archtop with Floater.

I dont really need much headroom, I have the Rivera for that, I need it to be compact, but I'm afraid that the 6watters might sound a little boxy and start to break up very soon..

There are a couple of nice clips of the Cub10 in youtube, I guess I need to find a place to try that and the SCX2.

The Mambo sounds very good with a laminate jazzbox so I would imagine *might* be similar with the semi. I was also going to put in a word for the Phil Jones AG-100 - this sounds lovely with a carved top guitar imo as a way of *supporting* the acoustic sound but maybe isn't the loudest amp I've heard ...

my $0.02 ymmv etc!

**jorgemg1984** · 07-29-2013, 03:15 PM

Mambo 8 - save the money,

**konstantine** · 07-29-2013, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Bill C

The Mambo sounds very good with a laminate jazzbox so I would imagine *might* be similar with the semi. I was also going to put in a word for the Phil Jones AG-100 - this sounds lovely with a carved top guitar imo as a way of *supporting* the acoustic sound but maybe isn't the loudest amp I've heard ...

my $0.02 ymmv etc!

What about a carved Archtop?

**Bill C** · 07-29-2013, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by konstantine

What about a carved Archtop?

I haven't played a carved archtop thru a Mambo.

**Jazzman301** · 07-29-2013, 08:22 PM

Roland Cube 80xl or a Cube 40 or a used Cube 60. All can be had under $400 and are all very portable and will give you a nice clean jazz tone through the JC120 side of the amp. They also have reverb(plate and spring) modeling as well as multiple amp models. The 80XL has an 80 second looper on board as well.

'Mike

**Chimera1to1** · 07-30-2013, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by konstantine

I dont need it to be extremelly loud, but I want it to be light. I have a Rivera Jazz Suprema 1X12 40lbs that sounds great but its not easy to move it around.

@Bill C Saving up for a Mambo is something I do consider because I like what I hear from it.

@HallPass The SuperChamp X2 also sounds interesting as well as the Laney Cub 10 for less money..

I didnt like the Cubes I have played so far...

any other ideas?

Okay, about to get shouted down or committed to an asylum,

I had to use up store credit following return of some audio gear and I used it on a Tubemeister 18 head.

Its tiny but run into an open backed cab it sounds fantastic. With the mids fully rolled off it sounds great for jazz. 18 watts switchable down to 5,1 and 0. With a 1x12 it would be very portable. Definitely worth trying on the casting couch.

**Little Jay** · 07-30-2013, 09:28 AM

If you are based in the UK or Europe: try finding an old Session Rockette:30. 1x12, 30 watts RMS (MosFet), Reverb, 10kgs and can be had for around $150 bucks. It's the even smaller sister of the Sessionette 75, a very popular jazz-amp in the 80ies. I love mine!

I you want to go even smaller the Lunchbox suggestion is not bad. Personally I am not a big Roland Cube-fan either (sold my Cube 30 because the Rockette beats it soundwise by miles....).

My Rockette is outclassed by my AER Alpha, by both sound and portabillity, but the AER is much more expensive. Still less expensive than a Mambo (that I have yet to try out, but I can imagine it will beat my AER since the latter is actually an amp for acoustic guitar).

**monkmiles** · 07-30-2013, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by konstantine

@HallPass The SuperChamp X2 also sounds interesting as well as the Laney Cub 10 for less money..

FYI, zzounds has those Laney Cub 10s for cheap, $199. Though it says they're out of stock until September 9th. If you end up playing one, let me know what you think as I'm curious too.