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Hi forums:
Am curious about tiny amps, especially tube. I've done a little reading up; I know about the Yamaha THR "modeling" amps, and they're not bad for what they are, but not tube. There are a few articles on "micro" amps on the web, but they tend to be rock-oriented, and not very up-to-date. There are the Vintage47s which look intriguing, but their website seems somewhat out of date.
Does anyone have suggestions of amps (or review articles)? I mean really small, like bookshelf or desktop. I have a Fender Vibrolux and an acoustic amp so don't need any more large things. But I would also like a quality sound. Anything new out there? Ideally, something that I could run an output into a P.A. system if I want the tube sound for live performance. (Also, ideally, not too expensive: who wants to spend $500 on a micro practice amp? So, yeah, I want to get the cake and eat it.)
thanksLast edited by NY-London; 02-21-2015 at 08:13 AM. Reason: added comment about cost
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02-21-2015 08:10 AM
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I think a "bookshelf" amp for practicing will be different than a small, "giggable" amp with quality sound (for not much money), so you're kind of talking about two amps. For gigging, though, you can always get a good tube pre-amp (i.e., Frenzel) and use the line out into the PA.
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5 watt Fender Vibrochamp would fit the bill nicely. They made it a few years ago, but I don't think they are still in production. Quite a few little 5 watt tube amps out there actually . . .
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The Laney Cub 10
10 watts of tube power into a 10" speaker. Very compact and they run for less than $200 or so.
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Originally Posted by NY-London
Blackheart Killer Ant
used not cheap
larger but might have better head room
Demeter Mighty Minnie is too expensive but looks very good.
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Thanks all for the suggestions. Yes, I was thinking 5 or 10 Watts. I had checked out the Vox AC4 but it seemed to sound rather rock-ish in the video I saw. I did like that you could go down to 1/4 Watt! (I think that's the one).
Will check out these other great suggestions too!
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[QUOTE=OldGuitarPlayer;504466]The Laney Cub 10
10 watts of tube power into a 10" speaker. Very compact and they run for less than $200 or so.
That seems about right! A bit on the 'thin' side I suppose, but at that price and size -- looks great.Last edited by NY-London; 02-22-2015 at 11:08 AM. Reason: removed the redundant video clip
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Originally Posted by marcwhy
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Originally Posted by medblues
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Also check out the VHT Special 6. Very popular here--and elsewhere!
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Originally Posted by Wes Fan
Sounds pretty good here:
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Any thoughts on this 1 Watt amp?!
HT-1R Combo Guitar Amplifier - Blackstar
It seems that if it has only 1 W, it would distort too readily for jazz.
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Originally Posted by NY-London
Last edited by Wes Fan; 02-21-2015 at 04:56 PM.
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[QUOTE=Wes Fan;504575]The VHT Special 6 is popular on this forum for its jazz tone. It's probably similar to the Laney in that regard--handles the rock and blues tones, but also does well with warm, clean jazz tones. If you do a thread title search for "VHT Special 6," you'll find several threads on it here, as well as some more videos of it used in a jazz context (with archtops) such as these:
Thanks!Last edited by NY-London; 02-22-2015 at 11:07 AM. Reason: removed the redundant YouTube clips
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I think separate is better too. Unless you try a nice Frenzel head. I use a Fender Champion 600 for a tube, home practice amp. The circuit is essentially a Fender Champ (blackface and silverface) but without a tone knob. The Vht Special 6 is essentially a Champ too.
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Originally Posted by hallpass
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Originally Posted by medblues
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Originally Posted by NY-London
Last edited by monkmiles; 02-22-2015 at 11:16 AM.
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Originally Posted by hallpass
Presumably you need the 'cage' as well if you're gigging with it. Looks pretty interesting. Thanks for the tip. I see they also have 5 and 10 W models.Last edited by NY-London; 02-22-2015 at 12:34 PM.
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Originally Posted by NY-London
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Originally Posted by hallpass
By the way, which Frenzels do you and Marcwhy have, if I might ask? (Too many choices!) While I want small and portable, if I am thinking of occasionally gigging with it, I guess one needs a certain amount of headroom for a warm, clean, non-rock sound, yes?Last edited by NY-London; 02-23-2015 at 05:31 AM.
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Originally Posted by NY-London
I think MarcWhy has a "Super Deluxe w/ Reverb" (frenzeltubeamps.com - Super Deluxe Reverb). He's been a Frenzel user longer than me and was helpful when I was asking him questions about them.
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