Low watt tube amp?

**nickyboy** · 07-10-2015, 09:23 AM

I recently sold a silverface champ that just didn't do it for me.
I was flabby and boomy - and it didn't seem worth modding it or tinkering with it.

I have a 5e3 that is what I wanted the champ to be.

**dallasblues** · 07-10-2015, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by nickyboy

I recently sold a silverface champ that just didn't do it for me.
I was flabby and boomy - and it didn't seem worth modding it or tinkering with it.

I have a 5e3 that is what I wanted the champ to be.

I prefer the tweed Champ sound to the later versions myself. However, I have hear some blackface and silverface models that, with the right speaker and tubes, sounded very good. I wouldn't even mind adding one to the herd!

**P.J.** · 08-11-2015, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by P.J.

I love my Vox AC-15. Sounds good and they are easy to find. The only downside is that they are extremely heavy.

I will add to this that they are a serious pain to re-tube since the back has 17 screws that must be removed before you can get to the tubes.

**Gitfiddler** · 08-12-2015, 11:23 AM

Try connecting an old Champ, Vibro Champ or even an '80's Super Champ to an extension speaker cab (1x12, 2x10, etc.) and the sound will truly amaze you. Yes, some of the amps will need to be modded to accept a 1/4" speaker out, but it is a reversible upgrade. Also, be sure to match the impedance (4 ohm or 8 ohm).

**kevmoga** · 08-12-2015, 12:59 PM

Sidetrack from the Champ theme, but I recently picked up a used Emery Sound Superbaby and love it. Takes most any power tube, rectifier and preamp tube you can throw at it. Pure Class A, I think they claim 6-12 watts depending on tube choices. Also has 3-way variable preamp gain that's pretty cool. Plug it up to your cabinet of choice and you're set. No affiliation, just a happy customer - LOL I had never heard of them until I stumbled across mine, but it's a keeper.

**ESCC** · 08-12-2015, 01:13 PM

VHT Special 6, unbelievable tone, has that very early Princeton vibe - and - its only $250, highly recommend trying one out.

**Greentone** · 08-12-2015, 01:18 PM

3 tube, Class-A amplifiers are hard to beat, IMO. I have four of them, now, in different guises. One thing to remember, is that a half-dozen watts of output power is actually loud. Played into an 8" speaker, the power can quickly overwhelm the capacity of a small cabinet/small speaker cone/voice coil to deliver clean sound. Into a larger cabinet, however, things get interesting. I play one of my class-A head configurations into a 4-ohm, 4X10" (each speaker is rated at 16-ohms, yielding a 4-ohm parallel load) cabinet. This amp is seriously good sounding, with lots of detail. You can wind it up, on the other hand, and unleash some very raucous stuff.

Enjoy your Emery Sound Superbaby.