Small Tube Head?

**ghoststrat** · 06-21-2016, 06:47 PM

I'm finding that I need to stop carrying around my Lone Star, so I'm looking for a tube head (15-30 watts, maybe?*** See edit below) to pair with my 1x12 cab (Celestion G12H 16 ohm 30 watt). I'd like to get as close to my Lone Star clean tone as possible, but I know I'm asking a lot. Especially when considering my budget, which is ~$300. I'm playing a Gibson ES135, a Les Paul Studio, and an occasional Tele Thinline, into BB Pre/Wampler Euphoria, a delay, boomerang, etc.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have

After last nights rehearsal, I think I'm going to need 50 watts or greater.

**neatomic** · 06-21-2016, 08:02 PM

honestly, not a lot going on tubewise at that pricepoint..but fender champ x2 head might be of interest..has 6v6 real tube power amp section (15 watts)...2 channels..one of which is more trad 12ax7 pre-amp tube fender blackface style..and the other a more complicated modern amp modeling style...with effects...so pretty flexible and right @ your budget $$$

under 20lbs as well

Small Tube Head?-750-supchampx2hd_detail3-jpg

Small Tube Head?-750-supchampx2hd_detail3-jpg

info-

Fender Super Champ X2 15-Watt Tube Head | Sweetwater.com

cheers

**Thumpalumpacus** · 06-22-2016, 03:10 AM

An Egnater Tweaker 15 can be had for about $300 used, good cleans, but I'm not sure how they'd compare to your LS.

**jazzbow** · 06-22-2016, 03:21 AM

Ampeg GVT 15H used. Baxandall EQ, 6V6, spring reverb, switchable output twixt' 7 & 15 watts and only distorts when you max out the mid control.

Small Tube Head?-3dd0ff0b-e9a5-4e3e-ad09-2cc6dd595aaf-jpg

Small Tube Head?-3dd0ff0b-e9a5-4e3e-ad09-2cc6dd595aaf-jpg

I've got the combo version. Great little amp.
Reverb was a bit in yer face but an amp tech jiggled it and it sounds much better.

**kris** · 06-22-2016, 12:39 PM

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...tml#post638279

**feet** · 06-22-2016, 12:50 PM

Winfield Thomas - Finely crafted custom guitar tube amplifiers

maybe winnie is the guy to talk to. he makes a voxy 5 watt head (the cyclone) but he also has a blackfacey offering as well. he may be able to pull something off more to your liking, as he does custom stuff too, as i understand it.

but yes, a tube head north of 15 watts, that's clean for $300? that's asking a lot. perhaps you can appropriate and possibly mod a used orange tiny terror? maybe a tube swap to keep the gain at bay.

**ghoststrat** · 06-22-2016, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by feet

Winfield Thomas - Finely crafted custom guitar tube amplifiers

maybe winnie is the guy to talk to. he makes a voxy 5 watt head (the cyclone) but he also has a blackfacey offering as well. he may be able to pull something off more to your liking, as he does custom stuff too, as i understand it.

but yes, a tube head north of 15 watts, that's clean for $300? that's asking a lot. perhaps you can appropriate and possibly mod a used orange tiny terror? maybe a tube swap to keep the gain at bay.

What if I upped the budget to 400-700? At this point I'm wondering if one of the smaller, older Mesa amps wouldn't be a good idea for what I'm trying to do. Something like an Express or Rectoverb? Anyone have any experience with those, or something like 'em? After last nights rehearsal, I'm wondering if I'm going to need to push it up to 50 watts. We get pretty loud.

**ghoststrat** · 06-22-2016, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by kris

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...tml#post638279

These look interesting. Is there a U.S. distributor?

**Jabberwocky** · 06-22-2016, 12:59 PM

Ibanez TSA15? https://www.amazon.com/Ibanez-TSA15-.../dp/B0064RS7U8

**Gitfiddler** · 06-22-2016, 01:39 PM

No affiliation, but this looks like a pretty good deal...

Something new...
Used Fender® Limited Edition '65 Deluxe Reverb 22 Watt Head Black 071766905182 | eBay

or something old...
1979 MusicMan HD 130 Reverb Tube Amp Head No Reserve Working | eBay

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 06-22-2016, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

No affiliation, but this looks like a pretty good deal...
or something old...
1979 MusicMan HD 130 Reverb Tube Amp Head No Reserve Working | eBay

Heh, he's looking for 15-30W and that's 130!

**ghoststrat** · 06-22-2016, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Heh, he's looking for 15-30W and that's 130!

Well, I expanded my wattage after last nights rehearsal..

**neatomic** · 06-22-2016, 02:53 PM

with an 8 ohm amp, the 16 ohm speaker cabinet isn't helping your volume either...cuts your power in 1/2

cheers

**kris** · 06-22-2016, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by ghoststrat

These look interesting. Is there a U.S. distributor?

I am not sure...but you have to ask producer.

**David B** · 06-22-2016, 05:18 PM

Take a look at the new Fender Bassbreaker 15 watt head. Runs a pair of EL84s, reverb, effects loop etc. US price looks to be just under $600.

Small Tube Head?-image-jpg

**medblues** · 06-22-2016, 05:21 PM

This plus an Eminence 100+ dB speaker in your cab will give you very diverse sounds (my cab has a 16 ohm Wizard):

https://reverb.com/item/245173-egnater-rebel-30-head

**neatomic** · 06-22-2016, 05:39 PM

long time vox amp guy...love el84 power tubes..but you can't run'em too loud before they start gettin some growl...they're just small bottle power tubes... fendery 6v6's, and especially 6l6 power tubes will give more clean headroom/ power

the ops celestion 12h speaker is a very efficient speaker..100 db..but if he runs it with an 8ohm amp (which most are) he's gonna throw away some wattage

cheers

**marcwhy** · 06-22-2016, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by ghoststrat

What if I upped the budget to 400-700? At this point I'm wondering if one of the smaller, older Mesa amps wouldn't be a good idea for what I'm trying to do. Something like an Express or Rectoverb? Anyone have any experience with those, or something like 'em? After last nights rehearsal, I'm wondering if I'm going to need to push it up to 50 watts. We get pretty loud.

At this budget, you should look at: frenzeltubeamps.com - Retro Guitar & Bass Amps Good stuff, great prices for the quality.

Wow, a 50W tube amp is LOUD (and fun!). Are you sure you need that?

**ghoststrat** · 06-22-2016, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by marcwhy

At this budget, you should look at: frenzeltubeamps.com - Retro Guitar & Bass Amps Good stuff, great prices for the quality.

Wow, a 50W tube amp is LOUD (and fun!). Are you sure you need that?

Thanks, I'll check this out.

Yeah, we often conjure the debil when playing.

**mangotango** · 06-23-2016, 02:10 PM

My most recent amp acquisition has been a second-hand DV Mark Galileo 15w head and accompanying 1 X 12" cabinet. Amp is simple as you like. Gain, bass/mid/treble, Master Volume. Boost switch that I've never used. Neo speaker in the cab so it's light and easy to carry. Sounds great because it stays pretty clean almost all of the way up. I gig with this with the Jazz/blues/groove quartet using the D'Angelico SS and have never pushed it into clipping. Takes pedals nicely too. Have also used it for straight-ahead jazz and it sounds sweet with the D'A NYL-5 with floater.

Dv Mark - Galileo 15

Sadly they discontinued these but if you can find one, I would highly recommend it checking it out. I paid £200 for my amp and speaker cab, used but in great condition. Bit if a bargain if you ask me.

However, this is their replacement amp model, the (Silver?) Gen 15. Haven't heard it so I can't comment, but the comment about Headroom applied to the Galileo, so.......... It has reverb, which mine doesn't, but I have a pedal for that anyway.

Dv Mark - DV GEN 15

**ghoststrat** · 06-23-2016, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by mangotango

My most recent amp acquisition has been a second-hand DV Mark Galileo 15w head and accompanying 1 X 12" cabinet. Amp is simple as you like. Gain, bass/mid/treble, Master Volume. Boost switch that I've never used. Neo speaker in the cab so it's light and easy to carry. Sounds great because it stays pretty clean almost all of the way up. I gig with this with the Jazz/blues/groove quartet using the D'Angelico SS and have never pushed it into clipping. Takes pedals nicely too. Have also used it for straight-ahead jazz and it sounds sweet with the D'A NYL-5 with floater.

Dv Mark - Galileo 15

Sadly they discontinued these but if you can find one, I would highly recommend it checking it out. I paid £200 for my amp and speaker cab, used but in great condition. Bit if a bargain if you ask me.

However, this is their replacement amp model, the (Silver?) Gen 15. Haven't heard it so I can't comment, but the comment about Headroom applied to the Galileo, so.......... It has reverb, which mine doesn't, but I have a pedal for that anyway.

Dv Mark - DV GEN 15

Thank you for your response..

Are you using it in your sound clips that are on sound cloud (I'll check these out)? How loud does your band get? Mine gets 'rock band' loud pretty often. What pedals do you run through it?

**paulkogut** · 06-23-2016, 04:21 PM

I don't know if it would work with your Lone Star, but I've taken apart various Fender combo amps (Princeton, Deluxe, Twin) and put them into heads and separate cabinets.

Blackface Super Reverb® Style Guitar Amplifier Head Cabinet - Mojotone.com

PK

**mangotango** · 06-23-2016, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by ghoststrat

Thank you for your response..

Are you using it in your sound clips that are on sound cloud (I'll check these out)? How loud does your band get? Mine gets 'rock band' loud pretty often. What pedals do you run through it?

No, it's a more recent purchase than those recordings. I'll try to find something more up to date and post that.

We get loud enough to cope with filling a pub with no miking of amps. Full drum kit (not a small jazz kit either), 100w Trace Elliott bass amp, miked saxophone. I haven't needed to go louder than 6/10 on the master with the gain low, and it stays pretty clean.

Pedals; wah, reverb, chorus, delay, distortion and a booster (Fat Shuga).