5 Watt Monoprice tube amps...

**wcjazz** · 02-02-2021, 07:07 PM

I know these get mixed reviews but I just ordered one to play around with for jazz and other...Back in stock today for $115. Cheaper than many pedals and should make a good little practice amp and modding platform (speaker, tubes and stuff)...Has a speaker out for 8 or 16 ohms on the back...said to get pretty loud that way...these are reputed to be a Laney Cub clone amp...

**lawson-stone** · 02-02-2021, 07:22 PM

I have one and really enjoy using it at home. A little tube swapping will give you a bit more clean headroom.

**neatomic** · 02-02-2021, 07:40 PM

stick a 12ay7 in the first preamp socket for more useable headroom...

the 12ay7 is a lower gain version of the high impedance/low current 12ax7...

many people sub a 12at7 or 12au7...but they are low impedance/high current tubes...not as good a match as the 12ay7...electronically!

cheers

**Jimmy blue note** · 02-02-2021, 10:22 PM

I got one. Set it up in the shop as my shop amp, lots of heavy use, still going strong. Love mine. I put a Weber in it cuz it was so good it seemed worthy. It got even better.

**coryB** · 02-07-2021, 09:21 PM

Does it need to be biased when you change the tube? I’d like mine to have more clean headroom but I don’t know how to bias it.

**neatomic** · 02-07-2021, 09:27 PM

no...pre-amp tubes don't need biasing...only power tubes (in some designs)

cheers

**wcjazz** · 02-11-2021, 01:38 AM

Got the little Monoprice today. Let it warm up in box with the top open for a couple of hours before trying it out(it has been traveling fedex for about 8 days from CA to KS so very cold). Must say, it sounds very nice to me with my epi es-339. I also tried some reverb from a zoom b1on bass pedal (have the monoprice sitting on my rumble 100 with the bass pedal right there already...sounds pretty darn good when I factor out my playing skill level...fun, now we'll see about the longevity (the amp gets poor marks from some on this) but for a little over $100 if I get a few years play that's good...

**wcjazz** · 02-21-2021, 06:59 PM

really liked it but had to send it back...developed odd cut outs during play....power still on but no sound...maybe a tube issue, I did make sure they were firmly in their sockets before using the first time and both were glowing in a "normal" way (I know, they still could be bad). I decided to go ahead and return the little guy and instead of replacing it am reconsidering my "needs" and other options...

**Jimmy blue note** · 02-22-2021, 07:12 AM

Sorry to hear that. Best of luck finding something that works well and inspires you to play.

**0zoro** · 02-22-2021, 09:37 AM

I live in Stockholm Sweden, have not been able to find the amps you are referring to. Do you have a link to share?

**KirkP** · 02-22-2021, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by coryB

Does it need to be biased when you change the tube? I’d like mine to have more clean headroom but I don’t know how to bias it.

Looks like all tubes are cathode biased, so there is no bias adjustment. You might need to make a hum adjustment, but that’s just done by ear.

**wcjazz** · 02-22-2021, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by 0zoro

I live in Stockholm Sweden, have not been able to find the amps you are referring to. Do you have a link to share?

Here is their US link...not sure if they deliver internationally...cheers

Monoprice 5-Watt, 1x8 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier with Celestion Speaker - Monoprice.com

**rahsaan** · 02-23-2021, 02:17 PM

Same amp?
Harley Benton TUBE5 Celestion – Thomann UK

**wcjazz** · 02-23-2021, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by rahsaan

Same amp?
Harley Benton TUBE5 Celestion – Thomann UK

Looks exactly the same except for the added Harley Benton emblem...doesn't mean there are no internal differences but likely not...same factory, same item is my guess...

**Herbie** · 02-23-2021, 04:37 PM

Are these any way related to Tweed Champ? One 6V6, 5W, only vol & tone seems common for both (ok, Champ has not tone without modding).

**lawson-stone** · 02-23-2021, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Herbie

Are these any way related to Tweed Champ? One 6V6, 5W, only vol & tone seems common for both (ok, Champ has not tone without modding).

No, the tone-stack is not a Fender style tone stack. It's more like the Laney. In fact, it IS the Laney, re-branded. Some of the Monoprice circuit boards actually have the Laney logo stenciled on them.

**Herbie** · 02-23-2021, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

No, the tone-stack is not a Fender style tone stack. It's more like the Laney. In fact, it IS the Laney, re-branded. Some of the Monoprice circuit boards actually have the Laney logo stenciled on them.

Thanks. Maybe I should have thought that because the words in the OP:
”(...) these are reputed to be a Laney Cub clone amp...(...)”

Laney Amps, founded by Lyndon Laney, bassist of the Band of Joy, featuring Robert Plant and John Bonham! (Just read from Wikipedia.)

**lawson-stone** · 02-23-2021, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Herbie

Thanks. Maybe I should have thought that because the words in the OP:
”(...) these are reputed to be a Laney Cub clone amp...(...)”

Laney Amps, founded by Lyndon Laney, bassist of the Band of Joy, featuring Robert Plant and John Bonham! (Just read from Wikipedia.)

I have both the 5 watt and the 15 watt Monoprice tube amps. I like them both very much. The 15 has a spring reverb, effects loop, 3 bands of EQ and a separate "tone" knob. The effects Send functions as a pre-amp out, too, which is nice. I enjoy playing it back and forth comparing with my Fender Princeton Reverb Re-Issue.

**pingu** · 02-24-2021, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone;[URL="tel:1101704"

1101704[/URL]]I have both the 5 watt and the 15 watt Monoprice tube amps. I like them both very much. The 15 has a spring reverb, effects loop, 3 bands of EQ and a separate "tone" knob. The effects Send functions as a pre-amp out, too, which is nice. I enjoy playing it back and forth comparing with my Fender Princeton Reverb Re-Issue.

is the 15watt copied from a laney as well ?