Opinions. Looking for an affordable lower wattage tube amp

[SQUAREHEAD]

As Don and a few of the others have said, you can’t go wrong with the Atma?
It’s one of the best EL84 amps I’ve tried and owned. Still sounds huge!
It would be my first choice and the V 25 is my close second.

 

[TheRealDonnie]

Other than the physics issues where EL84s will never sound like the big boys when cranked,
most of the amps using them these days get most of their voice from the pre-amps.

The amps being discussed here are about as far removed from that Vox chime 84 signature
than an amp could be.

You want big volume buy a big tube. The 84 is great for getting Bogner, Marshall, Mesa,
tones at lower volumes. Never played one but I'd imagine the Engl's 6L6s punch harder
than any EL84 (or 6V6) amp.

 

[gbsmusic]

Thank you for all the opinions now I have enough info that my head is spinning. It sounds like the Atma and maybe even I need to look at the EVH 50 W again. How about the EL34 EVH 50 good, bad?

 

[Monkey Man]

Haven't read the whole thread but thought I'd put in a good word for the Vox AC30 TV.

Cheap, simple and sounds glorious, especially for the money.

It's not a metal amp and you have to crank the master volume to get into decent distorted territory, but goosed with a pedal or two it could be just the cheap ticket IMHO. I know a gal who pulls decent Brian May tones out of hers with no pedal in sight.

 

[gbsmusic]

OK after checking out some videos on the atma, that amp just sounds incredible. Last question Atma vs Ecstasy 3534?

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Check these videos out. They're a bit of a long watch but might give you an idea of some smaller low wattage amps that could fit the bill.

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

OK after checking out some videos on the atma, that amp just sounds incredible. Last question Atma vs Ecstasy 3534?

Good question, if you can put out the extra cash, the 3534 is the clear winner, in my opinion.
It has the EL34’s, Therefore it sounds and feels much more like a Bogner ecstasy…

 

[gbsmusic]

Good question, if you can put out the extra cash, the 3534 is the clear winner, in my opinion.
It has the EL34’s, Therefore it sounds and feels much more like a Bogner ecstasy…

I had 1 a couple years ago and I did love the amp but of course GAS got to me so down the road it went.

 

[bikerdude2]

OK after checking out some videos on the atma, that amp just sounds incredible. Last question Atma vs Ecstasy 3534?

I’ll take a stab at this..well, XTC 25, but close enough. For $$$, hard to beat a used Atma. If you have the $$$? More options on the 3534. Atma is more open sounding to my ears. XTC feels better under the fingers. Hope that helps

 

[Geo]

Thank you for all the opinions now I have enough info that my head is spinning. It sounds like the Atma and maybe even I need to look at the EVH 50 W again. How about the EL34 EVH 50 good, bad?

IMHO, the original 50w 6l6 is where the magic is.

 

[Metlupass2]

IMHO, the original 50w 6l6 is where the magic is.

Agreed

 

[jasonP]

I just bought a 5150iii stealth 50 watter, for the money it’s so good. Great clean channel, blue channel is very good and doesn’t need a pedal anymore to clean up the low end, however it still takes a boost very well to all out crazy gain on the red channel. I have played and own a lot of different amps and this one right now is my favorite.

 

[TheRealDonnie]

OK after checking out some videos on the atma, that amp just sounds incredible. Last question Atma vs Ecstasy 3534?

Never played the 3534 but I've seen a lot of people selling them, for what that's worth.

 

[gbsmusic]

Never played the 3534 but I've seen a lot of people selling them, for what that's worth.

Where? I look all the time.

 

[TheRealDonnie]

Where? I look all the time.

Reverb has a used one in England right now.

I was on the fence over one about 6 months ago and there were 3 used here in the US at the time.

 

[ericb]

Reverb has a used one in England right now.

I was on the fence over one about 6 months ago and there were 3 used here in the US at the time.

2-3 MONTHLY have been listed and all sold on TGP since they came out. I see them regularly and it makes me think just like you. However, there's very few guys here or there that keep hi-end amps for 20-30 years like I do.. . and run out of room

Eric

 

[TheRealDonnie]

2-3 MONTHLY have been listed and all sold on TGP since they came out. I see them regularly and it makes me think just like you. However, there's very few guys here or there that keep hi-end amps for 20-30 years like I do.. . and run out of room

Eric

Remember it started life as a 2 x 84 and everyone howled so much he switched to the 2 x 34?
I know the 3534 had a really bad problem with the loop on the first big production release.
Think that soured a lot of people.

 

[gbsmusic]

The one I had was an early 1 and the loop was completely quiet and transparent. I have heard a lot of complaints about it though, I guess I got lucky on that 1.

 

[psychodave]

I think you should snag a JCA20 and get it modded. Mine crushes. Best part is I have less than $500 into it.

 

[* velcro-fly *]

I forgot to mention that 1 I have watched some videos on it and it really does sound good, but I've been fooled too many times with videos. You get the amp in your home and it just doesn't sound like it does on is on the videos. It looks like a cool little amp though. Anyone have or had this one and your thoughts?

Hey give Jason a call, he’ll fill you no, he scored one of those new Marshall Studio small amps in a combo version and loves it and you know what an amp geek he is ?. I think it was pretty cheap too, bought it used and paid less than $1000 (don’t quote me on exact price...) Not sure of the version he has but the 800 mini in a combo would be badass.... I personally played one of the mini Jubilee heads and was really impressed, if I could find one of the Sweetwater all black ones I would prob buy it. They won’t break the bank and they are Marshall’s.