20 watt amp for exquisite classic rock tones?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ledvedder
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ledvedder

ledvedder

Well-known member
Hey guys, I'm back on a tone quest. I'm interested in a 20 watt amp to get those sweet classic rock tones that have been in my head for years. My budget is around $1000 give or take. I currently have a DSL40 and an EVH 5150 III. Although these are amazing amps, they have a more compressed, modern tone to them. I'm looking for more AC/DC to early VHII types of tones. I'd be using it in my band to play small bar gigs. An effects loop would be necessary as well.

So far, I've been researching the Marshall SV20, Dirty Shirley Mini (a bit over my budget), and the Victory rd1. What else would you guys recommend?
 
Surprised you can’t get that out of the green channel on the DSL. It’s actually really great for that.
I really liked the SC20 over the SV20 for the only reason that the SV20 was still super loud.
 
SV20 sounds excellent, I have one but it's loud so a little cheap black box helps.
 
I remember years back, Pete Thorn doing a killer video of a Suhr Badger copping those tones.
 
ledvedder":1kmcx6uj said:
Isn't the SC20 more hairy than the SV20?
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I believe the V in SV20 is for vintage and the C in SC20 is for classic, which us what you're looking for
 
Orange Rocker 30 will do that if you must have EL-34.

The Brent Hinds Terror makes a lot of bass for 15 watts, has a loop, and gets great Marshall tone.
 
The key to early VH tone is low B+ and high idle bias, like 325v and idling near 100%.

It eats tubes but once you hear it, you will value it.

Rocker 30 does cathode bias at 325v and tubes idle hot.

You can also use a Variac rig like he did, varying voltage as a master volume.

It’s not safe and naysayers will come out of the woodwork, but it’s legit.
 
ledvedder":2fewcmd6 said:
Isn't the SC20 more hairy than the SV20?
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Sc20 is a JCM 800 so extra gain stage and master volume compared to the SV20 which is a 1959 super lead circuit.

For AC/DC and early VH, the SV20 is more the sound but damn it’s still loud.
 
What can you guys tell me about the Friedman options (Pink Taco, Dirty Shirley, Runt)?
 
ledvedder":3vpw4rvt said:
What can you guys tell me about the Friedman options (Pink Taco, Dirty Shirley, Runt)?
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Pink Taco is a killer little amp. Runt is okay but not exquisite. Never had the DS but demos sound great. Mark V:25 is great also.
 
Chris6870":juv11nz2 said:
ledvedder":juv11nz2 said:
What can you guys tell me about the Friedman options (Pink Taco, Dirty Shirley, Runt)?
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Pink Taco is a killer little amp. Runt is okay but not exquisite. Never had the DS but demos sound great. Mark V:25 is great also.
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I’ve never compared the DS mini to the 40 but if they’re similar, that would be your amp
 
I've heard some really great tones out of the Soldano HR25. Mike designed this amp around lower B+ voltages around the what you get when you variac an amp down to 90 ish ACV. I think it runs either 6L6's or 5881's full size tubes.
 
harddriver":3oobt9in said:
I've heard some really great tones out of the Soldano HR25. Mike designed this amp around lower B+ voltages around the what you get when you variac an amp down to 90 ish ACV. I think it runs either 6L6's or 5881's full size tubes.
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I think you missed the part about $1000 budget.

I thought the 2525H would have been up OP's alley.. What about an Orange OR15? Jet City 20 watt?

I had the SV20, and hated it, actually. Spongy, loose, muddy. Had the 2525H too, and that amp rips! I also concur with the Ceriatone 2202 suggestion.
 
napalmdeath":4zr6h4y2 said:
harddriver":4zr6h4y2 said:
I've heard some really great tones out of the Soldano HR25. Mike designed this amp around lower B+ voltages around the what you get when you variac an amp down to 90 ish ACV. I think it runs either 6L6's or 5881's full size tubes.
Click to expand...

I think you missed the part about $1000 budget.

I thought the 2525H would have been up OP's alley.. What about an Orange OR15? Jet City 20 watt?

I had the SV20, and hated it, actually. Spongy, loose, muddy. Had the 2525H too, and that amp rips! I also concur with the Ceriatone 2202 suggestion.
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The OR15 and 2525H were the first ideas I would’ve recommend too. Actually though, if the OP wants more of a classic rock vibe, my top 2 choices would be a Chandler Limited GAV19T or one of the Laney Lionhearts. I believe both those amps are also hand wired, but not 100% sure. Either way, both those amps have a real organic tone that’s imo on another level from the other amps mentioned so far. Only issue with the Chandler is that there’s no fx loop and no master volume, but one the best sounding lunch box type amps I’ve tried for everything between clean and high gain, not great for those
 
I like how you're approaching this, ledvedder. It worked for Angus in the studio.

So many peeps have been misled by the Marshall 4x12 stacks live and in their music videos.

This approach should result in better articulation cut-through, a more-organic sound and less-sponginess / mushiness in the mix.
 
Monkey Man":1ax74fp1 said:
I like how you're approaching this, ledvedder. It worked for Angus in the studio.

So many peeps have been misled by the Marshall 4x12 stacks live and in their music videos.

This approach should result in better articulation cut-through, a more-organic sound and less-sponginess / mushiness in the mix.
Click to expand...

Do you mean because I'm looking for something with lower wattage?
 
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