Dorm amp?! Gotta downsize!

  • Thread starter Thread starter vandyne11
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vandyne11

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I play a Mesa Dual Rec Roadster with the traditional 412 cab and obviously that is much too big for a dorm when i go to college next year. I'm gonna build the cab myself to save on costs, with a mesa-voiced v30 because i love that speaker to death. I just need something smaller, around 15-30 watts, all tube (unless you can convince me otherwise), not too flashy, and not too expensive. around $300-500 maybe? Used shit is always cool too.

Hopefully something tonally similar to my Mesa, but i know thats hard to get on a budget. Normally i do all my own research, but this time i thought i'd start here and ask some veterans.

Any suggestions?? :thumbsup:
 
Go "Lunchbox" -- some of them may exceed the price range, but:

VOX Night Train $499
Egnater Tweaker 15 $399
ENGL Gigmaster 15 $749 (I'd save up and get this one)
Blackstar HT-5 $329
Jet City JCA20H $333
Jet City PicoValve $299.97 (Also a great recommend)
Mesa TransAtlantic $899
Ibanez TSA15H Tube Screamer 15W $299

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
 
Here's my dorm room rig:

Rack.jpg


4x12a.jpg


My neighbours love me! :D Seriously speaking, it's insanity to have a rig like this in a dorm room but at least it sounds nice on lower levels too. :)
 
im auditioning for berklee in december and if i get in i definitely intend to bring my full rig. they dont allow players to play in their dorms and have soundproof practice rooms underneath the buildings, that way i can intimidate everyone when moving my rig around...
 
Audioholic":1v8ef8hj said:
Blackstar HT-5, or 20
Click to expand...

+1 on the Blackstar. I just got an HT-20 this weekend and could not be happier. Sounds good at all volumes, takes pedals real well, on-board reverb, simple layout. I played mine for ~6 hours straight yesterday and it's the most I've played through an amp in years. Although maybe impossible for dorms, but when it's dimed it's just loud enough where it's not overkill like a Fender or Mesa. Really like it. :thumbsup:
 
Nice choice is a JCA20H at $333 with a boost in front. Although it's more on the british side of the tone spectrum.

HT-5 with the ISF dial to the left is very Mesa-like. GREAT low volume high gain tones. I play mine through a 4x12 while the wifey naps 12 feet away. ;)
 
why not just get an attenuator for your amp and just build yourself a 1x12 cabinet?
 
turmoil":1t7x2ozw said:
why not just get an attenuator for your amp and just build yourself a 1x12 cabinet?
Click to expand...
I run a Single Rec at lower volumes, and although it sounds much better when opened, I can (sometimes) enjoy it through my 1x12 at low volumes.
 
CaseyCor":apnkkg96 said:
turmoil":apnkkg96 said:
why not just get an attenuator for your amp and just build yourself a 1x12 cabinet?
Click to expand...
I run a Single Rec at lower volumes, and although it sounds much better when opened, I can (sometimes) enjoy it through my 1x12 at low volumes.
Click to expand...

Are you using an attenuator, like a hot plate for example? I've never used one with my recto personally, but i figured this might be a decent route to explore.
 
turmoil":ozd0sivl said:
CaseyCor":ozd0sivl said:
turmoil":ozd0sivl said:
why not just get an attenuator for your amp and just build yourself a 1x12 cabinet?
Click to expand...
I run a Single Rec at lower volumes, and although it sounds much better when opened, I can (sometimes) enjoy it through my 1x12 at low volumes.
Click to expand...

Are you using an attenuator, like a hot plate for example? I've never used one with my recto personally, but i figured this might be a decent route to explore.
Click to expand...
Nope. No external attenuation at all. I've never heard of someone using one with a Rec. I'm curious to hear the results.
 
What about a laptop and some software? That way you can easily lay down ideas and you don't have to sell off pieces of your rig if it ever comes to that.

This was done with Amplitube 3. Pretty versatile, and it's as quiet as you want it to be. ;)


I personally never play out of my full rig when I'm at home.
 
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