Lookin' for a practice amp so I can stop hauling my big amps

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Gooseman

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I was thinking of getting a Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr. III or a Vox AC15c1. I was also thinking of ponying up the necessary dough to get a Fender '57 Champ reissue, but I am skeptical of the tone those amps have in comparison to the other revamped Hot Rod series amps.

Anyways, based on the amps I've listed, could any of you share your expertise on them? I am going to spend some time tomorrow testing all of them out. Its always nice to get feedback though from the trusted minds on this forum.

Thanks.
 
I get GREAT tone out of my Blackheart 5 watt amp (NOS Jan Phillips) through my ported 2x12 Hermida cab in my room. I run a mini pedalboard with either a Fulldrive II or a DS-1 (Keeley Baked TS-9 for leads) with a EH Holy Grail Plus or DD-5. The tone is shockingly good. :rock:
 
Badronald":sns0v2q1 said:
I get GREAT tone out of my Blackheart 5 watt amp (NOS Jan PHillips) through my ported 2x12 Hermida cab in my room. I run a mini pedalboard with either a Fulldrive II or a DS-1 (Keeley Baked TS-9 for leads) with a EH Holy Grail Plus or DD-5. The tone is shockingly good. :rock:
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I believe I've seen some videos from OlaEnglund about this amp too. Thanks for the reply. I sort of forgot about this amp and all the other lunch box amps. I am more or so looking to get a combo, but good tone is good tone regardless of the configuration. Combos are just easier to move around my apartment as well as being more cost effective. If I got a low wattage head, I'd probably end up getting a nice compact cab like a Bogner Cube and putting in a Greenback.
 
I would go Transatlantic, but I am so sick of having Mesa's "take" on amps.
 
What features and tone are you looking for in your small amp? That is the biggest question.

Of the 2 you listed, I am not a fan of the previous Blues Jr. amps, never played the newest version though. The older ones typically sounded small and boxy to me. For the Vox AC15C1, it gets pretty good reviews. I personally like the Vox sound, so that is probably the way I would go. The problem with the Vox AC15C1 is that its a pretty heavy little amp and the cabinet is made of MDF.

As for the Fender '57 champ reissue, you can get an original tweed champ for what the reissue costs.

There are a bump of other cool small amps out there, too many to list actually.
Egnator Tweaker and Marshall Class 5 are 2 amps that I am interested in though.
 
Just good tone honestly. It also has to be tube, although I've contemplated the Retro Channel RR1. That just seems to have too big a footprint to cart around my apartment, but again, good tone is good tone. That amp also allegedly sounds great at low volumes too, which is also something that I want.

I can crank my amp, but am looking for some consistently good loud bedroom tone. I know that the Vox AC15 is cheaply made, but I have many rave reviews about it. I am also partial to how Vox's sound under my fingers. I just can stand the lack of warmth in the cleans.

I think I am mainly looking for something with good cleans and some 'verb, although 'verb isn't a necessity. I love plugging in some overdrive pedals for my gain. I live and die by my Fulltone OCD. It just sounds so tube like its ridiculous. With my Roadster, I rarely find the need to use it though. So cleans are probably the most important thing for me. I love a good warm clean tone, with nice top end. Vox's have always struck me as thin and sparkly, but I've honestly had limited time with them (and I've only messed around with the AC30cc2).

Yeah, I know the original Champs can be had at the same price as a reissue, but the reissue is more stable and allegedly a touch brighter. I don't want a collectors amp, just an amp I can play and that'll sound great. Perhaps I should open myself up to other companies and models too then. Any other suggestions? Bogner Mojado?
 
If you're into Fender/Marshall type tones, look into the Egnater Rebel 30 1X12 cube. Adjustable wattage. Small enough to have around the house and haul to band practice/gigs. Big sounding enough to do those gigs. It's what I plan to get if/when I find myself in your shoes. I put some time on one at the music store and really enjoyed the "fat little guy". I had a Tweaker head and dug it. Only sold it because I got an Eleven Rack that fit my needs more.
 
Red_Label":2hpoxhl3 said:
If you're into Fender/Marshall type tones, look into the Egnater Rebel 30 1X12 cube. Adjustable wattage. Small enough to have around the house and haul to band practice/gigs. Big sounding enough to do those gigs. It's what I plan to get if/when I find myself in your shoes. I put some time on one at the music store and really enjoyed the "fat little guy". I had a Tweaker head and dug it. Only sold it because I got an Eleven Rack that fit my needs more.
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Thanks Red. I'll hopefully find that amp tomorrow in my travels. This is another reason I am trying to get people's opinions at the moment. I doubt I'll run into every good amp out there to try. I am going to be going to GC, Matt's Music, Music Toyz, and possibly Boston Guitar (those guys are jerks though). I'd hate to think I would make a blind purchase, but I might have to if the return policy is right. Like I said, I just need a great amp that I can have at home to keep me interested and inspired while my Mesa and Marshall park it at practice.
 
Gooseman":1ftvm5nf said:
Just good tone honestly. It also has to be tube, although I've contemplated the Retro Channel RR1. That just seems to have too big a footprint to cart around my apartment, but again, good tone is good tone. That amp also allegedly sounds great at low volumes too, which is also something that I want.

I can crank my amp, but am looking for some consistently good loud bedroom tone. I know that the Vox AC15 is cheaply made, but I have many rave reviews about it. I am also partial to how Vox's sound under my fingers. I just can stand the lack of warmth in the cleans.

I think I am mainly looking for something with good cleans and some 'verb, although 'verb isn't a necessity. I love plugging in some overdrive pedals for my gain. I live and die by my Fulltone OCD. It just sounds so tube like its ridiculous. With my Roadster, I rarely find the need to use it though. So cleans are probably the most important thing for me. I love a good warm clean tone, with nice top end. Vox's have always struck me as thin and sparkly, but I've honestly had limited time with them (and I've only messed around with the AC30cc2).

Yeah, I know the original Champs can be had at the same price as a reissue, but the reissue is more stable and allegedly a touch brighter. I don't want a collectors amp, just an amp I can play and that'll sound great. Perhaps I should open myself up to other companies and models too then. Any other suggestions? Bogner Mojado?
Click to expand...

I just sold my AC15C1 a few weeks ago. I used to set it up clean and used my v.4 OCD for drive. It sounded pretty good (it was completely stock), but I need something that is super versatile. The Vox just couldn't do any kind of heavier OD, just started sounding flubby.

BUT, for blues...Vox + OCD (level up, gain midway)...awesome. Although IMO the reverb on the Vox sucked, just run a good pedal for verb if you go this route.
 
lespaul3013":3527lubz said:
Gooseman":3527lubz said:
Just good tone honestly. It also has to be tube, although I've contemplated the Retro Channel RR1. That just seems to have too big a footprint to cart around my apartment, but again, good tone is good tone. That amp also allegedly sounds great at low volumes too, which is also something that I want.

I can crank my amp, but am looking for some consistently good loud bedroom tone. I know that the Vox AC15 is cheaply made, but I have many rave reviews about it. I am also partial to how Vox's sound under my fingers. I just can stand the lack of warmth in the cleans.

I think I am mainly looking for something with good cleans and some 'verb, although 'verb isn't a necessity. I love plugging in some overdrive pedals for my gain. I live and die by my Fulltone OCD. It just sounds so tube like its ridiculous. With my Roadster, I rarely find the need to use it though. So cleans are probably the most important thing for me. I love a good warm clean tone, with nice top end. Vox's have always struck me as thin and sparkly, but I've honestly had limited time with them (and I've only messed around with the AC30cc2).

Yeah, I know the original Champs can be had at the same price as a reissue, but the reissue is more stable and allegedly a touch brighter. I don't want a collectors amp, just an amp I can play and that'll sound great. Perhaps I should open myself up to other companies and models too then. Any other suggestions? Bogner Mojado?
Click to expand...

I just sold my AC15C1 a few weeks ago. I used to set it up clean and used my v.4 OCD for drive. It sounded pretty good (it was completely stock), but I need something that is super versatile. The Vox just couldn't do any kind of heavier OD, just started sounding flubby.

BUT, for blues...Vox + OCD (level up, gain midway)...awesome. Although IMO the reverb on the Vox sucked, just run a good pedal for verb if you go this route.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up.
 
If you run across a vht combo check it out. I just picked up a pittbull 45 and love it. Can't believe the big sound coming out of such a small box. Not too heavy either. Killer cleans and you can use the loop level on the back as another vol control for real low vol. US built and seem to go for around 6-700$.
Footswitchable channel, boost, rev, and effects loop.
 
Why not the new Marshall Class 5? You can now get the combo with a bedroom switch, or get the head.
 
I tried out the Blackstar 20 combo yesterday and was quite happy with it.
 
The Vox has a nice sound to it, but it's not exactly small and compact if that's what you're looking for.

I know this isn't on your list, but you may want to consider the Fender Super Champ XD. It has a nice variety of tones and sounds pretty damn good. It's a tube, 15 watt 1x10 for $300:



May not be what you're looking for, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
 
I guess it's a bit heavy but, I absolutely love Mesa's electradyne.
 
LedZep77":2rkh7dbt said:
The Vox has a nice sound to it, but it's not exactly small and compact if that's what you're looking for.

I know this isn't on your list, but you may want to consider the Fender Super Champ XD. It has a nice variety of tones and sounds pretty damn good. It's a tube, 15 watt 1x10 for $300:

May not be what you're looking for, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
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The fender super and vibro champ XD's are nice amps, but not completely tube. For the clean they have a SS preamp and tube power amp. For the dirty they add in a preamp tube.
 
Here is a novel idea. Instead of worrying about a great tube amp for home practice while my main rig is at my space, I have turned to ... drum roll ... Logic's Amp Designer. It actually, isn't half bad!
 
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