Opinions. Looking for an affordable lower wattage tube amp

[jchrisf]

The Laney IRT Studio is a lot of amp and a great price. It has three channels with a built in boost. I have a 2204 and it can hang with it at bedroom volumes. It goes from clean to mean and everything in between. It's the most versatile amp I've ever played. These are cheap used.

 

[gbsmusic]

The Laney IRT Studio is a lot of amp and a great price. It has three channels with a built in boost. I have a 2204 and it can hang with it at bedroom volumes. It goes from clean to mean and everything in between. It's the most versatile amp I've ever played. These are cheap used.

Cool thank you I will check it out.

 

[Metlupass2]

I’d say either Dover DA-20 or mini jubilee

The Dover is overpriced. I had one and returned it.

 

[Chubbs]

Not sure what your budget is but if your considering a mark V 35, the 90 watt version's are relatively cheap used and feature a 90,45,10w switch. Great master volume controls on them as well.

 

[braintheory]

The Dover is overpriced. I had one and returned it.

I returned it ultimately too, but disagree. Plenty of others that are more overpriced and not as good sounding like the Atma, Friedman’s and Mark V 25. IMO it smokes the EVH’s. Sounds more organic and not as compressed or plastic-y sounding. The only thing mentioned in this thread that would sound better would be the Wizard, but way out of the OP’s budget. I’ve not tried them all, but have played a lot of these smaller high gain amps and found the Dover to be probably the biggest and tighter sounding one so far, but I still would bet money the Wizard would crush it honestly

 

[Metlupass2]

Ri

And that's the regular 50 W not the stealth?

Right. I have the original version. I bought a stealth and didn't think it that much better so I sold it and kept the regular one.
An eq pedal in the loop, overdrive in the front on the blue channel Is where it's at.

 

[Metlupass2]

I returned it ultimately too, but disagree. Plenty of others that are more overpriced and not as good sounding like the Atma and Mark V 25. IMO it smokes the EVH’s. The only thing mentioned in this thread that would sound better would be the Wizard, but way out of the OP’s budget

It's not worth $1500 when it's essentially the same amp as the kraken and sigil which are cheaper.

 

[braintheory]

It's not worth $1500 when it's essentially the same amp as the kraken and sigil which are cheaper.

I’ll admit I’ve not tried those amps, but based on the clips and other stuff I can tell, those amps seem to sound nothing like the Dover, just look the same cosmetically and maybe built in the same place. I thought the Sigil was a similar price anyway, but either way would recommend the op get one used rather than new. Got the one I had used for $1100. Not bad imo

 

[napalmdeath]

Here's what you need.. Can't say enough good things about it. Punches harder than the EVH's, and harmonically rich. It's an impressive little beast of an amp.

https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/engl-fireball-25-e633🔥.233684/

 

[Metlupass2]

I’ll admit I’ve not tried those amps, but based on the clips and other stuff I can tell, those amps seem to sound nothing like the Dover, just look the same cosmetically and maybe built in the same place. I thought the Sigil was a similar price anyway, but either way would recommend the op get one used rather than new. Got the one I had used for $1100. Not bad imo

The others are a few hundred less new. There are so few videos on the Dover. There are a few that directly compare to the fortin. Dover sucks at customer service and their advertising.

 

[braintheory]

I have heard a bunch of guys complain about heir customer service. That’s too bad. I have tried by Fortin the Natas and Meshuggah and honestly think the Dover sounds better than those and so would be surprised if the Sigil sounded even as good, let alone better than those Fortin’s. Their amps tend to sound sterile. Probably worth being a few hundred more than a Fortin, but either way the OP should try it if possible and other amps and decide for himself. I didn’t keep mine because I didn’t need it, but if I did need a small high gain amp under $2k it would definitely be one of my top choices

 

[braintheory]

Actually what about a Badlander 50? Not as big as other 50 watt amps and has lower wattage options. I’ve still kept my Badlander 100 for a year now and I’ve got some pretty heavy hitter amps

 

[TheRealDonnie]

Another vote for either the Atma or V:25.
Multiple great tones - variable wattage settings - and truly compact.
Both the 20 watt Friedman and Marshall heads are quite a bit larger.

Of the two I'd grab the V:25, but would be happy with either.
V:25 has a full clean channel, presence control, and internal fan.
Only real con is having to choose between clean and crunch on CH1.

The Atma's simple clean is pretty amazing but having to constantly adjust
the volume while dialing between blackface and tweed is a real drag.
The lack of presence may or may not be bad. Plenty of great tones without it.
No standby switch either.

It a hot running little amp - even in the 10 watt setting. The metal head-shell
is the best for ventilation by a mile if this is a concern - hottest small head I've
played for sure.

Almost forget, it's pretty unanimous on other forums that the V:25 sounds better than the V:35.

 

[gbsmusic]

Here's what you need.. Can't say enough good things about it. Punches harder than the EVH's, and harmonically rich. It's an impressive little beast of an amp.

https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/engl-fireball-25-e633🔥.233684/

I was waiting for you to chime in I was going to message you but I've checked out a bunch of clips and it really sounds like that amp is more based towards metal. It sounds fantastic for the brutal!

 

[napalmdeath]

I was waiting for you to chime in I was going to message you but I've checked out a bunch of clips and it really sounds like that amp is more based towards metal. It sounds fantastic for the brutal!

It's a metal amp, for sure. But I play mostly thrash, and it's perfect.

The Mark V 25 I've owned as well. It's a great choice, but runs outta gas pretty quick. Lacks in the headroom.

The Mini Jube is also an excellent choice. Not alot of versatility, but excellent crunch, and boosted, it'll bring the heavys. And sounds damn good.

 

[napalmdeath]

I have had one for probably 6 months now and have only played it 3-4 times. My little music room is a bit shambled right now so I'm mainly playing my Spark or Waza Airs. I will say even in 5 watt mode it's pretty damn loud. The majority of the vids are a pretty close representation of the amp. Watch as many as you can. It's got that Marshall kerrang for sure. One thing that people will comment on is the diode clipping option. It's a cool feature if used on the clean channel but using an OD pedal is a better option for pushing the gain side.

Yes, Mini Jube sounds miles better without the rhythm clip on the lead channel. Crank the Output Master and use the Lead Master for volume, put the gain at about 2:00, and hit it with a boost. But, as mentioned, it's a loud amp. But, it brings the goods!

 

[Geo]

EVH 5150 III 50 watt 6L6

It's all I own now after having every other expensive amp.

I concur, I love my 50w also, but the 15w lunchbox EVH sounds pretty good too.

 

[TheRealDonnie]

Atma also doesn't have reverb, although the super short tank one on the Mesa doesn't sound good at all imo.

And in my space I was using both at 10 watts and relatively low volumes.
The few times I got to turn the Boogie up I did notice it falling apart a bit as mentioned.

If you're a fan of the signature super chewy Bogner thing the Atma does that all day.
And when you engage the boost it retains the sig tone, but with more of everything.
I miss having it just for that sometimes.

 

[bikerdude2]

Atma also doesn't have reverb, although the super short tank one on the Mesa doesn't sound good at all imo.

And in my space I was using both at 10 watts and relatively low volumes.
The few times I got to turn the Boogie up I did notice it falling apart a bit as mentioned.

If you're a fan of the signature super chewy Bogner thing the Atma does that all day.
And when you engage the boost it retains the sig tone, but with more of everything.
I miss having it just for that sometimes.

Yup…just bought a XTC 25, and although I need the $$$, I’m struggling to sell my Atma. Just a great sounding head IMO. Roars thru a 4-12

 

[Tonelover]

...something that will has a great clean, crunch, and can pull off metal

Check, check, and check. I've had one for a few months now and think it's awesome. I don't have anything against EL84's though. My biggest problem is finding a setting I like the most and I mean that in a good way in that I'll love what I'm hearing, tweak a little and like that more. And so on. Also the main complaint you'll hear is that the clean and crunch are on the same channel so not footswitchable between the two. Watch GC used section, they show up for $1,200 or even less sometimes. If you don't like it your downside is pretty limited at those levels.