What amp under ~600?

[Chris6870]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a JCM2000 DSL 100.

I was thinking it, but second post was DSL 50 so..

 

[4406cuda]

Or a used EVH 5150 50 Watt

 

[Riggins1966]

Crate Stealth. 300 at most, good clean, loop, and 2 gain channels.

Yes, I'm serious. Lol

love mine. Definitely can get real heavy. Superb clean channel as well. Though have not tried it with single coils yet.

 

[napalmdeath]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a JCM2000 DSL 100.

The 50 watt was suggested multiple times.

 

[Spaceboy]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a JCM2000 DSL 100.

I remember plugging into one of these once and got instantly high gain thrashy sort of tones, but I was dicking around at a friends bands practice spot and didn’t fully check out everything it can do. I remember those high gain tones being good, does it do more rock friendly sounds? I also play a tele predominantly so if a particular amp is excessively bright, it can be a turnoff. I found one semi-local for a good price well under budget. I don’t need to nail tones exactly but have something appropriate for say, something around the realm of Gin Blossoms, while also being able to go high gain, but not quite metal, hard rock or whatever.

And does the MV work well? It doesn’t have to get whisper quite but I’d like to be able to mess around with it at comfortable loud radio-ish volumes in my basement.

 

[napalmdeath]

I'm surprised no one has suggested a JCM2000 DSL 100.

I remember plugging into one of these once and got instantly high gain thrashy sort of tones, but I was dicking around at a friends bands practice spot and didn’t fully check out everything it can do. I remember those high gain tones being good, does it do more rock friendly sounds? I also play a tele predominantly so if a particular amp is excessively bright, it can be a turnoff. I found one semi-local for a good price well under budget. I don’t need to nail tones exactly but have something appropriate for say, something around the realm of Gin Blossoms, while also being able to go high gain, but not quite metal, hard rock or whatever.

And does the MV work well? It doesn’t have to get whisper quite but I’d like to be able to mess around with it at comfortable loud radio-ish volumes in my basement.

Use green/crunch channel, boosted. Much more forgiving, volume-wise, vs. the 2204. And, in my opinion, boosting green/crunch, with the gain past 1:00, you'd be hard-pressed to think it wasn't a JCM800. Plus, more aggressive, and less of a volume issue.

I think the DSL is what you need. It will get the tones you're after, without pissing off the neighbors. And, as a bonus, it WILL piss off the neighbors, if you want it to. Personally, though, I'd get the 50 watter.

I LOVE the DSL with Single coils. In fact, one of my favorite amps with Strats.

 

[Inearthed]

Big fan of the GH100L / GH50L and it would check all the boxes outside of the "not too bright" --- I end up running mine with the treble and presence dialed down quite a bit with humbuckers. Might be too much with single coils. Definitely not a bedroom amp / quiet amp though.

 

[riffermadness]

I need a budget head, under 600, even cheaper is better.

- 50w or more
- decent master volume, doesn’t have to be absolutely cranked
- can do high gain, not necessarily modern metal, boost is fine
- not too bright, good with single coils
- can do a good generic rock crunch, medium gain
- cleans up decently with volume controls
- prefer a more open tone and British flavor but whatever, budget first
- easy to find, not a ‘if you’re patient...’

doesn’t have to be stellar but passable and reasonably fun to play

currently playing a 2204 but it has to be stupid loud to do the trick. idk what really fits the budget, 5150s don’t sound great with single coils IMO.

Pop that Jet City Modded 20 for sale 325.00 Amp is killer!!! Listen to the clip...

I just ordered one today online,supposed to ship today as well,no ship notice yet,,Jonesing ! These do sound great for a real good price.

 

[Spaceboy]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I think I'm getting a JCM2000 DSL100 for $400, seems like an okay price and it will cover a lot of ground. It seemed like the best option for me (semi) locally at the moment, although that JCA50 was tempting. I probably would have preferred a 50w, but it's been a few years since I've actually had a full 100w amp, this could be fun.

If you like your current amp why not get an attenuator, or have it modified to have power scaling so you can get the cranked sound at low volumes?

+1. Spend the money on a Fryette Power Station.

I had the PS2 for awhile actually. Great suggestion, but I'm wanting to keep this particular rig as cheap as possible, so adding a PS to my current amps only adds complications and cost.

I'm currently sitting on a small handful of amps that ALL have awful MVs and are useless at home, and while a couple sound great in my band, we also play random houses and crap where I would rather drag around a cheaper amp. I also may have an opportunity to move abroad later this year, and relying on a cheaper rig while I consider liquidating more expensive gear makes some sense.

 

[Racerxrated]

That's a good price^^^. On another note, once you get it make sure it's had the mod/repair that was necessary on these amps, I can't remember exactly but I think it was a connector that needed to be hard wired instead of the plastic connector that came from the factory, most have been done by now but there's always a chance one or more exist that haven't had it done. There's a risk of taking the OT out with the tubes if it hasn't been done.
The newer DSL100H doesn't need it only the vintage DSL.

 

[Spaceboy]

I got the DSL today and this will definitely do the trick! I've had a couple hours solo playtime so far. It's playable at all volumes, sounds particularly great with my main tele, and the suggestions about boosting the green channel instead of using the red are spot on. I'm using an OCD at the moment, but will experiment. There's a touch too much high end at loud volumes, but nothing untamable especially with the addition of a pedal's additional EQ. I'm playing a Marshall cab with Weber ceramic Blues/Silvers, V30 cab at the practice space that might be less harsh. I'll search up more info on that connector mod and pop her open soon. The cleans with the mid-scoop switch engaged are really good too, although that switch sucks the life out of any gain settings.

Thanks again for the help guys. This thing seems like a really great value, can't wait to A/B against my 800 which is unfortunately sitting at the practice spot.