The combo Peavey Bandit 112 with the red line on the bottom of the cab. Great amp that you can still find for a little over $100. These are still real sleepers!
I got a red studio pro and a silver express I use in stereo. Yeah the Tdynamics brings in that power amp coloration..definitely sits inbetween solid state and tube sound, in a great way. I'll take these amps over the jc roland stuff
I played my first gig with more than 20 people in the room in 1969. Two days before, I realized I needed a bigger amp ( I was only 17 then LOL). So I found a "Fender" in the local Penny Saver. Got to the guys house and he rolled out (literally!) a 1 year old Silver Face Twin w/JBL's, with a cover, on wheels. LOL I found out why, it weighed ~80lbs, we joked 1W/lb. LOL I had never played a twin before, and the JBL's didn't mean anything at the time. (The guy was a steel player). I turned it on for the first time 30 minutes before we started. I'm sure everyone knows the rest of that story!! 8) Peace --gary
I think they could just do something without some old lady looking freak show calling the shots. They could have guest singers maybe. They have the chemistry. They made Jane’s palatable. Perry had his day. Another rehab might help but he probably shit the bed hard enough to ruin everything between the other guys. He’s always been hit or miss live. Was Perry great? Sometimes. Sorry I got off topic haha
You totally can't go wrong with a 70's silverface. I have a '74 Vibrochamp that my parents bought me for my birthday in 1996 for what now seems like a STEAL ($125)...When I was 16 and wanted to play Metallica that amp didn't cut it. Now that I'm...older...that amp is my favorite of all my amps at home.
For my taste, drip edge Bassman head is the best amp you can get for 1k or less. It’s still a Fender amp, but it’s also a serious hard rock machine. From what I understand, the normal channel in AB165 circuit has an extra gain stage (unlike earlier ones which only had extra gain stage in bass channel). Turn it to about 5, you can pluck lightly and get cleanish Beatles arpeggios, but then bang some chords hard and you’ve got Malcolm Young sound. All without touching your guitar volume or the amp volume. Just the most versatile amp I’ve experienced, and they’re not expensive. Can’t recommend them enough!
had a single 15 compared to other amps i personally found it toneless. could not get the tubes to stop rattling. Glad to hear some of you guys have good Peavey’s.
Super Crush is the one. These are JFET preamps and are simply a solid state Rockerverb in the best possible way. Crush Pro is also great, but is more solid state feeling than the Super.
The old Peavy amps are interesting… They sit in the spot somewhere between the fender and a Marshall. They’re an American made amp and are pretty bulletproof….. probably top of the list for value of an older amp
Agreed. I used the old Peavey Bandit 65 for years. The OD channel was not pleasant but the clean channel was incredible and the amp simply could survive anything.
@@johnsmith-ug5tp I think the monoprice 15W tube amp is the same thing as the Super Cub 12. I got mine for less than $200 a few years ago. Great amp, classic rock in a box.
I have a Vox AC15 and when I plug in my LP it is the sound I want. Those two together are magic for me. But when I was a kid I had a Haynes Jazz King and that thing was ballsy. Solid state, two 12s, weighed a ton but sounded awesome. I had a Fender Mustang and a Gretsch Tennessean (still have the Gretsch, wish I still had the Mustang) and that Haynes was just great.
@@joeinterrante7873 throw an OD in front it and it’s glorious. Bottom end is over rated in my opinion for guitar amps. If you’re playing by yourself sure but in a mix a vox cuts right through
Glad I picked up my 68 Super Reverb when they were still under the radar. The Sovtek MIG 50 was the best sleeper I ever had. Bought one for $200.00. Run a mono Y cable into both channels and it becomes a total rock machine.
I don't know what they're changing hands for in the USA, but here in the UK, a lot of the low to mid power WEM stuff is a real vibe, and not expensive.
We barely ever see the WEM stuff at all. I was looking for a Scout like Richard Hawley plays and it’s like a ghost over here in the States. I guess I need to come over there for an amp safari.
If you can find one, the Crate V series of amps and the Palomino variations are absolutely brilliant sounding. Both the crunch and the clean channels are very useable as they are and, I'd argue that the clean channels supersede a lot of Fenders as pedal platforms.
@@doramen8317 they're still out there. I got my VFX5212 for $150 at a pawn shop and the exact same model 6 years earlier at the same pawn shop for $200. Most likely you'll have to pay a bit more, but not much. Get one!
I don't how common they are in the US, but I can definitely recommend the Laney Cub Super 12. It's a great little 15w valve/tube combo with ample power for small venues that can also run at 1w to avoid a war with your neighbours when you're practising at home.
@@captainkirk70 Yes, the monoprice stage right 15W tube amp. It's an amazing amp and a ridiculous bargain. I don't know what they cost now but they used to be around $200.
Great selection, but if you only want a pedal platform for at home or small gigs, you can go even lower... In my study I am using a Joyo Bantamp BlueJay (Fender-y one channel amp with a preamp tube/valve - 80 bucks new) and a cheap open back 1x12 with a V30 - it sounds amazing at room levels, takes pedals better than some amps costing 40 times as much) and it can keep up with a moderate drummer. I am usually not into cheap (my big amps are by Fuchs, Amplified Nation, Brunetti, and Matchless), but this is absolutely doing it. It even has a usable effects loop and reacts properly to picking dynamics and the guitar's volume knob.
I upgraded the tubes to JJs and the AC10C1 had more bass and volume output. I tried a Celestion Greenback in it yet preffered the stock VX 10 speaker. Really good built in gain dial tone, loud enough for a garage band, lightweight. I prefer it to lugging around my DRRI when loading it up
Right. I use it more than my 65 Princeton and 65 deluxe reverb reissue amps/fender tweed BJ without getting into the bigger fender amps and vox amps I own and not being used in over 3 years. I ended up buying a second AC-10 and running them in stero. Can't beat the weight and price for a tube amp.
I’m 70…been playing electric guitar in rock groups over 50 years. About 3 weeks ago, I took possession of the greatest amp i ever had, and I had many: Marshall DSL40CR (not 40C). Does everything from Fender cleans to roaring crunch. One drawback, weighs 50 pounds.
Ampeg V-4 head Ampeg Reverberocket Ampeg VT-22 or VT-60 combo. All fantastic and all can be found under $1000 with a little shopping. The older that they are, early 70s they will not distort no matter what you do. This makes them all clean amps and fantastic pedal platforms. They are heavy as hell if you have back problems. Cleanest amps I’ve ever owned is the Ampeg V-4 100 watt all tube early 70s with also the best reverb tank and two transformers. 165 watts off the plate I can’t put it passed two in the house lol. All good amps you have on the list, I’m bringing up Ampeg because many people overlook them thinking the only make Bass Amps. From the 60s and 70s they made I would say the cleanest guitar amps you can find.
@@davidisenberg125 I got really lucky, when things started to open up after Covid, I went to upstate NY and I paid $759 for an early 70s Ampeg V-4. About 7 or so months after that, a different store in upstate NY I saw one in the back while I was playing a Jimmy Page Tele and the salesman sold it to me for $575 another Ampeg V-4. Reason so low is I purchased the JP Tele as well. If one ever goes bad I have another. Fantastic Stones sound since I’m a fan of them also. You have to keep looking they do pop up here and there. Keep Rockin’
@@michaelheller8841 i have a as new reverbrocket in the back room to go along with my 87 silver jubilee and TSL but my gigs never call for powerful amps these days ...and they all weigh a ton
@@davidisenberg125 I agree with you lol. Whenever you go out and jam and you know how much they weigh from carrying around before, you look at the Amp and tell yourself, damn I gotta carry you again? There amps were made for arenas that didn’t have good PA’s back in the day. Now you have that where you can bring a small amp.
@@michaelheller8841 these days i run a fender super champ xd with a celestion slaved with a marshall DSL 40 (the old one made in the UK) and that covers any gig or songs this old hack plays.... and half the time the marshall naps in the car cause the 15 watt tube fender is playing the gig on 2 and its plenty for a wine bar...
1933 violin amp. As a one mega ohm speaker five unbridled watts. Still sounds great. Works perfect still has lead paint. had to change the power cord. The other one rotted still has the original tubes.
It's not tube, but the Roland Blues Cube is really great. The Hot version, you can find it under $500 and if you want a really good amp is not less in any way than a tube amp, and you need to play at lower volumes, is just so good. I love mine so much and I had a Blues Jr and a Laney cub 10. I prefer the Blues cube no doubt. At higher volumes yeah, the 3 work great, but at normal volumes the blues cube keeps sounding amazing. And under 1k the bigger blues cube are in that price. I do like that these are lighter and more reliable as well an never have to worry about tubes. Dont get me wrong, a nice tube amp sounds amazing, but idealy you need to crank it up and is just too loud to be practical, so never would be able to use it that way.
@@johnsmith-ug5tp Nice!! Indeed, is great! There is an Anderton Video where Lee chooses the Blues cube. And for sure, there can be better amps, but much more expensive and this one is already very good.
Great show once again gentleman!! I love my Orange Rocker 15 for it's awesome crunch & perceived clean tones. It's dual attenuator is great for avoiding angry neighbors. 15/7 or 1/.5 watts is versatile. 🤓😎
Wow.. Pumping out the vids... nice man. Fender Reverb Hotrod Deluxe. I just friggen love this amp. The 60w. PERFECT clean imho. I also like VOX... Great cheap amp. Really like it. I went digital boy. Line6, Mixing Board, Powered Speaker. BUT... I kept the Fender Reverb Hotrod Deluxe. It's just too Awesome. The one amp I wont sell.
I’m new to all this. But got the George Benson modded Hot Rod Deluxe for $900 new and it just sparkles. Best alone but I do use a 4 cable method with a Boss ME-90 and blend the HRD settings into the modeled amp sound, the VOX + HRD is petty jazzy.
I just bought a Supro Delta King 12, put nos tubes and a G12H-30 Anniversary speaker and it’s incredible. It has a power amp input on back that takes the preamp out so that you can have a killler tube power amp for some of the amp in a box pedals as well. The Orange Rocker 32 is killer and a Stereo 210 so you can leave the other amp at home and have your stereo rig all in one. Then there is my favorite of any other under $1000 amps that I’ve had, and it the Vox TB ( Tony Bruno) 18 combo. It’s what Vox wanted to compete against the Fender Deluxe. It’s a 6V6 instead of standard Vox El 84 tube amp, and it’s so much nicer imo. I put NOS GE6v6 nos 12 ax7 and a Celestion Ruby 15watt speaker. I’ve played, worked at two high end shops selling Two Rocks, D13, Germino and the list goes on and I’d put that amp up against and of the big boys. It’s light as well. You can find them from $450 and up. They made a 35 watter with 4 6v6s and a “Macho Boost” footswitchable. 👈🏾is that a word? We sold Bruno’s in the store and that man can make an amp… shout out to the Peavey Classics, I had a tweed 410 50 watter that sounded killer. My band opened up for Duncan Shiek and he made a point to come over to me and tell me how great my tone was before he went on. El 84s ROCK!
The Marshall DSL series is pretty awesome honestly. The 40watt combo gives you a great clean/crunch sound. I’ve had one for about 8years with no issues. Gain channel is pretty good too.
Agreed! It's about 1000 times better than the Peavey Valveking II that I bad. I bought my DSL40c a few years ago when they were on sale for around $500 I believe.
You can find a Princeton Non-Reverb for around 1k, it's cleaner and holds it's sound together better than the Reverb added model. You can get most vintage Roland Jazz Chorus models for well under 1k
The USA made Crate Vintage Clubs. I have a little 20w with a small reverb tank, the 2110R, I bought in 1993 for $300. little el84 combo with a custom Eminence 10. Still my fav little grab n go. I have a late 70s Peavey Artist 240 I picked up in a pawn shop in the early 80s. 1-12 combo, SS preamp w/ 4 6L6s in the power section. Compact, but heavy and LOUD. Its been thru the original Scorpion speaker, a Black Widow, and now has an Eminence Texas Heat in it.
It's not just the kiddos going to modelers boys. Me, if I was a strat I'd be an L series to give you some idea. I have a room full of amps. My wife says too many. A lot of the ones mentioned here. But for the past three years I've played my Helix almost exclusively. It has models of all these great amps and I'm able to take the tones of a dozen classic amps to a gig and only need to make one trip between the car and the stage. I'd never throw shade on the guys who want hot glass on stage but, for what I'm doing, my Helix fills the bill.
Fender Pro Jr. Jeff Beck approved. I’ve got an early 2000’s on in a 1x12 Mojotone cabinet. Didn’t like the twelve that much so I got an adapter ring and put an Eminence alnico ten in it. Perfect!
My main amp for 30 years and more was an old Airline\Valco amp with an Op-Art grill. It is still the sound of RocknRoll to me, to this day. Not perfect, they can lack volume, but killer tone! When I need something louder I would use a Peavey Classic 50. I still have both of them.
I'm a huge Vox nerd and have two AC30's and just want to put in a word for the AC10. They are GREAT. I mean REALLY great. An AC15 is actually my least favorite Vox amp. There is absolutely nothing like the sound of a cranked Vox and they work incredibly well with Teles AND humbuckers. I've got to a point in my life where I pretty much can't even stand to plug into a Fender because I just feel like they all sound basically the same but every Vox just sounds completely different and soothing to my ears. Greatest natural distortion ever made.
My plan was always to get an AC10 so I could get good breakup at bedroom practice volumes. But I waited too long and ended up getting the UA lion pedal with a fender FR-12
Roland Blues Cube Artist, or any of the blues cube line, is/are incredible too. Modeled after 1959 fender bassman. It has great touch sensitivity, sag, compression, and amazing edge of breakup and overdriven tones. They are more than loud enough for gigs but maintain all their tone at apartment bedroom levels. The artist series also takes the tone capsules which actually make a difference. The ultimate blues one turns the amp into something closer to a super reverb with more headroom and tighter bass, and allows the amp to be more of a super clean pedal platform. I can’t recommend these amps enough. The stock amp (without tone capsules) loooves strats and vintage/low output humbuckers and the amp takes pedals super well, especially with the volume (drive) hovering around 6. The tone capsules new are kinda ridiculously priced but I found a used one for like $90. The onboard reverb and trem is okay but there’s an effects loop. I’ll never replace it. It’s also relatively lightweight and built like a tank. It’s served me well for hundreds of live gigs
After 40 years playing .. I have fender and Marshal and Laney tube amps.. I now use a katana 50 with a pedal board of curated units, best consistent versatile amp sound I have ever had, of course depends on you guitar your playing technique
I’ve had my Quilter Aviator Cub for 3 years, which has 3 flavors in one amp. After swapping the speaker for a MojoTone Anthem, it’s fantastic! Never heard a solid state amp I really liked, including Roland JC models, but this one is a keeper! It’s loud, and I can’t get the volume anymore near 12:00 (half) at home. $600 when I bought it.
@@Lalairu Hard to find in local stores, so I listened to as many online demos as I could before ordering. I had Blackstar, Roland, Yamaha solid state amps and sold them all. The Quilter is a keeper. Mine has Fender sounds, but there’s a UK version with Vox and Marshall like tones. I use the Superblock UK with a cab, so I don’t need it but something to consider. Superblocks are 25 watts, Aviator Cubs are 50 watts, and the Mach 3 flagship with all the tones combined is 200 watts. Might not be exact imitations of those amps, but I do like all those Quilter sounds and that’s usually not the case for me with multi-tone gear.
@@ericgriffith3579 oh you have the Superblock too! I almost bought one time ago. I currently own a Laney VC15 for a rehearsal room and a Vox AC4C1-12 for home use. I am very happy with them, but I am still intrigued by the Superblock US model.
@@Lalairu If I didn’t have the Aviator Cub, I’d definitely get the Superblock US. They’re the same sounds, and both can power a cab (Cub = internal/SB = external) or go direct. The Superblock has an XLR out where the Cub has a 1/4 line out. The active EQ has a great range and very powerful. I actually like the internal reverb and overdrive (higher on gain knob), but you can put OD in front and stereo reverb after and they sound amazing. I actually sold my HX Stomp because I was playing Quilters and pedals straight into my audio interface all the time. It sounds more organic and touch responsive to me. I like to play through amp/cab in the room as well as go direct, but I’m picky about tone, so they work really well for me.
Ampeg V4 and VT-22 as great alternatives to the Twin...flatter and tighter bass response with less mid scoop and I have been playing them all my life. The Riviera R series is a beautiful clean amp, and the R30 is a great Fender+; as well as the Riviera Suprema. Musicman HD series are another Twin killer. A rare one is the Yamaha VR6000 (and 4000), which I think simply sound better than the JC-120 as it is warmer (their G series is also a good solid state amp). The Sovtek Mig 50 is a monster Marshall copy. Mesa Blue Angel, Maverick, and Stiletto are all great amps that can get you Mesa tones at a reasonable price, with slightly less complicated boards and there are others that I haven't tried like the Express line that are supposed to be good. That is what comes off of the top of my head. But unless you are looking for a rest of your life amp, 1k should get you pretty far.
The Blues Deluxe RI is a great amp!! Yes, no one likes the drive channel but the amp takes pedals really well, has a full body sound and is easy to mod, if so inclined.
The Kustom Coupe series from the early 2000’s are freaking AMAZING amps! Biggest regret I have is letting go of my 36 watt combo, it was my first tube amp starting out. The Rockerverb’s are amazing, I love my MK 3 🙂
Scored a Bassman 100 for $450 a few weeks ago. Excellent amplifier. Warm and bassy and HUGE headroom. Also where the hell are you guys finding Rockerverbs for under 1k? Ive had my eyes open for one for a cheap used one a few years now with no luck, even the 50s
The problem with new(er) Fender amps is they use the cheapest components possible. I bought a Princeton reverb FSR with a greenback. It sounded great..until .10 cent cap blew and fried the board and one of the 6V6 tubes. Nothing was salvageable except for the speaker and the cab. Will ALL of them do that, maybe....maybe not...YMMV...But one of the amps I regret selling is the Orange OR15 head. They can be had for cheap and sound great. But honorable mention is the older Boogies, they are built like tanks and can be had for great prices.
@@captainkirk70 I didnt spend alot of time with the Mark 1 but I did with the Mark 3, Huge tone and VERY loud when cranked. If you gig, try and find one of those, BUT they are heavy buggers. . Another really stellar Boogie is the TA15 and TA30s, They are mostly found in head form but they did come in combos. They are incredibly versatile with a wide range of tones, And the head versions can be had for cheap.
@wammons007 are u referring to the dsl40cr? Or the older 40c.. either way the CR is like 40% better with a creamback 65 speaker swap and the older version is 200% better with the speaker swap. The creamback helps big time with that top end fizz/sizzle. Run the masters high and the channel volume low. They're really not hard to dial in , and honestly if you can't get the sound you want , sell it. Marshall ain't your thing. I dont mean this as a dig. Marshalls can be very honest and grainy sounding and feel very dry under your fingers. If you want a more refined and "what a marshall sounds in your head and on the records" thing.. look at friedman or a 5150 (crunch channel). One suggestion i do have is don't max the gain . OD 1 at 9 oclock at most and use a boost pedal. OD 2 is to fizzy. Anything past noon gets too mushy and still not enough "grease" under your fingers for that liquidy shreddy soloing stuff.
@@rocktorrocks 100% the the 40cr... Better voiced amp and better stock speaker.. 2 switchable master volumes. And there is 6 button footswitch you can buy, which is awesome. The first 4 switches are for each of the 4 modes (clean, crunch, od1, od2) and the other 2 are for master and fx loop. The footswitch will remember which master volume and if you have the fx loop engaged or disengaged PER MODE. So u say u setup the 2 master volumes so one is louder than the other. You can hit the button 1 which is "clean". It can be set to loud. Then button 2 "crunch" to be set queiter. (Crunch is louder that clean so u want to use the quieter master to balance them out). The od1 to quiet and set od2 as loud for your lead sound. Ect. Cheers and good luck!
My 3 most used amps in my arsenal are my Marshall DSL 201 (the original, not the reissue), Fender Blues Junior and Mesa Boogie 5/25 Express +, all under $1000 and all very versatile from glassy clean to rip roaring full stack OD.
Orange Rockerverb 50 Mk1 w/6v6s - one of their best amps and the clean channel is pristine with great headroom. Another amp line are MusicMan - Fenderish tone and built like a tank.
Keep your eyes open for the Ampeg Reverberocket 2 for $700- $900 Great creamy breakup with great reverb and Tremelo. I own a pair, great studio amps as well
Ì bought a new Peavey Classic 30 last year. They have changed a few things for the better. JJ tube's in a tube cage, Celestion Midnight 60 speaker. Good video and selection guys.
Agree with your amp picks. The only two amps I've ended up keeping are a Peavey classic 50 and a Peavey classic 30. You can't get a better, fatter, fuller, clearer time than with a classic 50. It sounds just as good as any fender or Marshall but with more meat to the tone. Depends on your playing style though... some amps sound better for let's say rhythm guitar, some for lead, some for jazz, some for metal, etc.
I have: -A ('92-ish) Peavey Backstage Chorus 208 50 watt, 2-8" speakers. solid state, spring reverb. My first amp- A poor man's Jazzchorus= pretty nice cleans, thick chorus. -A 1980-ish Twin Reverb- 135 watt, Ultralinear (My 2nd amp, 1st Tube)- They're the cheapest tube twin you'll find. Handwired/easily servicable and Bombproof, AND... Heavy AF. Loud, tube, Fendery Cleans, deep, lush spring reverb-Fa daaayz... Sounds great with pedals. Don't get the hate. -Roland Cube 60. "Loud enough" Solid state, multiple effects and amp models/drive settings-JC-120 clean, Blackface, Tweed, Vox, Marshall/"classic stack" (low and high gain versions/settings), rectum-fryer, and Roland/Boss patented "Dyna-amp" (surprisingly good, dynamic/reactive guitar knob/pick attack sensitivity). Effects= Delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, flanger and tremolo. All pretty good, based on classic Boss pedals. All the effects/"models" are great, "for a solid state, 1x12 home practice amp." Got mine for $50 in 2019. Surprisingly, jumping up in price, considering it's an ancestor of Katana based stuff... -Super Champ XD- Similar to Roland Cube models and effects-wise, but with a 10" (crappy, upgrade makes huge difference) speaker, and 12ax7/6V6 as opposed to solid state. Many say sounds close to a vintage Champ, but I never had an OG... Main drawback to me is loudness/extremely non-linear volume pot, that's on the list to fix. Do that, and speaker/tube upgrades, and it's pretty versatile for $250 or less. -Blackheart (Crate) Little Giant BH5H 5 watt EL-84 head. Loud 3/5 watt, Class A sounds. Small, compact, $200 or less plexi/Tweed sounds. -Traynor YBA-1, with master volume mod. As many have said, solid, poor man's Marshall/Plexi/Tweed sounds, for cheap. And it's a Bass amp. Got mine for $750. Throw it off a roof, plug it back in, repeat. - Mesa F-50 1x12 combo. Described as Mark/Recto hybrid, with spring reverb, effects loop, headphone out, DI out. 2 channels, simple controls for each, and LOUD. Widebody with Celestion Black Shadow is thick and deep. 4x12 Mesa stack Brootelz, in a not-too-big and heavy combo. Got minez fo 7... - OG 5150 60 watt 2x12 combo, with spring reverb. Big and heavy, and not a head = cheap. Got mine for $400 in 2019, but they have crept up. Insane, all-in-one Roll-around metal sounds. (Lift it at your own risk) - 1980-ish Mesa Boogie Mark IIB 60/100 watt- Graphic EQ, Non-Reverb (with effects loop mod- 2021), with matching 1x12 cab. (My 3rd amp purchase, $800 in 1998) Not cheap, but worth mentioning, since it's probably the cheapest/most overlooked of the Mark series. (Besides Mark 5 series) Blackface cleans, Smooth, Dumblish breakup, Tweedy-Plexi to JCM-ish drive sounds, all the way up to convincing IIC+ Puppets-tones, maybe with a boost/drive thrown at it. Heaviest amp head. Ever. They seem to go for $2K-ish- head or combo, but still reasonable, considering only Mark 5 series being cheaper... - Marshall Lead 12 1x10 combo. Raunchy, JCM 800 tones. I don't know why, but I love solid state Marshall tones. Gritty and in yo face. Usually under $200 these days. -Marshall MG10 6.5" speaker practice amp. Again Marshall somehow pulls it off. That compact, transistory raunch for like $50- the size of a shoebox. Those are my sleepers... 👍
It's the opposite situation here in Europe. Where Fenders are kind of expensive. Here, second-hand under 1k, I like the Marshall Studio heads. The JTM, Plexi, JCM are all good. Then the older British-built Orange Rocker 30 is a fantastic amp, cheaper than the Rockerverb, lighter and not quite as crazy loud / gainy a bit more vintage / less modern more like Marcus Kings' MK Ultra. And for Fender Deluxe / Super: Victory V40 can be picked up second-hand for around 1k. The Electro-harmonix reissue of the Sovtek Mig 50 is good. Also the Vox AC30S1 is a great amp to build on. One speaker, so only a little heavier, and costs around the same as the AC15C1, and just upgrade the speaker to a Celestion Alnico Gold later. Add a Torpedo Captor 16 if it's too loud. Has a FX loop, which the AC15C1 doesn't. So can add Surfybear for a real reverb and a Boss Trem pedal. I'm with you on the older Orange's, though I love my JTM and the Rocker 30 and JTM have some common ground - the JTM is more vintage sounding, the Orange has more gain and more headroom, and stronger bass. Some nice alternatives are Roland JC120, JC40, JC20. Heard some live recently and they do kick ass.
I have an AC15 and a Classic 30 - both great. I just got an AC10 that is also great. Another I've had and sold was a Marshall DSL40CR. My number one amp for years was a Mesa Boogie Nomad 55. If you can find one, it's around $800.
Getting an old silver face has to be the best option you've suggested. It's vintage and will hold and hopefully gain in value and it'll be easier to service than modern PCB amps.
A great sleeper short lived amp is the Hughes and Kettner Statesman’s. They made a few different versions with EL34s or 6L6s depending on your preferences but very Fender / Vox like with little Marshall flavor. You can find the 1x12 all day long for $400-600.
Here me out but for a combination of affordability and portability, a used vox ac4c1 swap the stock speaker with a celestion alnico blue and put in a decent set of tubes like nos mullards. Cut the back panel in half or port it to open up the cab for the speaker. Now for around $600-700 you can have an almost boutique level bedroom/recording amp.
Apparently the Vox amps, like that AC15, use EL84’s and are self biasing. That is a plus. Peavey amps are similar but not necessarily self biasing. They have lights on the front that indicate where the bias point should be as you turn the bias pot.
Laney gh50 or gl50 are killer heads for the money. I’ve had a couple and always regretted selling them. I had a vintage Gibson skylark combo that also kicked much ass.
My 1965 Fender (Pre-CBS) BF Vibrolux is the best amp I've ever owned. Before I made the purchase I did extensive research and demoing of other 60s Fender models. While there is a difference, the Silverface amps were eyeopening in terms of tonal quality. It's highly questionable if the $3000 price difference between BF and SF models is worth it. A few years back, the late 90s/early 00s Korg/Marshall era Vox AC30's were quite the bargain but unfortunately they've escalated in price. If you ever find one below $2500, jump on it!
Get an OLDER Laney VC30. Based on the Vox AC30 (el34 output tubes etc.) but with a Fender Twin tone stack on the clean channel. The overdrive channel is very dark sounding and not much good but the clean channel is as good a pedal platform as you're gonna get. But you have to get an old one from the 90's when they still mounted the tubes, input jacks and pots to the chassis instead of the PC board like they do now. To me it sounds like a Band Master in a combo unit if you put Jensens in it.
My favorite is a Marshall plexi cranked. I have an Orange too. Also have Friedman JJ Cantrell model. They all have their own flavor. The Bray Coco 50 has the brown sound pretty close. That might be my next one ?
If being heavy isn't a thing. The 4x10 Peavey Classic 50 Meridian made with the Blue Marvel speakers takes the cake! Got one in like new condition for only 200 euro's.
Until recently you could pick up some of the vintage Gibson amps for pretty reasonable. I built a GA-16T/18T 6V6 clone last year that is great. The original is essentially a brownface Princeton circuitwise.
Always enjoy your videos guys , I m an Orange 🍊 fan , but I tried out a PRS Sonzera 20 the other day and was pleasantly surprised , it a great amp , I think I’ll grab one ,you can get great deals on them used
60s Univox amps. I had a tall combo w/1-15" Jensen, funky reverb, great tremolo and an odd Ampeg'ish tube complement in some. More compact combos with a 12" jensen existed too.
The most fun and versatile hybrid amp that can be had for under $500 is the Fender CyberTwin SE...it is a veritable amusement park of tones, amp models and useful effects🎉😂
No mention of Musicman? The early MMs, with 12ax7 PI are great durable cheap amps. That can get LOUD....Specifically, the MM 210-65, Half the size of a Twin, pair of 10s, 65 watts, 6CA7 or EL34 power section, Reverb, a unique sounding Trem, and Eminence Alnico speakers. Also, It has a half power switch, cuts the output to 30 watts...
Where have you guys been, I'm searching for a couple ENGL Screamers...and I can't find any at least in the USA, but ENGL has a lot of great amps under $1k. Currently using ENGL E325's the 3 channel Thunder heads with 2x12 cabs in stereo....nothing else comes close.
who would by a silver face twin? huge and heavy and thin sounding. even when blackfaced. I reckon the Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue is a great amp and sounds good stock. With a nice speaker, recapped and good tubes, they're ideal. This is if you're after a good juicy blackface tone with bell tone harmonics.
Got a 1985 X-100B for under $500. Thunderous, with loads of tone tweaking, two channels, and 3 output settings that can be run in stereo. Weighs a freaking ton.
The combo Peavey Bandit 112 with the red line on the bottom of the cab. Great amp that you can still find for a little over $100. These are still real sleepers!
I got a red studio pro and a silver express I use in stereo. Yeah the Tdynamics brings in that power amp coloration..definitely sits inbetween solid state and tube sound, in a great way. I'll take these amps over the jc roland stuff
There are a few Peaveys that are just killer. People listen with their eyes more than their ears.
Saw one for, I think, $130. Kicking myself ever since for not getting it.
Pawn shop gold had one back in the day for a cool 50 bones in high-school
I played my first gig with more than 20 people in the room in 1969. Two days before, I realized I needed a bigger amp ( I was only 17 then LOL). So I found a "Fender" in the local Penny Saver. Got to the guys house and he rolled out (literally!) a 1 year old Silver Face Twin w/JBL's, with a cover, on wheels. LOL I found out why, it weighed ~80lbs, we joked 1W/lb. LOL I had never played a twin before, and the JBL's didn't mean anything at the time. (The guy was a steel player). I turned it on for the first time 30 minutes before we started. I'm sure everyone knows the rest of that story!! 8) Peace --gary
I got a 74’ with jbl’s in January and it’s awesome. Amazing how the bass or treble control cranks up the volume besides the master.
I’m not a shredder but the EvH 5150 combo is great. Dirty channel is incredible and clean sound is nice and bright. Cream model looks cool too 😎
If the Jane's Addiction tour has taught us anything, Baxter may want to get tickets to the earliest show possible.
I think they could just do something without some old lady looking freak show calling the shots. They could have guest singers maybe. They have the chemistry. They made Jane’s palatable. Perry had his day. Another rehab might help but he probably shit the bed hard enough to ruin everything between the other guys. He’s always been hit or miss live. Was Perry great? Sometimes.
Sorry I got off topic haha
L.o.L..ha !!!
😂
Why don’t people want the fender blues deluxe ?
The Peavey Classic 30 has a great crunch tone for rock and blues with the mids turned up.
I’ve been using one since 1998. Best amp I ever had
My very first tube amp was a '96 Peavey Classic 50. Those amps are absolute tanks and have a great Fender meets Vox tone.
Have a fifty and a thirty. Killer!
I have been rocking Ampeg Reverberockets and Super rockets since the 1990s I have always been able to find them for well under $1000.
You totally can't go wrong with a 70's silverface. I have a '74 Vibrochamp that my parents bought me for my birthday in 1996 for what now seems like a STEAL ($125)...When I was 16 and wanted to play Metallica that amp didn't cut it. Now that I'm...older...that amp is my favorite of all my amps at home.
For my taste, drip edge Bassman head is the best amp you can get for 1k or less. It’s still a Fender amp, but it’s also a serious hard rock machine. From what I understand, the normal channel in AB165 circuit has an extra gain stage (unlike earlier ones which only had extra gain stage in bass channel). Turn it to about 5, you can pluck lightly and get cleanish Beatles arpeggios, but then bang some chords hard and you’ve got Malcolm Young sound. All without touching your guitar volume or the amp volume. Just the most versatile amp I’ve experienced, and they’re not expensive. Can’t recommend them enough!
Peavey Delta Blues 210... it was good enough for Kingfish!
Didn't know that ! Love my 210 !
had a single 15 compared to other amps i personally found it toneless. could not get the tubes to stop rattling. Glad to hear some of you guys have good Peavey’s.
The Orange Crush amps are based on the Rockerverb. Even though solid state they give plenty of that vibe.
Super Crush is the one. These are JFET preamps and are simply a solid state Rockerverb in the best possible way.
Crush Pro is also great, but is more solid state feeling than the Super.
The old Peavy amps are interesting… They sit in the spot somewhere between the fender and a Marshall. They’re an American made amp and are pretty bulletproof….. probably top of the list for value of an older amp
Agreed. I used the old Peavey Bandit 65 for years. The OD channel was not pleasant but the clean channel was incredible and the amp simply could survive anything.
I’ve had a few Peavey amps over the years. There’s nothing wrong with the older tube stuff and the Bandit is a solid state legend.
So long as you remember that change out any Schefield speakers they are great. 5150/6505 combos are amazing value and th Delta blues
I play through a Peavey Bravo 20 watt tube amp that I'm happy with..
@@CapstoneTider Very curious about the Bravo. Supposed to sound like a Marshall?
VHT Specials, the 6, the 6 Ultra, the 12/20. Techs will work on them!
Fender Pawn Shop Series Excelsior and Vaporizer. I have an Excelsior and it's perfect for pedals. Both on Reverb about $400-$600.
I loved my Marshall DSL401C for a long time, but now my favourite little amp is the Laney Super Cub 12.
I love my DSL 40 CR but I had a Laney Super Cub 12 and that is an awesome amp. When I bought mine new I got it for 679.
@@johnsmith-ug5tp I think the monoprice 15W tube amp is the same thing as the Super Cub 12. I got mine for less than $200 a few years ago. Great amp, classic rock in a box.
I have a Vox AC15 and when I plug in my LP it is the sound I want. Those two together are magic for me. But when I was a kid I had a Haynes Jazz King and that thing was ballsy. Solid state, two 12s, weighed a ton but sounded awesome. I had a Fender Mustang and a Gretsch Tennessean (still have the Gretsch, wish I still had the Mustang) and that Haynes was just great.
I am not digging my AC 15..no botyom.end with strat but with my 335 it is not too bad but i think the drive is meh
@@joeinterrante7873 throw an OD in front it and it’s glorious. Bottom end is over rated in my opinion for guitar amps. If you’re playing by yourself sure but in a mix a vox cuts right through
Glad I picked up my 68 Super Reverb when they were still under the radar.
The Sovtek MIG 50 was the best sleeper I ever had. Bought one for $200.00. Run a mono Y cable into both channels and it becomes a total rock machine.
I don't know what they're changing hands for in the USA, but here in the UK, a lot of the low to mid power WEM stuff is a real vibe, and not expensive.
We barely ever see the WEM stuff at all. I was looking for a Scout like Richard Hawley plays and it’s like a ghost over here in the States. I guess I need to come over there for an amp safari.
I had a Control ER30 head for years, sounded great but fragile - I was forever getting bits replaced and gave up eventually.
If you can find one, the Crate V series of amps and the Palomino variations are absolutely brilliant sounding. Both the crunch and the clean channels are very useable as they are and, I'd argue that the clean channels supersede a lot of Fenders as pedal platforms.
I used to have one and I reeeeallly regret not keeping it.
@@doramen8317 they're still out there. I got my VFX5212 for $150 at a pawn shop and the exact same model 6 years earlier at the same pawn shop for $200. Most likely you'll have to pay a bit more, but not much. Get one!
Crate Vintage series, ace
Yes I have a v32 it's the living room amp great at any volume
@chuckcarey good on ya!
I don't how common they are in the US, but I can definitely recommend the Laney Cub Super 12. It's a great little 15w valve/tube combo with ample power for small venues that can also run at 1w to avoid a war with your neighbours when you're practising at home.
+1
Isn't there a cheap Chinese knockoff of the Laney? Like a Monoprice or something?
@@captainkirk70 Yes, the monoprice stage right 15W tube amp. It's an amazing amp and a ridiculous bargain. I don't know what they cost now but they used to be around $200.
Great selection, but if you only want a pedal platform for at home or small gigs, you can go even lower... In my study I am using a Joyo Bantamp BlueJay (Fender-y one channel amp with a preamp tube/valve - 80 bucks new) and a cheap open back 1x12 with a V30 - it sounds amazing at room levels, takes pedals better than some amps costing 40 times as much) and it can keep up with a moderate drummer. I am usually not into cheap (my big amps are by Fuchs, Amplified Nation, Brunetti, and Matchless), but this is absolutely doing it. It even has a usable effects loop and reacts properly to picking dynamics and the guitar's volume knob.
32 silverface in my music room. Casino sold me a silverface Princeton a couple years ago. Love them all.
The VOX AC 10 is Well Worth Considering.
I upgraded the tubes to JJs and the AC10C1 had more bass and volume output. I tried a Celestion Greenback in it yet preffered the stock VX 10 speaker. Really good built in gain dial tone, loud enough for a garage band, lightweight. I prefer it to lugging around my DRRI when loading it up
Right. I use it more than my 65 Princeton and 65 deluxe reverb reissue amps/fender tweed BJ without getting into the bigger fender amps and vox amps I own and not being used in over 3 years. I ended up buying a second AC-10 and running them in stero. Can't beat the weight and price for a tube amp.
I’m 70…been playing electric guitar in rock groups over 50 years. About 3 weeks ago, I took possession of the greatest amp i ever had, and I had many: Marshall DSL40CR (not 40C). Does everything from Fender cleans to roaring crunch. One drawback, weighs 50 pounds.
i use that amp slaved with a fender super champ xd and can cover any style and between the 2 amps i have about 700 smackers invested
The Orange Rocker verb is such a great amp!!!!!
Ampeg V-4 head
Ampeg Reverberocket
Ampeg VT-22 or VT-60 combo.
All fantastic and all can be found under $1000 with a little shopping. The older that they are, early 70s they will not distort no matter what you do. This makes them all clean amps and fantastic pedal platforms. They are heavy as hell if you have back problems. Cleanest amps I’ve ever owned is the Ampeg V-4 100 watt all tube early 70s with also the best reverb tank and two transformers. 165 watts off the plate I can’t put it passed two in the house lol.
All good amps you have on the list, I’m bringing up Ampeg because many people overlook them thinking the only make Bass Amps. From the 60s and 70s they made I would say the cleanest guitar amps you can find.
you gotta be dumb lucky to find ampegs on the cheap ..... loved them my whole life and i have the hernia scars to prove it ....
@@davidisenberg125 I got really lucky, when things started to open up after Covid, I went to upstate NY and I paid $759 for an early 70s Ampeg V-4. About 7 or so months after that, a different store in upstate NY I saw one in the back while I was playing a Jimmy Page Tele and the salesman sold it to me for $575 another Ampeg V-4. Reason so low is I purchased the JP Tele as well. If one ever goes bad I have another. Fantastic Stones sound since I’m a fan of them also. You have to keep looking they do pop up here and there. Keep Rockin’
@@michaelheller8841 i have a as new reverbrocket in the back room to go along with my 87 silver jubilee and TSL but my gigs never call for powerful amps these days ...and they all weigh a ton
@@davidisenberg125 I agree with you lol. Whenever you go out and jam and you know how much they weigh from carrying around before, you look at the Amp and tell yourself, damn I gotta carry you again? There amps were made for arenas that didn’t have good PA’s back in the day. Now you have that where you can bring a small amp.
@@michaelheller8841 these days i run a fender super champ xd with a celestion slaved with a marshall DSL 40 (the old one made in the UK) and that covers any gig or songs this old hack plays.... and half the time the marshall naps in the car cause the 15 watt tube fender is playing the gig on 2 and its plenty for a wine bar...
Carvin made some great amps that you almost can't give away
1933 violin amp. As a one mega ohm speaker five unbridled watts. Still sounds great. Works perfect still has lead paint. had to change the power cord. The other one rotted still has the original tubes.
It's not tube, but the Roland Blues Cube is really great. The Hot version, you can find it under $500 and if you want a really good amp is not less in any way than a tube amp, and you need to play at lower volumes, is just so good. I love mine so much and I had a Blues Jr and a Laney cub 10. I prefer the Blues cube no doubt.
At higher volumes yeah, the 3 work great, but at normal volumes the blues cube keeps sounding amazing.
And under 1k the bigger blues cube are in that price.
I do like that these are lighter and more reliable as well an never have to worry about tubes.
Dont get me wrong, a nice tube amp sounds amazing, but idealy you need to crank it up and is just too loud to be practical, so never would be able to use it that way.
I had the Roland blues artist 80, I got it new for like 850 before the prices blew up. Great sounding non tube amp.
@@johnsmith-ug5tp Nice!! Indeed, is great! There is an Anderton Video where Lee chooses the Blues cube. And for sure, there can be better amps, but much more expensive and this one is already very good.
@@onlyguitars I remember that one.
The Traynor YBA 1 is fantastic
Great show once again gentleman!! I love my Orange Rocker 15 for it's awesome crunch & perceived clean tones. It's dual attenuator is great for avoiding angry neighbors. 15/7 or 1/.5 watts is versatile. 🤓😎
Wow.. Pumping out the vids... nice man.
Fender Reverb Hotrod Deluxe. I just friggen love this amp. The 60w. PERFECT clean imho.
I also like VOX... Great cheap amp. Really like it.
I went digital boy. Line6, Mixing Board, Powered Speaker. BUT... I kept the Fender Reverb Hotrod Deluxe. It's just too Awesome. The one amp I wont sell.
Ive tried Line6 Helix into the Fender Hotrod power amp in!!! It's sweet.
I’m new to all this. But got the George Benson modded Hot Rod Deluxe for $900 new and it just sparkles. Best alone but I do use a 4 cable method with a Boss ME-90 and blend the HRD settings into the modeled amp sound, the VOX + HRD is petty jazzy.
Fender The Twin red knob, got a pair of them for under $1,000 🤙
I just bought a Supro Delta King 12, put nos tubes and a G12H-30 Anniversary speaker and it’s incredible. It has a power amp input on back that takes the preamp out so that you can have a killler tube power amp for some of the amp in a box pedals as well. The Orange Rocker 32 is killer and a Stereo 210 so you can leave the other amp at home and have your stereo rig all in one. Then there is my favorite of any other under $1000 amps that I’ve had, and it the Vox TB ( Tony Bruno) 18 combo. It’s what Vox wanted to compete against the Fender Deluxe. It’s a 6V6 instead of standard Vox El 84 tube amp, and it’s so much nicer imo. I put NOS GE6v6 nos 12 ax7 and a Celestion Ruby 15watt speaker. I’ve played, worked at two high end shops selling Two Rocks, D13, Germino and the list goes on and I’d put that amp up against and of the big boys. It’s light as well. You can find them from $450 and up. They made a 35 watter with 4 6v6s and a “Macho Boost” footswitchable. 👈🏾is that a word? We sold Bruno’s in the store and that man can make an amp… shout out to the Peavey Classics, I had a tweed 410 50 watter that sounded killer. My band opened up for Duncan Shiek and he made a point to come over to me and tell me how great my tone was before he went on. El 84s ROCK!
The Marshall DSL series is pretty awesome honestly. The 40watt combo gives you a great clean/crunch sound. I’ve had one for about 8years with no issues. Gain channel is pretty good too.
Agreed! It's about 1000 times better than the Peavey Valveking II that I bad. I bought my DSL40c a few years ago when they were on sale for around $500 I believe.
You can find a Princeton Non-Reverb for around 1k, it's cleaner and holds it's sound together better than the Reverb added model.
You can get most vintage Roland Jazz Chorus models for well under 1k
Mesa boogie maverick combo. Fantastic sleeper amp and totally underrated
Great video. I like some of the solid state amps too, e.g. Laney, Blackstsr. They are also under $1K.
The USA made Crate Vintage Clubs. I have a little 20w with a small reverb tank, the 2110R, I bought in 1993 for $300. little el84 combo with a custom Eminence 10. Still my fav little grab n go.
I have a late 70s Peavey Artist 240 I picked up in a pawn shop in the early 80s. 1-12 combo, SS preamp w/ 4 6L6s in the power section. Compact, but heavy and LOUD. Its been thru the original Scorpion speaker, a Black Widow, and now has an Eminence Texas Heat in it.
It's not just the kiddos going to modelers boys. Me, if I was a strat I'd be an L series to give you some idea. I have a room full of amps. My wife says too many. A lot of the ones mentioned here. But for the past three years I've played my Helix almost exclusively. It has models of all these great amps and I'm able to take the tones of a dozen classic amps to a gig and only need to make one trip between the car and the stage. I'd never throw shade on the guys who want hot glass on stage but, for what I'm doing, my Helix fills the bill.
Fender Pro Jr. Jeff Beck approved. I’ve got an early 2000’s on in a 1x12 Mojotone cabinet. Didn’t like the twelve that much so I got an adapter ring and put an Eminence alnico ten in it. Perfect!
i love those alnico"s
Love my Traynor ygm3 - change speaker, slow down the trem. Pat Furlan rocks!
My main amp for 30 years and more was an old Airline\Valco amp with an Op-Art grill. It is still the sound of RocknRoll to me, to this day. Not perfect, they can lack volume, but killer tone! When I need something louder I would use a Peavey Classic 50. I still have both of them.
I'm a huge Vox nerd and have two AC30's and just want to put in a word for the AC10. They are GREAT. I mean REALLY great. An AC15 is actually my least favorite Vox amp. There is absolutely nothing like the sound of a cranked Vox and they work incredibly well with Teles AND humbuckers. I've got to a point in my life where I pretty much can't even stand to plug into a Fender because I just feel like they all sound basically the same but every Vox just sounds completely different and soothing to my ears. Greatest natural distortion ever made.
My plan was always to get an AC10 so I could get good breakup at bedroom practice volumes. But I waited too long and ended up getting the UA lion pedal with a fender FR-12
I used to run a 65 Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue in stereo with a Vox AC15 reissue. Amazing sounds!
@@jsphillip60 Right now I'm running an AC30 with a Friedman Runt and man it's crazy loud and awesome.
Roland Blues Cube Artist, or any of the blues cube line, is/are incredible too. Modeled after 1959 fender bassman. It has great touch sensitivity, sag, compression, and amazing edge of breakup and overdriven tones. They are more than loud enough for gigs but maintain all their tone at apartment bedroom levels. The artist series also takes the tone capsules which actually make a difference. The ultimate blues one turns the amp into something closer to a super reverb with more headroom and tighter bass, and allows the amp to be more of a super clean pedal platform. I can’t recommend these amps enough. The stock amp (without tone capsules) loooves strats and vintage/low output humbuckers and the amp takes pedals super well, especially with the volume (drive) hovering around 6. The tone capsules new are kinda ridiculously priced but I found a used one for like $90. The onboard reverb and trem is okay but there’s an effects loop. I’ll never replace it. It’s also relatively lightweight and built like a tank. It’s served me well for hundreds of live gigs
After 40 years playing .. I have fender and Marshal and Laney tube amps.. I now use a katana 50 with a pedal board of curated units, best consistent versatile amp sound I have ever had, of course depends on you guitar your playing technique
Boat Anchors? I love them all. The Fender Deluxe, no mention of the Ampeg reverb rocket ll, it's still affordable. I agree with you both.
I’ve had my Quilter Aviator Cub for 3 years, which has 3 flavors in one amp. After swapping the speaker for a MojoTone Anthem, it’s fantastic! Never heard a solid state amp I really liked, including Roland JC models, but this one is a keeper! It’s loud, and I can’t get the volume anymore near 12:00 (half) at home. $600 when I bought it.
I like those. Never had the chance of trying one though.
@@Lalairu Hard to find in local stores, so I listened to as many online demos as I could before ordering. I had Blackstar, Roland, Yamaha solid state amps and sold them all. The Quilter is a keeper. Mine has Fender sounds, but there’s a UK version with Vox and Marshall like tones. I use the Superblock UK with a cab, so I don’t need it but something to consider. Superblocks are 25 watts, Aviator Cubs are 50 watts, and the Mach 3 flagship with all the tones combined is 200 watts. Might not be exact imitations of those amps, but I do like all those Quilter sounds and that’s usually not the case for me with multi-tone gear.
@@ericgriffith3579 oh you have the Superblock too! I almost bought one time ago. I currently own a Laney VC15 for a rehearsal room and a Vox AC4C1-12 for home use. I am very happy with them, but I am still intrigued by the Superblock US model.
@@Lalairu If I didn’t have the Aviator Cub, I’d definitely get the Superblock US. They’re the same sounds, and both can power a cab (Cub = internal/SB = external) or go direct. The Superblock has an XLR out where the Cub has a 1/4 line out. The active EQ has a great range and very powerful. I actually like the internal reverb and overdrive (higher on gain knob), but you can put OD in front and stereo reverb after and they sound amazing. I actually sold my HX Stomp because I was playing Quilters and pedals straight into my audio interface all the time. It sounds more organic and touch responsive to me. I like to play through amp/cab in the room as well as go direct, but I’m picky about tone, so they work really well for me.
Crate Blue Voodoo, V Series (made in USA ones), and Club series tube amps. Way underrated. Designed by the guy who’s doing Magnatone now.
Ampeg V4 and VT-22 as great alternatives to the Twin...flatter and tighter bass response with less mid scoop and I have been playing them all my life. The Riviera R series is a beautiful clean amp, and the R30 is a great Fender+; as well as the Riviera Suprema. Musicman HD series are another Twin killer. A rare one is the Yamaha VR6000 (and 4000), which I think simply sound better than the JC-120 as it is warmer (their G series is also a good solid state amp). The Sovtek Mig 50 is a monster Marshall copy. Mesa Blue Angel, Maverick, and Stiletto are all great amps that can get you Mesa tones at a reasonable price, with slightly less complicated boards and there are others that I haven't tried like the Express line that are supposed to be good. That is what comes off of the top of my head. But unless you are looking for a rest of your life amp, 1k should get you pretty far.
The Blues Deluxe RI is a great amp!! Yes, no one likes the drive channel but the amp takes pedals really well, has a full body sound and is easy to mod, if so inclined.
The old Ampeg Gemini s, were good sounding amps, I once borrowed a Gemini with a 15, speaker and that amp screamed with out any pedals.
The Kustom Coupe series from the early 2000’s are freaking AMAZING amps! Biggest regret I have is letting go of my 36 watt combo, it was my first tube amp starting out.
The Rockerverb’s are amazing, I love my MK 3 🙂
Scored a Bassman 100 for $450 a few weeks ago. Excellent amplifier. Warm and bassy and HUGE headroom.
Also where the hell are you guys finding Rockerverbs for under 1k? Ive had my eyes open for one for a cheap used one a few years now with no luck, even the 50s
My Traynor Custom Valve 20 has been a trusty, great sounding amp for over twenty years.
The problem with new(er) Fender amps is they use the cheapest components possible. I bought a Princeton reverb FSR with a greenback. It sounded great..until .10 cent cap blew and fried the board and one of the 6V6 tubes. Nothing was salvageable except for the speaker and the cab. Will ALL of them do that, maybe....maybe not...YMMV...But one of the amps I regret selling is the Orange OR15 head. They can be had for cheap and sound great. But honorable mention is the older Boogies, they are built like tanks and can be had for great prices.
I want an OR30. Orange definitely has their own sound. My favorite brand.
The problem with most boogies older or new is finding anyone to work on them.
I want one of those orange heads... guy in Nashville had the combo version for 400 but I passed on it
What version of Boogies are you referring to? I really want a Mark I.
@@captainkirk70 I didnt spend alot of time with the Mark 1 but I did with the Mark 3, Huge tone and VERY loud when cranked. If you gig, try and find one of those, BUT they are heavy buggers. . Another really stellar Boogie is the TA15 and TA30s, They are mostly found in head form but they did come in combos. They are incredibly versatile with a wide range of tones, And the head versions can be had for cheap.
Marshall DSL40CR, Swart Atomic Jr.
trying to dial mine in. just cant get the perfect soung. advise is welcome.
@wammons007 are u referring to the dsl40cr? Or the older 40c.. either way the CR is like 40% better with a creamback 65 speaker swap and the older version is 200% better with the speaker swap. The creamback helps big time with that top end fizz/sizzle. Run the masters high and the channel volume low. They're really not hard to dial in , and honestly if you can't get the sound you want , sell it. Marshall ain't your thing. I dont mean this as a dig. Marshalls can be very honest and grainy sounding and feel very dry under your fingers. If you want a more refined and "what a marshall sounds in your head and on the records" thing.. look at friedman or a 5150 (crunch channel). One suggestion i do have is don't max the gain . OD 1 at 9 oclock at most and use a boost pedal. OD 2 is to fizzy. Anything past noon gets too mushy and still not enough "grease" under your fingers for that liquidy shreddy soloing stuff.
@@fuzzymuppet1990 Would you say it’s better to buy the newer 40CR or the older 40C? Have the option to buy both at about the same price.
@@rocktorrocks 100% the the 40cr... Better voiced amp and better stock speaker.. 2 switchable master volumes. And there is 6 button footswitch you can buy, which is awesome. The first 4 switches are for each of the 4 modes (clean, crunch, od1, od2) and the other 2 are for master and fx loop. The footswitch will remember which master volume and if you have the fx loop engaged or disengaged PER MODE. So u say u setup the 2 master volumes so one is louder than the other. You can hit the button 1 which is "clean". It can be set to loud. Then button 2 "crunch" to be set queiter. (Crunch is louder that clean so u want to use the quieter master to balance them out). The od1 to quiet and set od2 as loud for your lead sound. Ect.
Cheers and good luck!
Buy the cr. R stands for reverb@@rocktorrocks
My 3 most used amps in my arsenal are my Marshall DSL 201 (the original, not the reissue), Fender Blues Junior and Mesa Boogie 5/25 Express +, all under $1000 and all very versatile from glassy clean to rip roaring full stack OD.
Orange Rockerverb 50 Mk1 w/6v6s - one of their best amps and the clean channel is pristine with great headroom. Another amp line are MusicMan - Fenderish tone and built like a tank.
Keep your eyes open for the Ampeg Reverberocket 2 for $700- $900 Great creamy breakup with great reverb and Tremelo. I own a pair, great studio amps as well
Ì bought a new Peavey Classic 30 last year. They have changed a few things for the better. JJ tube's in a tube cage, Celestion Midnight 60 speaker. Good video and selection guys.
Agree with your amp picks. The only two amps I've ended up keeping are a Peavey classic 50 and a Peavey classic 30. You can't get a better, fatter, fuller, clearer time than with a classic 50. It sounds just as good as any fender or Marshall but with more meat to the tone. Depends on your playing style though... some amps sound better for let's say rhythm guitar, some for lead, some for jazz, some for metal, etc.
I have:
-A ('92-ish) Peavey Backstage Chorus 208 50 watt, 2-8" speakers. solid state, spring reverb. My first amp- A poor man's Jazzchorus= pretty nice cleans, thick chorus.
-A 1980-ish Twin Reverb- 135 watt, Ultralinear (My 2nd amp, 1st Tube)- They're the cheapest tube twin you'll find. Handwired/easily servicable and Bombproof, AND... Heavy AF. Loud, tube, Fendery Cleans, deep, lush spring reverb-Fa daaayz... Sounds great with pedals. Don't get the hate.
-Roland Cube 60. "Loud enough" Solid state, multiple effects and amp models/drive settings-JC-120 clean, Blackface, Tweed, Vox, Marshall/"classic stack" (low and high gain versions/settings), rectum-fryer, and Roland/Boss patented "Dyna-amp" (surprisingly good, dynamic/reactive guitar knob/pick attack sensitivity). Effects= Delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, flanger and tremolo. All pretty good, based on classic Boss pedals. All the effects/"models" are great, "for a solid state, 1x12 home practice amp." Got mine for $50 in 2019. Surprisingly, jumping up in price, considering it's an ancestor of Katana based stuff...
-Super Champ XD- Similar to Roland Cube models and effects-wise, but with a 10" (crappy, upgrade makes huge difference) speaker, and 12ax7/6V6 as opposed to solid state. Many say sounds close to a vintage Champ, but I never had an OG... Main drawback to me is loudness/extremely non-linear volume pot, that's on the list to fix. Do that, and speaker/tube upgrades, and it's pretty versatile for $250 or less.
-Blackheart (Crate) Little Giant BH5H 5 watt EL-84 head. Loud 3/5 watt, Class A sounds. Small, compact, $200 or less plexi/Tweed sounds.
-Traynor YBA-1, with master volume mod. As many have said, solid, poor man's Marshall/Plexi/Tweed sounds, for cheap. And it's a Bass amp. Got mine for $750. Throw it off a roof, plug it back in, repeat.
- Mesa F-50 1x12 combo. Described as Mark/Recto hybrid, with spring reverb, effects loop, headphone out, DI out. 2 channels, simple controls for each, and LOUD. Widebody with Celestion Black Shadow is thick and deep. 4x12 Mesa stack Brootelz, in a not-too-big and heavy combo. Got minez fo 7...
- OG 5150 60 watt 2x12 combo, with spring reverb. Big and heavy, and not a head = cheap. Got mine for $400 in 2019, but they have crept up. Insane, all-in-one Roll-around metal sounds. (Lift it at your own risk)
- 1980-ish Mesa Boogie Mark IIB 60/100 watt- Graphic EQ, Non-Reverb (with effects loop mod- 2021), with matching 1x12 cab. (My 3rd amp purchase, $800 in 1998) Not cheap, but worth mentioning, since it's probably the cheapest/most overlooked of the Mark series. (Besides Mark 5 series) Blackface cleans, Smooth, Dumblish breakup, Tweedy-Plexi to JCM-ish drive sounds, all the way up to convincing IIC+ Puppets-tones, maybe with a boost/drive thrown at it. Heaviest amp head. Ever. They seem to go for $2K-ish- head or combo, but still reasonable, considering only Mark 5 series being cheaper...
- Marshall Lead 12 1x10 combo. Raunchy, JCM 800 tones. I don't know why, but I love solid state Marshall tones. Gritty and in yo face. Usually under $200 these days.
-Marshall MG10 6.5" speaker practice amp. Again Marshall somehow pulls it off. That compact, transistory raunch for like $50- the size of a shoebox.
Those are my sleepers... 👍
It's the opposite situation here in Europe. Where Fenders are kind of expensive. Here, second-hand under 1k, I like the Marshall Studio heads. The JTM, Plexi, JCM are all good. Then the older British-built Orange Rocker 30 is a fantastic amp, cheaper than the Rockerverb, lighter and not quite as crazy loud / gainy a bit more vintage / less modern more like Marcus Kings' MK Ultra. And for Fender Deluxe / Super: Victory V40 can be picked up second-hand for around 1k. The Electro-harmonix reissue of the Sovtek Mig 50 is good. Also the Vox AC30S1 is a great amp to build on. One speaker, so only a little heavier, and costs around the same as the AC15C1, and just upgrade the speaker to a Celestion Alnico Gold later. Add a Torpedo Captor 16 if it's too loud. Has a FX loop, which the AC15C1 doesn't. So can add Surfybear for a real reverb and a Boss Trem pedal. I'm with you on the older Orange's, though I love my JTM and the Rocker 30 and JTM have some common ground - the JTM is more vintage sounding, the Orange has more gain and more headroom, and stronger bass. Some nice alternatives are Roland JC120, JC40, JC20. Heard some live recently and they do kick ass.
I have an AC15 and a Classic 30 - both great. I just got an AC10 that is also great. Another I've had and sold was a Marshall DSL40CR. My number one amp for years was a Mesa Boogie Nomad 55. If you can find one, it's around $800.
Ampeg VL series designed by Lee Jackson. Great amps. You can get those for around 500
Not tube, but does have the tube vibe.
Danelectro Nifty-Fifty.
Got mine brand new 120$ CND.
Blew some minds at many jams.
Getting an old silver face has to be the best option you've suggested. It's vintage and will hold and hopefully gain in value and it'll be easier to service than modern PCB amps.
A great sleeper short lived amp is the Hughes and Kettner Statesman’s. They made a few different versions with EL34s or 6L6s depending on your preferences but very Fender / Vox like with little Marshall flavor. You can find the 1x12 all day long for $400-600.
Supro Delta King amps are terrific, light, and cool-looking. $700 new.
Until they break
@@brianaaland5263 Are there problems with the Spurs? I just got a used Black Magick combo.
Never heard about one breaking yet @@brianaaland5263
I love my Crate GFX212, it’s a beast and gets a brown sound all by itself.
Great video! BTW I noticed the Hagstrom hanging on the wall, picked up a 67 V2 deluxe a couple years ago (a vintage one, not reissue). Cool guitar!
Orange! Yay!
Here me out but for a combination of affordability and portability, a used vox ac4c1 swap the stock speaker with a celestion alnico blue and put in a decent set of tubes like nos mullards. Cut the back panel in half or port it to open up the cab for the speaker. Now for around $600-700 you can have an almost boutique level bedroom/recording amp.
I love my DSL20CR. Great amp so far
Apparently the Vox amps, like that AC15, use EL84’s and are self biasing. That is a plus. Peavey amps are similar but not necessarily self biasing. They have lights on the front that indicate where the bias point should be as you turn the bias pot.
Laney gh50 or gl50 are killer heads for the money. I’ve had a couple and always regretted selling them. I had a vintage Gibson skylark combo that also kicked much ass.
My 1965 Fender (Pre-CBS) BF Vibrolux is the best amp I've ever owned. Before I made the purchase I did extensive research and demoing of other 60s Fender models. While there is a difference, the Silverface amps were eyeopening in terms of tonal quality. It's highly questionable if the $3000 price difference between BF and SF models is worth it. A few years back, the late 90s/early 00s Korg/Marshall era Vox AC30's were quite the bargain but unfortunately they've escalated in price. If you ever find one below $2500, jump on it!
Get an OLDER Laney VC30. Based on the Vox AC30 (el34 output tubes etc.) but with a Fender Twin tone stack on the clean channel. The overdrive channel is very dark sounding and not much good but the clean channel is as good a pedal platform as you're gonna get. But you have to get an old one from the 90's when they still mounted the tubes, input jacks and pots to the chassis instead of the PC board like they do now. To me it sounds like a Band Master in a combo unit if you put Jensens in it.
My favorite is a Marshall plexi cranked. I have an Orange too. Also have Friedman JJ Cantrell model. They all have their own flavor. The Bray Coco 50 has the brown sound pretty close. That might be my next one ?
If being heavy isn't a thing. The 4x10 Peavey Classic 50 Meridian made with the Blue Marvel speakers takes the cake! Got one in like new condition for only 200 euro's.
Until recently you could pick up some of the vintage Gibson amps for pretty reasonable. I built a GA-16T/18T 6V6 clone last year that is great. The original is essentially a brownface Princeton circuitwise.
Always enjoy your videos guys , I m an Orange 🍊 fan , but I tried out a PRS Sonzera 20 the other day and was pleasantly surprised , it a great amp , I think I’ll grab one ,you can get great deals on them used
I recall a Teisco Checkmate 100 head that was left at our house in the late 70s. It was low fidelity but would distort .
Late 70s fender pro reverb 2x12 70 watt. Perfect amp. Peavey delta blues.
60s Univox amps. I had a tall combo w/1-15" Jensen, funky reverb, great tremolo and an odd Ampeg'ish tube complement in some. More compact combos with a 12" jensen existed too.
The Marshall Origin amps are severely underrated, and you can snag one of those combos for like 500 used
Agreed. I have a 20w head. I think they get a bad name because they are different to dial in than regular Marshalls.
68 Custom Deluxe is my favorite amp and it has stiff competition. What about Rivera era Fenders?
The most fun and versatile hybrid amp that can be had for under $500 is the Fender CyberTwin SE...it is a veritable amusement park of tones, amp models and useful effects🎉😂
Old 1950’s and 1960’s super,valco,airline, Lafayette, univox and let’s not forget ampeg! Guild
The Vox ac15c1 is a very well built amp for the price. Yeah it's PCB, but it's a good quality PCB.
Great vid!
No mention of Musicman? The early MMs, with 12ax7 PI are great durable cheap amps. That can get LOUD....Specifically, the MM 210-65, Half the size of a Twin, pair of 10s, 65 watts, 6CA7 or EL34 power section, Reverb, a unique sounding Trem, and Eminence Alnico speakers. Also, It has a half power switch, cuts the output to 30 watts...
I own a '74 Silverface Deluxe Reverb 👍
Absolutely wonderful ❤️
Where have you guys been, I'm searching for a couple ENGL Screamers...and I can't find any at least in the USA, but ENGL has a lot of great amps under $1k. Currently using ENGL E325's the 3 channel Thunder heads with 2x12 cabs in stereo....nothing else comes close.
Thank you, so interesting - and a walk down the halls of history (and experience).
Recently traded my ac15 for a silvertone twin twelve head. Different tonal palates but i adore them both.
who would by a silver face twin? huge and heavy and thin sounding. even when blackfaced. I reckon the Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue is a great amp and sounds good stock. With a nice speaker, recapped and good tubes, they're ideal. This is if you're after a good juicy blackface tone with bell tone harmonics.
The Ampeg Gemini 22 should be on your list!
I will always recommend old Carvin amps.
Got a 1985 X-100B for under $500. Thunderous, with loads of tone tweaking, two channels, and 3 output settings that can be run in stereo. Weighs a freaking ton.
The only problem is VERY few on Reverb will ship an amp. GC has the same or better prices for used and will ship.