REALLY clean/pedal platform tube amp

[waltdogg]

I'm trying to trade a Jaguar of my friend's for a better amp for him. I'd like to think I know a lot about amps. But besides silver face Fenders and 60s Sunns, I couldn't really say what other tube amps stay really clean but aren't "sterile" or too ice-picky and aren't stoopid expensive. As for my experience with "clean" amps, I loved how my Model-T perfectly translated what you fed it into but it wasn't *that* clean sounding and that amp would be overkill for my friend in every way (also, they're fucking unobtanium these days and we could live without a poorly implemented 5F6-A pre-amp dropped in front of an ultra linear power amp). The Bassman 100 I had was SO loud but other than that it would have been the perfect clean amp. So that's where I'm at. My friend just knows he likes clean amps. And I figure we'll have better luck trading the guitar as opposed to selling it (it's been up for months). I know you can cop good cleans out of Marshalls but a JCM800 or similar would be out of the trade value of the guitar. Ampeg V-4s actually get really nasty when you start to use the volume knob. Hiwatt has an amazing clean but is also stupid expensive (clone or otherwise, same for a Model T and most Sunns these days... ). Now I'm just reaching. So please, suggest any really clean tube amps as in clean that they don't breakup a whole lot without sounding like screeching death (think excessive treble even when rolled back like a MusicMan) that's worth the trade value of a Fender Classic Player Jaguar Special HH ($600-$700). Ugh I hate talking about this guitar so much now, they're overpriced and poorly made. Idk about a speaker cab, but I'd guess he's open to heads or combos, any wattage but probably not any lower than 50 or higher than 100, and he uses the same guitar as I do, a Les Paul with P-90s.

[lordgalvar]

Does it have to be 100 watts? I see sorados at resonable prices these days you could probably trade for (the prices aren't obviously as good as they used to be). It is a little sterile but I like the sound, but it does get loud enough for me (and around the same volume as the beta lead). That's all I got.

[waltdogg]

I guess could be any wattage in the usable 50 to 100 watt range you know? Yeah, if a 2x EL34 or 2x KT88 Sunn pops I'd immediately try to trade for it, those amps stay remarkably clean and in a better way than the Model T.

[neonblack]

Traynor! YBA-3 is around 100w and stays clean and gets extremely LOUD.

Yba-1 is 50 watts if I recall and probably cheaper.

You could get either one for way less than your budget and have money left over for a cab or some fuzz or something.

[waltdogg]

...money left over for...some fuzz or something.

Then, I should probably give my other friend's Reverb Master a spin with my guitar. See how that sounds.

And it's not that we're looking for LOUD, but an amp that doesn't overdrive too much or get too harsh sounding when it's cranked. Headroom helps but no point in having an amp that actually gets louder when you turn the volume up but never using it past 2 or something, ya know?

[lordgalvar]

Would one of those Fender PAs work too (4-channel tube)? I see those for around 450 or less sometimes.

But yea, the traynor seems like a good idea.

Sorry I glossed over the Jag HH player special detail...I dunno how I missed it. I think you could find the sunn 50 watters in that price range if you look long enough (at least I value mine at 450-500 is my guess...got that + the 6x10 for 900 or something recently...could've probably got the dude down more on price too).

Good luck man!

[crochambeau]

I'd join the Traynor chorus, but since I don't want to DRIVE UP THE PRICE I'll recommend finding some kinky organ power amplifier instead, just add your own front end!

[doommeow]

Surprised we got this far without anyone saying KVLT...

And yeah, traynor is the shit.

Don't forget red knob Fender either. Cheaper than silverface, with more modern features - switchable power options, pull boosts and gain stages, effects loops... You can definitely find a twin or Super in your price/value range.

[rfurtkamp]

I'd wager you're valuing the trade on the CP Jag waaaaay too high.

They don't go for $600 looking at ebay solds and the big used sites.

And I say this as someone who loves mine.

I'd be looking at something in the Hot Rod line with 6L6s (Deluxe/Deville/etc) for cheapish, approximate trade value, and will do cleans/pedal platform for the traditional Fender sound just fine.

[waltdogg]

O.K.

[Muff_Diver]

Twin reverb. It dooms.

[Iommic Pope]

If Twins are good enough for Steve von Till, they're good enough for any of us.

Also, MIG50?

[SoaringTortoise]

I'll recommend finding some kinky organ power amplifier instead, just add your own front end!

I am building such a beast as I write this.

[D.o.S.]

Yeah Fender Twin is what came to mind first for me, too.

[karmablock]

Would one of those Fender PAs work too (4-channel tube)? I see those for around 450 or less sometimes.

+1. I got mine for a $200 and a friend told me he saw one for $150 not to long ago.