Best cheap practice amp

[SimplyTH]

Hey there everyone,

Tried to use the search option for this one but couldn't find anything. What is everybody's favorite (under 200?) practice amp? I am saving money for other stuff and since I won't be using this to play out I want to save some cash. Set on amps for gigs/band practice but I can't be using my Sunn tube head in my apartment. Most of my gain comes from pedals so I would like something with decent headroom. Also open to heads, I have some old 12 inch speakers laying around and I wouldn't mind trying my hand at building a cabinet. Right now looking at the Boss Katana mini, orange crush series, micro terror and the ZT lunchbox (if I could find one). Thanks!

[MaxMaps]

I mean you really cant go wrong with a Boss Katana, great amps for not that much money right out of the box.

[friendship]

I got the Katana Mini last year and it's great. Lots of headroom on the clean channel. I don't use any pedals with it, so I use the other two channels often, and they too are great. Sounds warm and full at low volumes. It lives on my coffee table and I riff out while tele-visions.

[coupleonapkins]

Peavey.

But honestly, sit next to the amp you think is the cutest, and maybe sparks vvill fly?

Also, the Lunchboxes have a tendency to rattle their little metal enclosures, but maybe you could insulate it, if you're handy? Also they are as overprixed as they are difficult to find these days.

The Orange minis do the job, but will always have the grit, and the portability/ease of a cab & head mini combo is unbeatable (see also: quilter schtuff or a Crate Powerblock, both very good but only one is still being manufactured currently).

After all, it's a solid state, and I'm Massachusetts.

[Jero]

No longer produced, and prices have gone up a bit, but the Vox Pathfinders are still one of my favorites (and what I use daily). Always on the lookout for another cheap one, though they are totally worth even the higher prices IMO...That said, there are likely better, more current options these days (see previous posts about the Katana).

[coupleonapkins]

No longer produced, and prices have gone up a bit, but the Vox Pathfinders are still one of my favorites (and what I use daily). Always on the lookout for another cheap one, though they are totally worth even the higher prices IMO...That said, there are likely better, more current options these days (see previous posts about the Katana).

I've been trying to find one, too, for several years, but they have hit $250 before shipping

If it's good enuff 4 Feist & Norah Jones to use on stage (dual & miked), then it's good enuff 4 me!

Katana 50s are currently on sale for $259 at Guitar Center (cheaper if you steal it!), FWIW, but I'm sure most online places would let it go for leaner cheese

I mostly play through a Fender Champion 600 RI at home because it's handy (& unmodded), but I should supplant it for stereo with one of those cheap Danelectro Niftys before they are all set out to pasture for good, but only 'cause they are almost the same color.

I also side w/ Jero on the line of availability, as I know most Champion 600 owners only buy it to mod it out fer Clap Tones or whatever, and also it's not something I would willfully lug around since it's not as robust, feature-laden, or versatile as, say, a Katana. Or even a Peavey

[Bartimaeus]

i'm a fan of the vox mv50 clean version when playing with headphones. also sounds good with a decent cab, but the stock BC108 cabs are horrible.

i usually practice through a vox ac4c1-10, but modded with the "normal" channel cap value instead of the stock "top boost" value which cuts tons of bass. those were around $200 or less used for a bit but i think the price has gone up. you may have luck with craigslist.

similarly, if you check craigslist you can get a good deal on the 80s/90s champ 12, probably the cheapest fender tube amp you'll ever find. the clean channel was a little compromised because of the extra filtering for the dirty channel. but still, set the EQ right and you can get some low-volume chime.

digital stuff also sounds really good these days. but i do soldering, so i like amps that i can repair myself if needed. digital stuff is usually just toast if there's an issue.

[Chankgeez]

Pignose?

OK, but, who can afford to move back to Massachusetts?

[Blackened Soul]

Pignose [I have a black one ]
Blackstar Fly
Pignose Hog30 - I had one years ago and loved it, but the batteries go bad after a few years.. I ended up stuffing the power supply inside the amp and just used is plugged in and eventually gave it to my niece for her first guitar amp

[Gone Fission]

Yamaha JX combos when they come up cheap. Small, sound good at low volume, and a very credible budget sub for black and silver panel Fenders.

[friendship]

Oh look out for Roland Micro Cubes too, they have good channels and useful (if basic) effects, plus a direct out and an aux in. There was one on my CL last week for like $50.

[Seance]

Under $200 (US?) practice amp seems to suggest used Peavey transtube/Bandit/etc.
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Peave ... it&index=5

Or, if you could find one, a used Seymour Duncan PowerStage 170?
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Seymo ... 8346705.gc

[coupleonapkins]

OK, but, who can afford to move back to Massachusetts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knFS8reh5oY

[coupleonapkins]

Pignose?

[friendship]

extra snort...