Help me find a Good clean amp with a GREAT volume control

[huggernaut]

I did the little, low wattage amp thing for a while, but just managed to sell my old Sovtek (TOO MUCH FOR HOME, BAD MASTER VOLUME) and my little guy so I've got some cash to work with.

So I'm looking for a new amp. I'd like it to be clean and work as a pedalboard platform, but it HAS to have a very good volume control.

Ideally I'd like the amp to be able to played in my apartment through a 1x10 or 1x12 and then also be giggable through my 4x12.

Headroom is important, as my dirt and effects all come before the amp.

I'm playing a Jazzmaster now, styles range massively.

I'd like to keep it under $600 for the head, but cheaper is ALWAYS better so I can keep buying pedals! Combos are also very much a consideration!

Also I'm cross-posting this at TGP as well so we get to compare results!

Thanks guys

[skullservant]

I've got a Peavey RockMaster head for sale for $320 that has not ONE but TWO master volumes... one for each channel!

Seriously though, its a great platform for pedals with 4 6L6's. It really took anything I threw at it and it has a very responsive EQ.

As for other clean amps with great headroom, try old Sunn units. Currently what I've got (and replacing the Rock Master), my Sceptre is crystal clear with a super incredible spring reverb. I got mine for under $500 shipped

[huggernaut]

I've got a Peavey RockMaster head for sale for $320 that has not ONE but TWO master volumes... one for each channel!

Seriously though, its a great platform for pedals with 4 6L6's. It really took anything I threw at it and it has a very responsive EQ.

As for other clean amps with great headroom, try old Sunn units. Currently what I've got (and replacing the Rock Master), my Sceptre is crystal clear with a super incredible spring reverb. I got mine for under $500 shipped

How's the master on it though? I need VERY quiet to not destroy my lease instantly.

[skullservant]

I had 3 roommates while at school with it and only got 1 complaint. It was 1:00am when I was playing though haha
It can get super quiet for not having a triode/pentode switch. I used it on 0-1 the entire time I had it in the apartment. It was comparable in volume (or even quieter) than my 5 watt Valve Junior!

[huggernaut]

I had 3 roommates while at school with it and only got 1 complaint. It was 1:00am when I was playing though haha
It can get super quiet for not having a triode/pentode switch. I used it on 0-1 the entire time I had it in the apartment. It was comparable in volume (or even quieter) than my 5 watt Valve Junior!

Hmmm....

[hclapp219]

Maybe the Egnater Tweaker or Rebel heads? They both come in combo form as well.

[huggernaut]

Maybe the Egnater Tweaker or Rebel heads? They both come in combo form as well.

I was considering the tweaker--any idea what the headroom is like on them?

[dubkitty]

i was hanging out at one of the locals recently while one of their techs spent 20 minutes going through all the settings on the Tweaker head. most of them were kind of thin and awful, and it pretty much killed my previous interest in the Tweaker.

i always hype Laneys, but in this case the VC15/VC30/VC50 heads could be your new best friends if you like EL84 amps. for a 6L6 amp i'd look at the new Ampegs, which are very compelling in the multiple YouTube clips from the Nashville Amp Show.

[mrmtzion]

I have a sunn dymos 2 12" combo. It is fucking awesome. It would treat you well, but I'm not selling, look on ebay. Ha ha ha.

[huggernaut]

i was hanging out at one of the locals recently while one of their techs spent 20 minutes going through all the settings on the Tweaker head. most of them were kind of thin and awful, and it pretty much killed my previous interest in the Tweaker.

i always hype Laneys, but in this case the VC15/VC30/VC50 heads could be your new best friends if you like EL84 amps. for a 6L6 amp i'd look at the new Ampegs, which are very compelling in the multiple YouTube clips from the Nashville Amp Show.

I always have liked el84/voxy tones bug I was concerned with headroom (especially on an ac15 style amp) and el84 based amps not playing nice with pedals.

I guess I should be looking at Sunn stuff, though I guess I was always under the impression they are quite loud and can't be tamed.

[goroth]

Man you guys have some tolerant neighbours - in my experience any tube amp above half a watt is too loud for dick head neighbours, so if micro amps aren't your thing you gotta look elsewhere. I have a VC30 floating round somewhere and while it kicks arse seven ways to Sunday I think it sounds poo until you get over 2 on the master, and by that stage your ears are bleeding. For what it's worth I'd say get whatever amp you want that's good some serious headroom and then get a decent attenuator and put up with a couple of % loss of tone. Or go solid state, but even my Lab Amps L11 sounds somewhat anemic until you get to "difficult to hold a meaningful conversation" volume levels.

[skullservant]

ATTENUATION

[huggernaut]

Fuck, skull, 4ohm only might make it tough for a 1x12, won't it?

[aussy]

you can still use it, but it wont be ideal and you'd lose some volume
confused why you need a master volume when you want the amp to stay clean, explain!

[skullservant]

Eminence has some 4 ohm 12" guitar speakers!