ilovefuzz.com

The other guitarist in my band recently got back his loaned out Traynor YCV50 (I think) and holy shit. It's loud enough, sounds decent, and is actually super portable. I'm now really jealous when I have to haul my JCM2000 and Orange 2x12 up a flight of stairs. Can anyone recommend a decent, high-headroom, portable (doesn't need to be that light, just needs to be smaller than what I have now) at around or under $500? Used/old is cool with me. It just needs to take pedals well (especially Rat), and be relatively available. PTP wiring I'd preferred, but it's not a deal breaker. I figure if anyone knew what would be good for some gazey music, it would be ILF. Halp.

Just find a used Hot Rod Deluxe. Pretend the drive channel doesn't exist if you don't like it. Use it as a clean pedal platform. Built in verb is standard decent Fender. Takes pedals very well. Has effects loop if you want to use the drive channel.

< $400 used all day long. I can move mine as a mean angry cripple (40ish pounds).

Replace tubes if needed with something like the Tung Sol 6L6s with a ludicrous hardness rating (so very, very little breakup even dimed).

Not PTP but vintage combos in that price range are likely to require some maintenance.