epiphone valve jr / tube practice amp options

[decomposing]

need a practice amp again, haven't played in so long it's bad
saw a decent deal for an epiphone combo stack and used to have the head before but had to sell it for rent
finally in a place where I think I need it for my sanity
what do you all think of it? my main amp is a marshall 40 watt half stack and love the tubes getting pushed hard
it's at $175 and a drive from me, so asked if was firm or into trades to offset the price with gas.
should I jump on this?

[D.o.S.]

They're actually pretty awesome amps, but the little amp crazy means there's a lot of options.

Fun fact: Queen Elephantine's live tone (which is great) is a Russian BMP into a Valve Jr.

[culturejam]

By "combo stack" do you mean a combo and also a matching speaker cab? If so, $175 is pretty decent.

[antennafarm]

those are cool amps! I used to have one (gave it to a friend).. I wasn't a fan of the stock speaker (eminence lady luck I think?), at least with that amp, but I paired it with a WGS 10" veteran (in a new cab) and it was phenomenal. missing it as we speak!

[D.o.S.]

By "combo stack" do you mean a combo and also a matching speaker cab? If so, $175 is pretty decent.

I think it comes with a 1x12

[CyaNitrate]

By "combo stack" do you mean a combo and also a matching speaker cab? If so, $175 is pretty decent.

Agreed. Also, there were three versions...I can't recall the differences, but I know v3 was supposedly the best. I had one and loved it. For under 200 bones, 5 tube watts with a matching 1x12 cab is solid. However, I don't think I'd go that high for the combo version, which I think only came with a 10" speaker..maybe like $120 or so.

[decomposing]

he forgot about the posting and wants to keep it
bah!
it was for both the head and cab too
he was surprised I was the only one who responded
dammit

[decomposing]

suggestions for others in the lower price point
these have gotten pricey on ebay because of the mods

[Adamadamadam]

Are you just looking for a low-wattage head, or a combo? If a combo, what size speaker?

I used to have a Gretch G5222 (same circuit as the champ 600 RI, but tweed), which was a solid little amp, but it was definitely little. It'll take an 8" speaker if you can/know someone who can make a new baffle, but there's no way it'll push much air on its own. IIRC it was 8 ohms out, so you could easily have it drive a larger cab.

It only has one pre and one power tube, and it's a pretty easy circuit to play around with if you're so inclined. Last I checked street was just under $200.

[decomposing]

yeah just a low wattage tube head so I can practice and push them without making neighbors shit
40 watts of tube into 4 55hz 30 watt gh30's can really pump through some of my shit
when I had a valve jr and a diy speaker cab, that was perfect
and got a rad deal, but ended up selling it to a roommate who turned out to be a dick
and a rad les paul. just for dollars.
eh, I'll find the right fit.
I'll check that gretch.

[HAVN]

Blackstar HT-1 is what you're looking for, friend. I have the combo, but been thinking about building a cab with a 12" and putting the amplifier in that cab. Ability to shape tone is limited but I like it.

Edit: The HT-5 is also nice, and you may be able to find one of those for not much more. Bigger speaker(s), footswitch, and more control over your tone.

[decomposing]

ok cool
those look nice
there's a ht5 for $250 locally for the head

[HAVN]

If you can get it for $200 I'd say go for it, otherwise that's about average price for those.

[imJonWain]

you can get that monoprice tube amp (rebranded laney) for like $130 new.

5w... and they also have a 15w for like $200
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611705

[decomposing]

that amp looks nice
out of stock
do they make just the head?
searching now
thanks