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Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:16 pm
by alterdcrash
So i have a Crate 120watt 2x12 solid state Digital amp and i hate it,i want to get a tube amp thats the same volume (or louder) but 100% digital free and below 500$ i thought about getting a head and a 2x12 cabinet but im not sure :idk: i just dont know what to look for but it has to be a tube amp
any help?

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:20 pm
by royaltrux
That is going to be a tough price point for the output you are looking for.

Remember, tube amps are waay louder than solid state ones, so a few watts goes a long way.

I would suggest the Fender Blues Jr as a brand new amp, and the Blackheart 15 watt or VOX night train as a new head.

At that price, you are almost definitely looking for something used.

As far as used, I would look for vintage ampeg reverb-rocket stuff, vintage Gibson stuff (falcon) and maybe even some lower end vintage fenders.

If you are dead set on a brand new amplifier, you are probably going to have to settle for something like the Blues Jr (which is a pretty good amp for what it does, by the way).

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:27 pm
by alterdcrash

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:45 pm
by Gunner Recall
What kind of music do you play? If you gig, what kinda venues?
120 tube watts is going to be LOUD.

By the way, that peavey is a hybrid (combined tube/solid state)
I'm not knocking hybrids, but if you are looking to move away from digital I assume you'd want an all tube amp.

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:53 pm
by alterdcrash
i guess i play grunge/punk rock,definalty want an all tube amp,is the Bugera the best one to get?

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:18 am
by Gunner Recall
Try one out? It's a copy of the peavey 6505. Nice features, but build quality is questionable.
Keep in mind Bugera is Behringer...I don't know if that means anything to you.

If you don't mind used you might be able to score the real 6505 for that price.

I'd just head to a shop and try out every tube amp they have and make a list of what you liked/didn't like or just which amps caught your attention.

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:29 am
by alterdcrash
thanks so much,i know what im goin to do..

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:46 am
by laxlover_bill369

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 2:13 am
by aen
morningstaru wrote:Try one out? It's a copy of the peavey 6505. Nice features, but build quality is questionable.
Keep in mind Bugera is Behringer...I don't know if that means anything to you.



The local amp tech had one in within a month of their release. He also no longer repairs them, apparently they are borderline unfixable. (SMD and PCB I'm sure) That means teeny tiny parts that are amazingly hard to replace.

I would save a little more, or shop around for a used and more reputable tube amp. Once in a while you can get a great deal on a Sovtek or Bassman. Even Fender Hot Rod series amps are allright.

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 2:18 am
by royaltrux
morningstaru wrote:What kind of music do you play? If you gig, what kinda venues?
120 tube watts is going to be LOUD.

By the way, that peavey is a hybrid (combined tube/solid state)
I'm not knocking hybrids, but if you are looking to move away from digital I assume you'd want an all tube amp.


Yeah, I want to be clear -- I'm not recommending you 15-50 watt amps because I didn't hear what you said initially.

Its just that if you aren't used to tube amps, you are going to be very surprised how loud a 15 watt amp can get when it is cranked.

I agree that you really need to get in the guitar store and start playing a few amps. See what you like or don't like.

And I'll go the distance and say stay away from that Peavy. It really isn't what you are looking for.

Just like Aen said, the Hot Rod fender series is a nice starter series -- the Blues Jr I mentioned above is part of that series. The next step up would be a hot rod deluxe (an amp I played for years, by the way).

I would suggest finding something like that used for 400-450 and then spending the rest of your budget on a nice OD. There are some really good budget ODs out there that won't set you back a ton.

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 2:49 am
by alterdcrash
whats an OD,like an overdrive pedal? i have 5 fuzzes

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:11 am
by ifeellikeatourist
there was a tweed hot rod deville on the b/s/t thread a while back for only 500 bucks, and it's a $900 amp (since fender hiked their prices). Anyway, that's a super good deal, and that amp would be loud as fuck. I believe it had 10's though, and you most likely would prefer 12's.

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:49 am
by alterdcrash
im pretty sure im goin with the Bugera,its the same wattage as my crappy amp now

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:02 am
by Gunner Recall
Tube watts ain't the same as SS watts...I know it's not really true, but a rough general rule to use is tubes will be 2.5x louder.

Keep in mind that 120w on a tube amp is a crazy amount of headroom for a guitarist, for grunge/punk you might want an amp that breaks up earlier.

Re: Im tired of digital crap...

Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:12 am
by my bloody television
but he said he's got a bunch of fuzz pedals, so headroom might be exactly what he needs :idk: