Guitar practice/Headphone amps

[imJonWain]

I want a small practice amp that'll primarily be a headphone amp but can still be used with a speaker. I'm looking at tiny combos (Roland Microcube) and also miniheads (Vox MV50). Any recommendations or experience? I'll probably buy used and I'm looking to spend under $150, ideally less.

[Dandolin]

I snagged a deal on a Yamaha THR10 a ways back when I had to live in a paper-walled apartment for a year. If you can find a deal, it is restonkulously suitable.

[mathias]

Boss Katana; the little battery powered one. I like the cab sim on the headphone jack. And it has aux in, so I typically put my phone going into that for metronome or track to play over or whatever.

[goroth]

Seconding the katana and the little Yamaha.

I ended up with a black star fly 3 or whatever it is called, because the headphone out sounded better with pedals than the others.

But man, these small amps are soooooo much better than practise amps of yore.

[imJonWain]

You Don't miss your Gorilla?

[Dandolin]

figures ther'e'd be some good ones out since the THRs and headphone out quality/pedal friendliness is def important

lol at Gorillas, though I was in a band with guy who ran two of 'em in stereo, and it didn't sound bad at all - but he was clean-tone only at that point, and I didn't really complain when he switched to a Peavey Classic sumpin' (50?)....

When are Peavey gonna come out with the Classic 666?

[Jero]

Found a Gorilla GG-80 and snakeskin Pignose today. Who needs a new stereo rig?

[jirodreamsofdank]

Second the THR10 - it's also useful for other things in flat mode that makes it a tiny FRFR/PA speaker

[Dowi]

I got a Katana since less than one year but i love it, though isometimes it gives me some buzzing problems with headphones, but maybe it's just my headphones that are not that good anymore. If you have space-issues go with the Yamaha, they do their job very well, otherwise If you want something for jams too, go with the Katana, it's amazing and hase some sweet effects too.

[mathias]

The Yamahas are the amps I most frequently see on pedal builder’s workbenches. Makes sense.

[imJonWain]

Is the THR10 that much better then the 5? Anyone know what changed between version 1 and 2?

I'm leaning toward the katana pretty much on price and simplicity. I don't really wanna go over $100 and would ideally like to be under $150.

[the_bright_undead]

My headphone/bedroom amp is a Blackstar HT5R combo. I got it for about $300 which isn't what you're looking for, but Blackstar does have a similar 1-watt head that is in the price range you mention.

My take on the smaller Blackstar amps is that they're good enough for practice, or maybe a gig in a small room (depending on your drummer)....it's a totally decent amp, if you want something basic. The clean tone isn't as great as a Fender, and the dirty channel doesn't really compare to Marshall tones they way the company advertises. It does have more EQ options than I would normally expect at this price range, plus a headphone output, which is probably why I bought it. The onboard reverb is digital, and actually sounds pretty good to me, especially with bassier guitar sounds. What the amp lacks in specificity, it makes up for in versatility. For a little practice amp, honestly it's got tons of useful features.

There's the Quilter Interblock, too. Haven't tried one myself but have heard good things.

[Dandolin]

Found a Gorilla GG-80 and snakeskin Pignose today. Who needs a new stereo rig?

Do eet

I felt like the FFR usages (it's been really nice for an ez synth monitor, and I did use it for small gathering background music before the world started melting in mucus) plus the extra flexibility in finding a base model to match your guitar/mood on the THR10 justified the price bump for me (plus I got the black one ).

I have jammed with the THR10, with a drummer hitting lightly no less, but it was pretty ridiculous. Looks like the Katana and Blackstar are also great options that might serve jamming needs better/have more fx.

I used to give guitar lessons where I'd have the student plug into the guitar input and I would plug into the aux input through a Zoom MS - actually worked fantastic, so thats a plus for the THR10 that idk whether the others also handle, but it's a pretty niche usage.... Also, I can attest, Zoom MS into THR10 works like a melatonin/benadryl sleepball on wired kids

Lately, I still find uses for the THR10 when I want to do a quick check on some pedal before I sell, or want to ear test some guitar project whackiness without lugging out the tube amp....

[imJonWain]

Anyone play with a Lunch Box jr?

[coldbrightsunlight]

Seconding the katana and the little Yamaha.

I ended up with a black star fly 3 or whatever it is called, because the headphone out sounded better with pedals than the others.

But man, these small amps are soooooo much better than practise amps of yore.

I ordered a black star fly 3 but it never came, they refunded me 3 months later.

now I just jam the electrics acoustically instead

Try again?