Tube amps for the bedroom?

k4df4l said:
I was looking for a small practice amp recently and the Super Champ XD was definitely a direction I was leaning. Decided in the 11th hour to go w/ a computer interface & modeling combo though.
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I have the Fender SCXD and Line6 UX2... What I notice is for just jamming and really enjoying playing, I certainly prefer the amp, hand's down... However, when I am recording, and I already have backing tracks, I tend to already have the inspiration from the whole thing, and direct in seems to really work well... I have found several really decent sounding VST amp plug-ins other than the Line6 POD, too, if interested...
 
paulskirocks said:
I have the Fender SCXD and Line6 UX2... What I notice is for just jamming and really enjoying playing, I certainly prefer the amp, hand's down... However, when I am recording, and I already have backing tracks, I tend to already have the inspiration from the whole thing, and direct in seems to really work well... I have found several really decent sounding VST amp plug-ins other than the Line6 POD, too, if interested...
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I already have a 50w amp & cab so I'm covered in the "real amp" end of the pool. Yeah, there's a dynamic aspect of the real thing that is just magical.

The interface/modeler I grabbed was NI's Guitar Rig Mobile and I just started getting my feet wet with that this week. Thanks for the offer...when I'm up to speed with everything, I might take you up on it.
 
Chihlidog said:
I'm gassing for one of these, seems like it would fit the bill for you.

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£319.00? Phew...

I'm definitely leaning towards the Fender. I might see if I can try one out sometime. I looked up a demo video, and liked what I heard... really nice Fendery tone... vintage styling... plus a great price. I'll decide when I actually try one out, but for now, I'm definitely leaning towards it...
 
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I don't think any amps really sound that good at low volumes. You need to get the speaker pushing enough air which obviously you can't get with low volume. The Blackstar HT5 isn't bad but sounds a little "ratty" and doesn't have enough bass for me. Another thing I'd say is that 5w valve is still too loud for home playing.

If I were looking for a low watt valve amp I'd go for a Zvex Nano but they're quite expensive for what you get :(

Solid State might be better, as others have said the MG isn't too bad if you accept that it's no valve amp. You can get some alright sounds from it and they'll be really cheap 2nd hand :shrug: The Vox Valvetronix sound alright as well.
 
Ha, the Nano. Talk about a fantastic little thing. They're way out of my price range, but it doesn't stop me from wanting one one day :grin:

I think the Fender is the way to go. Cheers Todge :)
 
I have the Fender SCXD, a Line6 Flextone II, and a Yamaha G10-112 S III from 1985...

The Yamaha is a workhorse, has a very usable parametric EQ, spring reverb, and a pretty damn good clean channel... The distorion is not bad, but not great...
The Line6 is very versatile, and has lots of bells and whistles and a pedalboard... It is not bad, as all, and I have learned to work with it and minimize the effects...
The Fender has tubes and DSP for the distortion channel, and some basic, non adjustable effects... Nice Feder tube tone...

When I set them all side by side and play for a while, I keep coming back to the Fender... There is something slightly boxy about the Line6 that I have always noticed, although not bad... What sounds great, though, is when I use the Fender and also take the line out to the Yamaha, giving me both tube and solid state being driven by a tube preamp, and both a 10 and 12 inch speaker... This setup sounds great, and the Yamaha can get LOUD...
 
I have a '74 Silverface champ that does pretty good at low volumes. I can play it about as loud as I want and not tick anyone off elsewhere in the house (except maybe the room right next door). I would sell it too...

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Yavin said:
I have a '74 Silverface champ that does pretty good at low volumes. I can play it about as loud as I want and not tick anyone off elsewhere in the house (except maybe the room right next door). I would sell it too...
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Haha. Yeah, it looks like a nice amp.

But, I think the Super Champ XD looks the best for what I need. I only see volume, bass and treble on the Silverface, so I take that to mean I'd have to crank it to hell to get a some crunch going. That's impractical for my needs. Plus I see you're in the USA, so there's going to be all sorts of customs and shipping stuff going on... I just think the SCXD would be better for my needs. Cheers though :thu:
 
I'll say it again :embarrassed: Vox AC4TV...valve, 4 watts switchable to 1watt or a quarter-watt..10 inch speaker, £180..sounds really good. :embarrassed: :wink:
 
mosiddiqi said:
I'll say it again :embarrassed: Vox AC4TV...valve, 4 watts switchable to 1watt or a quarter-watt..10 inch speaker, £180..sounds really good. :embarrassed: :wink:
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I'll get the amp you want me to, will I then? cop0 :grin:

I'll try out the Vox as well. I can't really say without trying them both out, but I'm leaning towards the Fender.
 
EJD said:
I'll get the amp you want me to, will I then? cop0 :grin:

I'll try out the Vox as well. I can't really say without trying them both out, but I'm leaning towards the Fender.
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I think you already had your mind made up before you asked.
 
matou said:
I think you already had your mind made up before you asked.
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What's that supposed to mean? messedup0

I ask about amps. Someone suggests the Champs and gets one or two +1s. I check out a demo, and I like what I hear... are you trying to start a fight, or something? :confused:
 
EJD,

It is not a true tube, but I have a hybrid Vox VT30. I LURV it. It may be a little large depending on your bedroom, but it has that fancy Master Switch on the back, and also another volume and gain switch on top. And I honestly think it is powerful enough to rehearse with. So you kind of have the best of all worlds.

BTW - I played a VT30 literally side by side with a SCXD - I liked the VT30 better. At least for the voices I use the most.

Let us know what you get.

- w
 
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Woody_in_MN said:
EJD,

It is not a true tube, but I have a hybrid Vox VT30. I LURV it. It may be a little large depending on your bedroom, but it has that fancy Master Switch on the back, and also another volume and gain switch on top. And I honestly think it is powerful enough to rehearse with. So you kind of have the best of all worlds.

BTW - I played a VT30 literally side by side with a SCXD - I liked the VT30 better. At least for the voices I use the most.

Let us know what you get.

- w
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the Super Champ and Vibro Champ XD aren't true tube amps either. they use solid state preamps and only use the 12ax7 as a phase inverter. there is also no tube rectifier. it's solid state.

to the OP, yes, you'd have to crank a SF Champ to get it to distort. or you could add a dirt pedal. that's what i do.
 
Thanks guys. I'll try out the Voxes and the Fenders and see what's what.

Help!I'maRock!, I thought of maybe adding a pedal. I might PM Yavin and check things out.

Cheers!
 
Woody_in_MN said:
Ethan,

For pedals I usually go to Danelectro, BUT I have this "Blood Drive" pedal. It is not a metal pedal - but if you want overdrive/distortion, it is great. MF still has them on clearance for $40:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Coffin-Case-BDFX1-Blood-Drive-Distortion-Pedal?sku=150020

SOT - you mentioned Yavin. Are you in Tennessee?

- w
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I always hated the casing on that Blood Drive thing :embarrassed:

No, nowhere near... I'm in the UK. I PM'd him asking his price, and if he'd ship here. Probably not likely, but I might as well still ask. I just realised that I didn't put my location under my username :lol:
 
i get kinda corksniffy when it comes to pedals. the thing about champs is that the highs can get a bit harsh. it's the 8" speaker. so my favorite distortion to use with it is my MI Audio Tube Zone. the damn pedal cost me more than the amp did! but it sounds awesome. if i were going it on the cheap, i'd get a dano EQ pedal and run it in front of whatever dirt. (i should probably do that anyway.)
 
Ethan,

Try to get over the corny case design. The construction is all metal. It is a great little pedal. But I don't know if you see them in the UK.

-
 
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