Dilemma Regarding Amp Size, Continuation of the "HT-5 for band" - post Options

[mhskeide]

Hi guys

I felt that this topic deserved an own post, since there may be more people than me with the same problem.

I`ll try to keep it short until further details are asked for.

My current gear: Crate VTX 200s (200W 2*12 solid state amp)

Want: A tubeamp capable of playing both sweet cleans and evil, crushing distorition.

Quick prelude to dilemma: My current amp is very large, and only used home since I`m only playing bass in bands, I don`t need an amp of this size. Though, me and a mate are discussing starting a new band where I play guitar, I just dont know when it happenes or IF it happenes...

the dilemma: Buying an high-gain tubeamp usually means high-end as well. I saw a hope in the Blackstar HT-5 being able to be heard in a band, but I see now that it will be a bit low. On the other hand, a hi-end tubeamp will most likely be pretty expensive, and if the band I mentioned wont be established, then I will be having a monster amp for only home use, which equals waste in size imo.

Some alternatives:
1) Take my chances and trade my Crate for a HT-5 - Advantage: Minimal expenses - Drawback: Too low for band
2)Keep my crate and buy the HT-5 in addition - Advantage: Two amps, OK for band and great for home use - DB: Having an unsued, large amp at home. A bit expensive (since I`m not getting money in)
3) Trade the Crate into a large amp (f.i a 50W tube combo or head with cab) - Advantage: I`ll bet you already know this one(variety of amps, tone, size etc.) - Drawback: Most likely to very expensive, and oversized for exclusively home use

For now, I`ve also been able to find a compromise: The Blackstar Series 1 45 W combo (can be switched down to 4,5W!)

Can I have some views and tips on this case if someone`s able to help ?

Budget: I hope I`ll be able to sell my Crate for 3,5-4,5k NOK (400€/600$ - 500€/800$), and if that`s the case, I`m ready to spend a bit since I know that quality costs, but rather not more than 13-14K NOK (1600€/2400$), and I would love a good, cheaper option as well


I see now that me writing simple and short forum-Q`s are a joke

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[Saoirse O'Shea]

If someone would gimmie one to test
The problem with ordering from other countries is the lovely 25 % I have to pay in taxes/customs if the product I`m buying costs more than 30 €
...

AFAIK if you are outside the EU then you should not be paying rated EU vat/iva/etc. but you would be liable to pay the 25% Norwegian tax. As Thomann are German they may be adding 19% German vat to the stated price automatically. If that is the case they should quote you the tax free price and then you calculate how much Norwegian tax you would need to pay. Could make a big difference to the perceived cost .

One other thing - perhaps consider getting a ferry across to Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. There are several big guitar shops there that carry quite a lot of different amps etc that you could test and I'm pretty sure that they would be happy to quote for delivery etc. A lot of Norwegians go XMas shopping in Newcastle every year .

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[mhskeide]

AFAIK if you are outside the EU then you should not be paying rated EU vat/iva/etc. but you would be liable to pay the 25% Norwegian tax. As Thomann are German they may be adding 19% German vat to the stated price automatically. If that is the case they should quote you the tax free price and then you calculate how much Norwegian tax you would need to pay. Could make a big difference to the perceived cost .

One other thing - perhaps consider getting a ferry across to Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. There are several big guitar shops there that carry quite a lot of different amps etc that you could test and I'm pretty sure that they would be happy to quote for delivery etc. A lot of Norwegians go XMas shopping in Newcastle every year .

would have been fun to go to England JUST to try amps, but maybe I could combine with a vacation sometime
Anyways, I want a new amp before traveling to england again, it does cost some that as well you know ;P

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