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Posted by: Fizzwidget Oct 27 2008, 07:43 PM

I'm currently looking for a new amp, preferably tube. It will be mostly used for metal / hard rock as a practice amp and as a jamming amp. Huge plus if it can be used for gigging with smaller audiences (20-50'ish) with a drummer.
My budget isn't very strict, but I'm looking for one in between 200-300$.

Also, I'm wondering if there is any severe difference between tube amps and non-tubes. From the view of someone who isn't a gear elitist .

Posted by: Xuestor Oct 27 2008, 08:18 PM

well, for 300 USD you won't get a tubeamp. There are some Blackheart models at that cost, but they are like 5 watts, and may be just a little too weak.

Difference is all to your ear in the end really Listen and compare. Generally you can say that tubeamps produce the "TRUE" guitartone and have a fuller, richer, creamier sound overall. But I know people who prefer solid state amps over tube-amps, although they are a minority...


EDIT: The Blackheart handsome devil combo sells for around 350 euros. Thats the cheapest tube-amp with a little more that 5 watts I could find.

Posted by: Fizzwidget Oct 27 2008, 08:26 PM

Ah, then I'll have to double the budget . No worries though, I guess I'll have to make do with what I've got in the meantime.

EDIT: on http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/amplifiers/combo/tube I found tubes for about 200-300 USD, so that's where I took my estimate from. Even though they don't ship certain brands out of the U.S.

Posted by: MickeM Oct 27 2008, 10:51 PM

Tube!

With the budget of max $300 in Norway I don't think you'll get very far
Leaves you with the Peavey Valveking

You could add a little more and get a Randall RG50TC

Or be a cool dude! There's a Kustom Defender 50 that's close to your budget. A one channel amp so maybe not what you're on the look for. You can switch between EL34's and 6L6 tubes. The internal speaker is jacked in so it's easy to add an attenuator to it.
The Kustom would be the better rock and blues amp while the Randall is more metal and the Peavey is a little bit of both of these.

I know the Peavey and the Kustom are made in China, I think the Randall is too.

Solid state amps are more or less maintenance free, a little electric spray every 5 years. Tube amps needs some caring. Especially if you're moving it between home, rehearsal and gig very often the tubes can break in worst case.

If you ask me I'd go with the Kustom and add a pedal for metal.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 27 2008, 10:57 PM

if you wanna tube amp, reconsider your budget options, tube amps cost more than 200-300$. maybe you can get one for that kind of money, but that's just wasting the money on a lousy tube amp IMO. You need 40W at least with one 12 speaker.

if you wanna read a bit about tube amp vs solid state one check out http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=20143&hl=tube+amp thread, post #5.

Also it would be helpful if you could tell us a bit of your previous amps, and what kind of a sound do you like. You can name some bands or musicians that have the sound that you like so you can buy similar sounding amp perhaps.

Posted by: Fizzwidget Oct 27 2008, 11:21 PM

Well, seeing how high the prices are for gear in Norway I was thinking of buying from U.K, U.S or Germany. Also, after looking more into tubes I've found that 200-300$ is too low to get a amp that doesn't suck. So let's say with a 400-600$ budget then.

I've also been looking in on review's Line6's Spider 3, which linked me to the Marshall MG50DFX. Both of which seems like great amps.

My current amp is a Behringer Firebird GX-108. The sound I like varies a lot inbetween what kind of mood I'm in, but generally speaking I like sounds similar to Children of Bodom and Slipknot for the metal parts. Dream Theatre for the Prog, and Opeth for everything inbetween .

EDIT: Great link by the way Ivan, thanks!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 27 2008, 11:49 PM

If you like metal the I really suggest you check out Randall and Peavey amps, preferably Randal. They offer some nice hybrid amps for the money, so if you can find them, be sure to check them out, here's the http://www.randallamplifiers.com/products/amplifiers/g2/index.asp .

Posted by: MickeM Oct 27 2008, 11:50 PM

Forget about the US. You'd end up paying customs and VAT and all of a sudden it's like if you had bought it in say Germany. UK and Germany both have 230V so that would be right to start with.



Reviews aren't trustworthy in that aspect. Always concider who are reviewing. The ones reviewing a MG50 would in most cases be first time amp owners, and to someone who never had an amp before any amp would sound good.

Posted by: g-forcelover Oct 27 2008, 11:57 PM

Marshall MG series. not tube, but they sound amazing. just dont get the 30 watt, thats the only one that sucks. the 50 should be good.

Posted by: kjutte Oct 28 2008, 01:39 AM

You need atleast 1000 dollars.
If you can't get that, stick to your old stuff.

And honestly, that's just the head. Cab cost around 500 too prolly, if you don't want too expensive.



Honestly, I wouldn't invest alot of money in a non-tubeamp. It'll have to be changed anyway. Better to but a toneport or something then.

Posted by: audiopaal Oct 28 2008, 08:20 AM

Well, tubeamps are better because they sound better and warmer.
There's a few exceptions though, as the most expensive Hughes & Kettner non-tube amps sounds freakin' amazing too

I have a 100W Engl, and that's way too loud really
Go for something between 20W-60W and you'll be good as at most concerts they mic it anyway

Solid state amps can as I say be just as good but they're gonna cost you fortune.
I'd also spend more than 300$, at least double it and you could get something good

Marshall, Mesa, Engl, Suhr, Egnater, Fuchs, Hughes & Kettner, Blackheart, Fender etc. got some great tube amps.
Check out the ones you can afford and try some out and pick the best for you