searching for small amp for just "firt jam-purpose"

[treewhispers]

hi,

I`m searching for a very very light and small guitar-amp, that is still loud enough for band purposes (drums!). so if you got muscles like beavies & butthead you should be still able to carry this thing across a whole city.

it shouldn`t sound too cheap (it were perfect if this amp got an integrated distortion that doesn`t sound like crap!)

I just attend to bring this amp to a first meet-up with some musicians. because at the first jam no one really knows if there will be a second time.
that`s why I really don`t want to carry all my (very heavy and expensive!) equipment or have to pay so much to transport it for just one or two jam-sessions....
so maybe you guys can give me some suggestions. sadly I can just spent 100 - max. 150 euro for such an amp.

best wishes

treewhispers

[Jonboy79]

Well, I'd just go with something like a 15watt Fender Frontman. It's nothing special but it is decently loud and has a dirty channel. There's even a reverb version if you want that too. It's also pretty light so it wouldn't be too tiring to carry around a city.

[FFTT]

Reeves Custom 18 or 30
Reinhardt 18 or 33
Blankenship mini Leeds
Fender Blues Junior
Fargen Mini Plex
Carr Rambler
Top Hat Club Deluxe
For cleans, VVT Amps Fralin model.
Swart Atomic Space Tone Reverb
Category 5 Tsunami

[joeyjazz]

In your price range you might get lucky and find a used Blues Junior, though more likely you'd have to look at smaller tube amps like the Epi Valve Jr or Fender Pro Jr or look into a solid state option like the Vox Valvetronix series or cheaper Fenders. Pretty much all of these are in the 20-30 pound weight category which may or may not be as light as you were hoping for.

[Unclenny]

For your first impression/jam thing go with a used Blues Jr..

Lots of tonal possiblities with the master/volume setup and fat switch.

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by FFTT

Reeves Custom 18 or 30
Reinhardt 18 or 33
Blankenship mini Leeds
Fender Blues Junior
Fargen Mini Plex
Carr Rambler
Top Hat Club Deluxe
For cleans, VVT Amps Fralin model.
Swart Atomic Space Tone Reverb
Category 5 Tsunami

Did you not read his entire post? Why don't you check out what he wants to use it for and how much he's looking to spend before you post your usual list of expensive tube amps.

[FFTT]

For a first jam, I figured 15-30 watts, reasonably portable, good quality and good tone.

I consider all of these suggestions to be very reasonably priced for what they do.

I did post the Blues Junior as the most affordable in the line up.

Good tone is a part of making a good first impression and I've been a long time
proponent of saving up till you can buy quality.

As long as the OP is committed to his art, why spend hard to earn money
on inferior products.

If he's worried about theft or damage at an unknown jam location, then
sure, buy a used Peavy or a Tiny Terror or something similar.

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by FFTT

For a first jam, I figured 15-30 watts, reasonably portable, good quality and good tone.

I consider all of these suggestions to be very reasonably priced for what they do.

I did post the Blues Junior as the most affordable in the line up.

Good tone is a part of making a good first impression and I've been a long time
proponent of saving up till you can buy quality.

As long as the OP is committed to his art, why spend hard to earn money
on inferior products.

If he's worried about theft or damage at an unknown jam location, then
sure, buy a used Peavy or a Tiny Terror or something similar.

He stated he wanted to spend 150 euro's MAX.

[FFTT]

For about $200USD it's gonna be tough unless he goes used.

[Unclenny]

Originally Posted by treewhispers

it shouldn`t sound too cheap (it were perfect if this amp got an integrated distortion that doesn`t sound like crap!)

Blues Jr.

Originally Posted by treewhispers

you should be still able to carry this thing across a whole city.

Blues Jr....Not sure about a whole city.

Originally Posted by treewhispers

is still loud enough for band purposes (drums!).

Blues Jr.

Maybe just a bit out of your price range (even used) but.....

Originally Posted by FFTT

why spend hard to earn money
on inferior products.

[FFTT]

It looks like a Fender Super Champ XD might be a cool option if you can save up just
a bit more. 15 watts RMS and weighs 24 pounds.

Musician's Friend has them at $299.00 USD

No clue how much mark up you'd have to pay over in EU.

Buy Fender Super Champ XD Guitar Combo Amp | Hybrid Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

A used Blues Junior may still cost you a bit more, but either one would be a good choice
and you can upgrade tubes, speakers etc as budget permits.

[PlugHead]

FWIW,

I just purchased one of these for quick and easy amplification:

ZT Amplifiers

Depending on his needs, and more on the typical 'tone-daddy' nature of guitarists, this area is totally subjective...

This little bugger is not a tube design, but is louder than hell. I haven't plugged a guitar into it (it arrived last night), but for keys/rhodes, this thing has TONS of volume. And yes, it is probably the easiest amp ever to transport - only a few lbs, and is as stated - the size of a lunchbox...

cheers,

[FFTT]

That ZT Lunch Box looks pretty cool and 9.5 pounds, uber portable.

Price seems right too.

200 watts peak? I'd like to know the RMS rating.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by FFTT

That ZT Lunch Box looks pretty cool and 9.5 pounds, uber portable.

Price seems right too.

200 watts peak? I'd like to know the RMS rating.

My main reason was the portability - even as a 'hotspot' monitor - as well as needing a small amp for recording, as I have virtually none ATM...

This thing screams - I still need to plug a guitar thru it (that'll happen this weekend), but - holy g-sus - my Rhodes Mk I plugged into it sounds wicked - not much bottom, but it sounds VERY good for both clean and dirty. The Nord clav/wurli/mono-synth sounds very good too, tho there is v. little bass with the tiny 6.5" driver.

Otherwise, so far, so good.

[FFTT]

Their upcoming 1X12 and bass rig sound interesting.

[mrhenry76]

Orange Tiny Terror Combo
killer sound, lots of volume ( I used it against a LOUD drummer, a 250 Watt Bass amp, a cranked Vox Ac 30 and didn't feel the need of a bigger amp! ), quite transportable!

[treewhispers]

these all seem to be good solutions. I think a cheap tiny ephiphone 5 watt tube combo (around 100 dollar could be as just as well). it´s said to be loud enough for band purposes and it`s very small. maybe this tiny transistor thing
is smaller and even weights less but it costs much more and is no tube amp.

best wishes

tree whispers

[Chris Williams]

Peavey Nano Valve. Red dog music sells them for 40 quid in the uk. Cheap, sound passable, can stand up to drums bass a 4x12 and a classic 30 in a band practice.

I got one just for shits and giggles but I quite like it. For 5 watts it has some balls and takes pedals fairley well.

[AnthonySpinali]

Originally Posted by treewhispers

hi,

I`m searching for a very very light and small guitar-amp, that is still loud enough for band purposes (drums!). so if you got muscles like beavies & butthead you should be still able to carry this thing across a whole city.

it shouldn`t sound too cheap (it were perfect if this amp got an integrated distortion that doesn`t sound like crap!)

I just attend to bring this amp to a first meet-up with some musicians. because at the first jam no one really knows if there will be a second time.
that`s why I really don`t want to carry all my (very heavy and expensive!) equipment or have to pay so much to transport it for just one or two jam-sessions....
so maybe you guys can give me some suggestions. sadly I can just spent 100 - max. 150 euro for such an amp.

best wishes

treewhispers

There are a bunch of different Peavey Solid State amps that sound pretty good for the price. I can't remember all the names but honestly I think they are great amps. Maybe look into it. I would recommend specific models but it's been years since I played them. I know gearslutz tend to dog Peavey but it's pretty awesome for the price. I think my dad has a 1x12 Peavey Bandit that is totally loud and has an overdrive channel. I think it was decent with my tubescreamer (ts9). My cousin had one of the "Transtube" models which I thought were good too.

This is all relative of course... Hope this helps