Best small guitar combo amp for recording?

[kennybro]

Originally Posted by Aisle 6

Fender Blues Juniors are a solid amp. Although never blew me away. Having said that, last year I purchased one as Fender did a ltd edition in tweed with a Jensen speaker and it is fantastic. The Jensen loaded version just blew away all the Eminence loaded ones that I have used.
So to answer your question...Blues Junior LTD.

No doubt, the Jensen beats the old Eminence loads. I did replace the Em with a Jensen in my old one. Forgot about that. Although the Em wasn't horrible. Jensen's just sweeter & smoother, clean or dirty.

Glad to see the B Jr getting some love here.

[drpeacock]

I bought a Vox ac4 for the last record I did and was really pleasantly surprised. Just don't mess with the wattage selector or it will more than likely go up in smoke.

I also have a Swart Space Tone that I really like. Especially for gain.

[Classic]

The one that did it for me? Dr. Z Carmen Ghia... 18 watts of awesomeness! It's just one of those amps where you stick a 57 on it, and you're golden. Takes to pedals nicely. Found mine used for $800.

[electricity17]

Check out the White Amp from Satellite, it would be excellent for what you're looking for. White Amps were made by Fender back in the 50's, the circuit is very close to a Tweed Princeton. I got to play a White Amp when I visited Satellite down in San Diego, it can do a ton of great tones and had a classic Fender sound to my ears. Not big enough to gig with but perfect for a studio amp.

[mcgruff]

The Black Star HT-1 and HT-5 have a line out with cabinet emulation which could be very useful.

[Songwriter]

Thanks for the recommendations I´m looking into them.

I´m still a little uncertain as to what size and wattage I´ll go for. The classic Vox AC15 f ex would be interesting to check out, and at 15W it sounds to an amateur like me that it has got about half the loudness of my Hot Rod Deluxe (40W)... which would sound about right... but I suppose it doesn´t work quite like that. From what I can gather, these wattages can only tell you so and so much, and I´ve read comments from both Laney VC-15 and Vox AC15 users about both of these amps actually being quite loud.

The Blackheart series is one I knew little about. That voicing (UK vs US) knob seems interesting, I suppose that is not some digital effect....?

There is a specialized store here that seems to carry brands like Dr. Z and the like, maybe I should just call them up for a chat too.

[Aisle 6]

Originally Posted by kennybro

No doubt, the Jensen beats the old Eminence loads. I did replace the Em with a Jensen in my old one. Forgot about that. Although the Em wasn't horrible. Jensen's just sweeter & smoother, clean or dirty.

Indeed, the eminence was not bad, but the Jensen solution made it a completely new amp. Well done Fender.

[gt_jumper]

Originally Posted by shanabit

Blackstar HT Studio 20 | Sweetwater.com

Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue | Sweetwater.com

this

[Travst]

I've owned or own most of the amps discussed here as well as a few other low-wattage amps. Of the lot, I like the Blues Jr., Goodsell, and Laney. Most folks won't mention the Laney because they haven't played it-it's not a readily available amp. Same with the Goodsell, and Richard makes top-notch amps. The Laney is an excellent amp and very portable, as are Goodsell's smaller models. However, I don't consider cleans the Laney's strong suit if that's what you're going for. I've seen the Laneys about in the $400-$500 range and consider them a great buy at those prices.

I'll toss in one more suggestion based on my experience.... vintage Ampegs. The old Geminis, etc. get great tone. My personal choice is a Reverberocket II that I tweaked myself. Not everyone's cup of tea, but a there is a lot of love for them. A good one should run you from $400-$600 or so, and you may want to factor in a going over by a good tech. The Fender XD seems to be highly regarded in most circles, but I haven't played one extensively. It's easy enough to go have a listen at your local store, however.

[perform/record]

For authentic classic rock gtr tones, the Blues jr is great.
Music Man had a 12" 50W-tube combo that sounded awesome, forgot the model name.

[thefyn]

For under $1000, the best combo for recording cleans, grit and liquid gain IMO is the Mesa MK III.

[AwwDeOhh]

You can actually get alot of tone out of the Egnater Tweaker. Not a bad little unit.

[PhilDW]

Originally Posted by Songwriter

Thanks for the recommendations I´m looking into them.

I´m still a little uncertain as to what size and wattage I´ll go for. The classic Vox AC15 f ex would be interesting to check out, and at 15W it sounds to an amateur like me that it has got about half the loudness of my Hot Rod Deluxe (40W)... which would sound about right... but I suppose it doesn´t work quite like that. From what I can gather, these wattages can only tell you so and so much, and I´ve read comments from both Laney VC-15 and Vox AC15 users about both of these amps actually being quite loud.

<snipped >

You're right, it doesn't work like that, half wattage isn't half as loud, all other things being equal. This might help:
Loudness

[godotzilla]

I have very early Silverface versions (read: blackface circuitry) of the Princeton Reverb and Deluxe Reverb. Both are in my top 5 for recording AND gigging amps. The DR in particular records like a dream. Benchmark clean and overdrive tones--and it goes full dirty with the right pedal (Muff fuzzes, OCD or Suhr Riot)

[Aisle 6]

Originally Posted by thefyn

For under $1000, the best combo for recording cleans, grit and liquid gain IMO is the Mesa MK III.

I could never get the MKIII to crunch right. It was always too creamy. Which is nice in it's place.

Also, it is still quite a big loud amp as well. I think to OP was wanting a small low power combo.

[thefyn]

Originally Posted by Aisle 6

I could never get the MKIII to crunch right. It was always too creamy. Which is nice in it's place.

Also, it is still quite a big loud amp as well. I think to OP was wanting a small low power combo.

60 watt and has a small footprint.

The only drawback on the amp is live...you can't get the best clean and crunch to switch due to shared settings.

Here is a MkIII forum friend of mine from Harmony Central:

http://tonefinder.com/files/11-generic11.mp3

Crunch for days.

[rumbletone]

Originally Posted by AwwDeOhh

You can actually get alot of tone out of the Egnater Tweaker. Not a bad little unit.

+1. I've yet to hear an amp in that price range that sounds that good AND is as versatile. Has ample gain on tap for anything less gainy than metal, and need not be cranked to get the tones. Check it out if you can.

[mishagolin]

I love my silverface Princeton reverb. Recording and live. You can find a silverface for a reasonable price compared to the blackface.

If I didn't have my Princeton I'd probably go for a blues jr or the vox AC4tv. You'll have some money left over for better speakers or tubes on either.

[Songwriter]

I was really set on getting a combo when posting the thread, but after some of the suggestions I´ve been starting to consider a small head and cab solution as an alternative (never really thought much about that before). An advantage with a head and cab solution would be that I could leave the cab in the "studio" facility where I can make more noise, and use the head at home (either with a power soak I have, or with headphones/monitors), for then to carry it back and forth. Another advantage would be the possibility to buy another head or cab in the future and mix if I should ever feel the need.

Vox and Egnater have been mentioned, and both of these brands seems to have some very interesting models. Not least Egnater with the Tweaker, which also seems to provide quite a wide palette of sounds, which can be nice (+ that it looks very good.)

The Vox AC4TV head and cab was mentioned, but not the Night Train/Lil´ Night Train ones. Does anyone have any experience with those? Listening to clips, I think I might like the Night Train a lot. It seems to have quite an "in-your-face" sound, but in a pretty smooth way. The Lil´ Night Train even has the headphones out, which would be practical to have, but both the ordinary Night Train and its cab (12") still seem a little more interesting soundwise.

[Jules]

Originally Posted by Songwriter

...I´ve been starting to consider a small head and cab solution as an alternative (never really thought much about that before). An advantage with a head and cab solution would be that I could leave the cab in the "studio" facility where I can make more noise, and use the head at home (either with a power soak I have, or with headphones/monitors), for then to carry it back and forth.

Hmmm .. giving me ideas too..

[mcgruff]

I'm planning to snap up an amp head bargain when next I see one. Guitar, obviously, but it'll also be patched in as an FX loop (with a reamp box) to experiment with new sounds. For example, organ voices can get pretty crazy with lots of valve gain.

[AwwDeOhh]

Originally Posted by Songwriter

I was really set on getting a combo when posting the thread, but after some of the suggestions I´ve been starting to consider a small head and cab solution as an alternative (never really thought much about that before). An advantage with a head and cab solution would be that I could leave the cab in the "studio" facility where I can make more noise, ...

...Vox and Egnater have been mentioned, and both of these brands seems to have some very interesting models. Not least Egnater with the Tweaker, which also seems to provide quite a wide palette of sounds, which can be nice (+ that it looks very good..

That's how i have my Tweaker. It's not much more for seperate head/cab... and the added flexibility is worth the small price difference.
It's almost just as portable as well.. as both components are on the small side.

You can get that "moving air" breakup that the larger units are good for, but at a much lower overall volume (great for the home studio).
Basically why i got mine. My Marshall half-stack was blowing out my windows (not literally) having to crank it to get the tone i was after.

[McPhaul]

Originally Posted by godotzilla

I have very early Silverface versions (read: blackface circuitry) of the Princeton Reverb and Deluxe Reverb. Both are in my top 5 for recording AND gigging amps. The DR in particular records like a dream. Benchmark clean and overdrive tones--and it goes full dirty with the right pedal (Muff fuzzes, OCD or Suhr Riot)

I completly agree with the Deluxe Reverb. LOVE mine! There are a couple of simple mods that add even more to the range of sounds, but dead stock they are great.

[darbyclash34]

I also agree about the tweaker. I have the combo version, but also use a closed back 1x12 with a celestion vintage 30 in it. The two combined make for a huge tone.

[Aisle 6]

Originally Posted by thefyn

60 watt and has a small footprint.

The only drawback on the amp is live...you can't get the best clean and crunch to switch due to shared settings.

Here is a MkIII forum friend of mine from Harmony Central:

http://tonefinder.com/files/11-generic11.mp3

Crunch for days.

Cool, that is what I recalled about them.
60watt is pretty big in my book though.

[mds]

Try to find a used silverface princeton reverb. A much better amp than a Blues Jr. By comparison a Blues Jr is sort of harshy/grainy. A PR is smoother, warmer, has more depth, and just a better overall version of the classic Fender sound. They break up great and have fantastic reverb. One of the best amps ever.

[dlmorley]

Laney Lionheart of those you mentioned.
Great speaker as standard (unlike many other amps these days) and a fab clean channel that, when cranked, sings..


Koch Studiotone is great
Vox AC15C1 I'd agree with too

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by Aisle 6

Fender Blues Juniors are a solid amp. Although never blew me away. Having said that, last year I purchased one as Fender did a ltd edition in tweed with a Jensen speaker and it is fantastic. The Jensen loaded version just blew away all the Eminence loaded ones that I have used.
So to answer your question...Blues Junior LTD.

Or just buy a BJ and put whatever speaker you want in it yourself. Mine has a Celestion AlNiCo Blue just to be weird. I love it.

I picked up a Greta as well... cheaper than most nice boutique pedals, and a lot of fun!

The Pro Junior is also worth a look, lots of people love the simplicity of them and people tell me that they tend to sound better stock than the BJ does (I chose the BJ because I just liked the 12" speaker more, regardless of anything else).

[Arichlsss]

My fav small amp is a valve jr with the mercury mod...

I would play out with it more if it had more clean headroom but that's what suffers with low wattage amps.. If I crank it to noon it's loud enough to keep up with drums but just gives you a full on overdrive with great power tube sag mmmmm.....

When I use it for practicing in the bedroom I run it at 9 oclock and run a pedal board into it and it's perfect

And it fills out my amp corner in the studio

[Joellogic]

Orange dark terror packs a mean punch as well for its size

Orange Dark Terror Head | Sweetwater.com