47 replies to this topic

[Doug]

Over the next few months my day job has me on the road. I can't not play so I'm gonna get a good used practice amp that will be easy to put in the car or even fit in my large suitcae for air travel.

I'd really appreciate suggestions for best value in a used compact practice amp?

Thanks!

[Fran]

How about them small Gretsch things? Or maybe one of them Danelectro Dirty Thirtys...
http://www.google.co...ved=0CCcQ9QEwBw

Personally i like Valve tones so i would pay that bit more.

[JaguarOW]

if solid state is what your after get a kustom, they sound pretty tasty for ss amps

[Fran]

This is the Gretsch amp, valve btw..
http://www.fattonegu...oductCode=GRE39

[Doug]

Fran and Jag,

thank you, guys! I know THE price for used will be based in lots of variables. What price RANGE for each of these would say is fair ballpark?

[Fran]

Im not sure as i've never really been in the Small Amp market. Although, i think Timhulio was recently selling the Small Gretsch amp in Classifieds for about £99. You might get an Epiphone Valve Jr for around £100, not sure.
Trawling ebay will throw up average prices, type in 20w Valve amplifier or similar

[JaguarOW]

it really depends whether youre after solid state or valves, seeing as youre travelling alot id suggest using solid state, unless youre recording/gigging/anal about valve tone (like me ) i think solid state would be fine

the kustom 16 watt amp is about £80 new, and sounds pretty good

[foxyloxy]

i hated my SS Kustom, what about those roland cubes people where crapping on about a few months ago?
but me, i would go for a vox pathfinder or valve jr.

[gilmourish]

i have a fender champion 600. . and for practice it does the job perfectly

it has 2 inputs (high and low) and the high input has a huge sound for such a small amp. . .

if you have a distortion pedal or something, the champ is perfect for cleans

another option would be a fender vibrochamp if your into more vintagey gear or fancy upping your budget. . theyre similar but have tremolo and are older (theyre silverface)

i also have a roland cube.. which is alright but for the price u may aswell get the champion 600.


the gretsch and the champion are exactly the same btw. . .

[Mad-Mike]

I've started using an Ibanez IBZ10G, it sounds pretty nice.

I had a Roland Street Cube for awhile, I had to sell it because of bills (and gear changes that were affecting them).

[Doug]

Foxy, Gil and all, this is really good info...you've given me a focus for the homework I have to do. I'll get back to this thread when I've checked these little amps out...and I expect I'll have some half-educated questions for you to chew on.

Thanks each of you.

[feedbackismyfriend]

vox pathfinder

+1

[Robbmonster]

Pignose 7-100. Orange Micro Crush are good for the price, and so are those Fender mini amps. I played a mini Tonemaster and loved it.

Personally, I didn't really like the Pathfinder, but I didn't get to spend much time with the one I tried. The gain seemed to control the volume and the volume seemed to do nothing at all. It was weird. Also, the salesperson at the store made me turn the amp waaaaay down, so I got no feel for the tone of the thing.

[tragictravisty]

dano honeytones can make some interesting sounds

[BanditGuitarist1]

This is making me want a small tube amp all over again but I have no money....

[feedbackismyfriend]

dano honeytones can make some interesting sounds

I have one the echo effect on them is really cool. I'd say the distortion is only alright though.

Also I've heard really good things about the Vox Amplugs (if you're looking for super compact) and they sound really good on youtube (particularly the AC30 model).

[screaminglucyfer]

vox pathfinder 15

it's the holy grail of practice amps

[Robbmonster]

vox pathfinder 15

it's the holy grail of practice amps

A music store in Melbourne has a sale this weekend ("Biggest Ever Sale" they reckon). I am gonna take a look at a Pathfinder 15 for sure.

[foxyloxy]

vox pathfinder 15

it's the holy grail of practice amps

A music store in Melbourne has a sale this weekend ("Biggest Ever Sale" they reckon). I am gonna take a look at a Pathfinder 15 for sure.

Annual Biggest Ever Sale... O_0

[Robbmonster]

vox pathfinder 15

it's the holy grail of practice amps

A music store in Melbourne has a sale this weekend ("Biggest Ever Sale" they reckon). I am gonna take a look at a Pathfinder 15 for sure.

Annual Biggest Ever Sale... O_0

Ahhh, of course

I will be there anyway