Looking for low watt tube amp

xtremehardy388

BHealy wrote: »

Yeah, I've heard good things! I'd be curious what he has (year, etc.).
Thanks!

I'll check in the morning and get back to you with the specs.

BHealy

Alright!! I found out today I got a bonus at work, so I've got the go ahead for a new amp!!! One of the Fender Princetons would still be the frontrunner. I can spend up to about $1000 (less is okay, obviously!). Any others I should try? Thanks guys!

Stickman12

I love all fender tube amps but at that price range I'm going to throw the fender deluxe reverb out there

xtremehardy388

Stickman12 wrote: »

I love all fender tube amps but at that price range I'm going to throw the fender deluxe reverb out there

As good of an amp as it is, I think the low-watt tube amp comes into play.

If you can spend a bit, the Princetons are good. Also check out orange amps. The crush series are small and great. Also, a pignose is very good for practice but not for gigging.

mccreadyisgod

I'm sticking with Blues Jr or Princeton. The Blues Jr is gonna be a bit more bass-heavy, and can even tend toward muddy (a new speaker can help with this). The Princeton is gonna have better midrange and clarity, but not sound as big. I prefer the Princeton, but the Blues Jr with a speaker upgrade is a very nice amp.

BHealy

Thanks!! I'm heading to Guitar Center tomorrow to try them out. Deluxe reverb would be awesome too, but I don't know about a 40 watt beast. I'll definitely try some others too. I'm the type that shops for a long time, and then I keep whatever I buy forever... Thanks!

BHealy

22 watts.....actually.

xtremehardy388

BHealy wrote: »

Thanks!! I'm heading to Guitar Center tomorrow to try them out. Deluxe reverb would be awesome too, but I don't know about a 40 watt beast. I'll definitely try some others too. I'm the type that shops for a long time, and then I keep whatever I buy forever... Thanks!

Nothing wrong with that! Shelling out that kind of bread is a commitment, haha. I did the same with my jeep (got it this year). Try different amps, too. Though it's not as big of a deal (like with guitars) I notice that the same model can sound different depending on the amp. If possible, see if you can bring YOUR guitar with you. Also, check out craigslist...I've gotten most of my gear there or ebay. Keep us posted!

BHealy

xtremehardy388 wrote: »

BHealy wrote: »

Thanks!! I'm heading to Guitar Center tomorrow to try them out. Deluxe reverb would be awesome too, but I don't know about a 40 watt beast. I'll definitely try some others too. I'm the type that shops for a long time, and then I keep whatever I buy forever... Thanks!

Nothing wrong with that! Shelling out that kind of bread is a commitment, haha. I did the same with my jeep (got it this year). Try different amps, too. Though it's not as big of a deal (like with guitars) I notice that the same model can sound different depending on the amp. If possible, see if you can bring YOUR guitar with you. Also, check out craigslist...I've gotten most of my gear there or ebay. Keep us posted!

That's a good call!! I'll bring my strat down with me, I think. I've got some pretty bright sounding strings on it (Ernie Ball Slinky Cobalts). Thanks!

BHealy

I got the Princeton 68! It sounds amazing- I ended trying a Marshall 15 watt, a Blues Junior, and the Princeton at Guitar Center. I was totally sold on the Princeton. It just sounded so much warmer than the Blues Junior, and the Marshall actually sounded horrible, honestly. I don't know if something was wrong with it, or there was something interfering with it, but even the cleans had a horrible buzz, on both channels. I think my wife was a little disappointed in the Marshall because it was cheaper.

She told me later she didn't want to say anything at the time, but she totally loved the sound of the Princeton. Thanks guys for all your input!

Stickman12

BHealy wrote: »

I got the Princeton 68! It sounds amazing- I ended trying a Marshall 15 watt, a Blues Junior, and the Princeton at Guitar Center. I was totally sold on the Princeton. It just sounded so much warmer than the Blues Junior, and the Marshall actually sounded horrible, honestly. I don't know if something was wrong with it, or there was something interfering with it, but even the cleans had a horrible buzz, on both channels. I think my wife was a little disappointed in the Marshall because it was cheaper.

She told me later she didn't want to say anything at the time, but she totally loved the sound of the Princeton. Thanks guys for all your input!

Awesome congrats on your new purchase

xtremehardy388

That's awesome to hear! Funny about you're wife, too. Happy jamming!

BHealy

Thanks guys!! I'm really enjoying it so far! Really versatile, and my old amp really didn't have reverb....I didn't know what I was missing.

mccreadyisgod

Glad you found your sound! It's always really hard to recommend gear to fit someone else's tastes and style, but I'm glad we were able to help in any way possible.

I've heard similarly poor reviews of the cheaper Marshall tube gear, so you certainly aren't alone.

I'm sort of a sucker for the Princeton myself. I actually own a 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, which is usually one of the amps on the Holy Grail list. But most of the time, I find myself wishing I had a Princeton Reverb instead. Those classic Fender circuits are classics for a reason!

BHealy

mccreadyisgod wrote: »

Glad you found your sound! It's always really hard to recommend gear to fit someone else's tastes and style, but I'm glad we were able to help in any way possible.

I've heard similarly poor reviews of the cheaper Marshall tube gear, so you certainly aren't alone.

I'm sort of a sucker for the Princeton myself. I actually own a 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, which is usually one of the amps on the Holy Grail list. But most of the time, I find myself wishing I had a Princeton Reverb instead. Those classic Fender circuits are classics for a reason!

Thanks! This was great discussion and really helpful! But, you make a good point- you just really need to go plug in and try them out. The demo I saw (granted it was a Marshall promo) on the Marshall 15 watt made it seem really appealing....oh well. I was partial to the Princeton anyway.

I've heard good things about the Deluxe Reverbs!! My neighbor's Dad has an old one that is like new, that's been sitting in his house practically unused for decades. He loves it.

Thanks again!

All Those Yesterdays

It took me years and years of spending money on EL84 power tube amps before I realized it was all about the 6V6s for me...

BHealy

All Those Yesterdays wrote: »

It took me years and years of spending money on EL84 power tube amps before I realized it was all about the 6V6s for me...

Its hard for me to describe a sound in words, but "warmer" comes to mind (the 6v6s).