Mr. Robot Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I have a Fender Hot Rrod Deluxe amplifier. It is too big to lug around for occassional events, like family and small jams. Can anyone recommend a small valve practice amp that can also handle small gigs? It is the tone I need. I have a small fender practice amp and it is rubbish. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homz Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 fender blues Jr. or the Orange tiny terror Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsx Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Check out the blackstar HT-5, or a few of the smaller blackheart amps. Valve tones at a miniature scale or, if you want the extreme end of the spectrum there's always the zvex nanovalve i think that's what its called. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Im with Homz.. The Tiny Terror is ideal... Its small (Even comes in a carry case) its loud, very loud and packs loads of punch! Flight959 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I have a Fender Hot Rrod Deluxe amplifier. It is too big to lug around for occassional events' date=' like family and small jams. Can anyone recommend a small valve practice amp that can also handle small gigs? It is the tone I need. I have a small fender practice amp and it is rubbish. Thanks[/quote'] This would be perfect... Even comes with a gig bag and sounds great.... You can use it a home, pratice or for small gigs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudyH Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Mesa Express 5:25. A few hundred dollars more than the Egnater or the Orange previously mentioned, but with two independent channels, four modes (clean, blues, etc), a 5 watt option and a 25 watt option, and a good reverb. Additionally it is of superb quality and sounds great. I set mine to use the clean and blues modes, and then just switch between them. I never need to touch a dial or a switch anymore on that amp, except to turn it on and off. I looked at the Egnater pretty seriously, but it doesn't have reverb and only has one channel. It also is quite ugly and cheap looking with ostentatious branding and I can't imagine having something like that in my house. The two serious contenders for me were the Fender Blues Junior, the Fender Blues Junior with the enhanced speaker option that costs extra, and the Mesa 5:25. I think those are the best of the amps available for this purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninety1vee Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 egnater rebel crazy little thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I have a Fender Hot Rrod Deluxe amplifier. It is too big to lug around for occassional events' date=' like family and small jams. Can anyone recommend a small valve practice amp that can also handle small gigs? It is the tone I need. I have a small fender practice amp and it is rubbish. Thanks[/quote'] What kind of sounds are you looking to get? Similar to the HR Deluxe? Whatever you're looking for, I don't think you're going to find an amp that's low enough in power for practice at home yet powerful enough to handle small gigs (assuming with a drummer) AND is easier to carry around than your HR Deluxe (45 lbs.). If I were you, I'd look for a good, low wattage amp that good for practice and just bring your HRD for any gig; it's 40w, has a master volume and 45 lbs. is pretty reasonable for a 1x12 combo amp with that amount of power. There's the Blues Junior but I find it too loud for an apartment and you're saving yourself only 15 lbs. of weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 A 45lb amp is a small practice amp to me. Hell my B52 weighs 85lbs The Vox valvetronics amps get some great tones, but IMO aren't very useful if you have to switch settings on the fly. When I use it, I find a good setting (like the AC30) and leave it there, using my guitar volume to make it clean or crunchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I take it you want a combo amp so you don't have to lug both a head and a speaker cab. Check out the Crate V series. Good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I take it you want a combo amp so you don't have to lug both a head and a speaker cab. I avoid combo amps because of the weight issue or, at least, for anything where I need some power. I'd rather carry two pieces that are lighter separately than one heavy one. If the amp I use with my band were a combo, it'd probably be around 100 lbs. but, with a separate head and 2x12 cab, it's very manageable even it takes up more room in the trunk of my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Robot Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 You guys are terrific. Thanks a lot for all your very helpful advice. I am interested that no-one has suggested the Gibson GA5 Les Paul Jr amp. Any comments on this little baby? I dont know anything about it, just saw it in a brochure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Lot's of small tube amps out there the fractional amp market has been a big growth are the last few years everything from 1/4 watt to the models like the Egnater Rebel with adjustable power form 1 Watt to 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 You guys are terrific. Thanks a lot for all your very helpful advice. I am interested that no-one has suggested the Gibson GA5 Les Paul Jr amp. Any comments on this little baby? I dont know anything about it' date=' just saw it in a brochure.[/quote'] Well, the GA5 is only 5 watts. I have an old Fender Champ that is around the same power rating and, while it's even just a touch too loud for an apartment if you want to crank it, it would never hold it's own with a band which was one of your requirements. I really believe that what you want/need is a low powered amp, like the GA5 or Champ, to use at home and that you're just going to have to suck it up and haul around your HR Deluxe for gigs. At least, if it were me, that's what I would do but I have a third option - 15w Blues Junior (not my favorite tone, but it works well). Home - 5 watt Fender Champ with a pedal for dirt Band - 100 watt (Sick, ain't it? Nothing sounds bigger than big iron...) Mesa Stiletto with 2x12 cab Other - 15 watt Fender Blues Junior Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikko18 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 kustom tube 12a check one out if you can, they've got pretty great tone for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Nahum Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I have a Fender Hot Rrod Deluxe amplifier. It is too big to lug around for occassional events' date=' like family and small jams. Can anyone recommend a small valve practice amp that can also handle small gigs? It is the tone I need. I have a small fender practice amp and it is rubbish. Thanks[/quote'] Not sure what sort of music you play but I gather you're not a metalhead. This being the case, I would suggest in order: . 5E3 (12W) - this is a copy of the 1959 Tweed Deluxe . Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue (22W) (or the real thing or an early silverface if you can find one) . Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue (15W) (or the real thing or an early silverface if you can find one) I have a Ceriatone-built 5E3 in a Weber cab with a Weber 12A125 and nice tubes from Eurotubes. The tweeds have a rawer tone than the BFs/SFs and no reverb. Great sound and very portable. You can also buy 5E3 kits, in parts or made up, from numerous other suppliers too. The DR just seems to cover a lot of ground. You can use it for smaller events and you can play out with it. You might even find that you can get rid of the HRDlx. If you buy an RI, be prepared to change the tubes and have it rebiassed. For originals, usual comments apply. The Princeton is a standard for your kind of requirement - but I have not owned one. I had an option on a '68 but it was only a bit smaller than the Deluxe and advice was that if you have a Deluxe, you don't need a Princeton. RN PS You might also want to A/B the HRDlx with a blackface or non-MV silverface Pro Reverb if one crosses your path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Robot Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Thanks everyone. You have all given me lots of exciting options. Now for the fun part - to the toy shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Gibson GA-5 Goldtone Les Paul Jr. Amplifier Or you can go with the Blues Jr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar slinger Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Lately, there is also the Orange Tiny Terror and the VOX Night Train that will do the job and both have an AMAZING tone. Orange Tiny Terror: Vox Night Train: Marshall 2061x: But that's for people who like to ROCK, as they might or might not give you the sweet clean tones at low volumes. But of course it depends very much on wich cabinet you'll be using with them. And you can always talk to a handmaker and get yourself something juicy =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRV-Zeppelin Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 If you don't mind spending $1200+, get a Fender Princeton. Best 15w amp I've ever played. http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Pro-Tube-Princeton-Recording-Amp?sku=483714 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Robot Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Gibson GA-5 Goldtone Les Paul Jr. Amplifier Or you can go with the Blues Jr.[/quote Californiaman - thanks. I tend to agree. You started all this by teasing me with photos of your beautiful GA5 a few weeks ago. I am obsessed with the bloody thing now - it is so retro and perfect for what I want' date= but I can not find one in Australia. - even old stock. (I know Gibson have stopped making them a few years ago). I looked at the Fender Champ 600 yesterday but I dont think it is comparable. For starters it only has a 6 inch speaker and chinese tubes. I dont think it can handle the bass tones on my 175, which as you know will test any amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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