Best amps under 500 dollars?

[Gibson Artist]

Hey guys, im enjoying my les paul but my tiny weenie microcube is abit outdated. There are 2 amps ive had my eye on in the 1k price range in the Fender Princeton Reverb and a Voxac30, for different guitars and tones obviously but after xmas i will be quite broke.

 

Anyways, i would like to know if anyone can recommend some under 500 amps that can really shine without a high price tag?

 

If you ask what type of style i play it depends on the instrument. Bear in mind, i have a Les Paul, Strat, and Epi Semi hollow. Big fan of nirvana, silversun pickups, throwing muses,the cure, pink floyd, guns n roses, stone temple pilots, beatles, oasis etc. While ive played acoustics on and off since 83 im quite the novice to electrics, only been playing them the last few years so your amplification tips and advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from you longtime rockers with so much wisdom to share.

[Jeff-7]

Nice another SSPU fan I know Brian uses a hot rod deville, some marshalls, a Twin, Hiwatts. Dean Deleo uses an AC30 and a Marshall'esque preamp into a Fryette/VHT power amp stereo setup. Lots of "British" voiced amps out of most of the bands you've listed. You can get the new AC15C1 for a hair over your 500 dollar budget.

[guitar dog]

I second the AC15C1. Got mine a couple of months ago and have been very happy with it.

[T Bone]

Lots of choices there in the sub $500 range, and many have been suggested here in numerous threads. I'll list some of my own personal favorites in that range, which are some that are also frequently mentioned.

 

Marshall Class 5, not the one trick pony many claim it to be IMO, if you work the knobs, you'll find some versatility and utility there that many don't give it credit for. Dimed, it is one heck of a little screamer, seeming far louder than it's rated 5 watts.

 

Jet City JCA2112RC (designed by Soldano). When I got mine, these were ridiculously priced at I think only $299, and I used a coupon on top of that to get it for something like $250 (shipped!). At the current more realistic $399, still a good deal I think for a 1/12 20W combo, and I'm sure you can still use coupons. It's a great little work horse for not a lot of money.

 

Fender Blues Jr. (NOS version). I got mine for under $500 (again, with coupon, bringing it under the $500 mark -list $579.99 I think). 15 watt combo, 1/12 and fender reverb. Love the sound, the lacquered tweed reminds me of my old collection of vintage Fender Tweeds (like the two tweed Princeton's I often paired). Great amp, everyone should have one.

 

There are plenty of other choices, but I'll let others have some of the fun of rehashing their own favorites ;-).

[dem00n]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFrbXMSIGtQ&feature=g-user

[Buxom]

Used Peavey Valveking.

[Gibson Artist]

Used Peavey Valveking.

 

Love the Darby Crash photo..

[bonzoboy]

You would have to go a long way and spend an awful lot of money to find an amp as good as the AC-15-C1.These amps are just incredible and the reverb and tremolo are pretty well the best in the business.The AC-15 takes pedals really well even though there isn't an effects loop-I think that effects loops are tone killers anyway-and has provision for an extension speaker either with or without having the internal Celestion Greenback speaker operational,so you can use your 4-12 cab and really move a lot of air.You won't find an amp near as good for $500 or less and it's better than many costing hundreds more.

[Deacon Blue]

Vox AC15C1 all the way.

[milod]

Okay, here's the grouchy old man asking again the questions few want to answer.

 

1. Where will you be playing? At home for yourself; in a group of some sort in a garage or out gigging? Solo gigs? Where? How?

 

2. What do you expect from an amp other than a certain sort of sound at a given sort of volume?

 

3. If in a band, what is the band doing to offer an audience a blended sound that is heard by listeners the way the band members perceive it should be heard? Ditto if solo gigs are considered.

 

Those questions are primary.

 

Once they've been answered, practical options will make a lot more sense. Choices and quality equipment abound. Practical consideration doesn't always. That's how I have a nice side table on wheels that can pump out 120 watts of tube-type sound and hasn't been used in or outside the house in 10 years. A little 30-watt SS amp has played a lot in a lot of venues since then. Ditto a little PA rig.

 

An overdrive sound from a 50-watt tube amp? Fine, but who will repair the broken windows for one's evening practice session assuming a spouse or significant other hasn't shotgunned the thing out of frustrated agony?

 

Anyway, I think "we" all, regardless of our music style, go through this same bit of desire for a "good" amp without asking ourselves the degree to which it is appropriate for purposes we intend to put it. I know of few pickers of experience in my age group who hasn't functionally come to that conclusion while kicking themselves for their own "past." We might still suffer huge amounts of GAS, but...

 

m

[Buxom]

Love the Darby Crash photo..

 

Thanks! 32 years ago this Friday.

[Toolman]

Sam ash is blowing out the Haze 15 watt head for 249 and each cabinet is 149. I was reluctant to own one of these but since I had a Haze 40 and am happy with it. I pulled the trigger on the complete stack of both cabs and head for 600 bucks. It's now my go to take to open mic night set and it doesn't weigh a ton and it gets through the mix very well. It has a decent trem, delay and chorus effect built in of which I use and keep the pedal board at home. Or you may consider a Blackstar 20 watt combo that's in your price range. I don't own any Vox amps, but those that do like them. Just not my cup of joe. I also have a Tweed NOS blues Jr. and it's not my favorite for my Gibson's but it's a grab and go amp to take to a buddy's house. I get my best tone out of my Blackstar 50 watt head and cab with an EVL Classic speakers but that sends the dogs running upstairs.

 

Happy shopping

[4Hayden]

Hey guys, im enjoying my les paul but my tiny weenie microcube is abit outdated. There are 2 amps ive had my eye on in the 1k price range in the Fender Princeton Reverb and a Voxac30, for different guitars and tones obviously but after xmas i will be quite broke.

 

Anyways, i would like to know if anyone can recommend some under 500 amps that can really shine without a high price tag?

 

If you ask what type of style i play it depends on the instrument. Bear in mind, i have a Les Paul, Strat, and Epi Semi hollow. Big fan of nirvana, silversun pickups, throwing muses,the cure, pink floyd, guns n roses, stone temple pilots, beatles, oasis etc. While ive played acoustics on and off since 83 im quite the novice to electrics, only been playing them the last few years so your amplification tips and advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from you longtime rockers with so much wisdom to share.

 

 

You can buy a Fender Frontman 212R for around $200.00-$275.00, two guitars can plug into it and each side has 100W also comes with foot controls.I have one and have had O issues with it,check them out on eBay.

[stein]

I'm gonna mirror Milod's post, and say it depends more on WHAT the conditions are for using it, that what's good or not good.

 

Especially sinse you asked for advice and tips, that's the best one. Match the amp to the application.

 

There are some amps that will work good in a lot of different situations, but also a lot that will only work well in a few. And especially with "cheaper" amps, they often DON'T sound all that good at all volume levels or settings.

 

So, you see, even if the amp is a good one, it might not sound good for what you are doing with it.

 

Examples of different "conditions" an amp might be: playing in the living room noodling, playing in a bedroom, playing in a larger room or outside.

 

Then, there is playing with a band or a drummer. THAT can be in a practice space, or performing live.

 

Then, there is what venues or gigs you might want to play live, and if you do that with a band, and what type.

 

Just some ideas. WHAT do you want to use it for?

[Gibson Artist]

I'm gonna mirror Milod's post, and say it depends more on WHAT the conditions are for using it, that what's good or not good.

 

Especially sinse you asked for advice and tips, that's the best one. Match the amp to the application.

 

There are some amps that will work good in a lot of different situations, but also a lot that will only work well in a few. And especially with "cheaper" amps, they often DON'T sound all that good at all volume levels or settings.

 

So, you see, even if the amp is a good one, it might not sound good for what you are doing with it.

 

Examples of different "conditions" an amp might be: playing in the living room noodling, playing in a bedroom, playing in a larger room or outside.

 

Then, there is playing with a band or a drummer. THAT can be in a practice space, or performing live.

 

Then, there is what venues or gigs you might want to play live, and if you do that with a band, and what type.

 

Just some ideas. WHAT do you want to use it for?

 

Well, mostly just for myself. Not in any band or anything and if i ever did play out it would be acoustic not electric. But, i wanted abit more power than my current 2w amp lol..

[Gibson Artist]

Okay, here's the grouchy old man asking again the questions few want to answer.

 

1. Where will you be playing? At home for yourself; in a group of some sort in a garage or out gigging? Solo gigs? Where? How?

 

2. What do you expect from an amp other than a certain sort of sound at a given sort of volume?

 

3. If in a band, what is the band doing to offer an audience a blended sound that is heard by listeners the way the band members perceive it should be heard? Ditto if solo gigs are considered.

 

Those questions are primary.

 

Once they've been answered, practical options will make a lot more sense. Choices and quality equipment abound. Practical consideration doesn't always. That's how I have a nice side table on wheels that can pump out 120 watts of tube-type sound and hasn't been used in or outside the house in 10 years. A little 30-watt SS amp has played a lot in a lot of venues since then. Ditto a little PA rig.

 

An overdrive sound from a 50-watt tube amp? Fine, but who will repair the broken windows for one's evening practice session assuming a spouse or significant other hasn't shotgunned the thing out of frustrated agony?

 

Anyway, I think "we" all, regardless of our music style, go through this same bit of desire for a "good" amp without asking ourselves the degree to which it is appropriate for purposes we intend to put it. I know of few pickers of experience in my age group who hasn't functionally come to that conclusion while kicking themselves for their own "past." We might still suffer huge amounts of GAS, but...

 

m

 

1. home

2. honestly my expectations are rather low at this point, im just looking at upgrading over my 2 watt micro and there's so many amps to choose from i figured id enlist some opinions on what to try.

3. No band, i just want a nice amp for my home. I play a variety of music, alot of indie, alt rock, some eagles some beatles, maybe a zep song or two. Learning scales and i suppose id like an amp that would give my strat and les paul the most love because i play them the most frequently now. But i do plan on getting a tele again soon.

 

Ive heard alot of good things about orange, vox and fender amps but each brand has several models and its hard to wade through all the choices being so novice to electrics. I also would not be opposed to having an extra amp or two for different sounds.

 

Its just a big sea of amps and im a small fish.

[Gibson Artist]

Thanks! 32 years ago this Friday.

 

So young and so much talent. Punk was in its heyday then, today its gone the way country music did which is all pop. Still, im an odd sort i actually like the original of both.

[Bender 4 Life]

there are so many really good low watt tube and mid watt SS amps out there now in that price range, grab your Lester & find a way to your closest big-box retailer & test drive several.

 

my 2 personal choices tonewise were the Blackstar HT5H and Fender Blues Jr.

they cover most everything from sweet & singing to growling & snarling.

[kidblast]

If you're interested in something that's loaded with a lot of different tones, can go from pristine clean to over the top gain, includes a pantry full of effects, in a portable combo configuration, take a look at the Fender Mustang amps.

 

They do just about anything you would need, and the mustang 3 (1x12 - 100watts) is half of what you're looking to spend. I have a M3, (as well as 3 tube combos) The mustang is a great sounding amp.

 

http://www.fender.com/products/mustang

 

/KB

[milod]

Okay...

 

First... and you said you could see getting several amps... <grin>

 

For only around $150, my Kustom 30-watt AE amp is inexpensive and has two separate inputs and control sets for a mike channel and a guitar channel. It'll handle an electric and/or AE and a mike in a small saloon or coffeehouse venue. I've used mine in a 500-seat theater for a solo gig - and it worked fine for several guitars, electric and AE.

 

It's my "go to" most of the time. It also has a line out that goes into a USB converter that I use to record practice sessions. It works marvelously.

 

Kidblast has it about nailed above. Start with the Kustom that's pretty "vanilla," and add that Mustang 3 Fender.

 

I've messed a bit with one, and if my next two "amp" purchases weren't gonna have to be bass-directed, this is one I could feature I'd get for myself. It may or may not be what you'd want for a 500-seat saloon blues band gig, but it is another gold star amp for almost any semi pro small venue purposes with an electric.

 

The two together will run under $500 and you might wanna get the USB converter and a mike and stand to run into your computer too. <grin>

 

(I don't really "need" a M3. I've a multi-effect box into the little amp that then can run into my little PA. Or... Besides the big stomper that never goes out any more, I'm looking for a lightweight speaker enclosure for my old, old Bassman head that can still shake walls too.)

 

m

[JamGuy]

I absolutely love my Fender Super Champ X2's... both the head and combo are fantastic little amps.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic3JG_MLs5c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxEYlazl3TI

[Sgt.]

Hey guys, im enjoying my les paul but my tiny weenie microcube is abit outdated. There are 2 amps ive had my eye on in the 1k price range in the Fender Princeton Reverb and a Voxac30, for different guitars and tones obviously but after xmas i will be quite broke.

 

Anyways, i would like to know if anyone can recommend some under 500 amps that can really shine without a high price tag?

 

If you ask what type of style i play it depends on the instrument. Bear in mind, i have a Les Paul, Strat, and Epi Semi hollow. Big fan of nirvana, silversun pickups, throwing muses,the cure, pink floyd, guns n roses, stone temple pilots, beatles, oasis etc. While ive played acoustics on and off since 83 im quite the novice to electrics, only been playing them the last few years so your amplification tips and advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from you longtime rockers with so much wisdom to share.

 

have a look at the new ibanez tsa30. 6l6/12ax7, expanded eq (from the tsa15, which i have and like alot), and a tubescreamer built in! the box is mdf particle board, there is a 30/15 watt attenuator on the tsa30, and there's outputs for 4, 8, or 16 ohm cabs, and fx loop, AND FOOT SWITCHABLE tubescreamer!! cool. it is not boutique quality parts and the price reflects it, but there's like 5 years on the warranty, can't go wrong. the matching cab, there's now a 2x12 for the tsa30, with celestion 70/80's. The 70/80's are cheaper but well matched to the tsa head. This is the kind of amp that rewards you for upgrading the cheapo stock chinese tubes and you could also upgrade speakers too. i run a weber classic alnico 30w in an epiphone valve cab in stereo with the 1x12 tsa cab (celestion 70/80) with the tsa15w head. oh yeah, the Ibanez TSA comes in combos too!

[JAC]

Andy can sure play the hell out of a guitar not using a pick! That canabis Rex sounds great! I got a NOS Tweed MIM Blues Junior. Good sounding amps! Some people like the Pro Junior better! I like them both. I got a 94 tweed PJ that rocks! I don't feel you can go wrong with any Blues Junior. On mine I notice it brings out true tone of my guitars and, it is a clean circuit. I feel I got lucky on it. I've heard some with a little fizz to them but, they were always beat up or well used also. You can pick the first addition USA version of the BJ for about $350, even at a rip off joint like GC. GC don't bargain like they use to, ever since they became Bain Capital's stooge. I now deal with Sam Ash.

[Mark]

I second the AC15C1. Got mine a couple of months ago and have been very happy with it.

 

Me too...Love it

[Blueblooded]

Like JamGuy, I have 15W Tube Fender SuperChamp XD combo (mine is the earlier version XD vs. the X2). These amps are amazing as channel 1 is pure 15W tube Fender clean and Channel 2 provides for 16 different amp voice selections with a separate gain control, and on board effects for reverb, chorus, delay, and vibrato, with selections to mix effects together and an effects level control. All of the amp voice selections and effects are amazing high quality and there is a 1/4 jack for channel switching, and the included 10' speaker is connected with a 1/4" jack. I connect mine to a SuperSonic 4x12 cab with Celestion V30's and the tones are amazing whether playing at bedroom levels or loud. At less than $350 US it is a steal! It can nearly do everything my expensive Mesa Lonestar Special can do. Lots of YouTube demos that show what it can do - check it out!