What's your favorite Amp under $500?

StratDen · May 27th, 2008, 02:14 PM

Seeing that there are so many options in tubes, tube-hybrids and SS amps in the sub -$500 class that it's nearly impossible to compare them all.

That said, what amps in this category are your picks? Be it top 5, 3 or just 1?

thaus · May 28th, 2008, 08:38 AM

I would have to pick my 12 year old Peavey (yes Peavey!!) Blues Classic. A great tube combo with a single 15" speaker. This thing is a sweet sounding amp from the cleans to the dirt; overdrives really easy and runs silent which is good for recording. I just love guitar tone from large speakers. Looks like a Fender Bassman when you remove the ugly Peavey logo from the grill!! Bought it brand new for $499 back in 1996.......I see them for $300 - $400 sometimes!

Strat-Talk · May 28th, 2008, 09:04 AM

It's WAYYYY under your $500 threshold, but I really like the Fender Super Champ XD. They only cost about $299 but this is a great amp.

It's a tube amp with a solid state effects and models section but I found it really versatile and great sounding for the price.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...&CJPID=1571798

StratDen · May 28th, 2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaus

I would have to pick my 12 year old Peavey (yes Peavey!!) Blues Classic. A great tube combo with a single 15" speaker. This thing is a sweet sounding amp from the cleans to the dirt; overdrives really easy and runs silent which is good for recording. I just love guitar tone from large speakers. Looks like a Fender Bassman when you remove the ugly Peavey logo from the grill!! Bought it brand new for $499 back in 1996.......I see them for $300 - $400 sometimes!

Back in the early 80's when we went camping in the RV, I took along my little reliable friend, the Peavey Decade Amp. That thing was a workhorse. I gave it away years later to a kid that would hang out at the music shop that was local to me who had been down on his luck after his father was killed in a car accident and from the stories I heard his Mom, lets just say wasn't always there for him.

That was a real diehard amp for sure. The Peavey Blues Classic I usually see getting praise in one form or another.

StratDen · May 28th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Talk

It's WAYYYY under your $500 threshold, but I really like the Fender Super Champ XD. They only cost about $299 but this is a great amp.

It's a tube amp with a solid state effects and models section but I found it really versatile and great sounding for the price.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...&CJPID=1571798

Yeah, I agree this is a real pleasant surprise from Fender. It's one I've focused on since its come out. The reviews seem great and the You Tube videos underscore their value.

I know alot of people still go for the black and silver faced champ variations, but I wonder if the new Super and Vibro Champs from Fender will steer people towards the new?

I just may pick one up for the sake that they're not a lot of money and get alot of praise as you pointed out with it's versatility. That, and I am in need of a small combo again.

Strat-Talk · May 28th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StratDen

The reviews seem great and the You Tube videos underscore their value.

Two years ago on the TDPRI we gave away a $1,000 Princeton Reverb Recording amp. So I had it in hand for a little while before sending it to the winner. I play a 1965 Princeton Rev with a 12" speaker as my main and now only amp.

The Princeton Reverb Recording amp was dull and lifeless. It didn't sound all that great and certainly not anything like my '65 PR.

Then, this past year we gave away a Super Champ XD and I had low expectations for that amp. But in the month I had it in house I played that thing every day. I really liked it's basic tone and the models were pretty OK and the same with the effects.

Man, if a kid today can buy a nice and cheap MIM or Squier Strat and a Super Champ XD amp to learn on in their bedroom they've got some great gear for not a lot of money.

When I was growing up, it was all Silvertone guitars and amps because the Fender gear was way too pricey.

thaus · May 28th, 2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Talk

Two years ago on the TDPRI we gave away a $1,000 Princeton Reverb Recording amp. So I had it in hand for a little while before sending it to the winner. I play a 1965 Princeton Rev with a 12" speaker as my main and now only amp.

The Princeton Reverb Recording amp was dull and lifeless. It didn't sound all that great and certainly not anything like my '65 PR.

Then, this past year we gave away a Super Champ XD and I had low expectations for that amp. But in the month I had it in house I played that thing every day. I really liked it's basic tone and the models were pretty OK and the same with the effects.

Man, if a kid today can buy a nice and cheap MIM or Squier Strat and a Super Champ XD amp to learn on in their bedroom they've got some great gear for not a lot of money.

When I was growing up, it was all Silvertone guitars and amps because the Fender gear was way too pricey.

I have also heard some good stuff about the G-Dec amps from Fender. I have a small Roland Micro-cube for the backyard noodling......it's ok but I would rather have something a touch bigger with a little more bottom.

StratDen · May 28th, 2008, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Talk

Man, if a kid today can buy a nice and cheap MIM or Squier Strat and a Super Champ XD amp to learn on in their bedroom they've got some great gear for not a lot of money.

That's a great point. The gear available at the low price points really do offer kids and adults alike a leg up on sound for alot of value.

StratDen · May 28th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaus

I have also heard some good stuff about the G-Dec amps from Fender. I have a small Roland Micro-cube for the backyard noodling......it's ok but I would rather have something a touch bigger with a little more bottom.

The Rolands are pretty cool from what Ihave seen and heard in the stores. The cube is what I first considered to bring along for camping with the RV. I just bought my daughter an G-Dec to go along with her Bullet Strat. The fact it supports MIDI and will also allow her to play her CD's through it is a plus on top of the built-in programming.

Axis29 · May 28th, 2008, 06:56 PM

Super Champ XD.

Hands down the best sub 500 dollar amp I've heard.

I may end up with either this or a Vibro Champ XD pretty soon.

StratDen · May 28th, 2008, 10:42 PM

I spent some time at my local dealer earlier this evening and they are sold-out of the Super Champs, with the exception of their floor display. My sales guy there who I usually deal with said they have been flying out the door since they started stocking them, and that they practically have kept an open order with Fender for restock. They did have a bunch of Vibro Champs in stock, however.

I spent some extra time playing a few different Strats through the floor display and I really liked the tone and voicing options. The clean was very nice. I played it in their larger room, and then moved it to a smaller room and I was quite impressed with it. All for under $300 really is a good deal for this amp. I'm glad I spent the extra time and playing a few different guitars through it.

Bangbang · May 28th, 2008, 10:47 PM

I have the Bandit 112 and like it alot.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ogy?sku=481332

StratDen · May 29th, 2008, 10:33 AM

I just started researching another amp that I recently learned about. As soon as I have the details and know more I'll post up some info. Seem like a nice one for this category from what I gathered thus far...

StratDen · May 29th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangbang

I have the Bandit 112 and like it alot.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ogy?sku=481332

Wow, 80 watts out of that! Do you gig with it?

Cassady · May 29th, 2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangbang

I have the Bandit 112 and like it alot.

My guitar teacher has been playing a Bandit 112 lately, both for lessons and with his Western Swing band, and he has a great clean tone. They look like really good amps and if I didn't have too many amps already, I'd buy one.

I also like my Vox Valvetronix AD30VT and the Fender Super Champ XD quite a bit.

My favorite for less than $500 would have to be my Gibson GA-5, though, it's point-to-point wired, all tube (SS rectified) and was being blown out a while back for $299. It's a really great little amp.

Cassady

thaus · May 29th, 2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StratDen

I just started researching another amp that I recently learned about. As soon as I have the details and know more I'll post up some info. Seem like a nice one for this category from what I gathered thus far...

Hey, you can't bring up an amp and leave us all hanging!!

StratDen · May 29th, 2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaus

Hey, you can't bring up an amp and leave us all hanging!!

I know, I know! I just want to bring the right info with me when I do give the details. So everyone will have to wait in suspense about what amp it is and who told me about it...

worldoftone · May 30th, 2008, 01:10 AM

Doesn't exist.

- WOT

StratDen · May 30th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worldoftone

Doesn't exist.

- WOT

LOL! Well, it does in pictures - at least! I finally got the website. I wanted to be armed with a little info so I could at least give a bit of a commentary. After I asked Rob at Fret Tech about any Champs he may have, he suggested I take a look at an amp called Little Dawg. Now you may have heard about them, and I kinda think I did at some point before too, but not sure. After reading about them now briefly they seem cool. Not sure where they are priced at, and is why I was waiting to see if they fit in this under $500 topic. I sent an e-mail, but nothing back yet. Anyone ever play one? If so, opinions?

Cassady · May 30th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StratDen

LOL! Well, it does in pictures - at least! I finally got the website. I wanted to be armed with a little info so I could at least give a bit of a commentary. After I asked Rob at Fret Tech about any Champs he may have, he suggested I take a look at an amp called Little Dawg. Now you may have heard about them, and I kinda think I did at some point before too, but not sure. After reading about them now briefly they seem cool. Not sure where they are priced at, and is why I was waiting to see if they fit in this under $500 topic. I sent an e-mail, but nothing back yet. Anyone ever play one? If so, opinions?

I have a Li'l Dawg D-Lux, but it wasn't under $500. It's a great buy, but not under $500.

The Li'l Dawg Champster, might come in under $500, but you'd have to check with Jim at Li'l Dawg about this (http://www.littledawgamps.com). It's basically a souped-up version of a tweed Fender Champ.

I love my D-Lux and will probably ad a Champster at some point. The Li'l Dawg amps are flat out terrific.

By the way, Jim is a great guy to work with and will tailor an amp to your requirements.

Cassady

StratDen · May 30th, 2008, 01:20 PM

Thanks Cassady!

Yes, I was referring to the Champster. Rob thought it my be in the ball park of just above one of the Vintage Champs which we put it close to this threshold if we're talking silverface/70's. I sent an e-mail to Jim to get the details and am awaiting a reply.

Bangbang · May 30th, 2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StratDen

Wow, 80 watts out of that! Do you gig with it?

No...I am just a beginner and I would recommend it as a practice amp...It is not to heavy and gets real loud if ya want but the sound is great when turned down too. Some people have complained that theirs hummed but mine is noiseless.

StratDen · May 30th, 2008, 03:34 PM

Sounds like a great amp. But being a Peavey, I'm not all surprised.

thaus · May 30th, 2008, 08:12 PM

I'll have to look into the lil' Dwag........I have been looking at a boutique amp maker right here in my home town.

StratDen · May 31st, 2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaus

I'll have to look into the lil' Dwag........I have been looking at a boutique amp maker right here in my home town.

I received a reply from Jim with a very detailed explanation of his line and options.

I just sent him an order request for what he calls a "Champster Special" which is a 12 Watt 8 Ohm version of his regular Champster. I also requested the Line out and Tone Control options.

It will probably be a while until he builds it, so I'll probably pick up another small tube amp for the interim (which i am need of at the moment). But when the Lil' Dawg does arrive in the future, they'll be plenty of room for it.