New Amp

ieatdirt · 09-24-2006, 04:45 AM

I'm looking to buy a tube amp. Nothing ridiculously expensive, because I would like to use it with a POD eventually. It will have to have enough clean headroom for the POD, but other than that, it probably doesn't need many frills, although 2 channels would be nice. My price range is probably $400 and under, althoguh I'd like to spend less. Oh, and I don't need a lot of watts either. Have any suggestions?

Demon_Hunter · 09-24-2006, 07:33 AM

The crate palomino v16 is $400 new, and Im sure that you could find em cheaper on ebay used and new.

I can personally vouch for the fact that this amps clean channel is really clean. You wouldnt have headroom problems from what I have played of it.

**thesteve** · 09-24-2006, 08:24 AM

how much clean headroom do you need?

A Fender Blues Jr. might be enough clean headroom for alot of people, but for others, it won't even come close. It's only a single channel with a boost switch though.

ibanez_dude · 09-24-2006, 11:07 AM

try out a Fender Blues jr, it might be just what you are looking for. You'd have to see though.

**Rainer.** · 09-24-2006, 12:26 PM

How loud do you need to be? What situations do you play in?

ieatdirt · 09-24-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

how much clean headroom do you need?

A Fender Blues Jr. might be enough clean headroom for alot of people, but for others, it won't even come close. It's only a single channel with a boost switch though.

Enough clean headroom for a POD XTL not to overdrive it when I don't want ot be overdriven.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

How loud do you need to be? What situations do you play in?

Well, it would need to be heard over drums. In live situations, in places that have a PA, I will probably be using my Digitech straight to the board, and hopefully a POD within the next year or so, so it will pretty much be used for practicing, at home or with the band.

**thesteve** · 09-24-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ieatdirt

Enough clean headroom for a POD XTL not to overdrive it when I don't want ot be overdriven.

that would probably describe alot of amps. The Blues Jr. would be one amp that fits the description

Quote:

Well, it would need to be heard over drums. In live situations, in places that have a PA, I will probably be using my Digitech straight to the board, and hopefully a POD within the next year or so, so it will pretty much be used for practicing, at home or with the band.

how loud is your drummer? Blues Jr. might be great if your drummer is controlled...but if he's not then you'll want more.

ieatdirt · 09-24-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thesteve

that would probably describe alot of amps. The Blues Jr. would be one amp that fits the description how loud is your drummer? Blues Jr. might be great if your drummer is controlled...but if he's not then you'll want more.

Well, I'm semi-bandless right now. I don't think our drummer is especially loud, though. This is slightly above my budget, but what about this? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Amp?sku=480288
Or maybe a Peavey Valveking .

**thesteve** · 09-24-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ieatdirt

Well, I'm semi-bandless right now. I don't think our drummer is especially loud, though. This is slightly above my budget, but what about this? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Amp?sku=480288
Or maybe a Peavey Valveking .

that's a brand new product from Epi...I don't know much about it, except that I like the look of it.

Ax · 09-24-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ieatdirt

Well, I'm semi-bandless right now. I don't think our drummer is especially loud, though. This is slightly above my budget, but what about this? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Amp?sku=480288
Or maybe a Peavey Valveking .

that amp i heard the guys in a local shop bashing pretty harshly so i'd be skeptical... umm.. the Valvekings are nice though... you should really go to a store and have an employee show you around, pretend like your only half interested... and don't immediately give away how much money you have to spend... that is a huge bargaining chip... sticker price is almost alway negotiable...

my amp was supposed to be 749, but i got it for 699 and a 10 year warranty for 50 evening out to the original 749, also i got them to throw in 2 15 foot cloth covered cables...

also, get business cards and use the walk-off technique... these guys work off commission so when they see you walking away then they think the've lost a sale...

really buying an amp is like buying a car... if you aren't good at bargaining, have a parent come along with you... i'm not sure how old you are, but i think i have a good chance at guessing you're fairly young (most people on these boards are, that's why i say that...)...

ieatdirt · 09-24-2006, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXguitar

that amp i heard the guys in a local shop bashing pretty harshly so i'd be skeptical...

Yeah. Thinking about it, for $500, I can probably get a lot better amp.

**Rainer.** · 09-24-2006, 05:54 PM

I'd like to say for PODxt use, the Fender Hot Rod series are a great choice. Any model that will give you the oomph you need.

Ax · 09-24-2006, 06:03 PM

yeah a deville would be nice..

ieatdirt · 09-24-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainer.

I'd like to say for PODxt use, the Fender Hot Rod series are a great choice. Any model that will give you the oomph you need.

Those look a little pricey. How much do they go for used?

**thesteve** · 09-25-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ieatdirt

Those look a little pricey. How much do they go for used?

I've seen the HR Deluxe sell for under $300 on craigslist, though more frequently in the $350-$425 range.

Another option, if your craigslist happens to not be very good is to do searches on eBay within 50 miles of your zip code. I've bought several items off of eBay this way and each time the seller was more than happy to arrange a local pickup with the item rather than have to go to the post office to mail it.