[Ryan Freeland]

Originally Posted by spyrotheleo

you could use a valve junior combo and use a pedal in front of it for more dirt if you need it.

There's no clean headroom.

[Rainer.]

Well, rather, there's very little clean headroom. And, however many people say "tube amps are LOUD!", the valve jr. combo as is probably isn't gonna be able to cut it in terms of volume for much live performance if you like playing clean.

[Khristeeanos]

After reviewing this thread, I think the Line 6 Spider 3 looks pretty good.

Now if I can just convince people to pony up the $400!

[Rainer.]

Hmm... I think for ~$400, I'd still look for a Peavey Classic. Much better tone than the Spiders, while it doesn't have the digital fx/modeling.

[TimGuitar05]

Fender Bassman? Very ncie tube amp, although that has only one channel I recommend it.

Fender Hot Rod series as also very nice, and the Mesa Boogie Rectifiers are excellent.

For your style of music I would recommend a couple of nice overdrives and a wah. The just start testing out different pedals, and see what you like.

[Rainer.]

The Bassman and Recs are a bit (well, a LOT) out of his price range.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

If you put a 12at7 in a valve jr it loses some volume but gains more usable headroom. I can't really reccomend the valve special. Tonally, I think it is lacking.

Now the advantage to this is this.

1) Its under budget. (Always a must)
2) Its good for light drive.
3) It has a very classic bent to it.
4) It has a good tone that won't feel stale after a while.

Disadvantage.

1) Like Rainer said if you play pristinely clean in a group its not going to quite cut it. If you play with a classic rock growl it can keep up with a drummer and a few other instrumentalists without an issue.
2) Only one channel

[Rainer.]

I think the Valve Jr. is nice for tonal options when you have other amps, but the number of things it can't do outweighs the fact that it does the things it can do pretty well.

Amps of the sort, I'd refrain from reccomending to someone as their only amp.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by Rainer.

I think the Valve Jr. is nice for tonal options when you have other amps, but the number of things it can't do outweighs the fact that it does the things it can do pretty well.

Amps of the sort, I'd refrain from reccomending to someone as their only amp.

Only reason I would consider it is it sounds like it might do the things the OP is looking for. It does blues and classic rock well.

While a classic 30 would be far more ideal, I would think the valve jr would be a very good budget option.

The line 6's mentioned are of a different sort, more akin to the microcube the OP already owns.

I think a classic 30 or 20 would be ideal. However, budget cuts options dramatically.

[spyrotheleo]

what about a used crate 15 palomino?

[Rainer.]

Also a pretty good idea. The 30 is also nice.