Tube Amp Recommendations - 15/20 watts.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:49 am

I'm currently using a Traynor YCV40 40 watt amp, but would like to move down to something in the 15-20 watt range. Just looking for a nice sounding amp that can provide a bit of crunch when pushed. Is anyone using a Traynor YCV20? Any other recommendations?

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:11 am

Dr. Z Maz-18 Junior. 18 watts of world class crunch, can get clean and shiney too.
Louder than you'd expect.
It's got an AC-30 like "cut" feature.

My next amp.

captsandwich · Post by **captsandwich** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:31 am

Steve, get one of those Marshall re-issues that I played through at the Toronto confluence. The 2061x, that's the one. Marshall Amp
Sweeeeet!
You are made of money, right?

wmthor · Post by **wmthor** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:46 am

I've got a Traynor YCV20 WR that I really like. Furthermore, I believe that there are a few other forumites out there that have a YCV20 too.

However, there's four or five other amps that I want to try out, including a Victoria Tweed Deluxe, a Dr. Z Maz-18, and an 18-watt Marshall clone.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:54 am

Not inexpensive, but the Victoria Deluxe is a good bet...bit of crunch is the key phrase..breaks up nice when dimed but controllable

robbo63 · Post by **robbo63** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:20 am

Somebody here or on the RIC forum recommended Li'l Dawg amps. I read up on them and am very likely to buy one for my next amp for this range of wattage.

May not provide the type of crunch you're looking for, it's geared towards vintage and bluesy-type of breakup, using 50's Fender amps as a reference point. The guy making them builds them to order, so you can specify what sound you're looking for. Anyone here have experience with them?

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:28 am

I'm definitely not made of money! I'll probably end up selling the Traynor YCV40 and put the cash towards a new 15/20 watter. That Marshall does look nice Greg - of course Craig had the real deal rather than the reissue!

captsandwich · Post by **captsandwich** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:36 am

I played through a Traynor at a gig at Long & McQuade last fall. I think it was the YCV20, but I'm not sure. Sounded OK to me, plenty of power, nice & clean, fairly compact. I didn't have much time to fiddle with it before the show and all my distortion comes from a stomp box anyways.
Good Canadian company, anything I've ever used from them was totally bullet proof, right back to the days with my whole high school punk band playing through one of their little 6 channel power mixers.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:41 am

I'll chime in on the Traynor YCV20. It's wonderful 15W ClassA amplifier! The CLEAN channel shimmers. The lead channel has a surprising warmth.

I LOVE my Traynor. If you're after a small tube combo, this one is superb (more versatile than the venerable AC15 too).

admin · Post by **admin** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:44 am

Steve: The YCV40 is a great amplifier. You might consider borrowing a Marshall Powerbrake or THD Hotplate to see if you can drive your amplifier up to crunch level with a lower output. This would allow you to keep the YCV40 for other venues where you need more volume.

Also, there are a number of excellent effects units that can produce some amazing results.

As I believe it was Jerry Lewis that once said, "Don't raise the bridge, lower the river."

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:04 am

Actually Peter, the YCV40 is strictly for jamming in the basement. I'm a bass player first and foremost and I'm definitely not going to embarrass myself by playing guitar in public!

I just think the YCV40 is way too much amp for my purposes which is why I was thinking of something smaller in wattage and physical size. I did play a YCV20WR yesterday at a local L&M and thought it was a cool little amp. Also, has anyone had any experience with Koch amps? David Love (who may still hang around here), is a Koch rep and had some Koch gear at the Toronto mini-confluence we had last year. It sounded pretty good!

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:13 am

This probably goes under the heading of 'obvious recommendation' but . . .
My rhythm guitar player has (among other things) a Fender Blues Junior.
Very nice.

shackleton · Post by **shackleton** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:10 am

Swart Atomic Space Tone 1x12 Combo

This might be my next amp.

kenposurf · Post by **kenposurf** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:52 am

The Peavey Delta Blues (important to get the model w/the 15" speaker) would to the trick for little cash.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:42 am

Played a 20 watt 1X12" Koch combo today. VERY nice, but the price is a bit higher than what I was looking to spend. I might need to rethink this....