Tube Amp Recommendations - 15/20 watts.

[dr_bob]

If you want to hear a great amp check out the Divided by 13 line. This one is the JRT 9/15. Two separate channels. The "Mode" toggle provides a selection of either 9+ Watts with 6V6s or 15+ Watts with EL84s.

[jps]

Look for a used late '60s to early '70s Fender Princeton Reverb amp, these sound great and can be had for a reasonable price. They are quite popular for recording as you can get great sounds without getting overly loud. I got one and had it totally rebuilt so it is like new without the crazy vintage prices on many other vintage amps.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Fender-Princeton-Reverb-Amp-Guitar-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ170121287718QQihZ007QQcategoryZ38074QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here is one to keep an eye on.

[sloop_john_b]

You have lots of cool boutique options, Steve.

Divided by 13, Dr. Z, BadCat, Matchless, Victoria, Top Hat.

Have you considered a new Vox AC-15?

[sir_andrew_of_left_coast]

While many of these boutique brands make some excellent stuff, does not his "I'm definitely not made of money!" comment imply he isn't looking to get into $4-digit territory?

[jps]

Hence, my recommendation as above!

[bitzerguy]

Howard and I had a look at the Koch amps at Capsule the day after the T.O. confluence, Steve. Nice gear but I'm with you, a bit pricey for "just at home" use.

Jeffrey's Princeton plan is a great way to go (I have seen 2 late 60's models on Montreal Craigslist around $500 CAD). Some cool vintage Traynors out there too for under $400. I tried a YBM-3 combo that was very nice with the 660/12.

...Dean

[jwargowski]

I second the Princeton Reverb idea. I've got a '65 blackface that I bought for under a grand and had it rebuilt with a 15" weber. No need to go that route for you probably, but I can attest to it being a great low wattage amp for recording and gigs. Run wide open it's not overly loud and has great break up. Plus it has the great Fender reverb and Vibrato. I run my 370/12, Tele, Gretsch and Les Paul Deluxe through it with great results.

[37012mgvp]

I'm with George on the Peavey Delta Blues. Mine has a 15" speaker that makes the amp sound much bigger than 30 watts. My Rickenbackers (370/6 & 370/12) sound fantastic through the amp, which is a real bargain for one made in the USA. I'd like to think that it's kind of like having a combo version of the old Fender Showman. The only gripe I have about the amp is toward the reverb, which sounds dull. It's always been Peavey's biggest weakness, and they need to take some cues from Fender and Ampeg in that department. Other than that, I'm very satisfied. I am eagerly awaiting Peavey's new Windsor Studio amp, due this year. It's a Class A 15-watt combo that allows for a wide variety of replacement output tubes, and without re-biasing. It will come stock with an EL34 output tube, but the real treat is that it will take K66's & other K-series tubes. That will give it a real Marshall vintage combo flavor. It looks nice too, apart from that ugly Peavey logo. I like the Delta Blues because it has nameplates that look like the old tweed Fenders. At a distance, you can't tell its a Peavey! Another cool amp to try is the new Laney Lionheart combo. They say it's only 5 watts, but it sounds like at least 30 to me. Looks very similar to a Vox AC-15.

[jps]

If Steve wants to spend cash he could go for one of these:


(c) Mesa/Boogie

This amp is quite versatile and has some very nice options regarding output stage topology and output power.

http://mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Lonestar/LonestarSpecial.htm

[86kubicki]

Today I tried out a Vox AC15CC and quite liked it! I haven't had much experience with Vox amps, but I really enjoyed the tone. This is the one for me. Thanks for eveyone's suggestions!