Conference napalm::guitar

    
    I'd recommend either the Music Man 112RD amp (you can get one from
    $200 used to 350 new - has channel switching and reverb + good sound
    and balls) or one of the newer Marshall combos, like the hybrid 30,
    which has channel switching and reverb, but and real different sound
    than the Music Man. I'm sure Peavey has some small combos too, but
    I don't know about em.         
    
    good luck

    
    Some Peavey models to look at are the Bandit and the Special 130.
    
    They are 65 watts and 130 respectively.
    
    

    I can also recommend the Peavey Bandit 65. It has Channel switching
    via footswitch, reverb, and is pretty good on noise for the price.
    The price? About $250 new. If you but one at Daddy's you can get
    an additional 6 Months on the warranty. If you buy one at Union
    Music, you can get a loaner while yours is in the shop. I've owned
    mine for about 2 years and have'nt had any problems. Good Luck.
    
    Tom

    If you haven't already read it, check note #20.
    
    Kevin
    

    i picked up a used "130 Special" for $175.00  it's LOUD!, it's HEAVY!
    it has real good sounds.  there are pre-gain, saturation, and post-gain
    controls for distortion, and lots of other stuff for variations
    in clean sound.  plus it has an effects in/out circuit that you
    can hook your effects boxes up to in the back. (but, unfortunatly,
    the effects footswitch is really a channel switch and doesn't effect
    the "effects circuit").  It's a great little amp only about 1.5 x 2
    feet.  I don't see many used ones for sale though
    
    -max-

	Folks,

	I've been going through all the dir/tit=amps but am having a 
	problem, being a novice to this, understanding all the model
	numbers, effects, and general jargon that all you experts use.

	I'm looking for what I'd guess most of you consider a practice
	amp. I'm very much a beginner but like to do things right when
	I can and try not to compromise any more than necessary. I'd
	like to be able to at least experiment with some of the
	effects you all talk about so i can understand them better.

	Someone suggested a Fender Sidekick to me but I haven't seen one
	around town as yet. I did run into a small Peavy with distortion
	and reverb for about $125. He also had a Fender bassman(?) for
	about $650 but thats a bit more than I can afford right now.
	
	Maybe someone here has something appropriate for a new guy 
	that they want to sell.

	If this helps, I really love SRV's music, so I'm sure, as time
	goes on, I'll be wanting to upgrade to something that can provide
	me with those types of sounds.

			- ADVICE ? -

	--Jim

    
    
    Hi, 
    
    Just a couple of quick questions.
    
    1. What are your price parameters?
    2. Does the amp have to be new or would you buy second-hand?
    
    J.

    
    J.
    
    1.  I guess I'm open on price depending on what I get but feel like
    	I ought to be able to stay under $250 for the kind of amp I'm
    	talking about here.  Is that unrealistic ??
    
    2.  Used would be fine ... (Assuming it works properly, of course.)
    
    	Please understand how new to this I am.  Ask me the right questions
    	and pin me down.  Good learning  experience !
    
    --Jim
    

    
    OK I don't really know what is available over there, but I would say
    that for that sort of money you are talking a solid state amp, a friend
    had a Peavey Bandit that sounded quite good, I have a Fender Deluxe 85
    that sounded ok...the others I heard recently were a couple of Crate
    amp that were really quite nice and a Gorilla pratice amp that for its
    size was quite amazing.
    
    However, what I would suggest is, take your guitar to the local music
    stores and plug it in to any of the amps they have that are in your 
    price range....don't worry that you may not be able to play anything,
    just have a fiddle and check out what each of the amps do.
    
    *Then* come back here and tell the guys what you personally prefered
    (and remember it is ALL personal preference) don't be put off it you
    get some replies along the lines of 'you liked the PEAVEY...aw no they
    suck!!' they are like that in here....but it is all in good fun.
    
    That way you get to have a think about what you tried out (you don't
    make the mistake I did and buy an amp on the spot coz I wanted to go
    home and make some noise!) and I'm sure that if any you mention in here
    really are bad deals or have reliability problems the guys will tell
    you.
    
    Hope it helps.
    
    J. (who sez you really out to play un-amplified till you can afford a 
    	*valve* amp ;-) 

    Jim,
    
    As Jason said, don't shy away from the less expensive amps because many
    of us slam them in here.  If it sounds good to you and meets your needs
    and budget then it's a good buy.
    
    I have a Fender Sidekick 15 and honestly wouldn't recommend it for an
    all around practice amp.  It's got a decent clean sound, but the tone
    controls don't really have a lot of effect and it has very little
    overdrive (no heavy distortion).  I don't think you'd be happy trying
    to get a SRV sound from it.  I bought it because you can run it on 12v
    from a car.
    
    My favorite small amp is the Marshall 12wt one (5005 I think...).  This
    is the same amp as the Microstack uses, except in a 1x10 combo version. 
    I've known many people who owned these and they were all universally
    happy with the sound they made.  They can be had for around $200 new
    and $100-$125 used.  The clean sound is really nice, and the partially
    distorted and fully distorted sounds are great!
    
    I think you'd find a Stevie Ray kind of sound in there somewhere, with
    the right guitar.
    
    Greg

    If you like the SRV-type tone, I would seriously look for a smaller
    used Fender tube amp.  If I were you, I'd consider a used Princeton
    reverb.  Princetons are relatively easy to find, and a silver-faced
    (mid sixties or early seventies) model can be had for $200 or less.
    
    On the other hand, there are alot of newer solid state amps that can 
    offer you more "sounds" for the same type of money, but if your mainly
    interested in a blues-influenced tone, and don't need alot of volume,
    a small Fender tube amp may serve you very well.
    
    Jim

    >	Someone suggested a Fender Sidekick to me but I haven't seen one

    I bought a Sidekick 25R (25Watt, 10" spkr, reverb) as a practice amp.
    Overall, it's not bad but I'm really not too crazy about the sound of
    its backend, i.e. amp and speaker. It sounds like a small amp, which of
    course, it is. So I can't really complain.

    I point out the backend because I very much DO like its preamp. I've
    been using its preamp between my gutiar and the input(s) to my main amp
    which is an old 50 watt Marshall. I recommend that you check out the
    slightly larger Sidekicks if any. The ones with 12" spkrs.

    The Sidekick 25R has one channel, headphone out, preamp out, power amp
    input and the following controls:
    
    Volume / Gain / Master Vol / Treble / Middle / Bass / Presence / Reverb

    I also must say that I've been quite impressed by the sound and
    versatility of Peavey's smaller amps.

If you want to push your $250 limit, the best thing I've ever seen for under
$300 is a used Carvin X60.  And it's a lot more than just a practice amp.  You
could easily gig small clubs with it, play with a band with a drummer, even 
a loud one, etc.  There have been a couple in here for sale for around $250.

Check out the for sale/wanted note.  You might can find one in here.

Otherwise, there are several used Fender all tube amps that can be found in
pawn shops, etc. if you don't need it immediately, and can look around a bit.

Will

    
    
    For $250, you can get a beat-up Twin Reverb - it may need tubes, but
    it'll probably play OK.  Later on you can fix up the case and replace
    the drivers if needed.  This is the kind of thing you can invest in and
    keep, as opposed to the little practice amps that end up lining the
    bottoms of closets.
    

    On this "buy a used <amp name here> for $200" thing vs. buying new...
    
    You can get more value for your $$$ by buying used but you do need to
    either know what to check for to make sure the map is worth the $$ or
    bring someone who *does* know with you.  New stuff you can expect to
    work OK or be fixed under warranty if it doesn't.
    
    The real cheap way to go is to buy a small used *tube* amp, something
    like 5-20 watts, maybe an 8" or 10" speaker, but an off-brand, *not* a
    Fender which has collector's value.  I have picked up a couple of old
    tube amps for $20 or less that I still use for practicing.  Plus,
    cranked up, they'll get some of that SRV tone you want, since they use
    tubes.  These are the sort of amps you find at tag sales or buried in a
    pile in the back room of your local music store or pawn shop.  Look for
    names like Magnatone, Premier, Gibson, Epiphone, Danelectro,
    Silvertone, Gretsch, Ampeg, Supro, Traynor...most of these have not
    attracted collectors yet, so you can get them cheap.
    
    If you do choose to buy a larger used amp, try to find one with a
    master volume control so that you can practice at reasonable volumes.
    I certainly agree that buying a larger amp is a good idea since you can
    play jams and gigs with it when you're ready, but since the prime focus
    early on is *practice*, it's gotta be usable at low volumes and be easy
    enough to move around, if you can't leave it set up all the time.

    Another vote for Princeton Reverbs.  18 *cranking* watts, 10in spkr,
    one channel...basic is the word.

    RE: off-brand tube amps
    
    Off-brand tube amps can be a real bargain, but check what kind of
    tubes are required.  Alot of them use tubes that are hard to find, and
    expensive when you do find them.
    
    For example, a while back I was looking for a small bass amp, suitable
    for practice use.   I found this Alamo "Fury" at a store for $50.  It
    had decent sound, and seemed to meet my needs, so it looked  liked a
    bargain.   Since then, the power amp tubes have started to go.  They
    are not typical (guitar amp) tubes, and the only supplier I've found
    thus far wants $30.00 a piece for replacements (I need two).  In
    contrast, I recently ordered replacement 6V6 power tubes for my
    Fender Deluxe Reverb from Stewart MacDonald for under $20 for a
    matched pair.
    
    I've also heard that many of the old Ampegs use other hard-to-find / 
    expensive tubes.
    
    What are commonly used guitar amp tubes?
    
    	Pre-amp:
    	   12AX7	(also called a 7025)
    	   12AT7
    
    	Power amp:
    	   6L6	
    	   EL-34
    	   6550
    	   6V6
    	   EL-84
    
    
    I wouldn't necessarily rule out a cool-sounding off-brand amp, just
    because it used unusual tubes.  I just wanted to offer a word of
    caution about the potential longer-term cost of ownership.
    
    
    Jim

    I agree with the advice re cheap, off brand tube amps.  You can
    find some amazing bargains.
    
    On the other hand, keep your eyes open for a used Fender Super Champ
    (note, NOT a Champ 12).  These were made in the early eighties; small
    combo (about the size of the a Champ), about 20 watts through a 1x10"
    with reverb and channel switching.  This amp has a terrific classic
    Fender tube clean sound, and three very usable distorted sounds.
    Sometimes you find them with a Celestion replacement speaker; even
    better!  Perfect as a practice and recording amp, and I know people
    who actually gig with them too (miked, of course).  They sell used
    for around $200, but worth every penny imo.
    
    /rick

     Look for a used bassman.....try topic 2.99999 and then go back a few
    when you find out how many replies there were....I seem to recall one
    for sale cheap.
    -Bill
    

    My suggestion?!?
    
    Look for a Fender London Reverb.  It was a small combo amp...w/1x12
    speaker, 100wt amp, channel switching, two reverbs, switchable 5 band
    graphic eq.  A lil boogie clone that holds up on it's own!!  hard to
    find, but run for around $300.  If I find one, I'd buy it in a sec!

    
    	Buck, there's a Fender London Reverb in the WantADvertizer
    	this week, although I forget the price.
    
    	Neal
    

	WOW !  Thanks for all the input !!  As I shop I'll try to consider
	the points that have been brought out here.

	I've been shopping a bit more (before I read all these replys) and 
	maybe can address a couple of replies I've seen here.

	Today I looked at (all used) :
	
	Randall Stereo Chorus - Chorus, Reverb, Distortion, Channel 
	Switching and 4 band equalizer. 2 - 10" speakers              $250

	Peavy Bandit 65	      - Same features as Randall minus chorus
				1 - 12" speaker			      $225

	Fender Princeton Reverb - Can't remember all the features but I 
				expect everyone here knows them anyway
							      $225

	Peavy Stereo Chorus 400 - Cant remember all the features - approx
				6000-7000 knobs. Footswitch(s)(4 in one
				pedal assembly ) for channels, chorus
				reverb, ? .....	2 - 12" speakers      $275

	I wish now I'd paid more attention to the Princeton per .11 and
    	.16 but hadn't read these replys yet.
	This is getting tougher as I go along but at least I'm learning
	some of the terminology.  I also know, as a beginner I don't need
	all these features, but the sure are fun to experiment with !
	I'll keep you posted as shopping continues.  Thanks again.

--Jim
                                            

    I was in Daddy Junky Music in Shrewsbury yesterday. They have a
    Fender Showman amp with 2 10" speakers in mint condition for 
    $299.00. These amps were made in the early 80's, and feature
    channel switching, reverb, and (I think) 100 watts of tube
    power. Someone was demo-ing it, and it seemed to have a really
    good distortion sound. 
    
    Mark

	Used Fender Super-60s are turning up around here for ~300.
	They're very compact little amps with channel switching and
	reverb and a 12" speaker. All tubes.

	I second Rick C.'s recommendation for the Super-Champ.

	Other amps that are decent bargains in the current market are
	the Lab Series L5 - I've seen one for 189. recently - and the
	Yamaha G50 and G100 amps with parametric midrange - I've seen
	prices under 150.

	There was a 100wt Mitchell combo "in mint cond." in the want 
	advertiser for $100 last week. That's 4 x 6L6 and a damn good
	price.

	O.K. folks, what is the 'best' 100 watt 1x12" tube combo for
	under $600?

	Must haves:

	o	Full range of sounds from perfectly clean to mega-hot-rod
		death-grundge and everything in between

	o	Selectable output power (to get cranked sound at low volumes)

	o	Output impedance selector for matching to various cabs

	o	Buffered effects loop

	o	Footswitchable effects loop and ch. switching


	Nice to haves:

	o	5-band eq

	o	On-board reverb

	o	Dir. out

	o	Not too heavy


	What's hot, what's not?  Opinions, testimonials, etc....

	joe.

    Carvin X-100 hits most of your bullets, particularly the selectable output
    power and graphic EQ stuff.
    
    Not too heavy is relative with tube amps, they are *all* heavy.
    
    						Kareem O'Weet 

    Hey Joe, latest GP has just what yer lookin fer... a 100wt combo
    shootout!

>>    Hey Joe, latest GP has just what yer lookin fer... a 100wt combo
>>    shootout!

	Yeah, I saw the article, but did you see the prices!!!  I can't
	afford more than 600 clams...

	I am very tempted with the Carvin XV112.  For $588, I get it
	all including footswitch and shipping, but I've never tried
	one...

	I just need something lighter than my Marshall 4x12 w/2205 head.
	It's getting to be a drag lugging it back and forth to rehearsal.

	On the other hand, for $588 I could buy:

	o	A 4-track, or
	o	A cheap used amp plus SM57 plus new case plus a wah pedal
		plus a bunch of other stuff I need...

	joe.

    
    
    Why not find a used 4501 or 4101 JCM900 Marshall 1-12 combo?
    
    Kevin
    

    I'd say go used, Joe.
    
    Or just getcha a 1x12 (or 2x12) cab and use it with your 2205 head, if
    you like the sound.  What I used to do was leave a cab where I
    practiced and one where I lived and just moved my head back and forth.
    
    Yeah, it's not one piece, but I guess you could getcha some rope... 
    ;^)
    
    Greg

	I ended up splurging on a Carvin XV112 100 watt 1x12" combo
	to use for rehearsal, carrying around to jam sessions, etc.

	The amp arrived on 12/04 via UPS.  First thing I noticed
	was a big hole in the side of the box.  Opened it up,
	no visible damage to the amp.  As a side note, Carvin
	does not use the famous 'double-box' method, simply wraps
	the amp in plastic and uses eight styrofoam corner blocks.

	So, I read the manual (nice manual!), plug it in, power it
	up, plug in my guitar and start to play around with it.

	Superb clean tone with a nice reverb, bright switch provides
	a treble boost (most effective at a volume level of about 3).
	Active tone controls are 'radical'.  5-band graphic Eq sup-
	plements the bass, mid, treble tone pots and is selectable
	for either rhythm or lead channel.

	Switch to gain channel.  Lots of variety here.  However, with
	the gain set above 5 or so, I get this weird breaking up sound
	from the speaker (reminded me of when there were some bad
	capacitors in my Twin once).  The master control has a pull for
	a 'hot rodded' 20db gain circuit.  With this puppy kicked in, the
	breaking up gets even worse.

	So, I consult the trouble-shooting guide in the back of the
	manual.  Sounds like a preamp tube.  Put in a new one.  No
	effect.  Call Carvin.  They say could be power tubes.  They
	send me four new EL-34's at N/C.  They arrived yesterday.
	Plugged 'em in, no effect.  Call Carvin, they say send the
	amp back at N/C and they'll send me a new one right away.
	And keep the four new power tubes for your trouble.  This
	whole thing sounds like UPS dropped the box a time or two.

	They were very professional and nice about the whole thing.
	I was able to talk to the same person each time I called
	from order placement through sending the amp back.  So,
	back it goes.

	Question:

	The original power amp tubes were Groove Tubes rated S3 which
	I believe means 'soft' with a 'distortion' factor of 3 out of
	10 (10 being the cleanest, 1 being the warmest).  The replace-
	ment tubes are Groove Tubes S7.  Since I can use these for
	my Marshall 2205 50 watt head also, which ones would you keep,
	the S3's or the S7's???  I would guess that the tubes that
	came with the amp have some burn-in hours on them as the manual
	states, "All X-Amps are fully tested with a 10 hour break-in
	period before they leave the factory."  Thus, the S3's should
	be past their infancy failure rate, but would that stress them?

	joe.

    Sounds like a pleasant place to deal with.  That's encouraging.
    
    When do you receive your replacement?
    
    Greg

>>>	So, I read the manual (nice manual!), plug it in, power it
>>>	up, plug in my guitar and start to play around with it.

    Amazing self control!!!
    
    Jim (who would have read the manual last)

    	Joe,I would keep the S7's after you throw them in your marshall
    to make sure they don't have a problem. I used a set of these in my
    50 watt plexie Marshall for a year,and pulled them and gave them to a
    friend (when I got rid of the amp).
    
    
    							Rick
      

	Rick,

	Thanks for the advice.  I'll keep the S7's.

	Greg,

	The replacement has not arrived yet and won't until I send
	back this one.

    Since the company was more than happy to ship you a new set of tubes
    to replace the ultimately non-faulty originals, may I suggest you
    send *both* sets back?
    
    Edd