Best Cheap Amp Head Out there?

[Aceman]

Used or New, Digital, Solid State, Hybrid, or Tube, Full Size or Mini, current or classic.

What, in your opinion, is the best value in an amp head for playing rock to heavy metal?

What's it cost? Why is it a great amp and a great value?

[the guy who invented fire]

It's gonna be real hard to beat a Peavy Windsor for rock with maybe a Boss SD-1 in front for heavier tones...

I don't know I I'd try to do a world tour without a backup but those things sell for less than 3 bills all the time and for a 100 watt tube head thats a deal...

[TwilightOdyssey]

By 'cheap' I am assuming you mean 'inexpensive', not 'shoddily built'.

Bumbox Lead 1! Made right here in the US by a boutique builder, practical for everything save gigging; great tone; incredible value.

[IanBallard]

I wouldn't discount the Fender Mustang for value and good tones. The Mustang V sounds great through the Celestion 4x12 cab. The whole deal goes for less than $500 new. Plus, it's going to be more reliable for gigging, than tube heads.

[TwilightOdyssey]

it's going to be more reliable for gigging, than tube heads.

[crguti]

look no further

[IanBallard]

Yeah, kinda wondering about that too.

Ian - what are you basing that on ?

Well... solid state/digital doesn't blow fuses, blow caps, tubes or other things. Even as a drummer, I used to carry hoards of fuses and other amp stuff, because it was routine in a heavy-gigging band, for tube amps to crap out from time to time. Are we seriously going to deny that tube amps are less reliable than solid state? I'm not saying I am against tubes... I love them but those idea that tube amps, no matter what the brand are going to be reliable night after night during hardcore nightly gigging playing loud rock, without having an amp tech touring with you is itself pure

You're going to have to spend some money to find a really well-engineered and designed tube amp that has the reliability necessary.

[STRATDELUXER97]

Well... solid state/digital doesn't blow fuses, blow caps, tubes or other things. Even as a drummer, I used to carry hoards of fuses and other amp stuff, because it was routine in a heavy-gigging band, for tube amps to crap out from time to time. Are we seriously going to deny that tube amps are less reliable than solid state? I'm not saying I am against tubes... I love them but those idea that tube amps, no matter what the brand are going to be reliable night after night during hardcore nightly gigging playing loud rock, without having an amp tech touring with you is itself pure

You're going to have to spend some money to find a really well-engineered and designed tube amp that has the reliability necessary.

Solid state amps usually just blow! ;o)

[Phantasmagoria]

All of $156 new in the box...






Clean:





Drive:



15 watt all tube 2 channel head...

Great value for $156...

I just ordered one with an empty 2x12 cab (additional $50) + $220 shipping from China...


...can't wait to check it out

[IanBallard]

Solid state amps usually just blow! ;o)

Well, I was referring to modelling amps, not old fashioned SS amps. That's certainly your opinion and we all have them, but when somebody suggests "cheap amp heads", I simply suggested a very versatile amp head that is fairly inexpensive, provides you with tons of tonal possibilities and won't blow up when you crank it night after night. You aren't going to find a "reliable and cheap" tube head, very easily. Maybe a Jet City. That would be my second choice.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Dude, a sh!tty amp is a sh!itty amp, regardless of technology. If ANY amp 'bows up' just by playing it loud either you a) are exceeding the amp's capabilities and the fault is YOUR OWN, not the amp's or b) bought a cheap piece of crap.

To catagorically state that one amp technology is inherently more reliable is nonsense.

You seem like a nice guy, I don't want to get into w you, but your statement was silly in the first instance.

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Bassman are good deals if you likes blues/classic rock.

Really... I got mine for $570 shipped and it sounds great.

[ErikH]

For a modeler, look for one of the Vox AD100VT heads. They go for crazy low prices now. I love my AD50VT combo. Killer tones can be had.

[Toe-Knee]

Dude, a sh!tty amp is a sh!itty amp, regardless of technology. If ANY amp 'bows up' just by playing it loud either you a) are exceeding the amp's capabilities and the fault is YOUR OWN, not the amp's or b) bought a cheap piece of crap.

To catagorically state that one amp technology is inherently more reliable is nonsense.

You seem like a nice guy, I don't want to get into w you, but your statement was silly in the first instance.

I will back this entirely.

If something is well built regardless of whether its SS or valve it will be just as reliable.

Another point is if say a valve goes dodgy its a quick replacement if something goes wrong with a SS amp live you are screwed.

[guitfiddle]

For new amps, Jet City is knocking the bang-for-the-buck thing out of the park right now. Good tones, and simple to use, very well made for the price.

Also, I agree with Bassman amps. Real good stuff for way less than $1000. Music Man amp heads also fit into the same zone...they come up for around the same prices all the time, and sound every bit as good as the Fenders.

You could also do a lot worse than a Sovtek Mig 50 or the Midget Mig.

[kevlar3000]

Traynor Bassmaster is tough to beat 350.00-500.00 Ugliest looking Plexi ever made, thus the price
Laney Pro Tube is a crazy bang for the buck 200.00 -500.00. Been waiting for a decade for them to jump in price, they have not! JCM 800, really shine with a couple tweaks

Univox B series, 300-400.00 Great medium gain rock amps, cool 70s cosmetics.

Silvertone 1483 and 1484 heads, great low watt grind, the stock market on these rises and crashes frequently, which means you can buy low if you are patient...

Early SF Fender, Bassman killer grind for about 500.00 give or take....

Vintage SS amps, PV, SUNN, Unicord all grind, all cheap, all ugly. My kinda amp!

[kevlar3000]

It's gonna be real hard to beat a Peavy Windsor for rock with maybe a Boss SD-1 in front for heavier tones...

I don't know I I'd try to do a world tour without a backup but those things sell for less than 3 bills all the time and for a 100 watt tube head thats a deal...

I have seen many under 200.00 on Craigslist, cool heads, much like their VTM and Butcher heritage..

[guitfiddle]

I have seen many under 200.00 on Craigslist, cool heads, much like their VTM and Butcher heritage..

I was skeptical about the Butcher, from the name and the fact that Peavey made it. Well, when I got to play an old one, I tried to get a bad sound out of it, and couldn't. Totally changed my view of them.

[woemoejack]

The Jet City jca20 head is an incredible value because of its size and tone capabilities. Theyve even got the newer version jca22 with a tube buffered serial effects loop and footswitchable overdrive channel. Enough overdrive on tap do most any style of rock. Jet City gets my vote.

[Quencho092]

i like my head for cleanz. Perfect for getting any kind of clean tone, you just need some reverb, as loud as a PA with a much softer, more malleable EQ and notch!