Apprehensive on buying a tube amp

[PRSfanboy46]

I'm considering little things like an orange micro dark terror to a fender Super Champ X2 to the MT15 and my cap is about 1000 dollars. I'm digging the X2 but no mids control, couldn't I just get an EQ pedal and give it mids? I'm worried that I'll buy an amp, get it home and hate it.

 

[El Fenix]

I have a Micro Terror into an Eminence GB128. Plenty of mids.

Check out the Princeton Reverb or Blues Jr too

 

[markd21]

Nothing to fear with tube amps. The designs are archaic and reasonably bulletproof. Unless you are exceptionally rough with your amp it will survive years of use.

 

[Tony M.]

I have a 1965 Fender Champ and a 1964 Fender DeLuxe.
They both sound fine and neither one has ever failed me.

 

[Davey]

I would say to (if you can during this time of shutdowns) go to your local guitar/amp store and bring your guitar, effects and what you are planning to play and try those amps you listed.

If you cant physically go to try any out, then what I have been doing is listening to countless videos and reviews of amps I am interested in.

I believe Sweewater's no hassle return policy is good for amps as well, so if you order one and try it and dont like it, then return if for another, a store credit or refund.

You have some options.....

 

[Aahzz]

What style of music? That will lead to more targeted amp suggestions...although personally, after years of dealing with tube amps, I have gone fully over to modelers and couldn't be happier. My entire rig weighs 12 pounds and I have any style of amp I want already built in.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

What style of music? That will lead to more targeted amp suggestions...although personally, after years of dealing with tube amps, I have gone fully over to modelers and couldn't be happier. My entire rig weighs 12 pounds and I have any style of amp I want already built in.

Honestly I love all types of music. Metal, jazz, blues, rock etc....

 

[PRSfanboy46]

I have a Micro Terror into an Eminence GB128. Plenty of mids.

Check out the Princeton Reverb or Blues Jr too

Is the terror any good?

 

[dmatthews]

A thousand could get you 2 very nice amps used.
Maybe a 2 channel H or Custom 50.
A Sonzera. Archon?

 

[PRSfanboy46]

A thousand could get you 2 very nice amps used.
Maybe a 2 channel H or Custom 50.
A Sonzera. Archon?

Considered a sonzera and a MT15, MT15 doesn't have reverb and a monsterous amount of gain. Haven't tried a sonzera but heard demo's and that its a great pedal platform.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

What style of music? That will lead to more targeted amp suggestions...

Yep. This “I might it home and hate it” stuff is not working. You aren’t buying your dream amp. If I have all this correctly, you just started playing and you’re still in high school. You don’t even know what your dream amp is. Part of the journey is finding out what amps you like.

Maybe let us know what style music you play and what tones you like and we can suggest an affordable amp that gets you there. As much as it pains me to to say this, I agree with Aahzz to a degree. If I were just starting, a modeler would be my first suggestion, just so you can figure out what kind of amps you like.

 

[Rider1260]

Second look for a H or C or Custom 50 I really like my H , I think you can find a 25W Archon for that money and a Sweet 16
If you shop you cold find a Mesa MKV 25 in that range.
Also enjoyed the Orange Dark Terror I was using for awhile.
There is a PRS 2 channel 20 on reverb that would be a GREAT amp
Best of luck in your search.

 

[AaeCee]

No way you'll hate it. Matter of fact, you'll love it, and wonder why you took so long to go the way of the tube.

And you'll never look back.

 

[gush]

Is the terror any good?

I had a micro terror. It was a cool little amp but I moved it.

I bought a jcm800 studio head but even though I have other amps I needed that jcm800 tone for my arsenal.

The kempers are badass as I have a buddy that played one live and it sounded pretty damn good.

Now you can be like me and say to hell with spending that kind of money on a Kemper and just keep buying and selling amps till you spend double the cost of a Kemper with a fraction of the tones.

At least that's how I do it.

 

[Justin Borders]

I have the orange dark terror, used to use the 6505, still have the peavey but I use the Orange for recording and jamming at home. Kempers and the Fractals are cool and diverse sure.. for me I still like the organic feel of tubes, the visuals of the glow, the heat you feel when it’s really cooking and even the smell. Call me old school or a purist... i just like the feel and sound of an amp and a cab pushing. Plus I’ve always said most of your sound comes from your fingers and HOW you play. Tone is in the hands but a good tune amp is a good start.. just the opinion of an old metal head.

 

[Aahzz]

Honestly I love all types of music. Metal, jazz, blues, rock etc....

Seriously, take a look at a Pod Go - Helix amp models in a small, affordable package. You could easily get one and a FRFR speaker to run it through well under your budget, and it'd give you a really good handle on how different amps sound and respond. Modeling has come a long way - I've been a tube snob for years but the current generation has converted me. Pod Go is $450 new, and something like the Headrush FRFR 108 to run it through is another $200 or so, and you can then really experiment with amps and effects to figure out which sounds work best for you. I have both the Pod Go and a Helix LT, and sold all of my tube amps and pedals...you may end up going the other direction, but for someone who is still learning and experimenting, you can't beat the Pod Go.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

Seriously, take a look at a Pod Go - Helix amp models in a small, affordable package. You could easily get one and a FRFR speaker to run it through well under your budget, and it'd give you a really good handle on how different amps sound and respond. Modeling has come a long way - I've been a tube snob for years but the current generation has converted me. Pod Go is $450 new, and something like the Headrush FRFR 108 to run it through is another $200 or so, and you can then really experiment with amps and effects to figure out which sounds work best for you. I have both the Pod Go and a Helix LT, and sold all of my tube amps and pedals...you may end up going the other direction, but for someone who is still learning and experimenting, you can't beat the Pod Go.

What would be the model most easiest for me? I would like to have the foot pedal model but not spend over my budget.

 

[Aahzz]

What would be the model most easiest for me? I would like to have the foot pedal model but not spend over my budget.

The Pod Go - https://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6/POD-Go-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor.gc?rNtt=pod go&index=1

You can add this speaker - https://www.guitarcenter.com/HeadRu...h FRFR-108 2,000W 1x8 Powered Speaker Cabinet

And you'll still be well under budget. For best sound I recommend putting the speaker on a speaker stand like this one - https://www.guitarcenter.com/On-Stage/SSAS7000B-Mini-Adjustable-Speaker-Stand-1500000023557.gc

Full rig, great for practice but also giggable (I've done it) for just about $700.

 

[PRSfanboy46]

The Pod Go - https://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6/POD-Go-Guitar-Multi-Effects-Processor.gc?rNtt=pod go&index=1

You can add this speaker - https://www.guitarcenter.com/HeadRush/FRFR-108-2000W-1x8-Powered-Speaker-Cabinet.gc?pdpSearchTerm=headrush frfr&tNtt=headrush frfr&tAt=item&tAv=HeadRush FRFR-108 2,000W 1x8 Powered Speaker Cabinet

And you'll still be well under budget. For best sound I recommend putting the speaker on a speaker stand like this one - https://www.guitarcenter.com/On-Stage/SSAS7000B-Mini-Adjustable-Speaker-Stand-1500000023557.gc

Full rig, great for practice but also giggable (I've done it) for just about $700.

I mean 670 in total, not a bad deal, plus you get everything bundled in. I mean, is it worth it to buy before I buy a tube amp? Just so I can find what I like and buy the actual thing? Thanks

 

[AP515]

Everyone is different, but for me it's pretty simple. PRS "H", a cable, and a McSoapy. Does just about everything I need to do. You can get the "H" for about $800 used and still have room for a pedal of some kind later if you wanted one. The only pedal I would ever need would be a delay ... maybe. I actually have 2 but rarely use them.