< 15watts. Is there a real benefit?

[Sportrider24]

So Lately I've been thinking about getting a new amp. I currently have a Roland cube 15X that I bought used and I'm not all that happy with it. The clean channel is good and so is the metal stack channel but the other 3 distortion channels aren't doing it for me. Not to mention I'd really like an amp with reverb. I basically only play in my house and the cube 15 has enough volume for me which makes me think I really don't need more wattage but it always seems that the higher watt amps have more bells and whistles like more effects or better speakers, etc... Would it be worth it to go a little bigger? Other amps I've owned in the past are a Peavey Vypyr 15 (didn't like cause it rattled like crazy), microcube (liked it but not loud enough), Epi valve jr (liked the tone but didn't like its lack of effects and distortion at low volume). Some amps I plan on trying out are...

Fender FM 25 DSP Frontman combo
Line 6 Spider3 30watt
Vox Valvetronix VT15
Fender Vibro Champ XD
Fender Frontman 65R
Peavey Valveking Royal 8

 

[dennistruckdriver]

Your 15-watt solid-state amp is a mere toy compared to a 15-watt tube amp.
A 15-watt tube amp with a good 12-inch speaker will blow the doors off most 65-watt solid state amps, with more-than-adequate volume, and much superior natural 'break-up'. Many here will argue against me, but a Fender Blues Junior is a nice little amp, and can be had used for a reasonable price.

 

[CWeeD]

Your 15-watt solid-state amp is a mere toy compared to a 15-watt tube amp.
A 15-watt tube amp with a good 12-inch speaker will blow the doors off most 65-watt solid state amps, with more-than-adequate volume, and much superior natural 'break-up'. Many here will argue against me, but a Fender Blues Junior is a nice little amp, and can be had used for a reasonable price.

Agreed!

Watt for Watt, solid state will never compare to a true valve amp. I know many people rave about the Line6 and Vox Valetronix amps if thats your thing, you will get a bunch of effects nad different distrotion types, but it will still fall somewhat short from what it tries to mimick. If you were to go with a tube amp, the Blues Jr. is a great amp, I know from owning one, as well the Peavey Classic 30 is also a great amp of which I own too. The Classic 30 will give you more bottom end, has an effects loop and a little more power that can still be tamed for overdirve at low volumes if you are fine with just preamp drive. The Jr. takes pedal very well too straight in, both have good reverb, the Jr's might be better by a small margin. Both amps are easy to maintain, relatively cheap to retube and both can be had in excellent used condition for about $300.00 give or take. And yes, they will both blow the doors off anything you have had yet, as well as being small gigable(is that a word?) amps.

Go check them both in the stores then start your bidding on the auctions or craigslist.

On a side note, I believe having a decent tube amp is also part of learning to play "electric" guitar, you begin to learn more about dynamics, touch sensitivity and attack far more than any SS amp will help you explore, as well tubes are not all the same and different ones give you different flavors, something that can not be said for solid state, I dont care how many cheap 12ax7's you put in that box, it will never come close.

Good luck.

 

[CWeeD]

And this,

I am willing to bet when you had your Valve Jr that its little 5wats of power sounded at least equal to if not louder than your Roland Cube15...yes, no?

You might also look at some of the smaller powered 5w amps like the Vox, Blackheart, Blackstar(this one might be right up your alley) and a couple others out there.

Just a thought.

 

[LPV]

Many here will argue against me

Not me brother ! Sing out !

 

[Sportrider24]

And this,

I am willing to bet when you had your Valve Jr that its little 5wats of power sounded at least equal to if not louder than your Roland Cube15...yes, no?

You might also look at some of the smaller powered 5w amps like the Vox, Blackheart, Blackstar(this one might be right up your alley) and a couple others out there.

Just a thought.

Your right!! That little valve jr was just as loud if not louder than my cube. I'm going to do a little more research. A 5 watt tube amp might just be in my price range new. Thanks for the help thus far guys. I have a new direction to explore!!

 

[Sportrider24]

So has anyone tried a Crate V18-212 or the Peavey Royal 8 ?

 

[Alligatorbling]

when i had my little giant 5 watter it would keep up with a drummer in the right environment.

 

[rickym]

I use my '69 Fender Vibro Champ at band rehearsals. It's connected to a 2X12 cab. 5 watts is perfect for it. I have it cranked & just use a boost for solos.

 

[CWeeD]

Your right!! That little valve jr was just as loud if not louder than my cube. I'm going to do a little more research. A 5 watt tube amp might just be in my price range new. Thanks for the help thus far guys. I have a new direction to explore!!

Sportrider,

I just picked up a new Vox AC4TV which is only 4w but with an attenuator to scale it down to 1w and even...yes 1/4w. Believe me, that 1/4w setting is the cats meow for playing late nights in the apartment or bedroom. I recently put in a 5751 in the pre slot and JJ EL84 and it has already made it a better amp. Though the Vox thing may not be for you if its just a metal tone you want.

I played the Royal-8 and I did not dig the 8" speaker much. You might look at the blackstar as suggested or even the Blackheart Little Giant 5w of which gets a good review for being another in the 5w amp market. Marshall as you know is coming out with the Class5 in just another month, though its going to be too pricey at first to compete in my opinion.

Just shop around, listen to youtube samples when you can find good ones and you'll find something that fits the bill.

 

[Sportrider24]

I'll at that Vox to my list to try out.

I'm very curious about this Crate V18-212 though. 18 watt RMS, Class A, 2 EL84 tubes and 2 12" speakers. $199.95, sounds like a bargain or maybe not??

 

[wantsa58]

Your 15-watt solid-state amp is a mere toy compared to a 15-watt tube amp.
A 15-watt tube amp with a good 12-inch speaker will blow the doors off most 65-watt solid state amps, with more-than-adequate volume, and much superior natural 'break-up'. Many here will argue against me, but a Fender Blues Junior is a nice little amp, and can be had used for a reasonable price.

^This.

My 20 watt Marshall DSL 201 can literally make my doors rattle, and it has a master volume.

Get an amp without a master volume and prepare for a lot of volume before you get that nasty tube distortion everyone loves. I almost got a blues junior but it's just to loud for an apartment. They are also too twangy for my liking. Valve juniors are great little amps, but lack head room. Don't expect clean tones at moderate volumes, but they have a great classic rock tone.

 

[dennistruckdriver]

....I almost got a blues junior but it's just....too twangy for my liking....

They are 'twangy'....they make all guitars sound like Telecasters, which is great if you play a Telecaster.