Tube Combo Amps

Ok, so I'm pretty much over (i.e. way over) lugging around a half-stack (JCM800 2210) here and there for the occasional jam.

Seeking opinions on tube combos (preferably 1x12)

I'm willing to spend 600-800 or so... Even used, for the right amp.

seeking any suggestions/hookups ;)

Im really lost. I play everything from Pink Flyod, to Gravity Kills.

I dont mind using pedals to get my overdrive/distortion, but I also dont really need the overkill of a 100 watt tube amp in the pursuit of killer tube tone. (neighbors)

Someone suggested the Peavey 112 Bravo, or the B-52 AT series... Ive not been able to play either one at this point. The peavey Valveking was just a major disappointment when i played it...

Help me TW, you're my only hope...

i'll buy the jcm :brows:

I have the answer for you. Get a first edition Fender Cyber Twin off of Ebay or at a guitar center, they will run about $500. It is 2x12 custom celestions. It is a hybrid amp so it has built in effects, up to 64 user save able presets. Has Groove Tubes in it. I have played all of the big name amps, and I will never go back to them after playing through this. I love it.

I have actually had other guitar players come up and ask me how I get my tone. I show them my amp and the fact that all the knobs turn automatically when a new preset is selected and they are mesmerized. btw, if you can't find one with the midi pedal to switch effects, just get a behringer fb50 midi pedal, It is what I use.

i'll buy the jcm :brows:


I'll bet you would ;)
____

No disrepect intended at all, but I, personally, am over hybrid amps. I want full tube tone out of something a tad less cumbersome than a half stack :)

Okay...you want tube, so you obviously don't care about cost or weight. For most guys wanting a combo, I recommend a Line6 Vetta or Spider - but since you want tubes, I have two suggestions for you.

First and foremost, check out the Fender Super Sonics. Sorry about the XL image:

http://www.fender.com/products/prod_images/amplifiers/2160500000_xl.jpg

This is a great amp. Lots of power, lots of tone, can do a lot. Has enough ins/outs to deal with whatever pedals you want to run with it (before or after the pre). Worth checking into; 1x12 around $500.

The other amp I'd suggest - if you can deal with modeling - is the Line6 Spider Valve. I HAVE NOT PLAYED THIS AMP. It's got a Bogner power section, though, and is worth checking out. Everything else Line6 makes is awesome, though, so that's worth something:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/8/3/9/525839.jpg

This is a 1x12, 40w tube combo with 300+ Line6 presets. 12 amp models and a bunch of FX. I imagine it sounds rather godly. They get $700 for it street, though, so it ain't cheap.

Good luck. Here's the tube combos I play through the most:

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/2/1/3/475213.jpg

http://www.sover.net/~amcl/Images/pro_junior_tweed.jpg

thanks for the input old_skul

I have tried the spider valve as well... and well, the only real thing that worries me about buying it... is that Im sure a "Flex Valve" or even "Vetta Valve" is just around the corner :sigh:

I just want a good tube combo amp for jamming. I can shape my sound as needed, I just want the depth, warmth, and projection of an all tube amp, at a moderate level.

Line 6 Spider Valve 1x12 seconded. I have the 2x12 and it meets my needs, it's about time Line 6 combined their modeling tech with tubes.

I have the answer for you. Get a first edition Fender Cyber Twin off of Ebay or at a guitar center, they will run about $500. It is 2x12 custom celestions. It is a hybrid amp so it has built in effects, up to 64 user save able presets. Has Groove Tubes in it. I have played all of the big name amps, and I will never go back to them after playing through this. I love it.


People either love or hate the Cybertwin. I had version 1.2 (I think) and got rid of it for a Prosonic, which is an other sweet little amp fender makes.

I got rid of that Cyber Twin faster than any other piece of gear I've ever owned.

I have no idea how anyone can hate the cyber twin. The tone is like butter. Oh so creamy and good on toast.

I have no idea how anyone can hate the cyber twin. The tone is like butter. Oh so creamy and good on toast.


It lacks dynamics...it has a really one-dimensional sound for such a versitile amp. It's the ultimate bar-band amp.

I did have fun fucking with all the settings and duplicating the songs from the preloaded settings, but I just couldn't get the sound I wanted out of it. Nop tube sag, no dynamics. I think it's a great concept but technology hasn't caught up with the idea yet.

Mesa road king is awesome, uses actual power and preamp tubes that are selectable.

I have no idea what you are talking about. I use my volume nob for dynamics. And the I had the pot changed to I believe a higher resistance, so I can get even more dynamic. I am thinking of adding that onboard pre-amp pot system to it too, it looks neat and I will bet it rocks.

It doesn't have the feel of a tube amp. They claim it has the dynamics and sag that a tube amp would, but it never will as long as it's solid state. I'm not talking about dynamics like loud/soft, I'm talking about the punchy sound that tubes give off. When you pick lightly it rings and sparkles, when you slam a chord it breaks up (depending on how you set it up obviously). It doesn't have that. Ther's plenty of effects and even the ability to reverse the polarity of the speakers, but it's still solid state.

I wish there was someone who could explain this better...

All I know is I love it. Every guitar player that has come to see me play since I got it asks me how I get my tone. Hey if Neil Schoon uses it, it can't be all bad.

All I know is I love it.

That's what matters man.

Mesa road king is awesome, uses actual power and preamp tubes that are selectable.

At the Indy NAMM show a couple of years back, the rental gear they had set up for the guest stage included a Mesa Lone Star. 5W/15W/50W selectable. The guitarist I was teching for chose the 5W setting and that thing absolutely sang. One of the sweetest amps I've heard.

alright... I took the dive.

I have a 112 Spidervalve on the way.

Ive always been pleased with previous line 6 products, (AX212, Pod 2.0, PodXT) and the purpose they serve.

I was reluctant to say the least, about this spider valve.. After trying it out (against other amps in its range) at GC on multiple occasions, this amp was by far the most inspiring of the bunch.

http://www.austinc.com//tw/peavey-classic-30.jpg
http://www.austinc.com//tw/randall.jpg

I own one of the Peavey Classic 30s and it has amazing tone, plus it handles distortion pedals well enough to play metal. It really sounds nice playing classic rock, blues, and jazz as well. Great for pretty much any style of music in my opinion.

The Randall is an amp geared towards metal, but it has a great clean tone also.

*edit - Damn, I just saw you posted that you already made a purchase.

Peavey is gay.

Peavey is gay.

Peavey is garbage.