What amp would suit me best at my budget?

SFW said:
My first thought would be either a used EVH 50 watt combo or head or a PRS MT15. Don't know if you own a cab already or not.
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I am really liking the idea of the PRS MT15 the more videos I watch of it. I have the blackstar 4x8 cab that I could use until I can upgrade to something better, likely the Harley benton 2x12 loaded with Vintage 30's that costs about the same as just the speakers alone.
 
I gig but also have always had to have amps that i can play at low volumes in the house. I have a 5150-III 6L6 50 watt Stealth head, Marshall mini Silver Jubillee head, and an Orange Super Crush 100 combo. All three sound amazing at really low volumes. The Orange is not tube but sounds so good that i gig with it rather than my tube heads.

As many have mentioned, tons of options out there. I'd decide your price point and then go from there. I've noticed that too many choices makes it hard to decide on something.
 
EVH regular 6L6 50....or, if you can get one an EVH Iconic. IMO a better, less compressed sound than the 5153s. Either would be within your budget.
 
Looks like you got some righteous advice @conanthewarrior :yes:

I did a random Google search on used guitar amps in London and found some stuff worth considering. Please not, that just because I'm listing these here does not mean I've played them all or can guarantee you anything. You need to play for yourself. Good luck :yes:


London FB - Marshall TSL head, Laney Ironheart Studio rackmount, couple of Katanas, Mesa Rectifier Road King 1,400 lbs, H&K Grandmeister, DSL 40 combo,

Southend Exchange - ToneX pedal,

New Kings - 1989 JCM 800 combo 1,195lb, DLS40c,

Wunjo Guitars - lots of Orange heads including the Dark Terror

I know that Road King and JCM800 are over your budget but just wanted to show you how close you really are to awesomeness. The Recto is U.S. power and could be converted but you'd need a good speaker cabinet - but should be able to get very decent tones at low volume. I put the ToneX in there because you mentioned you were interested in that. I have the software only version but have not messed with it much. The platform does seem to get a fair amount of love.
 
conanthewarrior said:
Hello everyone, I have a Blackstar HT5 metal head that I have owned for around 10 years, but developed an issue where the volume fades down to nothing. On another thread it seems like it isn't a simple valve/tube replacement and is likely something on the PCB contacts.

Due to this, I would rather get a new amp head than get the Blackstar repaired- I don't know much about amps and didn't realise it was essentially a solid state amp with a couple of tubes thrown in, I fell into the hype when they were getting rave reviews and got one.

I like to play at bedroom volumes- I can technically crank an amp as I live in a detached house, but I prefer to practice at a lower volume.

I play a mixture of metal, from 80's thrash to melodic death metal, stuff like In Flames whoracle and colony album, but also like classic things like Judas priest, for example Electric eye off of screaming for vengeance.

I would prefer a real tube amp, unless there is a great solid state amp head that is better for some reason.

My budget would be £700, pushing it maybe £800, and I am OK with buying used if I can find something.

On the other thread someone recommended a ENGL Fireball 25, that could be one option but I would like to know some other amps that I can play at low volume and still get good tone.

Thank you all, Conan Obrian
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Be a real man.

This is the only amp for you.
Clipped_image_20250107-212534.png
 
japetus said:
Werent those actually decent? I remember people posting clips and they were good
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Yes they were, unfortunately most people who post clips of them were total f*ckin basement noobs recording with a Nokia.

But a good recording of one does exist.

Shiddddd... I think it slaps:
 
romanianreaper said:
I gig but also have always had to have amps that i can play at low volumes in the house. I have a 5150-III 6L6 50 watt Stealth head, Marshall mini Silver Jubillee head, and an Orange Super Crush 100 combo. All three sound amazing at really low volumes. The Orange is not tube but sounds so good that i gig with it rather than my tube heads.

As many have mentioned, tons of options out there. I'd decide your price point and then go from there. I've noticed that too many choices makes it hard to decide on something.
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I'm glad to hear that you can go from gigging to using them at really low volumes, as I mentioned I was under the wrong impression that I needed something lower watt wise to play quietly, so will keep those on my idea list for sure!
dead-pan said:
Just setup my MT15 to try out some Winged C 6L6s in it.

Absolutely killer little amp!
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I think so far the MT15 is my most likely go too, as I can get it for just £499 new. Did you find the tube swap made any change in tone, or was it you just needed to replace them?
the rossness said:
Get a Laney Ironheart
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It's funny you mention Laney, I was considering a Laney Ironheart 15H a few years ago, looks like I would have to buy it new now though. It was only £399 new, so is it actually any good?

GuitarGuy08 said:
The more I think on it, I think a 'Crab' amp will be my next amp purchase.
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I have to ask, what is a "Crab" amp lol?
ChuggNorris said:
Be a real man.

This is the only amp for you.
View attachment 378413
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I don't actually know what amp that is, apart from obviously Ibanez, was this a joke or are they good amps?

311splawndude said:
Looks like you got some righteous advice @conanthewarrior :yes:

I did a random Google search on used guitar amps in London and found some stuff worth considering. Please not, that just because I'm listing these here does not mean I've played them all or can guarantee you anything. You need to play for yourself. Good luck :yes:


London FB - Marshall TSL head, Laney Ironheart Studio rackmount, couple of Katanas, Mesa Rectifier Road King 1,400 lbs, H&K Grandmeister, DSL 40 combo,

Southend Exchange - ToneX pedal,

New Kings - 1989 JCM 800 combo 1,195lb, DLS40c,

Wunjo Guitars - lots of Orange heads including the Dark Terror

I know that Road King and JCM800 are over your budget but just wanted to show you how close you really are to awesomeness. The Recto is U.S. power and could be converted but you'd need a good speaker cabinet - but should be able to get very decent tones at low volume. I put the ToneX in there because you mentioned you were interested in that. I have the software only version but have not messed with it much. The platform does seem to get a fair amount of love.
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Thank you for doing the Google search, and I understand because you are listing them you can't guarantee anything, but still very kind of you.

I live right near to Southend if I was to go for the tonex, also thanks for Wunjo guitars as a Dark terror is something I think I would like.

I see, so if I had a bit more money I could potentially get a really good head! Maybe I will try and save a bit more as it is an investment, at least thats the way I see it.

I only mentioned the tonex as the quad cortex seemed really cool, however I think I need to use my computer as well as the pedal to make it run don't I? I would rather something that works standalone so that might not be the right choice for me.

The PRS MT15 seems like a great contender at the moment given its price, and its good reviews.
 
conanthewarrior said:
I think so far the MT15 is my most likely go too, as I can get it for just £499 new. Did you find the tube swap made any change in tone, or was it you just needed to replace them?
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I tube roll in all my amps to see how they respond.

The MT15 has a lot of gain and a lot of mids. I like to tame the mids in the amp with preamp swaps. Tung Sol 12ax7 can add a little clarity. With your cab it may not even be necessary as I bet it could benefit from the extra girth.

Boosted it can do thrash nice and tight.
 
dead-pan said:
I tube roll in all my amps to see how they respond.

The MT15 has a lot of gain and a lot of mids. I like to tame the mids in the amp with preamp swaps. Tung Sol 12ax7 can add a little clarity. With your cab it may not even be necessary as I bet it could benefit from the extra girth.

Boosted it can do thrash nice and tight.
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I see, what is tube rolling? I gather it is just trying different types of tubes but I could be wrong?

Nice, the lots of gain sounds good, and I can always turn the mids down if there is too much, or swap the preamp tubes if it makes a difference? Although you say with my 4x8 it may not be necessary which is cool.

I don't actually own any pedals, how would the amp sound with the guitar plugged straight in? I could of course get a tubescreamer or something similar as a boost if it is needed though.
 
conanthewarrior said:
I see, what is tube rolling? I gather it is just trying different types of tubes but I could be wrong?

Nice, the lots of gain sounds good, and I can always turn the mids down if there is too much, or swap the preamp tubes if it makes a difference? Although you say with my 4x8 it may not be necessary which is cool.

I don't actually own any pedals, how would the amp sound with the guitar plugged straight in? I could of course get a tubescreamer or something similar as a boost if it is needed though.
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Different brands and types of preamp tubes have different qualities. Not a necessity.

Amp sounds great plugged straight in but I like a really tight feel and a good TS or similar pedal that cuts a bunch of lows going in is my preference. This is with most amps though. Even an EQ pedal works for this.
 
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Hello! Just to clarify and expand since you asked:

Crab amps are a brand that is hand made by a guy in the Ukraine. He can build a custom styled amp head or one that is his clone of another. There is a post on here where a member grabbed an Orion and something else from him. That member got 100w tube heads for like $650 a piece or something. I personally would go for a 50w or something just to save my ears a touch but the pricing seems hard to beat for the quality.

He has a Facebook page I found when looking up Crab amps.

Beware that I have not personally been able to play a Crab amp, just have heard about them and read about them online, including this forum.
 
conanthewarrior said:
Hello everyone, I have a Blackstar HT5 metal head that I have owned for around 10 years, but developed an issue where the volume fades down to nothing. On another thread it seems like it isn't a simple valve/tube replacement and is likely something on the PCB contacts.

Due to this, I would rather get a new amp head than get the Blackstar repaired- I don't know much about amps and didn't realise it was essentially a solid state amp with a couple of tubes thrown in, I fell into the hype when they were getting rave reviews and got one.

I like to play at bedroom volumes- I can technically crank an amp as I live in a detached house, but I prefer to practice at a lower volume.

I play a mixture of metal, from 80's thrash to melodic death metal, stuff like In Flames whoracle and colony album, but also like classic things like Judas priest, for example Electric eye off of screaming for vengeance.

I would prefer a real tube amp, unless there is a great solid state amp head that is better for some reason.

My budget would be £700, pushing it maybe £800, and I am OK with buying used if I can find something.

On the other thread someone recommended a ENGL Fireball 25, that could be one option but I would like to know some other amps that I can play at low volume and still get good tone.

Thank you all, Conan.
Click to expand...
Dumble or train wreck….. if you are not in a hurry I would suggest a Larry….
 
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