I'm bored - recommend me some amp choices...

[Iron1]

So, I might be in "need" of a 50 or 100 watt amp to use very sparingly. Like maybe once every month or so for an hour or two at a time. The Badlander thread got me thinking I'd love to have one of those, but it makes no sense whatsoever to spend $2k+ on an amp to use once every other month...

Then, I started looking at budget options, like the Katana 50/100 or the Peavey Vyper or any number of other sub-$500 50/100 watt amps.

Well, since I'm bored, I figured I'd ask for recommendations here.

I'd love to be able to use my two Mesa cabs with it, which each have an 8ohm C90, so keep that in mind. And, it has to have an FX loop cause an MXR 10 band in the loop is a must. And, I would JBA5150, but OMG have those gotten pricey....

GO!

[Hulk Krogan]

My only direct experience with the Katana was in a Sam Ash but I was pretty impressed with how it sounded, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

I have a Peavey Vypyr and it's just ok. Sound is fine for a practice amp, there's a ton of built in effects and amp models and such that I barely use. It's also loud as fuck for a practice amp. You know how tube heads do that thing where You move the knob a touch up from 0 and it's a reasonable volume, but if you push it another bee's dick from there it blows out the windows? Well, for whatever reason, the Vypyr always does that, which is not ideal on a goddamn practice amp. Also it has no effects loop. Also also, I hate the knobs on it. It's like they took the experience of using a mouse to twiddle knobs in the computer software and ported it to phsyical knobs.

[Budda]

Get a powerstage 170 or pedalbaby and crank up the axefx

[Iron1]

My only direct experience with the Katana was in a Sam Ash but I was pretty impressed with how it sounded, and I've heard nothing but good things about them.

I have a Peavey Vypyr and it's just ok. Sound is fine for a practice amp, there's a ton of built in effects and amp models and such that I barely use. It's also loud as fuck for a practice amp. You know how tube heads do that thing where You move the knob a touch up from 0 and it's a reasonable volume, but if you push it another bee's dick from there it blows out the windows? Well, for whatever reason, the Vypyr always does that, which is not ideal on a goddamn practice amp. Also it has no effects loop. Also also, I hate the knobs on it. It's like they took the experience of using a mouse to twiddle knobs in the computer software and ported it to phsyical knobs.

I really dig my Katana Mini, and have a few friends who have the bigger ones and they love em. So, that seems like a safe bet. But, it doesn't scratch the "something new and different" itch... or maybe that's just adult onset psoriasis I'm feeling... dunno.

Good to know about the Vyper, taking that off the list for sure.

[desertdweller]

PRS MT15
Peavey 6505/5150.

In that price range, I’d stick to a tube amp, and I’d stick to one of those. I haven’t looked at the 5150 used market in a while, maybe the 5150 IIIs would be cheaper, and IMO I prefer those to the original Peavey amps. The MT15 has 2 6L6s in it, and I would put it up against any 50w amp any day. It’s supposedly only 2-3 parts (probably transformers) away from being a true 50w amp. it’s loud as hell and the heavy channel is great.

[Leon]

EVH 5153 50w

[Jeff]

What Leon said. If you want something that’s actually got a clean channel, it’s a better way to go than the 6505.

[Chris]

6505+

[Dbwells]

you can score a 6505 + 112 for 500-600, I love mine especially since big Dave let me borrow his oversize 2x12 cab with v30s. This is it when I first got just room sound with the stock speaker.

[beneharris]

I'd say some 5150 variant, too. You can't go wrong with them, even the looked-down-upon 1x12 is an awesome amp.

[beneharris]

Just a quick search tells me 6505 something is the way to go. Anything 5150 is nuts now. Some of the heads are going for over 2k. I remember when those things were going for $600

https://reverb.com/item/43816216-used-peavey-6505-combo-tube-guitar-amps

https://reverb.com/item/42495041-peavey-6505-60-watt-1x12-guitar-combo-modded?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiI4Y2Y1ZGYzOC1jZTAwLTRlZjktODdkNC05ODc1YmI2YjA3YWQiLCJpYXQiOjE2MzQ1OTg4MTMsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIiLCJzZXNzaW9uX2lkIjoiZDQ3NWI0MWQtYjI1Ni00MWNhLWFlNDQtYzZkMTY0ODM3OTAwIiwiY29va2llX2lkIjoiZmI1ZGM3NTUtYmViYi00Mzc5LThhMzEtMmFhMjJmMzYzYTFhIiwicHJvZHVjdF9pZCI6IjQyNDk1MDQxIiwic291cmNlIjoiTk9ORSJ9.KtJM3mTTl5_bIyMx9uzwVwmHwwEuQg7zhESpd_HJ8-4

https://reverb.com/item/42185525-peavey-6505-60-watt-1x12-guitar-combo?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiIyMzc2NTY0ZC0yNTEyLTQ1MDctODYzNS03MDJjYzMwMzcxYmEiLCJpYXQiOjE2MzQ1OTg4MTMsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIiLCJzZXNzaW9uX2lkIjoiZDQ3NWI0MWQtYjI1Ni00MWNhLWFlNDQtYzZkMTY0ODM3OTAwIiwiY29va2llX2lkIjoiZmI1ZGM3NTUtYmViYi00Mzc5LThhMzEtMmFhMjJmMzYzYTFhIiwicHJvZHVjdF9pZCI6IjQyMTg1NTI1Iiwic291cmNlIjoiTk9ORSJ9.xx2e0_c12r3lnQuuztjHALa2rwuyLaOYs_DyS2BlaSU

[Chris]

What Leon said. If you want something that’s actually got a clean channel, it’s a better way to go than the 6505.

Also a good choice, but the drive channel on the 6505+ is quite a bit meaner than the one on the 5153. And really who buys these amps for the clean channel anyway?

[bigdave]

6506+ combo, maybe slap a good V30 in it but not required or get the 12" Headrush FRFR cab . Much more than that is your gear whore blood kicking in lol

https://reverb.com/item/11138207-headrush-frfr-112-full-range-powered-guitar-amp-speaker-cabinet-2000w-1x12

[Chris]

I have a pair of the 8" headrush wedges and I fucking love 'em.

[Jeff]

Also a good choice, but the drive channel on the 6505+ is quite a bit meaner than the one on the 5153. And really who buys these amps for the clean channel anyway?

I DO GODDAMNIT!

[Leon]

The best clean channels are high gain channels with the guitar's volume rolled back

[Chris]

Btw how about an old school SS thrash head like a Supreme 160? Loud as fuck and all sorts of bitchin.

[Megametal7]

Buy DSl 100hr, it kicks ass and dose not cost arm and leg.

[Leon]

Btw how about an old school SS thrash head like a Supreme 160? Loud as fuck and all sorts of bitchin.

IIRC, Matt had some super sweet recorded tones from that SS Orange head, the Crush Whatever 120. It's still in production, and I think they only run about $400 new.

https://reverb.com/p/orange-cr120h-crush-pro-120w-guitar-head-orange

[Iron1]

Get a powerstage 170 or pedalbaby and crank up the axefx

I just don't want to lug my AXE FX around. The rack it's in weighs a ton and if I add a power amp, it'll be 2 tons. And, that's not including cab(s).

PRS MT15
Peavey 6505/5150.

In that price range, I’d stick to a tube amp, and I’d stick to one of those. I haven’t looked at the 5150 used market in a while, maybe the 5150 IIIs would be cheaper, and IMO I prefer those to the original Peavey amps. The MT15 has 2 6L6s in it, and I would put it up against any 50w amp any day. It’s supposedly only 2-3 parts (probably transformers) away from being a true 50w amp. it’s loud as hell and the heavy channel is great.

The MT15 was on my short list before I grabbed the Jet City from Josh. Might see if I can find one locally to go plug into...

Just a quick search tells me 6505 something is the way to go. Anything 5150 is nuts now. Some of the heads are going for over 2k. I remember when those things were going for $600



https://reverb.com/item/43816216-use...be-guitar-amps

https://reverb.com/item/42495041-pea...g7zhESpd_HJ8-4

https://reverb.com/item/42185525-pea...aOYs_DyS2BlaSU

Yeah, the 5150 prices are just ridiculous right now. Even the 5150 IIIs are just a tad more than I want to spend.

I do like the idea of a 6505+ so if I found a deal on one I'd be all over that - had a chance to buy one right before COVID hit for $400, loved the sound but it did the whole "volume at 1 is barely audible, at 2 the wall are about to fall down" but that's nothing an attenuator can't tame. And I did look at a DSL100hr, but the Marshalls are over a grand... if I'm doing that, I'll just buy another JCM900.

When I started this thread, I totally forgot my wife's Blackstar ID15: TVP is a 50 watter, so I brought it down to my office and played through it for about 5 minutes... meh... it would do in a pinch, but in no way creates an inspiring distorted tone - it is extremely versatile, but just can't compete with either of my amps or the AXE for dirt tones. Running an SD1 into it helps tremendously, but there's no FX loop and the 3 band is too much/too little with no in-between. I might try running the MXR into the front today, just to see, but don't have high hopes.

So, here's my amended list:

Boss Katana 50/100
PRS MT15 (might be like the 5150 III where it's just a tad too pricey)
6505+

[Chris]

I just don't want to lug my AXE FX around. The rack it's in weighs a ton and if I add a power amp, it'll be 2 tons. And, that's not including cab(s).

These Carvin power amps are fantastic and only weigh a few pounds. I had one for quite a while and sold it to Leon. (Who may have sold it back to me later? I'm old, and the circle of gear is vast. )

https://reverb.com/item/43046191-carvin-dcm150-power-amplifier-amp-rackmount-150w

[Chris]

I do like the idea of a 6505+ so if I found a deal on one I'd be all over that - had a chance to buy one right before COVID hit for $400, loved the sound but it did the whole "volume at 1 is barely audible, at 2 the wall are about to fall down" but that's nothing an attenuator can't tame.

Huh, my 6505+ didn't do that. In fact one of the things I liked the best about it was the resonance knob and how it was totally usable at bedroom volume.

[Iron1]

Huh, my 6505+ didn't do that. In fact one of the things I liked the best about it was the resonance knob and how it was totally usable at bedroom volume.

Interesting. Was that a head or a combo? And, I added that Carvin to my watchlist... I'm a sucker for Carvin gear, what can I say.

[Chris]

Interesting. Was that a head or a combo? And, I added that Carvin to my watchlist... I'm a sucker for Carvin gear, what can I say.

Head. You can see it in the background of this pic of Drew and Fractal-Cliff at my house back in the day. This was right when the Axe-2 came out and they were demoing 5150 tones, as it were.

[Tony]

Been a while since I've used one but I think the red stripe peavey bandit ticks all of your requirements.

Bonus points for it being awesome