Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Just out of curiosity....
I think something like a 50-watt tube 212 combo would be the perfect amp to get me ready to leap from closet player to playing out. I want tube, not emulation. What is the cheapest way to get 50 watts of firebottle action feeding 2 speakers? I mean, via catalog, not luck into a guitarist's widow who doesn't know the value of his collection or something.
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6 comments:
Probably the best deals on new 50W 212 combos are probably Carvin & Peavey if you need tubes.
Crate has an 18W all tube 2x12 combo for around $250. If you really need 50W output power, you might consider a hybrid, something with tube preamp and MOSFET power amp. There are a couple in the $500 range that fall into that category. If you're set on all tubes, I think Fender has some in the $800-1K range. The Hot Rod Deville looks pretty good.
Also, Peavey's ValveKing seems to fit the bill.
I'm unsure if I really need all 50 watts if I go tube. I used to have a solid state piece that I still call "the world's quietest 100 watt amp". For raw db/watt issues, you get much more bang for your buck with tubes. Maybe an 18watt crate will be sufficient to play next to a drummer, as long as I'm not doing metal, which I don't forsee myself doing.
Plus, there's a certain amount of coolness in owning, running and maintaining a tube amp.
Thanks for all the responses.
Dave, I have a Crate V50 212. Yes, it's a Crate, but it's actually very warm sounding (to my ears). The DSP on it aren't the greatest, but that's what PODs and pedals are for, eh? I found mine locally on Craigslist so I could go check it out in person.
If I want a "heavier" distortion I just put distortion in front of it, since the gain is not of the metal variety on the amp.
I've been eyeing the Crate V33-212 ($250 around the web, but getting scarce), and only poverty has kept me away. It might not keep up with a metal monster drummer, but it's the wrong amp for that anyway (being less Kerry King and more Billy Gibbons).
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