Kool-so aside from manufacturer`s recommendation-and keeping in mind it`s not an amp-how would you determine the best choice? unfortunately the unit has been discontinued-I don`t know if there`s enough tech information available to brave the NOS waters.
BTW thanks for the reply.

Myles, I'm considering buying A Hot Rod Deluxe and I live in China. I need a voltage transformer, the one I'm looking at is a 350 watt transformer, will that work for me.

The Weber unit will work fine.

These are lovely boats. The M40, 42, 43 and 45 were all great and are all still great.

"This is a 1958 Matthews that was originally owned by Leo Fender of Fender guitars. In order to qualify to buy this boat you would likely need to commit to paying me to do the following work.

$30,000 for a top of the line paint and varnish job.
$10,000 for bottom paint.
$10,000 into properly engineer and upgrade engines.
$10,000 into electronics.

If you can handle that you can
Call Matt"

Is there a way to choose a default font for one's own posts? I'd like it to be this one

Is there a way to choose a default font for one's own posts? I'd like it to be this one

Greetings, Myles,

I'd appreciate some help choosing among three different tube amps, mostly in terms of reliability & repair issues, and of course, the cost of re-tubing.

Among the offerings are a Laney VC30 212, this Fender Deluxe VM or this Marshall. The Laney is local, and the two Ebay listings are from a local shop, so I can test out any and all of these Amps, IRL. As all of them are used, I expect a re-tubing in the near future. Any info, opinion, suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, WP

[quote=Winston Psmith]
There are many factors that are very important that are not listed above to consider. The Fender BF stuff is iconic in many ways, the HRD series not so much. That new Fender stuff like the link, is pointless to consider on many levels. Marshall JCM2000 DSL TSL are some of the most unreliable amps and not much fun to repair when needed, the combos even more troubleprone than the heads.

In the end, it is really personal preference, but again, I know nothing about your rig, ability, touch, taste in music, style, etc.

At this point the question is sort of like me asking you .... What do you think I should have for lunch

But ... steer clear (my opinion) of any DSL / TSL / JCM2000.

Maybe try looking for used Rivera combos. Well built, reliable beyond belief, and have a wide tonal palette. They can also do great cleans and work great with pedals. If an amp can't get a great clean tone I won't even consider it as viable.

The Laney is much more reliable than the Marshall. The Laney will be more responsive and touch sensitive than the Fender.

...I am biased for sure...

Not really tube amp realated but ....

The switching system I'm having done is taking all my buffer bypass pedals into true bypass mode. I run quite a bit of cable especially if I off-stage amps. I need to place a dedicated buffer into the front-end of my board. I was just going to place the $50 True Tone (Visual Sound) Pure Tone buffer on my board. My Tech is a boogie dealer and he likes the Mesa buffers. Mesa propaganda says they filter RF and such. I play Teles and P90s depending on the gig.

Anyone thoughts on simple dedicated buffers? I'm wondering if there is a real advantage with the Mesa RF filtering claims.

Any thought anyone has on dedicated buffers would be appreciated. My Tuner sits first in the chain but I like Peterson tuners and they are true bypass.
Thanks!