#1931191 - 04/23/08 10:15 AM
Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
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MannyC
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Registered: 04/23/08
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hello all
I am a beginner. My 15W (starter pak) amp sucks - way too noisy.
So, can someone recommend a 30W upgrade that has I can get a nice tight cruchy sound from?
I have tried VOX adt30 - not!, roland cube - not!
thx a bundle
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#1931193 - 04/23/08 10:20 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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Zack Pomerleau
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I don't understand what tight crunchy sound is, what style of music?
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#1931198 - 04/23/08 10:25 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Zack Pomerleau]
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Greg B.
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If you're looking for something that is good for rock or blues, try the Peavey Classic 30. Its not a metal amp, but could be with a pedal or two in front of it. It takes pedals very well, but also sounds great by itself. And best of all, its priced pretty good.
BTW, welcome to the forum. Stick around, there are alot of knowledgeable people here.
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#1931201 - 04/23/08 10:30 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Greg B.]
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Trucks
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What sort of price range are we talking here? If cheap is the answer, then the Orange Crush 30 would be worth checking out. If reliable solid gigging amp, then maybe the Orange Rockerverb 30. I would love one of the Rockerverbs.
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#1931204 - 04/23/08 10:32 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Trucks]
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Trucks
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Actually, I think the Rockerverbs start at 50W... Maybe a Rocker 30, I believe these are a stripped down Rockerverb.
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#1931216 - 04/23/08 10:48 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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MannyC
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thank you all
I am looking for a sound like (or close to) VH - "ain't talking about love"
I know I'm not going to get exact sound from a 30W but I would like an amp that doesn't break up so bad. My 15W squeals, hums etc at less than half volume
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#1931219 - 04/23/08 10:54 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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Greg B.
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A Carvin MTS, while it is 100 watts (but can be switched down to 50 watts), will get you real close to that sound. And they are very nicely priced, compared to similiar amps. I've got a Carvin Stagemaster, which is the predecessor to the MTS, and love it. It has way more gain than I'll ever need or use. I got it for less than $400 used. Look around, they're out there. Good luck.
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#1931231 - 04/23/08 11:20 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Greg B.]
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MILLO
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Manny:
All the amps you listed are solid state. If you need to stay solid state my recommendation will be Tech 21 Trademark series. You've heard Tech 21 stuff on recordings or TV, etc... don't know which recordings, but I know they were the modeling thing before the software modeling craze. However, they still do well selling those rack-mount SanAmp preamps so I assume they're still convincing to many ears. Apart from that the only non-tube stuff I'd recommend would be modeling amps like Line 6. Some people that have the Line 6 Spider Valve 1x12 combo (40 watts) say it's awesome and I have no reasons to doubt so.
Tube? Get a low-wattage amp like Orange Tiny Terror like Guitarzan did here. Or a Rivera Chubster, Clubster or Pubster series... the Pubster is actually A BIT of a "hybrid", but... except for that Rivera I'd forget about "hybrid" amps like Marshall's valvestate line, etc.
If what you're looking is mostly for a crunch amp, I'd get the Tiny Terror or Fuchs Lucky 7 or something of the sort and an Avatar 1x12 cab. If you want an all-around decent SS amp, Tech 21 is the way to go.
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#1931255 - 04/23/08 11:47 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MILLO]
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MannyC
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thanks guys - that info is awesome
i'll start doing some searches
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#1931270 - 04/23/08 12:24 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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MannyC
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question:
Do any of you guys know what retailers carry Orange amps in US?
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#1931272 - 04/23/08 12:34 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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Zephyr
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question:
Do any of you guys know what retailers carry Orange amps in US?
http://www.orangeamps.com/dealers.asp?Area=USA
Enter your area code and find out
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#1931279 - 04/23/08 12:46 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Zephyr]
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MannyC
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Thx
am I to understand that the TT comes as a head unit?
I wouldn't know what to do with that
I want a built-in speaker
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#1931289 - 04/23/08 01:11 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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MILLO
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What's your budget? If $700 is fine, I'd get a Line 6 Spider Valve.
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#1931297 - 04/23/08 01:28 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MILLO]
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Greg B.
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What's your budget? If $700 is fine, I'd get a Line 6 Spider Valve.
You know, I've never really cared for any of the modelling amps that I've ever played, mostly because I know exactly what sound/tone I'm looking for and don't really need an amp to do anything else. But having said that, the Spider Valve is an amazing amp. It's priced right, all tube (gotta be for me), and would be perfect for someone who needs different sounds or someone who is trying to find their sound. I played one for a while a couple of months ago and didn't want to walk away from it. I'm not in the amp market right now, but if I were, it would be on the short list. That's a good call, Millo. 
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#1931311 - 04/23/08 01:44 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Greg B.]
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miroslav
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If you have a $700 budget and are willing to also consider previously owned amps....then you have a LOT of options!
You can even get into "boutique amp" territory...you just have to hit eBay for a couple of weeks and wait for the right one to show up.
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#1931318 - 04/23/08 02:07 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: miroslav]
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GeoffB
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Don't forget Laney tube amps..............
G.
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#1931345 - 04/23/08 03:03 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: GeoffB]
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MannyC
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I see you guys have deep pockets. I don't
and remember- i am a beginner
so I don't really want to get anything very expensive
I am looking for a small practice amp with good tone
probably no more than $300
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#1931350 - 04/23/08 03:09 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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Greg B.
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For $300, I'd say find a used Peavey Classic 30, Peavey Classic 50 or even a Peavey Delta Blues. Or if you can find one a Peavey Classic 20 is a great bedroom tube amp. But they are hard to find and when you do find one, you will pay about the same as a Classic 30. I wish I would have kept the one I used to have.
The Crate Palomino is also a pretty good sounding inexpensive tube amp. My brother has one of the small ones and if I didn't think he'd miss it, I'd "borrow" it from him! 
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Avoid playing the amplifier at a volume setting high enough to produce a distorted sound through the speaker-Fender Guitar Course-1966 http://www.myspace.com/tentcityallstars1
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#1931477 - 04/23/08 09:10 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: nath1142]
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JayViddler
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I am a big fan of the epiphone valve junior half stack. For $260 I think, you get a 5 watt all tube amp and a 12" speaker cabinet that sounds great. As you progress you may even want to modify the amp and there are a lot of resources for this particular amp.
For used amps, I would say look at your local craigslist and ebay. There are a few options around your price range. I really like the fender blues junior as well as the fender champ. You may need to bump your budget up to $350, but it will be well worth it. Make sure you try as many amps you can and you'll know the right one. Happy hunting!
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#1931592 - 04/24/08 06:01 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: JayViddler]
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miroslav
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Yeah...the Epi VJ Head and 112 cab are quite good!
Forget it if you are after clean tones...but for a sweet crunchy sound that can also go all the way to nuclear meltdown (at only 5W of output, and no ear bleed)...it's a great rig!
Plus....there are quite a few mods out there that will let you turn the amp into a more flexible tone machine, and a couple of the more expensive mods ($200-$300) claim that they can bring the Epi VJ into boutique amp territory.
One of these days I may go for one of those mods…when I’m bored with nothing better to do and can spend the time on the mod (yeah…right... )
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#1931645 - 04/24/08 07:51 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: miroslav]
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MILLO
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Nope, I don't have a deep pocket.
voilà:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tech-21-Trademark-30-30W-Guitar-ComboDI-Amplifer?sku=480040
Not much clean headroom, but as far as solid state crunch this could be the best you could find for that money... or try to find a used tube amp like Peavey Classic 30, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (I've seen them go for $400 used) or Carvin MTS (I got one ofr $350 but didn't like it as much as soggy... although the clean channel was good, worth the price in a 2x12 combo!).
I've seen Trademark 60 amps (60 watts) been offered for around $300-400 used... that might be an option, 12" speaker and more headroom.
Also, look seriously at Jay's and Miro's suggestion... a VERY cheap tube amp. Of course, there might be shortcomings w/ it, but you can audition it at your local Guitar Center.
Good luck
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#1933309 - 04/27/08 06:45 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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koolkid
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it def depends on your price range !!there are 30 watt combos for $150 and 30 watt tube combos over 2 grand !!!with of course the handwired tube combos sounding muy delicioso..whats your range ???
Edited by koolkid (04/27/08 06:46 PM)
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#1933321 - 04/27/08 07:09 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: JayViddler]
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guitarzan
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I am a big fan of the epiphone valve junior half stack. For $260 I think, you get a 5 watt all tube amp and a 12" speaker cabinet that sounds great. As you progress you may even want to modify the amp and there are a lot of resources for this particular amp.
For used amps, I would say look at your local craigslist and ebay. There are a few options around your price range. I really like the fender blues junior as well as the fender champ. You may need to bump your budget up to $350, but it will be well worth it. Make sure you try as many amps you can and you'll know the right one. Happy hunting!
the valve jr cab is nice it sounds great with my Tiny Terror.
if i was shopping for a lower wattage combo right now it would be an orange tiny terror combo
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#1933357 - 04/27/08 08:33 PM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: MannyC]
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Picker
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You ought to look into a Line 6 Amp. You can pick up a Spider III with 30 watts for a 4150-200, and it has all the tight crunch you'd want, plus a lot of effects.
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#1933403 - 04/28/08 03:18 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Picker]
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Chad
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Manny,
It's important to keep in mind -you probably do - that any amp will get you kinda sorta VH's tone, but to nail it you'd need VH's (modified) Marshall amp, plus his fingers, ears and brain.
Welcome to the forum!
Oh, and thanks a pantload for the earworm, I'm going to be humming "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" all day now...
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#1933413 - 04/28/08 04:32 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: Picker]
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micho
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You ought to look into a Line 6 Amp. You can pick up a Spider III with 30 watts for a 4150-200, and it has all the tight crunch you'd want, plus a lot of effects.
I agree , I bought it for my son, and compare before with other small amps.
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#1933455 - 04/28/08 06:35 AM
Re: Best 30 watt amp for tight crunchy sound
[Re: micho]
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MannyC
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hello all
thx for the many responses
I hope this is not off-topic but I saw on utube a comparison of the evj half stack vs blackheart...
and the 5w evj has a great sound. My question is (and remember I am just a beginner) with one volume control on the evj and nothing else, how would one adjust gain or distortion?
thx
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