desertbluesman Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 I would like something that sounds similar to a tube amp with a stereo input for backing tracks as well as the guitar input. With separate volume control for the BT's that I will play using my MP3 Player or laptop. The amp can be small (The smaller the better) no need for high wattage. Must have a full tone stack, and channel switching. And Inboard Reverb is Ok too. Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 I have two options for you: Fishman Loudbox Mini has all the features you want except the tube tone. It also sounds great and includes a mic input. I have friends who gig with one in a small room. You could use a pedal for tube tone - Tech 21 pedals are my personal favorite for simulating tube amp tones, they can do the clean tones as well as the dirty. The built in DI could come in handy sometimes. You might have to control your BT volume from the source. It also has Bluetooth connectivity. This would be my first choice. I think you will need to control the volume going into the amp but the Peavey Vypyr VIP 1 has a stereo 1/8" aux input for playing your tracks. Careful dialing will yield great tube amp tones, beware of the presets!!! They mostly seem to be Ultra Death Metal. They will get nice clean tones too. I think you would want a 10" speaker installed, I am currently doing that to one. Open back so the 8 just doesn't quite cut it, especially for backing tracks. Used can be found pretty inexpensive, I got mine for $40. I think these are under-rated because the speaker is not that great. Both of these offer reverb. I can't keep track of everything so there are probably other options out there. It will be interesting to see what others bring up. Cheers, Kuru Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 Thanks amigo. I will look into any that the folks here think may do the job. Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 I've never seen or heard one of these but I love my Cube 40gx (which doesn't meet all your requirements). I bet it's awesome. Probably not cheap though... https://www.roland.com/global/products/cube_street_ex/ Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 You can get an actual tube amp with the Vox VX50GTV 50W nutube technology, small and lightweight. https://voxamps.com/en-gb/product/vx50gtv/ A bit smaller and cheaper but with 8W output is the Boss Katana Mini Quote Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 I've never seen or heard one of these but I love my Cube 40gx (which doesn't meet all your requirements). I bet it's awesome. Probably not cheap though... https://www.roland.com/global/products/cube_street_ex/ +1 The Roland Cube Street EX is a great little amp. I have had one for quite a few years and it has worked perfectly. I use it just about every day. They are expensive (i.e. $499). They weigh in at 22lbs. You can plug your guitar in one channel, your mic in the mic channel and your Mp3, Lap top, looper, etc. It also has out puts you can run to FOH and use it as a monitor. Makes a great little PA and has reverb on both the mic and guitar channels. Two 8" speakers and a couple tweeters. Fits on a speaker stand. Runs on 8 double A's or 120v AC. Comes with AC adapter. Runs 10 25 or 50 watts. I used mine at an outdoor wedding last month as a PA and it worked great...can be used at camp outs, deck parties, etc. Great sounding amp. Quote Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p90jr Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 ZT Lunchbox Jr is what I use for that, DBM... it's small, you can power it with a battery pack if need be, 15 watts that's plenty for my uses... my only complaint would be that there's no separate channel for the aux in, so if you want that clean you have to set the "gain" on the amp low, which means you have low gain on the guitar. I usually just throw a battery in one of my dirt pedals and run the guitar through that into the amp, or use the aux in to plug in my iPhone and use Amplitube for the guitar sounds and the backing tracks at the same time. Nevermind, I noticed you sai full tone stack... it has a single tone knob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Psmith Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 How about a 15-watt Marshall Valvestate for just under $175? Marshall MG15gfx The 30-watt version is right around $230, but I see used ones (MG30's) going for a LOT less. Almost any decent practice Amp will have an Aux In for mp3 players, at this point, but I haven't seen one with a dedicated Volume control for the Aux In? Quote "Monsters are real, and Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Stephen King http://www.novparolo.com https://thewinstonpsmithproject.bandcamp.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 @ Winston, The Roland Cube Street EX has a volume control for the 1/4" line in and another volume control for the 1/8" Aux in. and @ P90, this amp also has bass, mid and treble controls on each of the mic and guitar channels. It has some built-in effects for the guitar channel to play with, but I always run on the clean setting. Quote Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Psmith Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 @ Winston, The Roland Cube Street EX has a volume control for the 1/4" line in and another volume control for the 1/8" Aux in. and @ P90, this amp also has bass, mid and treble controls on each of the mic and guitar channels. It has some built-in effects for the guitar channel to play with, but I always run on the clean setting. @Larryz - Thanks for that! For some reason, I kept getting the Street EX mixed up with the Mobile Cube? Quote "Monsters are real, and Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." Stephen King http://www.novparolo.com https://thewinstonpsmithproject.bandcamp.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted February 10, 2020 Author Share Posted February 10, 2020 @Larryz, The Street Cube EX 50 looks way cool, almost perfect. Can you run it plugged in, just in case the battery is low? is there a computer editor for tweaking the sounds, and then saving them to the amp? Does the amp come with foot switches? Or are they extra. Can you save edits to the amp sounds if no editor is available? I will go out and download the manual. Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 @ Winston, @ DBM, 1. Yes, you can run it plugged in while the batteries are in. I take my batteries out when I'm not using them and just run it plugged in. The batteries last longer that way and I only run them when no electricity is available and always carry them with me. 2. no computer editing for tweaking sounds. There are effects reverb on the mic channel and reverb, delay/chorus on the guitar channel with controls. There are also different amp settings and a tuner on the guitar channel like clean, crunch, lead, acoustic, etc. I always run on clean. 3. It does not come with foot switches but there are two foot switch jacks. One is 1/4" on the mic channel and turns the reverb on/off. The other is a 1/4" TRS and will turn the reverb or delay/chorus on the guitar channel on/off. 4. You can plug in 2 mics or 2 guitars or 1 mic and 1 guitar (best set up). 5. The mic channel has a mic/instrument switch which turns the tweeters on/off. You want to turn them off if using an electric guitar in the mic channel. The inputs on the two main channels will take either 1/4" guitar or xlr mic jacks. I don't have a use for the footswitches so I have never bought them as I leave the reverb adjusted and on at all times on each channel. I don't use the other delay/chorus or the gain settings. I would run OD, comp, distortion pedals in front of the guitar channel if I wanted additional effects. Quote Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 @ Winston, @ DBM, 1. Yes, you can run it plugged in while the batteries are in. I take my batteries out when I'm not using them and just run it plugged in. The batteries last longer that way and I only run them when no electricity is available and always carry them with me. 2. no computer editing for tweaking sounds. There are effects reverb on the mic channel and reverb, delay/chorus on the guitar channel with controls. There are also different amp settings and a tuner on the guitar channel like clean, crunch, lead, acoustic, etc. I always run on clean. 3. It does not come with foot switches but there are two foot switch jacks. One is 1/4" on the mic channel and turns the reverb on/off. The other is a 1/4" TRS and will turn the reverb or delay/chorus on the guitar channel on/off. 4. You can plug in 2 mics or 2 guitars or 1 mic and 1 guitar (best set up). 5. The mic channel has a mic/instrument switch which turns the tweeters on/off. You want to turn them off if using an electric guitar in the mic channel. The inputs on the two main channels will take either 1/4" guitar or xlr mic jacks. I don't have a use for the footswitches so I have never bought them as I leave the reverb adjusted and on at all times on each channel. I don't use the other delay/chorus or the gain settings. I would run OD, comp, distortion pedals in front of the guitar channel if I wanted additional effects. Now I sort of want one too!!!! So much in such a small package. We do quite a few duo gigs. My Loudbox Performer is our PA, it's 180 watts and a 3 way 8" system with a knob to adjust the tweeter. Really one of the best sounding amps for vocals I've ever heard. I use a small guitar amp, either my Cube 40 or my Peavey Transtube EFX 258 with a 10" Scorpion speaker. And Falcon uses his Fishman Loudbox Artist for acoustic guitar. It all sounds really good in smaller venues and just 3 small, light boxes so I guess I can't complain. I do have and use footswitches for both of my guitar amps, I can get very nice lead tones out of them. I tend toward more of a low to medium gain overdrive rather than full on distortion. Fits our styles better. Cheers, Kuru Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 I will probably buy another Fender Super Champ X2 and use Bluetooth speakers and my MP3 player to play my backing tracks. I just downloaded the editor for the SCX2 and the firmware update just in case I pull the trigger on that amp. It has everything but BT playback I have the Bluetooth speakers and MP3 player so I am good in that department. I once had a SCX2 and sold it, this time I won't make that mistake selling it if I do get one. Here is my test recording of the SCX2 I once had. It is good enough for road trips, and small jams. (Not quite the tone I really like, a little too bright for my taste but passable) Clean leads halfway and then I kicked in the overdrive channel. I used the on board Verb which is quite passable. No editing or EQing done on the recording or added effects. If the next tune comes on automatically give that a listen also, it is called The Pearlberg Hotel, a hippy commune I once lived in. In Cardiff By The Sea California, https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=12104751 Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 @ Kuru, the EX would work great for a duo (if you can talk your partner into the price) as you can daisy chain them on both sides of the stage in stereo or mono and hear each other live...or send both to the FOH and use them as monitors. :cool: Quote Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Roland Street Cube Ex is 16 1/2 lbs Vox VX50GTV is 9 lbs Both 50W Fender super champ is 24 lbs but only 15W Pros and Cons of each Quote Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 @ Biggles, In an earlier post I said the Roland EX weighed in at 22lbs (I confused it in error with my ZT Club 12). You are correct the Roland weighs in at 16.4lbs. Thanks for the correction and the lighter the better! Quote Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Have you considered a Quilter MicroBlock 45? It has an stereo auxiliary input. You could mount it on a pedal board, and hook it up to a 1x12 or 1x10. I don't know if you'd think it sounds like a tube amp or not, but it sounds mighty good to me. Quote Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 You said .... Small and no need for high wattage. Two more to consider. Roland Katana Mini, very small battery powered and c8W Blackstar Super Fly, a two box unit with about 2x4W. You really cannot get much smaller and lighter than these and either should be c$100. Quote Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted February 16, 2020 Author Share Posted February 16, 2020 Thanks Biggles, I gotta look into that Blackstar Super Fly. Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted February 16, 2020 Author Share Posted February 16, 2020 Have you considered a Quilter MicroBlock 45? It has an stereo auxiliary input. You could mount it on a pedal board, and hook it up to a 1x12 or 1x10. I don't know if you'd think it sounds like a tube amp or not, but it sounds mighty good to me. I would have to carry a speaker cab with me that is a deal killer. But thanks for the suggestion amigo. I think the Blackstar super fly is the one of all the suggestions I have recieved that really interests me.. Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Hope this helps Quote Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 Hope this helps Way nice sounding amps there amigo. Thanks. Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 Yeah. I had a Boss Katana Mini for a couple of years that I used with a Uke and keyboard but sold it with the intension of getting a Blackstar Superfly Quote Col Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbqbob Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 I have this little amp and I really like it: Vox Mini5 Rhythm 5W Portable Amp w/Rhythm You can vary the output wattage 1w, 1.5w or 5w. it has modeling and backing rhythms. Can be plugged in or use AA batteries.Very light and portable. Spent around $180. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertbluesman Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 Thanks bbqbob. Quote dbm If it sounds good, it is good !! http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=143231&content=music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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