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Battle of the budget tube amps


LDSGuitar

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What are the pros and cons of the following tube amps and how do they stack up against each other:

Traynor Custom Valve 40

Peavey Classic 50

Crate Vintage Club 30

I am particularly interested in the clean sound of each amp along with the amp's roadworthiness. Thanks a bunch. (other suggestions are welcome)

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The Peavey Classic 50 has a very vintage tube sound....a little darker than most Fenders. Very much a like a Bassman. Very reliable for the two years I've owned it but I only play in my bedroom studio and the ocassional blues/rock/jazz jam at friends houses and parties. I also think the internal spring reverb sounds excellent.

 

cons- it has an internal fan. That's great for keeping it cool and gigs, but if you want the amp for recording you will have to modify it so you can turn the fan off while recording. It was a simple modification but I had a repair shop do it for me.

 

It's only a two-channel amp and it's tough to get a good sound that is between clean and dirty. For me, that's the only downside of the amp. The Classic 30 is cool too. It doesn't QUITE have the tone of the 50, but it is better suited for home recording.

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I would suggest (in this order)

1: Carvin Bel Air - Best clean of any of the budget amps I've played. Better reverb than even some boutiques (to my ear) and better dirty than most "budget" amps. If it wasn't for the fact that Carvin doesn't use any distro, this amp would cost $800 easy.

 

2: Peavey Classic 50 4x10 - Good clean, although nothing to write home about but GREAT dirty. Just great. Good overdrive and it can get pretty high gain to boot.

 

3: Reverend "Heck"Hound - My buddy uses one and it's great. Pretty good clean, good dirty and INCREDIBLY versatile. The little US to UK switch doesn't really do too much. One of them (can't remember which) just makes it muffled. Otherwise, very good amp...

 

The Carvin is also tried and true for the road. I've been gigging and hauling it so practices for a while now and it's been shaken, rattled and even rolled off a seat onto the floor of my van with no problems.

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