Valve amps @ bedroom levels

[Benjamin Hwang]

Hello everyone,

Im currently using a solid state amp (Nux mighty 15) and im quite keen to upgrade to a valve amp. However ive heard that valve amps are pretty loud and if u were to turn down the volume you will not get the gain you desire unlike in solid state where u can adjust the volume and gain separately. Still abit unclear on how the gain and volume relationship works.

I know you can use an attenuator or distortion pedals to get distortion at low volumes but really i dont want to spend too much as i am just a student. I play songs mostly from Led Zeppelin and Guns N Roses so it would be good if i am going to buy a low watt valve Marshall but there seems to be only class 5 without a master volume which would get pretty loud.

Any idea on how should i go about this? I am also considering Vox Ac4tv, Vox lil night train, and a blackstar ht-5. Are there any more alternatives for the songs i want to play? Im only looking for valve amps below 10W and with a master volume.

Thank you for your time

 

[CyanideJunkie]

With tube amps there are 2 main categories: MV and non-MV amps. For non-MV amps, you would have to crank it to get your dirt tones. A good attenuator can help you manage your volume level in this case. For MV amps you will have a Master Volume which will allow you to tailor the overall volume, not very much unlike an attenuator as previously mentioned. The trick is figuring which amps benefit from which option. Amps like Vox and older-styled Marshalls sound best when the output tubes start to cook a little, but this means that the amp would get plenty loud by then. Throw an attenuator or a MV into the equation and it usually results in a loss of higher-order harmonics and detail, especially so at higher attenuation settings. But some amps like Blackstar and Jet City are designed with preamp distortion in mind. That is to say that the amp need not pushed very hard to generate a pleasing overdriven tone. In your case, I would very much reccomend the Blackstar unless you plan to use pedals for dirt, in that case a Class 5 would suit you fine.

 

[Benjamin Hwang]

Thanks! I think i will be looking at the blackstar HT1 or HT5. Any more suggestions please feel free to post over here!

 

[J.custom]

What's your budget? And like CyanideJunkie has mentioned, do you intend to get your main drive tone from pedals or direct from the amp?

Definitely do check out Jet City amps! You can check out the Laney Cub 12, LC30 as well. They sound pretty good and may fit your bill also. The blackstar amps are kinda expensive though. Just so you know, the local dealer does not offer warranty for them

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What's your budget? And like CyanideJunkie has mentioned, do you intend to get your main drive tone from pedals or direct from the amp?

Definitely do check out Jet City amps! You can check out the Laney Cub 12, LC30 as well. They sound pretty good and may fit your bill also. The blackstar amps are kinda expensive though. Just so you know, the local dealer does not offer warranty for them

 

[Benjamin Hwang]

I would keep my budget below $500 and i am looking for second hand ones. And i want to get my tone as close to a jcm800 just from the amp. Pedals wise, im still abit unclear about whether are they trustable to get to my tone, since ive heard its usually the genuine distortion of the valve tubes that truly sounds good.

 

[CyanideJunkie]

It's probably impossible to get that sound at bedroom levels unless you get a JCM-1. Your best bet would probably be to get an amp with nice cleans and plug in a Wampler Plextortion.

 

[J.custom]

Closest would be the Jet city, but it's drive characteristics are different from a JCM800. Have you tried a JCM800 before? or are you just liking it based on what you're hearing on tracks?

 

[Benjamin Hwang]

Nope, yes i got that based on hearing on tracks, which i presume is fairly inaccurate lol @.@ Im quite inexperienced and i dont have any friends who are, so yeah. I would want gain that can get close to the slash tone and also can do vintagey blues driven rock like Led Zeppelin

 

[Benjamin Hwang]

Yes, ive been told about the wampler plextortion, and also the MI audio crunch. I guess i will have to test it out one day. JCM-1 is way out of my budget already.... I guess these will have to wait

 

[CyanideJunkie]

I honestly recommend that you give the Marshall Class 5 combo a go for classic rock tones. It has a Low Power switch which would prove most useful to you especially in a HDB environment.

 

[Benjamin Hwang]

Yeap I agree, seems like only the newer models have the low power switch though. And another problem, class 5 is already discontinued and its hard to find second hand ones.... Shall stay put. Thanks!

 

[igalic]

I strongly recommend you check out the Blackstar HT-1R. I'm mainly playing metal and this small amp had enough gain for that, without pedals (granted, I'm mostly playing thrash, so I'm not after mega-distortion). You can get its max gain at very low volume, and if you need more, it has emulated cab headphones out, and you can plug it into an external cab as well. Its main disadvantage in my view is the lack of tonal variety - you only have one knob to control it, which doesn't really give you all that much. It also doesn't have FX loop (which I didn't need, so...)
HT-5 has all of these (3-knob equilizer, FX loop), but it's much louder, so you'd have to see for yourself (it's also significantly more expensive).
If you're only interested in room/solo practice, check out their distortion pedals as well, they sound great plugged into headphones or speakers.

Also, I'm not associated with Blackstar in any way, I was just really happy with the amp When I moved to SG, I bought a Peavey Vypyr, which doesn't have that nice warm tone and distortion of a valve amp, but lets me play with the sound more and emulates the sound of most of the bands I play quite nicely... If I were practicing more seriously though, I'd probably have gone with an HT-5.

 

[fade2b14ck]

Hmm, was wondering what do you guys think about the Line6 DT25 and its low volume mode and Triode/Class A Mode.

I understand that with its low volume mode on, it bypasses the valves and uses digital modelling, which prolly isnt ideal considering the valves would be a waste.

But in the Triode/Class A Mode, it runs as a 10watt amp and breaks up at lower volumes.

 

[RicFreak]

Blackstar HT-1 is good. While you are at it (@ Woodworx), do try out the Hughes & Kettner - Tube Meister 5 as well. It has EQ, master, gain and drive selection....and great looking LED lamps to match

 

[Benjamin Hwang]

Hello! Ive actually got my vox lil night train. It is a pretty decent setup, but im going to sell away my V110NT to buy a V112NT as the speaker cab isnt exactly up to standard, sounds abit boxy and bright. Cabinet also too small for a 10" speaker

 

[RicFreak]

Hello! Ive actually got my vox lil night train. It is a pretty decent setup, but im going to sell away my V110NT to buy a V112NT as the speaker cab isnt exactly up to standard, sounds abit boxy and bright. Cabinet also too small for a 10" speaker

Congrats! NTs are my favourite too.

 

[Godspeed64]

500 can't get you the tone you want.
For the classic rock you want the NT15+cab would fit your style but is above your budget.

In fact 500 is tough to get a great solid state as well lol.

 

[Benjamin Hwang]

Im just a student so yeah, i dont have a lot of money to spare. After all im just playing just as a serious hobby, im not gigging or anything yet so yeah Ive only been self learning guitar for 10 months