Micro Tube Head Buyers Guide
The Tone King | Sep 03, 2009 | Comments 8
See TTK’s Updated Buyer’s Guide HERE : http://thetoneking.com/wp/?p=861
This is an ‘unofficial’ TTK Buyers Guide on Micro Tube Heads. Here’s how to use the guide. Amps are sorted by price (retail, taken from online retailers). I own ALL of these heads, so my comments come from first hand from my own experiences. Based on your budget, and what you’re looking for … this should put you in the right direction. It also includes those that are USA made, which is there for those who want to support your local US economy. PLUS – there is one observation … TAKE NOTE that ‘typically’ an import is produced oversees and imported to keep the cost down for the manufacturer and the consumer. That does not appear to be the case for the Marshall Haze. Seems like they’re selling you on the name, w/ out passing the savings of an import along to the consumer. Hats off to Peavey for being able to produce a domestic product for LESS than some imports! And, congrats to Peavey for keeping their imports at a price point that’s on par w/ the other sub $500 imported products. I think their model takes the consumers budget into account, as they clearly pass along the savings in their import lines, and don’t rob you on their domestic lines either!! Even their 6505 – what other USA made domestic amp sells for under 1k? Anyway – don’t mistake my comments as bias – these were my observations when I bought, learned and realied that the Classic 30 was $549 and made here in the USA. I hope the list below helps you out some! Signed, TTK.
| 1 | Epiphone Valve Jr | $129.00 | Price / Simplicity | ||
| 2 | Blackheart BH5H | $149.00 | Price / EQ / Plexi style w/ IMO is pretty cool! | ||
| 3 | Vox AC4TVH | $199.00 | Attenuator (If you like this – check out the Bugera V5 combo, which also has an attenuator and is $50 less. | ||
| 4 | Blackstar HT5 | $299.00 | 2 Channels – US/UK voicings (pretty cool). Plus – Blackstar makes one of the best 1×10 cabs I’ve ever seen (I own 5 of them  . |
||
| 5 | Blackheart BH15H | $349.00 | EQ w/ dedicated gain (If the BH5H is Marshall Plexi, this is the Marshall JCM series). | ||
| 6 | Vox Night Train | $499.00 | Clean / Gain Circuit. | ||
| 7 | Peavey Classic 30 | $549.00 | USA | 2 channels, 4 EL84s (more tube power than any other amp in this list), w/ REAL spring reverb. (I guess they don’t call it a classic for nutin’). | |
| 8 | Egnater Rebel 20 | $599.00 | Tube Mix / Wattage Control. (Me personally – I think these features are oversold – but tone is subjective – try one for yourself). | ||
| 9 | Marshall Haze | $599.00 | 2 Channels w/ Digital Effects (I personally think $600 big ones are a lot for this amp). | ||
| 10 | Randall RM20 | $699.00 | USA | 2nd to none versatility w/ Boost. If you can handle the upfront cost – this may be the last amp you’ll ever buy. You can choose from over 20 something modules (Plexi, Soldano, Sig Series Lynch / Hammett, etc.). | |
I know there are others – but I was shooting for a top 10 list. If you absolutely think others should be added – let me know what you have in mind. Shoot over a note to info@TheToneKing.com w/ your feedback / comments. Thanks !!
Related posts:
Filed Under: The Gear
Since there’s that sort of blackheart/epiphone dichotomy, I think the valve senior head should be included here.
Nice list of amps man! What Peavey needs to do is make a 15 watt 6505 for those bedroom rockers because the Vypyr just isn’t cutting it. Guess I’ll have to get an attenuator… rock on!!
nice list, cool to see the vox ac4tv 2nd place!
I own the combo version, will have modded for better attentuator and is too loud in bedroom.
I own a couple of Laney TT-20 and they are really good. Maybe you should add a Laney to your list of low-watt-amps
how about making a complete list of all the small amps you own and what would you describe them like. It would be hard work for sure, but it would be like the best list ever for evample
1.- Epiphone Valve Jr–$129–import–Price / Simplicity–cleans/blues/rock(i really dont know, but i suppose it good)–[here you insert a comment, if it has cheap hardware, if you need something extra for it, if you could add some money and get something better or save some with other amp, if the speaker sucks, stock tubes suck, etc]
I wish you could do this. it would really help a lot of begginers, and not so begginers, to get into tube amps and what they can get to sound how they like, being unbiased and by fist hand experience (that’s the point of your proyect amiright?)
Have a nice day TK
[...] Blackheart Little Giant for $150 from MF, they have a sale right now. But check out this website: Micro Tube Head Buyers Guide He does video reviews and comparisons of a lot of low wattage [...]
Where’s the Krank Jr. series? Unless I’m mistaken, they’re all also made in USA and it goes for the same price as the Marshall.
What about the Orange Tiny Terror… I’ve got one and it rocks for pure valve tone