Mini Practice Amps - Any good or waste of time?

Sassafras

Pignose.
A lot more versatile than its single volume control would suggest.

Snags

I've got the Blackstar Fly 3 (with the extension cab, oooh, rock and roll). For the money and the size it's great, and the aux in is handy for practice along to tracks etc.  Obviously not as good as a "proper" amp, but very flexible.  Tends to sit on a table at the end of the sofa for evening practice without bugging Mrs Snags, whereas plugging the combo in on the other side of the room will piss her off.

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Update:

Popped into PMT Newcastle today for a nosey at some mini amps, and chance to have a play about.

The result - the Laney Lionheart Mini-ST is going top of my list Santa Claus this year! Decided it was the best looking and best sounding of the bunch, and that Tonebridge software thing looks like great fun to play with!

Roll on Xmas...

Ted

The Yahama THR5 seems quite good, it's also got a USB port so you can connect it to a DAW or audio interface. Its got an interesting orange glow when turned on. It's volume is'nt very high, so you might want to think about the THR10 if you want to blast.

siremoon

Roland Microcube.  Plenty to be had on ebay. 

57Deluxe

Mark1960 said:

When my son went to Uni he bought a Yamaha THR5 for playing in his digs, either through earphones or normally. I had a go on it recently and was very impressed with the sound quality. It also has tons of models and effects all for about £150.00. It also doubles as his HiFi as he plays his phone through it.

I find these abhorrent! I have a student (45 yr old male) who insists on having flange and delay dialed up for everything I try to work with him on and there is no seeming way to get an honest basic tone without some frilly nonsense or tinny deadness... Yuk Yuk Yuk