The old low watt amp discussion

Tuscan777

After having come to the conclusion that my Fender is simply far too loud to get anything approaching power amp distortion, I am now exploring the world of low wattage heads. I'm thinking this would then give me the option to have a full on OD sound at top volume, cleaning things up from the volume control where needed.

My only experience of this was with a Class 5 Marshall, which was much fun. However, before I get my credit card out, thought I'd see if there were any other avenues I should be checking out.

Happy to go used, budget is top end of £600 (or less if possible) and ideally a head as I already have a good 2x12 to hand (and combos hurt my back more!).

 

Dalefty

I've been looking at the Yamaha TR5's I think they are, or they might be called TR10C, everything I've read about them has been super positive for a desk top amp, plus they are cheap at sub £150.00, and they look pretty cool too, which we all know is the most important bit.

DaLefty

Sassafras

Maybe worth considering Power Scaling or using an attenuator. I don't know if scaling can be retro fitted to your particular amp but if it can, I'm sure it would work out cheaper than buying another amp.

ToneControl

where are you playing it? how quiet does it need to be?

Danny1969

I started using a 5 watt amp about 3 years ago. Now 4 of my friends playing in bands have followed suit and everyone seems happy. They are cheap, light to carry and don't take up much room. Sometimes though it's hard at some venues to get even a 5 watt amp loud enough to make the power section start cooking if you use one with a sensitive speaker as it's just too loud. 

stickyfiddle

I've been through the same process and you're either a big amp guy or a small amp guy. I'm definitely a small amp guy, and currently have a Laney L5T, which is a combo, but a bloody good one.

Tuscan777

Thanks all. I do like the current amp (Fender Super Sonic 60) and the sounds are definitely there. However, just fancying a change and these suggestions are all helping!

57Deluxe

...if you really are looking at low watt then that Hotone British Invasion and a separate HB V30 1x12 cab look a brilliant option for a combined total ~ £150 from Thomann

Richardj

Fender Blues Junior or even better a Pro Junior plugged into a separate cab.

McToot

Cornford harlequin or Carrera are righteous, but only come in combo form. An MJW Goldstar or Goldstar Twin would be just in range and has the whole hand-wired-in-Blighty-by-a-top-bloke thing going on. What about the Cornell Plexi combo in the classifieds: it's small so just disconnect and run straight into the 2x12. I would (and am in the process of thinking about) go for an MJW Goldstar with the EL34 output (10w). You can oot for 6v6 for lower...

ourmaninthenorth

Emery Sound Micro Baby - 1 watt. 

http://www.emerysound.com/Microbaby.html

koss59

Fender Princeton Reverb is my favourite low watt amp, it's an instrument in itself.

My favourite model is the 68 custom one.

Sassafras

I've looked at those Emery amps before but there's nowhere in the UK you can try one. They do look nice apart from the asymmetrical glass front. Considering the quality, they don't seem too expensive, although they are a bit light on features, be nice if they had built in reverb.

ourmaninthenorth

ourmaninthenorth

Sassafras said:

I've looked at those Emery amps before but there's nowhere in the UK you can try one. They do look nice apart from the asymmetrical glass front. Considering the quality, they don't seem too expensive, although they are a bit light on features, be nice if they had built in reverb.

If you're ever in the Norf, pop in for a cup of tea, you can try mine; it's practically never off...

Sassafras

Thanks for the very kind offer, unfortunately, it's difficult for me to get around now I'm in my dotage.

ourmaninthenorth

I can still get around, just. My own sense of dotage however lets me honestly state that I simply can be arsed anymore... )

FelineGuitars

An MJW Goldstar perhaps or goldstar TT - think the starting price may well be in the right ball park for you

shaunm

An interesting thread as I have been wondering if I could live with a 10 watt amp? I probably can but I keep thinking - what if I need more???

Danny1969

I think the thing to do is set up a little amp on top or near your normal amp and try it out. If it isn't loud enough at the gig or rehearsal plug back into your old larger amp and carry on. I was  \ fortunate enough to have a studio I could set mine up in and crank to gig volume so I knew straight away it would be fine for me. Most Muso's are creatures of habit, we tend to set our stuff up the same way and generally to a certain volume. 

I don't tend to like glassy cleans so a tiny bit of breakup on the clean channel is nice for me, the kind where it's clean until you really dig in then it compresses  

Dave_Mc

How loudly can you play? Unless your bigger amps are just very slightly too loud, if they're too loud there's a fair chance 5 watts cranked up are too loud too.