[toko_floyd]

hello,i am intending to buy a new amp(i own crate gt212 but i'm not satisfied with sound).
I live in Georgia(europe),here we dont have much to choose from,so i have to buy online and rely on reviews.
i need an advice from experienced ones
please give me an dvice on which is the best tube combo amp under 500$(i would pay more,but shipping cost is enormous) with at least two channels(footswitchable)
and more 'brown sounding',with effects loop.
i liked the youtube demo of bugera v22 vs fender hot rod deluxe,it was more dark sounding,not as crystal as fender.the price is acceptable too,but it doesnt have an effects loop..i dont want modeling amps...
i need a combo amp for gigs/rehearsals.
i play fender american deluxe stratocaster(50th anniversary edition),so i have sparkling trebles form the guitar:)


please help and thanks in advance

[deadskin]

I really dig the Peavey Classic 30...it should fit your budget. Has a nice classic tube overdrive sound...Several youtube vids for you to check out...

[MetalSlam]

Mesa Boogie DC-3 or DC-5 or a subway reverb rocket.

[toko_floyd]

many others adviced Peavey classic 30..As for Mesa,its too 'metallish' sounding..
any other ideas?

[matt_theripper]

Not all Boogie's are metal sounding. I play in a funk/blues/rock/country band and both of our guitarists play through Mesa's. They are incredibly versatile amps. Much of Santana's Abraxas tone was hit on a Mesa Mark 1.

[caprico]

check out the new bugera amps.. they seem alright,,

[AcousticSmash]

I am looking at getting the Bugera V55HD tube head after I have finished a guitar mod project, it's coming out in a couple of weeks on Musicians Friend for 350 dollars which is a helluva steal for a 55 watt tube amp head. Bugera make good amps though and really you can't go wrong with their products, in contrast to other brands their stuff is a steal price wise and tone wise the stuff that is supposed to be more modern sounds solid, I would imagine their boutique amps will be great too. The upside to amp heads as well is that you can try and find different speaker cabinets that will change your tone.

[ninjato]

I am looking at getting the Bugera V55HD tube head after I have finished a guitar mod project, it's coming out in a couple of weeks on Musicians Friend for 350 dollars which is a helluva steal for a 55 watt tube amp head. Bugera make good amps though and really you can't go wrong with their products, in contrast to other brands their stuff is a steal price wise and tone wise the stuff that is supposed to be more modern sounds solid, I would imagine their boutique amps will be great too. The upside to amp heads as well is that you can try and find different speaker cabinets that will change your tone.

Please let us know when you do actually get it. As a matter of fact, you should own a lot of expensive stuff by now since you are always on the verge of "picking one up".

[kldguitar]

Do not buy bugera amps. although its cheaper, but very bad.Classical 30 is o.K for your budget. But Classic 30 has some disadvantages. In fact you can pay attention to same no famous brand amp

[Wherditgo]

hello,i am intending to buy a new amp(i own crate gt212 but i'm not satisfied with sound).
I live in Georgia(europe),here we dont have much to choose from,so i have to buy online and rely on reviews.
i need an advice from experienced ones
please give me an dvice on which is the best tube combo amp under 500$(i would pay more,but shipping cost is enormous) with at least two channels(footswitchable)
and more 'brown sounding',with effects loop.
i liked the youtube demo of bugera v22 vs fender hot rod deluxe,it was more dark sounding,not as crystal as fender.the price is acceptable too,but it doesnt have an effects loop..i dont want modeling amps...
i need a combo amp for gigs/rehearsals.
i play fender american deluxe stratocaster(50th anniversary edition),so i have sparkling trebles form the guitar:)


please help and thanks in advance

What music do you play?

[-ism]

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is a good amp. It has great cleans and a lot of headroom. The volume is VERY loud. The gain channel (when maxed) isn't the greatest thing, but you could use pedals or use low gain. Hot Rod Deluxe is very good with pedals, and has effects loop. The amp is VERY bass-y, and the amp is very unforgiving to sloppy picking techniques; even on high gain settings. Hot Rod has good cleans, and it can be sparkly, crystal and warm.

Although the amp is good, the price is very high. It ranges from $700 to $900 for brand new ones (CDN prices). But I should add the fact that it's way cheaper, down south.

I've used the Hot Rod for about 4 years now, playing just around 10 minutes per day on average (sometimes 4hrs one day, sometimes would go for months without playing). I didn't have to change the tubes, but once the capacitor/phase converter blew up. I should also add that I own an American Stratocaster (single-coils).

There is a website that's totally dedicated to Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

http://studentweb.ek.../justin_holton/

Other cheaper alternative is Traynor by Yorkville. It's usually Hot Rod or Traynor YCV 40 when it comes down to an average level tube combo amps (at least around here). I would say that Traynor YCV 40 is superior, regarding the gain channel. It's really better than the Hot Rod Deluxe. The cleans on YCV 40, however cannot compete with the Hot Rod. Although I think Traynor wouldn't be widely available in Georgia, I hope you could try one out.

Whatever you settle with, I hope you enjoy your amp, rock on.

[richardmorris]

The Peavey Classic is the gold standard in the size and price range. Consider a Peavey ValveKing. If it has any bearing on your decision the Classic is made in America. The VK, like almost low price amps, is made in China.