First tube amp?

[michaelhaire]

Hey guys, im looking to buy my first tube amp. Im on a budget and i'd like to stay at $400 or under. I'd mainly use it for practice and playing in a few church bands (most likely mic'd). I'll be running a Paul Cochran Tim through it. Any suggestions?

[M Fowler]

I would suggest buying a tube amp built by a local person so that any issues can be handled right away and the build quality will be 100% better then the crap coming out built in China.

I do like the Jet City 20 (333) and the companies speakers work damn well.

But I like others on this forum could sell you an 18w amp or build one.

Mark

[michaelhaire]

Sorry, I totally forgot, i play in multiple churches so i need a combo amp to be easier to carry around,

[M Fowler]

Yeah I thought you would want the combo.

Many guys are using the Hot Rod Deluxe and Deville amps but I think they are still fetching $500 plus. Find an old tube amp.

[xtian]

I play in church at least monthly, in the younger, rock-oriented service. And while I LOVE simple, all-tube circuits, the best amp for my church gigs is my Fender SCXD with speaker upgraded to Eminence Ragin Cajun. The sound guys like a very controlled stage volume, and everything is mic'd. The SCXD is super portable, flexible, toneful and responsive, and bloody cheap.

[M Fowler]

Ebay has some interesting old tube amp combos for under $300 under (guitar tube amps).

Kitty Hawk and Dean Markley.

[sliberty]

You can usually pick up a Fender Blues Junior for $300-$350 used on Craigslist. It is a perfectly fine first tube amp, and seems to fit all of your criteria.

[M Fowler]

You can usually pick up a Fender Blues Junior for $300-$350 used on Craigslist. It is a perfectly fine first tube amp, and seems to fit all of your criteria.

Yes I have one for sale in a local guitar store right now and it works very well.

Mark

[NickC]

+1 on Fender Blues Jr.

With a speaker upgrade it's a fine, and very portable, tube-amp.

Add the BillM mods (at a later date, when you're ready) and it's a very fine little amp indeed.

[212Mavguy]

what M Fowler said in spades.

[ampmike]

I used to do the mesa dc5 for years at church .The past few i use a homebuilt 5e3.Its very light to carry and I can play very clean.Years ago the distortion in my amps got people rattled at church.No complaints in years.
Its a simple little amp.Best wishes Bro,Mikey