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Post by fenderbullits on Jun 29, 2011 6:17:27 GMT
Hi All
I would like to ask members for some advice in choosing a practice amp.I currently have 2 Fender amps a 60 watt valve amp and a 90 watt solid state,both are too big for home use and at the low volume I have to use them at give poor tone.So any recommendations for a 5 watt practice amp that I could use for shads sounds and general rock music would be welcome.
regards to all
Martin
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Post by didier on Jun 29, 2011 7:41:55 GMT
An obvious choice would be one of the Vox AC4TV range.
Didier
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Post by godzilla on Jun 29, 2011 7:42:36 GMT
Although I don't (yet) have one myself, I have heard great things about the Vox AC4TV - especially the 10" speaker version. It sounds good at low volumes, is fairly light, small and portable, is relatively inexpensive (from £179 new) and is all-valve, so it has the vintage sound.
Cheers
Keith
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Post by 26rednef on Jun 29, 2011 8:20:47 GMT
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Post by asimmd on Jun 29, 2011 8:48:04 GMT
Blackstar HT1 or HT5.
I am told the HT5 is probably best as it has a bit more headroom.
Both have an emulated out so you can record straight into the computer/interface.
Prices are very reasonable,demo available on youtube.
I agree with 26rednef that the Cornford Harlequin is an excellent choice,I used to have one, but the price may put people off,and no D.I. output.
Alan
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TonyL
Member
Vintage stuff
Posts: 190 
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Post by TonyL on Jun 29, 2011 9:09:38 GMT
Hi Martin
You're obviously a Fender fan so what about the Mustang 1, you can program it from your PC.
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Post by gthomson on Jun 29, 2011 9:51:28 GMT
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Post by tonybiker on Jun 29, 2011 10:16:00 GMT
One of the guys at the get together had a small valve Epiphone amp (5 watt i think?) and a Blackstar cab and it was very impressive.
George (hankypanky) had a new AC4 Vox which lasted a few months before going bad and its been away for sometime now getting fixed.
If its practice only, I would keep away from the valve set up's.
Tony
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Post by twang46 on Jun 29, 2011 14:21:46 GMT
My vote would be for the Blackstar HT1. Very compact & has an emulated o/put for recording if needed as well as the ability to play bt's. Also has a "drive" button if you want to "rock out" ;D As Alan mentioned, not quite as much headroom as the HT5, but certainly more than enough volume for practice in a "bedroom" environment. I also agree with Tony that the 5w valve amps are usually to loud for home practice. ( at least in my bungalow  ) Cheers Dick. |
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Post by fenderbullits on Jun 29, 2011 14:58:39 GMT
Hi All
Many thanks for the suggestions,I had both the Vox ac4 VT and the Blackstar HT 1 in mind.I tried them both in a local shop today and chose the Vox mainly because of the larger speaker and the ability to use it from 0.1 to 4 watts.I've just set it up this afternoon with the Q2 and Gemini 111 so now it's down to some trail and error with the settings only volume and tone so not too much to twiddle with.
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Post by istvan on Jun 29, 2011 15:15:09 GMT
Vox AC 1 Best sound  istvan |
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Post by billboy75 on Jun 29, 2011 16:47:16 GMT
Hi
I have a Vox AC4TV and it's a great little practice Amp, good tone and impressive volume for such a portable unit. I agree the 10 inch speaker is worth going for.
Best wishes
Bill
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Post by billboy75 on Jun 29, 2011 18:08:50 GMT
Hi
Glad you picked the Vox, I use a graphic equaliser before my Q20 you can then reduce both the bass and treble and get some great Marvin tones. I play on the 4 watt setting with tone turned quite high and about half volume.
Hope this helps.?
Bill
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2011 18:54:20 GMT
Hi My Vox AC4 head unit is still at the menders being fixed went wrong in less than 5 months. Not good to be honest I also sent the first one back as the tone control did nothing at all. The 2nd one was better but that is the one now in the menders. Not impressed with VOX at all. I may get the small ephiphone head unit to run with the Vox cabinet as the amp head is switchable to 16 ohms. I am also thinking of getting a Fender Front-man amp 15 or 25R watts for daily use. www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-frontman-25r/2439George |
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shadmad
Member
Ready when you are Grandad!
Posts: 326
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Post by shadmad on Jun 30, 2011 6:47:10 GMT
Hi Martin,
The Epiphone 5w amp that Tony refereed to is mine, and he is perfectly right about the tone etc.
I only use it for home use,and if it is turned up any higher than 1,it is very loud.The sound,using my Zoom G7,has a lovely warm tone and I am quite happy with it.
Epiphone have a combo amp version for around £130.00,which is pretty good value,but still "LOUD".
Regards,
Garry.
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Post by didier on Jun 30, 2011 7:50:40 GMT
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Post by fenderbullits on Jun 30, 2011 10:47:45 GMT
Many thanks to all for your suggestions.I have purchased the Vox AC4TV.One of the considerations when choosing it was it's price I got mine as a shop ex-demonstration unit and got it considerably cheaper than the normal asking price.I did quite like the Blackstar HT1 but it was nearly £200 with reverb.I set it up last night with the Q2 and Gemini 111 and with the wife gone to IKEA today I've had the chance to play with it and I am very impressed with the tone and volume from such a small amp the 10'' Celestion speaker does quite a good job.Although I need to tweak the Shads sound it's more acceptable to my ear than the sound from my 2 Fender amps it's also pretty good cranked up using the pedal board with overdrive and a little compression .If I get a problem later down the line with it you've given plenty of alternatives to try.
regards
Martin
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Post by Amanda Hambidge on Jul 6, 2011 17:35:56 GMT
I'm toying with the idea of a home made 2 - 4w AC15, Push pull triode output stage on an AC15 front end!!
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Post by tonyryman on Jul 7, 2011 7:52:19 GMT
HI Amanda
Your idea of a low power AC 15 is a great idea !!.
PS: I have sent you a PM
regards
tony
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