Small amp for T5

[stevestarr]

I thought I had made my mind up on Roland 15 or 20X, it's only to be used at home at low volume and only for a clean jazzy tone. Then my friend suggests a small 5w tube may be what I need. I have looked on-line at the Peavy Royal 8 and the Fender Champs. I have a budget of up to £200, I have a Pod 2, so don't need the dsp that the Fenders offer.
Anyone have any views on these two amps or possibly any others in my price range. Oh...I also looked at the Fender gdec junior but felt that the effects were a waste of my budget and I would be better off paying for an amp without dsp seeing as I have the Pod. I could stretch to a Fender blues jr but have never heard one.
thanks
Steve

[Tahitijack]

Strech a bit for the Blues Jr. You won't be disappointed. I play my T5 through one and it sounds great to my ears. There are a lot of small amps on the market, you'll find the little Bj at or near the top of most lists when it comes to small tube amps. I started with a Blues Jr, traded for a Crate V15 and traded the Crate for another Blues Jr. Nothing like the vibe of a Fender amp.

[stevestarr]

thanks Tahitijack, will I be able to get a good tone eg clean/jazzy when at low levels? I can't play at high volumes 'cos it upsets my neighbour. The jr is 15 watts, right? does it have a control to limit the output without compromising tone?
thanks for your help
Steve

[stevestarr]

how about the Fender pro jr?

[benash]

Have a listen to the Roland Cube series of amps- I use the Cube 60 at church and have used it for small gigs- a small amp with a lot of headroom - passable effects package, but i play clean and it does the trick with my T5....

[Michael T]

I use a great little Mackie SRM150 Compact Pa (I use it for a monitor) that you may well look into if you want a very clean full frequency sound which is ideal for the T5. It only weighs about 8lbs, but has 150 watts peak power (100 watts rms). 1 channel has a 48v phantom power for your mic, and another for your instrument with a built in DI step switch, it also has a XLR line thru (out to interconnect with boards or other amps) and a 3 band EQ. All the connections are balanced so you would need to get a 1/4 inch to XLR cord for your T5 or your pedal board to connect to the amp.

http://mackie.com/products/srm150/
GC had them this week at a great price in their DJ/livesound dept. Don't let the toy size and shape fool you Mackie makes top line sound systems.

[stevestarr]

hmmmmmm, they look great but too much power for a home amp which is what I'm looking for. Great price too here in the UK.
The search continues

How about the Fender Vibro Champ XD. Go to the Fender site, under amps, under Vintage Modified. Its only 5 watts and may be just the ticket.

[Lewguitar]

My advice is to buy USED...your money will go much further.

I'm a Fender amp man and have been since the 60's. But at 5 watts a Champ will not provide a loud clean tone. Cool amps though...Clapton used one on Layla.

But I'd go for something with at least 18 watts if you're thinking tubes. I would be thinking tubes...I don't own a single solid state guitar amp.

My personal favorite small Fenders are the Princeton Reverb and Deluxe Reverb. Mine are originals from the 60's but the reissue DR is nice and a buddy of mine just bought a used one for $500.

Aren't US made products a little steep in the UK? Seems like your money might go further buying something made in the UK...

[stevestarr]

I am not sure what amps are made here, internet stores stock Peavey, Fender, Roland and Vox which I have been considering in the £75-£175 (times two in the US). The Fender Vibro Champ is at the top of my list in cost at present. I have found a local dealer that has one and I am going to test drive it on Monday.
I have a Pod 2 already but think the 5watter would be as loud as I would want to go in my small room. I am more interested in getting a clean tone for a jazz type sound than any overdriven tones. My other short lister is the Peavey Royal 8.

[Tahitijack]

Steve. my Blues Jr is fine for playing in the kitchen while my wife cooks dinner....no complaints or comments like "Could you turn it down...." I like the clean tone and it sound good to me even at low volumes. Just tweek the knobs and away you go.

The Pro Jr is also a good choice for less money, but I prefer the Bjr because it has enough power to play small gigs and is light weight. I am an amp junkie (five amps and counting) and the Bj will be the last to go if I need to sell them off.

[Brian Hague]

Check out the Vox DA5 and DA10 also.

[rolleiguy54]

I just bought a new super champ. I t has put my blues jr. and gibson les paul in the closet. Nice sounds and inexpensive,

[Bluelew]

Is that the Super Champ XD?

[rolleiguy54]

yup, I may get rid of a few amps now