If I can't fix my Carvin...what is out there like it ?

[JohnW63]

The Carvin is a tube amp that is 16w in full loud mode but has a switch to drop down to 5w which is perfect as a practice amp. The guitars sound better a lower volumes in that mode than just keeping the master volume low. It has a 12" 100w speaker.

I've been window shoping since the Carvin crapped out. I'm just not seeing the power reduction switch or knob any anything at all near the same price range. I guess I could use an attenuator pedal, if it comes down to that being the only spec issue I can't find. Realistic price range is $500 or less. Used is always an option.

 

[spoox]

It sounds better because you're switching from pentode to triode mode. One of my best sounding amps is my oldest--a push-pull triode
Dobro amplifier from 1933. My Dobro amp was one of the reasons I bought my Carvin--the tubes in the Dobro amp are so rare and expensive
I was reluctant to take it to recording sessions, so I use the V16 with my 1930s electric Dobro and National guitars when they leave the house.

 

[ruedi]

In this pricerange I'd probably go with the Blackstar HT-5R-MKII. It has a power reduction switch, built in reverb and a footswitch for channel change. It has overall good reviews, great value for money and a friend of mine bought it a couple of weeks ago and he is satisfied with it (bluesrock). Only thing that would annoy me is the position of the knobs, but when you are ok with this, why not?

Here's a review on youtube:

 

[GAD]

Just an FYI that there’s no such thing as an attenuator pedal. An attenuator goes between the speaker and the amp, not between the guitar and the amp. They’re generally fairly large and usually sit either in the chassis or on top of it.

As for amps, I would not discount a modern modeling amp. They’ve come a long way, sound great at any volume, and cost less than most tube amps. You can also find them with tube based power sections if that’s your thing.

Fender, Mashall, Vox, Orange and pretty much everyone else offers one these days. I’m not saying they’re the end-all, but you should definitely check them out in that price range.

 

[DThomasC]

Yeah. I'm a tube snob and have half a wall of them to choose from, but I have to admit that my Yamaha THR modelling amp gets as much use as any other when it comes to noodling on the couch. It does a better job of sounding big at conversation levels. Above conversation levels it's still ok, but 'real' amps are better.

 

[GAD]

Yeah. I'm a tube snob and have half a wall of them to choose from, but I have to admit that my Yamaha THR modelling amp gets as much use as any other when it comes to noodling on the couch. It does a better job of sounding big at conversation levels. Above conversation levels it's still ok, but 'real' amps are better.

You just need a better modeler!

Of course for the price of a nice modeler you can buy a vintage Plexi, but I just got to the point where I was tired of wrangling big amps.

 

[shihan]

I have an Eminence Maverick, a speaker with a built in attenuator, in my Deluxe Reverb. Besides being a great speaker, it works very well for dialing down the volume of the amp. Very reasonable price, too.

 

[Default]

VHT.

 

[ruedi]

You just need a better modeler!

Of course for the price of a nice modeler you can buy a vintage Plexi, but I just got to the point where I was tired of wrangling big amps.

Funny coincidence: I just bought this today, in used but mint condition, for a reasonable price:

Actually I'm super happy with my Tone King Falcon as a bedroom amp, I just had the desire for more versatility and flexibility, so this might be the ideal addition. I'm not sure yet, the next couple of days will decide.

For those interested in this amp, here's the link:

https://www.positivegrid.com/bias-head/

 

[GAD]

That looks really cool! I like the style of the thing. Do let us know how it works out.

 

[ruedi]

That looks really cool! I like the style of the thing. Do let us know how it works out.

Yes I will! I heard they designed it that way to not scare the "analog people" away

I'm really excited to see how the amp performs. Actually I have what I need when it comes to versatility and flexibility with my interface, iPad, Bias Amp App and active speakers. But it turns out that I prefer to fiddle with knobs rather than the touchscreen while playing guitar....

 

[AcornHouse]

I would suggest, if you want pure tube, the Vox Night Train series. My 15W has the triode/pentode switch to go down to 7W, and you can go from clean to dirty (what they label as “thick”) with the flip of a switch. They also have a 50W version with more options. You can find the 15W heads readily available for $250 or less, and there are plenty of cab choices to match your needs. (I have the matching 2x10 cab. Cutest little thing!)

 

[AcornHouse]

(If you were any closer I’d try to sell you my Vox Valvetronix 50W 2x12 hybrid modelling with a variable power switch to go down in volume. It’s been a reliable workhorse. But I don’t want to ship it.)

 

[GAD]

10 years ago (damn!) I wrote up my then new VT30 Valvetronix amp: https://www.gad.net/Blog/2010/07/20/vox-vt30-valvetronix-amp-review/

That little amp is what sold me on modelers and what started my path down to the Axe-FX.

 

[JohnW63]

Here is the JHS pedal.

JHS Little Black Amp Box Passive Amp Attenuator

Passive Effects-loop Amplifier Attenuator

www.sweetwater.com

It goes in the effects loop of the amp.

The Fender I saw good reviews on was the Delux Reverb " Tone Master " version, but that's 900 bucks. It has the power output control The step down is the Mustang GTX. I haven't seen reviews of that. I don't see the output control on that one.

I'll look at the list of suggestions

 

[JohnW63]

I surfed into a Peavey Valve King 20, which , of course, is no longer made. Anyone play one of these ?

 

[Nuuska]

I would suggest, if you want pure tube, the Vox Night Train series. My 15W has the triode/pentode switch to go down to 7W, and you can go from clean to dirty (what they label as “thick”) with the flip of a switch. They also have a 50W version with more options. You can find the 15W heads readily available for $250 or less, and there are plenty of cab choices to match your needs. (I have the matching 2x10 cab. Cutest little thing!)

There is also a 2W Night Train with matching 1x10 cabinet

 

[GAD]

Here is the JHS pedal.

JHS Little Black Amp Box Passive Amp Attenuator

Passive Effects-loop Amplifier Attenuator

www.sweetwater.com

It goes in the effects loop of the amp.

The Fender I saw good reviews on was the Delux Reverb " Tone Master " version, but that's 900 bucks. It has the power output control The step down is the Mustang GTX. I haven't seen reviews of that. I don't see the output control on that one.

I'll look at the list of suggestions

That's an interesting device, but it's basically a master volume and not an attenuator. The end result may not matter, but reducing the signal to the power stage is not what you want if what you love is the sound of an overdriven power stage.

 

[GAD]

I surfed into a Peavey Valve King 20, which , of course, is no longer made. Anyone play one of these ?

While I can't speak to that model, I had a Valve King VK112 for a couple of years and really liked it. It actually spawned a renewed love of tube amps for me which (as you might imagine) led to a path of ever bigger and better tube amps which was its own problem.

Peavy has always been an underrated company IMO, and though the ValveKings are made in China, they were kind of like the Newark St. of the Peavy line where they were imports, but they were really good imports.

 

[JohnW63]

It's been easy to find lower watt amps, but few have the watt control switch or knob. I looked at reviews of the Fender Mustang GTX series, but, I really don't need all the displays and bluetooth and modeling and stuff. Besides, the small one is 50 watts and no power reduction mentioned in the specs. Orange seems to make heads and small combos but the descriptions and names shout metal head to me. There is always the Blues Jr from Fender, but just one power setting.