Tube amp choices

ronzo4600

It's awfully hard to beat a Blues Jr. when it's been re-tubed with something other than Sovtek or JJ's. I am a big EL84 fan but unless you spring for better quality tubes, it's just another amp and you may or may not like what you're hearing.

One of the neat things about a well built tube amp is the ability to switch power and perhaps more importantly, the pre amp tubes to find "your" sound.

I've found Genelex/Gold Lion followed by Tung-Sol to be best for rattle and microphonics and give a really nice clean sound. My 10 cents, your mileage will no doubt vary.

scot

On many Fender amps, you can use different rectifier tube types to change the plate voltage and thus change the overall character of the sound. I've also heard of people leaving one or the other of the output tubes out to get a specific sound...

rgrice

EmmettRay wrote: »

You have to just do a little bit of research guy... and you'll find it very believable. Go check it out before the next time you comment. Good luck to you.

No need to get edgy, guy! Like @Jehu said a nerve must've been touched!

Thread actually began with me asking about tube amps to buy. After someone mentioned the kits, I checked the prices, which are almost as much as a Blues Jr. Under $250 seemed like stretch, but I know nothing about it, wasn't asking anything about, and don't care anything about it! Good luck.

husy

> someone was ambitious enough they could build their own for very little money. (dirt cheap if you scavenge for parts)

> amp kits are a bit of a short cut, take some of the fun out of it

I don't mean to fan the flames, but this is very much true... Ordering RC components from Mouser, and tube & transformers from Angela does save quite a bit over kits, as does scavenging parts (old PSUs are a great source for the more expensive big caps and hi-watt resistors). Several years ago I built an amp based on the AX84 project, and my cost was actually less than $250 (incl. a speaker, but I used a makeshift aluminum chassis, and I won't even talk about the "cabinet")

In any case, you don't go the build way to get an amp on the cheap, you do that for fun and curiosity or if you hope to customize it in the future. If you have to ask the question, then the used Blue Jr is the right answer.

rgrice

Already bought one!