Small amp with headroom?

[matthew a]

I'm looking for an amp with beautiful cleans! I wish my search was ending there. But alas, I'm after something that I can take on the tube, along with guitar and pedalboard.

So I suppose I'm looking at a 1x10 or 1x12, up to 30 watts. Can anyone recommend anything that's going to be realistic to carry up/down stairs on the underground (and around the streets), but also has headroom for a clean sound? I doubt I'd ever play without PA, but it would need to give me a fairly decent stage sound over the drums.

[sookwinder]

1966 Princeton Reverb

[Arthon]

Princeton Reverb with a clean and efficient speaker.
Or Princeton non-reverb.

[PixMix]

Silverface Vibro Champs stay clean all the way up. Very light and portable.

[matthew a]

Princeton Reverb with a clean and efficient speaker.
Or Princeton non-reverb.

Yeah, that's definitely on the list, but a bit toppy on the budget. Is there much difference between the current '65 & '68 models, aside from £200?

[Arthon]

Princeton Reverb with a clean and efficient speaker.
Or Princeton non-reverb.

Yeah, that's definitely on the list, but a bit toppy on the budget. Is there much difference between the current '65 & '68 models, aside from £200?

The 68 breakup faster so it's not what you are looking for.

The 65 is half-made in USA. The 68 is totaly made in Mexico.

[matthew a]

Ah, good to know. Thanks. I do use the Caitlinbread Formula 5 at the minute for some pushed tones, so a bit of break up isn't terrible. Will try to get to a shop and play through them.

[DanyoSound]

I'm on a similar search. I want the smallest, lightest tube amp I can find with the most headroom.

I currently play a 60 watt combo that's 45 pounds with a pair of 6L6s, and I just bought a Jensen Tornado neodymium speaker, that should take about 5 pounds off the amp. The headroom is excellent, but it's too much. I usually play it between 3-5. Anything louder will blow away the singer.

I play large and small venues. 60 watts is too much for any of these situations. In my experience, the only reason to have an amp larger than 60 watts is for outdoor venues. I wouldn't be surprised if 15 watts with a 410 would sound perfect in any situation, but then it wouldn't be terribly portable.

I've thought about getting a Princeton Reverb with an efficient speaker. 6L6s and 6V6s, from what I've read, provide the cleanest tube sound and most headroom of the tubes I'd read about: particularly 6L6s. A pair of 6V6s might be the best bet for lowering the wattage without sacrificing headroom or using a power attenuator. There are a few amplifiers that use a single-ended 6L6 at around 15 watts that might fit the bill. Check out Studious Amplifiers: their Selye uses a single-ended 6L6. There are also some people who like to hot-rod their Blues Jrs.

I suspect that 20-30 watts with a pair of efficient 6V6s, or a less efficient pair of 6L6s would hit the sweet spot. And make sure you have an efficient speaker.

[marqueemoon]

I seem to remember the Mesa Subway Rocket combos being good in this department but it's been a long while.

I have a 79 Vibro Champ. Would not recommend for this. It's fantastic right until the speaker starts farting out.

Personally I would probably go with a Quilter 101 head on the pedalboard and a DV Mark 1x12 or other lightweight cab.

[shoule79]

Deluxe Reverb for headroom. Love my PR, but it's not the cleanest at band volumes if you are concerned about headroom.

[mackerelmint]

ZT amps, maybe?

[andy_tchp]

Deluxe Reverb for headroom. Love my PR, but it's not the cleanest at band volumes if you are concerned about headroom.

This.

[Arthon]

The OP wants a amp that he can carry in the Subway. You have to be strong to carry a Deluxe Reverb in public transportation. Also, he play with a PA. Soundguy also want me to turn DOWN my Princeton Reverb when there is a PA in the room.

For those 2 reason, I think a Princeton Reverb is a better answer but you cant go wrong with a Deluxe Reverb either.

[cestlamort]

Although it can get dirty if cranked, a pro Jr might be worth checking out, especially if you put in an more efficient speaker.

[andy_tchp]

The OP wants a amp that he can carry in the Subway. You have to be strong to carry a Deluxe Reverb in public transportation. Also, he play with a PA. Soundguy also want me to turn DOWN my Princeton Reverb when there is a PA in the room.

For those 2 reason, I think a Princeton Reverb is a better answer but you cant go wrong with a Deluxe Reverb either.

Yeah, it's a tough one, and apologies I skipped over the part about carting this around on the subway.

My Princeton Reverb clone is ~18kg, so not exactly 'lightweight'. Fender lists the weight of the Princeton Reverb reissues as 15.4kg, and 19kg for the Deluxe Reverb Reissue. I wouldn't want to be carrying around any of these amps on public transport.