Robben Ford Discussion

BlueRunner · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject: Inexpensive solid-state amps?

Regular gigging in a venue larger than the music room at home will probably wait until after retirement. In the meantime, I sold my 50-watt Carvin vintage amp, which even when set to "1" was shattering windows at home. I'd like to pick up a small (1x10 or 1x12 combo) solid state for somewhere south of $400 or so. Anyone here have any experience with the Roland Cube 30-X? Or any of the small Fender solid-states? Or anything else for that matter?
_________________
- BlueRunner

JohnnyZ · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:14 am Post subject:

Blue, I just got (literally, it just arrived at my workplace) a Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 15-R from Musician's Friend, $149. While I can't tell you how it sounds, it's a neat little package. And, the specs and reviews on the MF site convinced me to go for it. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hughes-Kettner-Edition-Blu-15-15W-1x8-Combo?sku=480436 I bought this amp in hopes of finally getting my scared and shy butt out to some blues jams. My DrZ 2x12 is much too heavy (unless I was seriously gigging) to lug around. I'll post my impressions of this amp after I get home tonight...

Also, I used to have a Fender Frontman 25R which mysteriously disappeared into the black hole of my house (my son's room). It seemed like an ok amp and much louder than you need in the house...

frank0936 · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:56 am Post subject: Small amps

BR, I heard the Roland at a music store recently and it was an awesome little amp. I normally like to stick with Fender, but if I was looking for a small amp for the house I would seriously consider the Roland.
Frank

Cal · Member Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Toronto

You might try a VOX VR30. Pretty nice, 30 watts, two channels plus an overdrive boost. It's a hybrid with a tube in the preamp and solid state poweramp. No modeling stuff either.

edpesco · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

I've got a Micro Cube for real living room practicing and a Cube 60 for the same purpose and little gigs or rehearsals at different places, it's easy to transport and sounds always nice at any volume, a nice compromise. If you want the 60 to sound really good you have to turn him way up and then he's really loud. The sound quality is still not to be compared to my 74 Fender Deluxe reverb, the only tube amp I know so far that always sounds nice, even at a low levels. But if you are looking for a living room solution the Cubes are the only non tube amps I can recommend so far.
_________________
www.soultingo.at

JohnnyZ · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:08 am Post subject:

Didn't get much of a chance to put my new H&K 15-R through its paceslast night, but what I was really pleased about was its tone a low volumes. And, although I haven't played through my Fender Frontman 25R in ages, I seem to remember it as being harsh sounding while this new amp seems very warm. I can't wait to open it up (i.e. encourage wife to go to the mall)... Laughing

BlueRunner · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the great tips, gang. I'll let you know what I end up doing.
_________________
- BlueRunner

BlueRunner · Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject:

Thank again for all of your input. I went ahead and sprung for the Roland Cube 30X, and like it a lot. It's perfect for home and tossing into the car to go play with friends, and the price/value factor seems really good. And the best part: My wife thinks it sounds good, too.
_________________
- BlueRunner