Practice amp....Which one???

dread1 · 10-31-2009, 06:53 PM

Hello all,
I'm looking for a small, but nice sounding practice amp to keep next to the couch. I don't want to spend alot and it will just be used to play along with some cd's and won't be used in a band situation.
I've been looking at the marshall mg15fx model.
Any input on this amp or any other ideas?

SwampAshSpecial · 10-31-2009, 07:00 PM

MGs aren't usually well liked - check out the Haze15 (but not with the matching cab, buy a 1x12" with celestions instead) or, for a completely different tonal experience, a DSL401.

dread1 · 10-31-2009, 07:04 PM

Cool, thanks for the response. I'll check into the haze but isn't that a head? I was looking for a small plug in and go amp.

SwampAshSpecial · 10-31-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dread1

Cool, thanks for the response. I'll check into the haze but isn't that a head? I was looking for a small plug in and go amp.

it is a head, but with a 1x12" cab it is no bigger than a small combo

george76 · 10-31-2009, 07:29 PM

blackstar ht-5

wegman · 10-31-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampAshSpecial

MGs aren't usually well liked - check out the Haze15 (but not with the matching cab, buy a 1x12" with celestions instead) or, for a completely different tonal experience, a DSL401.

I love my MG10CD. I mean yea it is nothing but a little practice amp but it plays well. Sound is negligable as it would be better served with a treble knob but for a little practice amp for low volume it fits the bill.

Just don't try to crank it as it will fail miserably.

atkinsg · 10-31-2009, 09:57 PM

check out the AVT20XT in the Tribute series.

MartyStrat54 · 10-31-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by george76

blackstar ht-5

ditto!

JohnH · 11-01-2009, 01:05 AM

You can get an Mg10 really cheap, and with a Bad Monkey pedal with it, that my bed-room practice set up and it sounds fine. Its small and useful, even with much better gear around.

speedtravis · 11-01-2009, 01:43 AM

I would not discard the MG15FX... I have a new MG30FX and it is much much better sounding than teh previous series. I am of the impression that most of the peple are not quite aware that they are different and keep badmouthing them.

nofearfactor · 11-01-2009, 02:10 AM

If you buy this it will be on Craigslist some day.
Buy Marshall MG4 Series MG30FX 30W 1x10 Guitar Combo Amp (Black) | Solid State Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

If you buy this you will have it forever.
Buy Marshall Haze MHZ40C 40W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp | Tube Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

I'm well aware of how the new MGs sound. I buy em and then sell em to my students.They love em. For myself tho,I would rather spend a few more dollars for something I can rehearse with but maybe gig with if I had to.

Richman1 · 11-01-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dread1

Hello all,
I'm looking for a small, but nice sounding practice amp to keep next to the couch. I don't want to spend alot and it will just be used to play along with some cd's and won't be used in a band situation.
I've been looking at the marshall mg15fx model.
Any input on this amp or any other ideas?

Get a DSL 201, stay with tubes. Solid state practice amps will mess you up when you go back to your tube rig... MG's sound cool but they don't feel like a tube amp and your playing style has to adjust to it.

dread1 · 11-01-2009, 07:25 AM

Very informative responses, thanks. Like I said, it's going to be a couch amp. It's not going to be super cranked, and would have to have a nice amount of gain and a master volume. Does the haze have enough gain? Or should I say, sustain? I don't play death metal or real heavy stuff, but this practice amp is going to be a plug in and play type of deal.

Richman1 · 11-01-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dread1

Very informative responses, thanks. Like I said, it's going to be a couch amp. It's not going to be super cranked, and would have to have a nice amount of gain and a master volume. Does the haze have enough gain? Or should I say, sustain? I don't play death metal or real heavy stuff, but this practice amp is going to be a plug in and play type of deal.

Low watt tube amp + master vol + clean boost = awesome low volume practice rig...solid state gives you a false sense of touch and feel and attack in your playing...I stay far away from them.

woodddj · 11-01-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atkinsg

check out the AVT20XT in the Tribute series.

i will have to agree with this guy. the avt20 is a great sounding little combo with s/s pow and tube preamp. its got a 10inch speaker and the 20watts are perfect for home use. i see them selling on ebay for around $125.

theflyingmat · 11-01-2009, 10:53 AM

I like my little Fender G-DEC. It even has some different backing tracks to play along with, in different keys etc. Built in FX and amp sims. CHEAP!!!

Not as good as my HT5 combo, but then again the Fender was a lot cheaper, and does more.

dread1 · 11-01-2009, 11:28 AM

How about the Vox Valvetronix?

zslane · 11-01-2009, 11:50 AM

The Class 5 sounds like a nice little tube Marshall combo without any frills. Has anyone had a chance to try one yet?

wkcchampion · 11-01-2009, 01:24 PM

I listened to the audio samples on Guitarist's CD and it's absolute BS.
Stay away from it!
I would recommend a Blackstar HT-5 either combo/head. I heard one and it sounds fantastic, I'll buy one in the future.
These are my .02

MartyStrat54 · 11-01-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zslane

The Class 5 sounds like a nice little tube Marshall combo without any frills. Has anyone had a chance to try one yet?

I tried one at the KC Musician's Friend warehouse. IMO it doesn't sound all that good. Compared to the Blackstar 5W amp it falls short. I'm not real hip on Class A. To me, that's not a guitar amp...it's a HiFi amp. I think a Vox Night Train is a much better amp and it has the same tube arrangements as the Class 5, except it has 2 EL-84's instead of one and it is a push-pull amp (AB). The Blackstar only uses two tubes, but it is a push-pull amp, like the Night Train. To me, it sounds more like a big Marshall, then the Class 5. However, you got to realize that no matter how good a 5 watt amp sounds, it is not going to have the balls of a 50 to 100 watt amp. I mean a 50 watt amp turned down to 5 watts will sound different that a 5 watt amp cranked. Small wattage amps by nature tend to get a little thin on the low end. This is due to the fact that the lower you go in frequency, the more power you need to produce it. 5 watts can only take the low end so far. The effect of this, is when you try to enhance your low mids, it can possibly add distortion to your high end. Maybe this is desirable, but not if you are trying to tweak in a clean sound. This is what I encountered with the Class 5.

Most small amps either tube or SS usually fall short of being able to produce a loud, clean sound. The tendency of these amps are to start breaking up halfway up or so. Any practice amp has its good points and its shortfalls.

Grandturk · 11-01-2009, 06:19 PM

I use the little Kerry King MG for practice and F'n around when I don't want to crank up my Boogie. Sounds good, small, light. I can plug in a POD, a pedal, drum machines, whatever, throw it in the car and hit the road.

speedtravis · 11-01-2009, 06:51 PM

the Blacstar is not all tube amp. Someone reversed engineered it in HC and it is all solid state diode distortion. Quite disappointing for an "all tube" 5W amp...

MartyStrat54 · 11-01-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedtravis

the Blacstar is not all tube amp. Someone reversed engineered it in HC and it is all solid state diode distortion. Quite disappointing for an "all tube" 5W amp...

So you're saying it's a mini 900? A lot of guys swear by them.

wegman · 11-01-2009, 07:36 PM

I am again going to vote for the MG10. I own a big Marshall (JCM 800) so I am used to a tube amp and the little MG10 is perfect for practicing at low volume. Add a pre-amp pedal and the amp handles pretty well. I picked mine up used for $39. It does everything I need it to do. The clean channel sounds pretty good to. You just can't crank it. It's not designed to be played loud, it's designed to be played at bedroom volume or lower.

speedtravis · 11-01-2009, 08:59 PM

all solid state:

Blackstar HT-5 Schematic? - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

MartyStrat54 · 11-01-2009, 09:14 PM

It's not all solid state. It's a hybrid. Geez. What do you think the 12AX7 and 12BH7 do? The 12BH7 is located right before the primary inputs of the OPT and the 12AX7 is located in the input.

I also notice that almost everyone at the HC Forum gave the amp positive feedback.

I mean if you want to get down to it, when they took the tube rectifiers out of tube amps and made them "solid state," technically, they were no longer an all tube amp.

Note: I never stated in any of my posts that the HT-5 was an all tube amp.

shawkey · 11-01-2009, 09:28 PM

sansamp trademark 30 works great and can always fill for a busted head (if ya can live w/ the shame).

speedtravis · 11-01-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

It's not all solid state. It's a hybrid. Geez. What do you think the 12AX7 and 12BH7 do? The 12BH7 is located right before the primary inputs of the OPT and the 12AX7 is located in the input.

I also notice that almost everyone at the HC Forum gave the amp positive feedback.

I mean if you want to get down to it, when they took the tube rectifiers out of tube amps and made them "solid state," technically, they were no longer an all tube amp.

Note: I never stated in any of my posts that the HT-5 was an all tube amp.

wow dude, you took it really personal... the HT5 is like a tiny 900, hybrid OK!! but the input stages and the diode clipping AND the phase splitter ARE solid state. AFAIK Blackstar adverts them as ALL TUBE, that is what I am referring to. We are not discussing if you or HC guys like it dude.

JohnH · 11-01-2009, 11:45 PM

If the use of your practice amp is actually, to practice, I think its better if its just something simple, small, cheap and tough. Thats where the little ss amps do a great job. Concentrate on learning the licks, or composing something, or getting warmed up, or testing something, whatever it is that you are using it for. ie, not to get distracted by trying to find tonal nirvana in your bed room.

On the other hand, if it is the main box you use, because you are a home player, or a student etc - get a great little tube amp.

theflyingmat · 11-02-2009, 05:20 AM

[QUOTE=JohnH;70980]If the use of your practice amp is actually, to practice, I think its better if its just something simple, small, cheap and tough. Thats where the little ss amps do a great job. Concentrate on learning the licks, or composing something, or getting warmed up, or testing something, whatever it is that you are using it for. ie, not to get distracted by trying to find tonal nirvana in your bed room.
QUOTE]

that's why I mentioned the Fender.

10-31-2009, 06:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
dread1 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 89	Practice amp....Which one??? Hello all, I'm looking for a small, but nice sounding practice amp to keep next to the couch. I don't want to spend alot and it will just be used to play along with some cd's and won't be used in a band situation. I've been looking at the marshall mg15fx model. Any input on this amp or any other ideas?

10-31-2009, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
SwampAshSpecial Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? MGs aren't usually well liked - check out the Haze15 (but not with the matching cab, buy a 1x12" with celestions instead) or, for a completely different tonal experience, a DSL401.

10-31-2009, 07:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
dread1 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 89	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? Cool, thanks for the response. I'll check into the haze but isn't that a head? I was looking for a small plug in and go amp.

10-31-2009, 07:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
george76 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 75	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? blackstar ht-5

10-31-2009, 09:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
atkinsg Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? check out the AVT20XT in the Tribute series.

11-01-2009, 01:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
JohnH Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wollongong NSW Posts: 640	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? You can get an Mg10 really cheap, and with a Bad Monkey pedal with it, that my bed-room practice set up and it sounds fine. Its small and useful, even with much better gear around. __________________ DSL401 8412 cab Crate Powerblock 1 x 12 Vintage 30 cab '76 Shergold Masquerader '93 Les Paul Studio '83 Roadstar

11-01-2009, 01:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
speedtravis Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 21	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? I would not discard the MG15FX... I have a new MG30FX and it is much much better sounding than teh previous series. I am of the impression that most of the peple are not quite aware that they are different and keep badmouthing them.

11-01-2009, 02:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
nofearfactor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hellbillyville Posts: 180	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? If you buy this it will be on Craigslist some day. Buy Marshall MG4 Series MG30FX 30W 1x10 Guitar Combo Amp (Black) \| Solid State Combo Amps \| Musician's Friend If you buy this you will have it forever. Buy Marshall Haze MHZ40C 40W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp \| Tube Combo Amps \| Musician's Friend I'm well aware of how the new MGs sound. I buy em and then sell em to my students.They love em. For myself tho,I would rather spend a few more dollars for something I can rehearse with but maybe gig with if I had to. __________________ myspace- http://www.myspace.com/nofearfactor some gear pics- http://community.webshots.com/album/...ecurity=QbSaeN

11-01-2009, 07:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
dread1 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 89	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? Very informative responses, thanks. Like I said, it's going to be a couch amp. It's not going to be super cranked, and would have to have a nice amount of gain and a master volume. Does the haze have enough gain? Or should I say, sustain? I don't play death metal or real heavy stuff, but this practice amp is going to be a plug in and play type of deal.

11-01-2009, 10:53 AM	#16 (permalink)
theflyingmat Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Peternapper Scotland Posts: 111	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? I like my little Fender G-DEC. It even has some different backing tracks to play along with, in different keys etc. Built in FX and amp sims. CHEAP!!! Not as good as my HT5 combo, but then again the Fender was a lot cheaper, and does more. __________________ DSL 50watt Head JMP MII 50watt Head JCM900 SL-X 50watt Head JCM900 4x12 Angled Cab 70's 4x12 Base & Angled Cabs 70's 2x12 Checkerboard Cab Artiste 2x12 combo 30th 6101 & Ext cab JCM 800 4221 combo Guitars: Gibson LP G/Top 56RI, Gibson LP Custom 80, Gibson LP L/Burst 02, Gibson SG Jnr 63, Gibson M/Maker P90, Fender Bullet USA 78, Fender Tele 62RI MIJ, Robin Artisan, Moon Rhubard&Custard

11-01-2009, 11:28 AM	#17 (permalink)
dread1 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 89	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? How about the Vox Valvetronix?

11-01-2009, 11:50 AM	#18 (permalink)
zslane Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 286	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? The Class 5 sounds like a nice little tube Marshall combo without any frills. Has anyone had a chance to try one yet? __________________ JCM2000 DSL-100 head + 1960A 4x12 cab 30th Anniversary 6100 head JCM2000 DSL-401 combo Les Paul Standards ('96 Goldtop, '99 Ebony, '03 Honeyburst) Les Paul Custom ('04 Alpine White w/ gold hardware) Les Paul Supreme ('07 Trans Black w/ black hardware)

11-01-2009, 01:24 PM	#19 (permalink)
wkcchampion Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 146	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? I listened to the audio samples on Guitarist's CD and it's absolute BS. Stay away from it! I would recommend a Blackstar HT-5 either combo/head. I heard one and it sounds fantastic, I'll buy one in the future. These are my .02

11-01-2009, 06:19 PM	#21 (permalink)
Grandturk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 110	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? I use the little Kerry King MG for practice and F'n around when I don't want to crank up my Boogie. Sounds good, small, light. I can plug in a POD, a pedal, drum machines, whatever, throw it in the car and hit the road.

11-01-2009, 06:51 PM	#22 (permalink)
speedtravis Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 21	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? the Blacstar is not all tube amp. Someone reversed engineered it in HC and it is all solid state diode distortion. Quite disappointing for an "all tube" 5W amp...

11-01-2009, 07:36 PM	#24 (permalink)
wegman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 138	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? I am again going to vote for the MG10. I own a big Marshall (JCM 800) so I am used to a tube amp and the little MG10 is perfect for practicing at low volume. Add a pre-amp pedal and the amp handles pretty well. I picked mine up used for $39. It does everything I need it to do. The clean channel sounds pretty good to. You just can't crank it. It's not designed to be played loud, it's designed to be played at bedroom volume or lower. __________________ Ian St Ian says "If your not playing Gibson and Marshall your a wanker!" Marshall JCM 800 2210 (1989) Marshall MG CD10 (hi guys!) Gibson Les Paul Custom (1981) Mackie 24x8 mixing console Alesis ADAT HD 24 digital recorder Shure KSM 27

11-01-2009, 08:59 PM	#25 (permalink)
speedtravis Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 21	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? all solid state: Blackstar HT-5 Schematic? - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

11-01-2009, 09:14 PM	#26 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? It's not all solid state. It's a hybrid. Geez. What do you think the 12AX7 and 12BH7 do? The 12BH7 is located right before the primary inputs of the OPT and the 12AX7 is located in the input. I also notice that almost everyone at the HC Forum gave the amp positive feedback. I mean if you want to get down to it, when they took the tube rectifiers out of tube amps and made them "solid state," technically, they were no longer an all tube amp. Note: I never stated in any of my posts that the HT-5 was an all tube amp. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

11-01-2009, 09:28 PM	#27 (permalink)
shawkey Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: philly pa Posts: 36	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? sansamp trademark 30 works great and can always fill for a busted head (if ya can live w/ the shame).

11-01-2009, 11:45 PM	#29 (permalink)
JohnH Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wollongong NSW Posts: 640	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? If the use of your practice amp is actually, to practice, I think its better if its just something simple, small, cheap and tough. Thats where the little ss amps do a great job. Concentrate on learning the licks, or composing something, or getting warmed up, or testing something, whatever it is that you are using it for. ie, not to get distracted by trying to find tonal nirvana in your bed room. On the other hand, if it is the main box you use, because you are a home player, or a student etc - get a great little tube amp. __________________ DSL401 8412 cab Crate Powerblock 1 x 12 Vintage 30 cab '76 Shergold Masquerader '93 Les Paul Studio '83 Roadstar

11-02-2009, 05:20 AM	#30 (permalink)
theflyingmat Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Peternapper Scotland Posts: 111	Re: Practice amp....Which one??? [QUOTE=JohnH;70980]If the use of your practice amp is actually, to practice, I think its better if its just something simple, small, cheap and tough. Thats where the little ss amps do a great job. Concentrate on learning the licks, or composing something, or getting warmed up, or testing something, whatever it is that you are using it for. ie, not to get distracted by trying to find tonal nirvana in your bed room. QUOTE] that's why I mentioned the Fender. __________________ DSL 50watt Head JMP MII 50watt Head JCM900 SL-X 50watt Head JCM900 4x12 Angled Cab 70's 4x12 Base & Angled Cabs 70's 2x12 Checkerboard Cab Artiste 2x12 combo 30th 6101 & Ext cab JCM 800 4221 combo Guitars: Gibson LP G/Top 56RI, Gibson LP Custom 80, Gibson LP L/Burst 02, Gibson SG Jnr 63, Gibson M/Maker P90, Fender Bullet USA 78, Fender Tele 62RI MIJ, Robin Artisan, Moon Rhubard&Custard

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