Considering a new amp...

mrthingyx said:
Laney VC30 for more metal-oriented grind...
Marshall DSL401 for more mid-range crunch...

Those are my preferences, but I like the tone Paul Gilbert, Maiden, AC/DC get out of their hardware more than Metallica/etc.

Head down to your nearest guitar shop and plug in for an afternoon. See which one you like best and go from there. For valve amps, don't be afraid to wind them up to about 5/6 on the Master Volume (this really will make your ears hurt) to see what they actually sound like - my DSL401 is a completely different amp once the power stage gets going.
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I loathe that about amplifiers. Nobody needs to turn up to that volume unless playing live, and even then, nobody is going to be particuarly bothered by tone at an amature level.

The OP specified he didn't need it to be loud, so I would hesitate to recommend something that he will never make the most out of.
 
I use the volume on my pedal and crank both my DSL201 and my Valvekine VK100. The overall input volume has also saved my ass so many times at gigs where even at 3 or 4, when the power stage begins to kick in, it's been too loud for the venue.

The different in tone is incredible, so it's worth thinking about having some kind of device to reduce the volume before the guitar hits the amp if you're going down the valve route.
 
Dingleberry88 said:
Just seen a Marshall AVT Valvestate 2000 50W head with a 4x12 200W cab for £250.

Are these rated any good?
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The Valvestate heads are really dark sounding. They don't distort too well, and they have an "acoustic" channel which is a bit pants.

The cabs are also extermely average. You might be able to pick up a 1960a or b off ebay for less than £300.
 
Nitefly said:
I loathe that about amplifiers. Nobody needs to turn up to that volume unless playing live, and even then, nobody is going to be particuarly bothered by tone at an amature level.

The OP specified he didn't need it to be loud, so I would hesitate to recommend something that he will never make the most out of.
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It applies to any amp with a valve power stage, though.

Unless looking for a 4W valve amp, volume will be a problem. That doesn't mean they sound bad at 2/3, just better above that. :)

If you're concerned about it, though, I'd stick to a solid state amp... but I tihnk they sound like ****. I can't think of one I've ever liked.
 
mrthingyx said:
It applies to any amp with a valve power stage, though.

Unless looking for a 4W valve amp, volume will be a problem. That doesn't mean they sound bad at 2/3, just better above that. :)

If you're concerned about it, though, I'd stick to a solid state amp... but I tihnk they sound like ****. I can't think of one I've ever liked.
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The only real solution to being able to play a higher rated valve amp at an acceptable volume while retaining the characteristics of valve distortion is an attenuator. Good ones that don't affect the tone too much are expensive, unless you can find a Weber branded one for about £100, but they are more than worth it if you've spent a lot of time fine tuning your setup to be exactly as you want it and don't want to play an, incomparison, poorer quality amp in your house.

"Tone at an amateur level"

The addage "put carp in get carp out" is on the tip of every tongue of every soundy behind the mixing desk when members of the band start complaining they can barely make out their own instrument. I do consider it an important thing in live music, at almost all levels.
 
I have the Blackstar HT-5 head running through a Marshall 4x12 cab (not an amazing one but ok) and it sounds pretty good. If you get the head version and use a cab, try loads of different cabs as they will sound vastly different from each other. The one I tried in the shop when I bought the amp was a more expensive Hiwatt cab and didn't sound as good as mine. Still good though otherwise I wouldn't have bought the amp!

The HT-5 is a very good amp for overdriven tones and has a lot of gain to offer. The cleans are way more sterile than say a fender blues junior or hot rod deluxe which are also in your price range, but the overdrive is so much better. Use a compression pedal set to low to thicken up the cleans and you should be sorted though.

The effects loop is also good and you will need it for a reverb and delay pedal etc as the amp doesn't have any effects built in.

I tried the Orange Tiny Terror against the HT-5 and it's pretty pointless unless you need more volume as it has far less features, it's more expensive and a very similar tone can be had from both.

The Blackstar sounds good with most guitars. I have a Fender US Strat and Tele, a Fender TC-90 a Gibson SG and a newly acquired Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro and they all sound very different but good through the amp. (The Les Paul sounds the best though!)

It also takes most overdrive pedals well i.e. Tubescreamer, MXR distortion+. I use one of Blackstar's overdrive pedals through it so I have two, foot switchable levels of overdrive to get a very transparent gain i.e. similar to just turning the drive up on the amp.

Lastly I notice people are advising towards a Marshall DSL. I tired the DSL 401 when buying the Blackstar and it's a good amp, and wouldn't be a bad purchase but just pretty standard sounding. Both me and my friend who also plays were unimpressed for the price. Get the Blackstar unless you need more volume.
 
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Marshall DSL/TSL amps do a very specific set of sounds very well, because of the iconic bands that use Marshall hardware.

I wouldn't recommend one to somebody looking for a proper METAL-GRRRRRR!!! sound.

Never tried BlackStar, though - they sound interesting?
 
So I went to try some amps today.

Took an SG along, and tried a Fender MIM Tele from the shop (of which I now have an arctic white one coming in next week :D).

In particular I really liked the Orange Tiny Terror, but I was blown away by the Blackstar HT-5. I didn't even take it past half volume and it was still really loud! The OD's really versatile with the ISF control too.

So I'm pretty much set on the HT-5 now, but I'm not sure what to go for. Either the Blackstar stack, which is the head with two 1x10 cabs for £400, or the head on its own for £250 + some sort of 1x12 or 2x12 for £150?



Edit: HT-5 head + http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_g212_vintage.htm ? :)
 
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I've just built myself a cab with 2 vintage 30 speakers in. Finished it about 3 days ago and the speakers sound brilliant with the HT-5. I don't know about the build quality of the Harley Benton cab but assuming it's good as I cant think of a reason it wont be, for £400 that combo will be killer.

That cab is really cheap also as a Vintage 30 speaker on its own is ~£70
 
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