Smaller tube amp?

[dbw]

So my main and only amp is a Carvin V3.  It's big, loud, and versatile, plus it sounds great.  But I'm thinking I'd like a smaller, quieter, simpler amp for practicing and maybe recording.  Right now I'm thinking Orange Tiny Terror or Blackheart Little Giant.  Thoughts?

 

[JamesL]

I have the V3 and a Tiny terror,

I say just become more like me and get the Tiny terror, the best way to describe the amp is "Alive"
:rock-on:

 

[jackthehack]

Blackheart Little Giant is 5w 12ax7/EL84; Handsome Devil is 15w dual 12ax7/dual EL84. At $179 and $299 they're  much better deal. Handsome Devil on initial backorder till 15 Aug; but will do everything the Tiny Terror will do for 1/2 the $$$.

 

[dbw]

Cool jack, I just saw your other thread about the 15W Blackheart.  Looks nice!!  Has anyone heard it yet or are you just buying it based on how good the Little Giant was?

 

[nathan a]

I just ten minutes ago finished recording with my relatively new vox AC15. I love that damn thing. Incredible (to my ears anyway) tone at low / medium volumes. Records really, really nicely. Highly recommended for anything other than metal or the heaviest of rock.

 

[dbw]

Records really, really nicely. Highly recommended for anything other than metal or the heaviest of rock.

I gotta be able to go that heavy... thanks for the suggestion though nathan.

 

[-CB-]

really love them tweed Champ clones with 12inch Celestions in 'em.... woooo la

 

[dbw]

really love them tweed Champ clones with 12inch Celestions in 'em.... woooo la

That ain't gonna do it either.  Think British!

How do the Blackheart and the Orange compare to an Epiphone Valve Junior?

 

[jackthehack]

really love them tweed Champ clones with 12inch Celestions in 'em.... woooo la

That ain't gonna do it either.  Think British!

How do the Blackheart and the Orange compare to an Epiphone Valve Junior?

Google the schematics, you'll see....

 

[dbw]

I kinda meant in sound.  I can't tell what an amp will sound like by looking at the schematic.

 

[-CB-]

really love them tweed Champ clones with 12inch Celestions in 'em.... woooo la

That ain't gonna do it either.  Think British!

How do the Blackheart and the Orange compare to an Epiphone Valve Junior?

Dont knock it till ya tried it~

 

[dbw]

Fair enough but in my experience Fender amps don't have the overdrive I need.  Is this one an exception?

 

[Shmoopie]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bng-zXiZfMY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=roIqsFF3MZI

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kiw1WOMlK0I

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SjpnNoLRl2s

the vids can't be embedded, but you can click the arrow pointing up to get get the urls.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

Jack, when you changed the tubes in the Blackheart, how did it change?  I know you said, "better," but the comments for the youtube clips said the Epi was warmer.  Did the new tubes in the Blackheart change the "warmth" that much?  Thanks
Patrick

 

[jackthehack]

I wound up liking a darker tone I got after switching the V1 tube out for a Sovtek 12AX7WB.

The stock tubes are no-name Chinese and are OK, but break up/distort more than I like way before you get to 10 on the volume. Different EL84 tubes were an improvement as they didn't saturate as quickly; the Groove Tubes Silver series EL84 are available as singles and there's not that much difference between different higher quality EL84s in the amp.

The V1/preamp tube can shade the sound noticably; I preferred the darker tone; for a warmer tone try the Groove Tubes ECC-83 in V1.

I have a Groove Tubes GT-EL84-S duet and a pair of the 12AX7WB's waiting on the Handsome Devil when it eventually arrives...

Lots of good stuff and other tube suggestions in the Little Giant thread: http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=2456.0

 

[-CB-]

Fair enough but in my experience Fender amps don't have the overdrive I need.  Is this one an exception?

All the tweed era Fenders drive really well.  Talk abuot turning my 5E3 knock off up past 4, or the Champs past 4 or so... Vic's 56 Bassman that I made him.. up past about 4, they just start to oooze.  Get 'em up cranked and then you really got tone just leaking all over the rugs.

In fact, that slightly modded 56 Bassman... is one hell of a tone monster.  I got the stuff for a 56 Super here... gotta get the time (and space) to finish her off.

 

[DanDeTora]

Records really, really nicely. Highly recommended for anything other than metal or the heaviest of rock.

I gotta be able to go that heavy... thanks for the suggestion though nathan.

I really dig my Mesa F-30 combo. 2 EL84's, rated at 22 watts. It CAN get loud as balls, but sounds great at low volumes too. As far as gain/saturation, it sounds like a cross between a Rectifier and a Mark IV. If get the chance to try one, check it out.

 

[dbw]

Sounds cool, -CB-, but vintage Fender amps are hard to find... and pay for!

Dan, thanks for the tip.. I'll keep an eye for one of those to try

 

[-CB-]

Easy to build tho

 

[dbw]

What do you think of this little guy, -CB-?  http://www.freewebs.com/niteglow/