100+ Watts on the Cheap (Another Amp Help Thread)

[archlilim]

Hey doomers, so my AD30 isn't cutting after joining a sludge trio (converted from drop D stoner/psych stuff) so I'm searching for something more in the 100 watt range before we start gigging. My budget is limited, probably $800-1000 at the most. I get all my dirt from pedals, so not super invested in the gain side of things. Just need something loud, heavy, and sorta dynamic (little sick of the AD30's squashed sound tbh). Was thinking about looking for some old Sunn solid state stuff--Beta or Concert Lead? Anyway, figured I'd check with you guys before getting myself into trouble

[AxAxSxS]

I just bought a peavey butcher for $240. they dont always turn up but if you keep your nose to the ground, deals are out there. Any tube amp that has sufficient power to stay fairly clean at gig volume will work awesome. Throw your fuzz of choice in front for the heavy.
Carvins, randalls, really any off brand that has 4 tubes in the power section and you should be good.

At the high end of what you are talking about, I got a verellen a while back for a grand. If you can find that, jump on it.

[Nostradoomus]

That's a solid budget for a good head dude. Anything 100 Watts and non-master volume should be rad. Ampeg V4 would be my choice at that price. Could probably score a Sound City too.

[D.o.S.]

If you're already getting all your dirt from pedals just get a carvin or something.

[Kacey Y]

There's A LOT of good amps out there for under a grand. For under $500 (well under some of the time, used obviously) you can get a Peavey Butcher or VTM120, Carvin X100B, Laney AOR 100. I've owned the Laney twice and still have a VTM120 and Carvin. I use a Carvin X100B on the "rhythm" channel (non master volume clean channel) with pedals for almost all of the guitar tracks on my soundcloud demos.

https://soundcloud.com/corey-y/sets

Even a lot of good vintage amps can be had for under a grand, with the right deal. Sometimes they require a retubing or even new caps. You could probably get good non master volume tube head like a Sound City 120 or a Traynor YBA-1, 1A or 3 for within that budget, either already recapped or including one after buying for a lower price. I sold my B120 for I think $750 (price fluctuates depending on who's selling and the condition though) and bought my YBA-1 for $350 plus shipping and had to have it recapped and serviced. I've seen the Traynors go for up to $500 or more and the Sound Cities go for less or more.

[LOCOPELAND]

There's excellent deals in the Bay Area for gear for less than a grand. Check out CL & Starving Musician.

[archlilim]

There's A LOT of good amps out there for under a grand. For under $500 (well under some of the time, used obviously) you can get a Peavey Butcher or VTM120, Carvin X100B, Laney AOR 100. I've owned the Laney twice and still have a VTM120 and Carvin. I use a Carvin X100B on the "rhythm" channel (non master volume clean channel) with pedals for almost all of the guitar tracks on my soundcloud demos.

https://soundcloud.com/corey-y/sets

Even a lot of good vintage amps can be had for under a grand, with the right deal. Sometimes they require a retubing or even new caps. You could probably get good non master volume tube head like a Sound City 120 or a Traynor YBA-1, 1A or 3 for within that budget, either already recapped or including one after buying for a lower price. I sold my B120 for I think $750 (price fluctuates depending on who's selling and the condition though) and bought my YBA-1 for $350 plus shipping and had to have it recapped and serviced. I've seen the Traynors go for up to $500 or more and the Sound Cities go for less or more.

This helps a lot

There's excellent deals in the Bay Area for gear for less than a grand. Check out CL & Starving Musician.

Also I found this on clist: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/4478604941.html

[whiskey_face]

red knob = ehhhhhhhhh

for 1k snag 2 v4s and get ready to punish your bandmates with perfect tone at 100000000 dbs

[HeavyXIII]

More speakers is always a plus.

[Ancient Astronaught]

[Krosis]

No

[D.o.S.]

Whatever happened to Bossk?

Do you think he got that Sunn inspired Preamp?

[archlilim]

That's a solid budget for a good head dude. Anything 100 Watts and non-master volume should be rad. Ampeg V4 would be my choice at that price. Could probably score a Sound City too.

I should say I'd LIKE to spend around $500 so I can add another 4x12 to the mix.

[doommeow]

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/msg/4480624753.html
PLUS
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/msg/4475589524.html
EQUALS
just under $1K and will kill people.


But you've also got:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/4458975786.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/4473330992.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/4476914624.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/msg/4475325637.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/msg/4462726362.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/msg/4478356115.html

Lots of fun to be had with that kinda budget.

[Kacey Y]

I didn't even see you were in the Bay Area. I have bought and sold half my amps on the SF Craigslist. There's always good deals on there, with patience. Here man, tons of good deals on vintage Traynor stuff right now...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/msg/4480970868.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/4458973861.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/4458975786.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/msd/4470778232.html

doommeow also posted at least one of these I think, as I was typing. Kind Amplification is a good place to buy from when they have deals. That's who service my YBA-1 and they did a great job. Some of those are under 100W, but they have HUGE transformers and they're really loud, just with a little dirt. I really like my '70 YBA-1 with dirt pedals and I've recorded a lot of other people with it who loved it too. It's one of the loudest amps for it's rating I've ever played. There's some other good stuff on there right now for at or under $500, depending on your taste and you can probably get a decent 4x12 for $350 or under.