Point me in the right direction of an Amp for my Jaguar

[samblers]

Just been checking out the Fender Hot Rod - looks like exactly what i'm after re: features etc... but is 40W of tube going to be way too loud for a home amp?

Is there a smaller version with the same/similar features? Blues Jnr looks pretty stripped down

[sookwinder]

As I said, I used the Hotrod deluxe as my lounge room amp when it was my only amp and at lot volumes it ok, but you don't get much crunch in the tubes at that volume.

Given your specs/requirements it sounds like a blues junior is certainly a way to go.  And yes I would always recommend a tube amp over a solid state ... why ?  for three reasons  . tone, tone , tone 

....  and actually a forth reason is that you have the ability to change the way the amp sounds and performs by just changing the tubes.

Although I have bought 5 of my 6 maps new, the warranty thing is not a big deal  (only ever used it once and that was to replace a dicky power tube in the pro junior.  Fender australia do have good warranties, but buying an amp second hand from a dealer or from ebay still gives you a great amp (assuming it hasn't been trashed) and you'll be able to save a few $$$$

[sookwinder]

if you are wanting a hotrod then there is this:

on aussie ebay

[mezcalhead]

... but still leaves me needing a direction to get to the sounds for MY music

Indie-alt-grunge varies a lot with amp types, a lot of those guys use Marshall sounds, a lot use Fender sounds, a lot use Voxes .. if what you're doing is just playing at home with no intention to gig out at all then you can get by with a very small amp. I have a tweed champ (5W, 8" speaker) which is way loud enough for using at home, and also a 1W battery-powered solid state amp which is also very loud just in a room with no other musicians.

A bit of general advice .. don't buy the amp until you have your Jag. Take the Jag to stores and try it out with various amps that you are interested in. Do this in a few stores .. take some time to make your decision and don't let a sales guy rush you (they'll always tell you "it's our last one, great price, probably won't be here tomorrow" blah blah).

What is it that you don't like about the Valvestate? A few of the amps you're looking at may have the same issues.

[samblers]

What is it that you don't like about the Valvestate? A few of the amps you're looking at may have the same issues.

Its bust - I've had it since the 18th century, the footswitch doesn't work and the reverb thingo (with 3 long springs in it) has been broken for years - i was quoted $180 to fix but never bothered. I actually used to quite like the sound it made. Anyway, I have a MUCH better guitar coming along... and now I'm almost 30, have a bit more cash to throw at a new amp.

I saw the Hot Rod on Ebay - will def try one new in the shop to see what it can do. Otherwise, the blues Jnr sounds like a great little unit, will def try that one too.

I'll do this all with my guitar when it arrives though - I've just been demolishing my kitchen so the thought of spending a pleasant saturday cruising the guitar shops with my new Jag is pretty appealing!!!

"Crunch" is a nice way to describe the distortion overdrive sound that i'd like. Or "punch". Though i dont need it to be too spikey.

Would i need to use a distortion pedal with the Blues Jnr? Does it have a switchable channels via footswitch?

Cheers

[ugly casanova]

allright i'm going to record some brit-rock tunes via webcam later this evening, maybe you'll like it. 

[samblers]

allright i'm going to record some brit-rock tunes via webcam later this evening, maybe you'll like it. 

Go for it - i'd be glad to see! 

[luau]

.. if what you're doing is just playing at home with no intention to gig out at all then you can get by with a very small amp. I have a tweed champ (5W, 8" speaker) which is way loud enough for using at home, and also a 1W battery-powered solid state amp which is also very loud just in a room with no other musicians.

I think this is great advice and is really worth considering. I'm pleased with my SF Vibrochamp. I haven't fired up my Twin since I got it.

[sookwinder]

the biggest issue he will have is the lack of amps (of the type he is looking into) that are availableto check out at local guitar shops once the AV jaguar gets delivered ....

[RumorsOFsurF]

The Blues Junior has no drive channel, but if you crank the master it will overdrive some.  You can pick up a distortion pedal reasonably.  Great little amp!

[afunkymonk]

There's a thread here with some info on the Blues Junior
http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?d ... 2619:00:26

It's not a quick read though - I last read it about four years ago and it took me a couple of days...

[FireAarro]

The Blues Junior has no drive channel, but if you crank the master it will overdrive some.  You can pick up a distortion pedal reasonably.  Great little amp!

If you crank the preamp you can get dirt at low volumes. It has a switchable "fat boost" too.

[samblers]

I've stumbled across an amp called the Laney VC15

15W, tube, channels, affordable (dont know if it has a footswitch yet)

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... Combo/10/1

Anyone on here tried one? Sounds like it might be a possible

If I want more gain tey even do a different version (still tube amp)

http://guitarparadise.com.au/ProductDet ... aney-LC15R

[FireAarro]

I tried one in a shop once, it sounded great. I didn't test it very long though. My friend has a VC30 which I haven't played through much, but it sounded nice for the one song he used it at a gig (he was playing viola mainly). It's a good little amp though. It definitely will have enough gain for your purposes, I think.

[samblers]

Looks like I’ve narrowed the list down to:

- Laney VC15
- Fender Blues Junior
- Orange Tiny Terror (+ speaker cab)
- Epiphone Valve standard (though local guitar shop doesn’t rate these)
- New Marshall 50W valvestate tube pre-amp combo (cant remember number)

Will report back which I choose