Newbie needs a pract. amp shortlist, new or used!

[gndboy]

This may be waaaaaaay too late - I'd recommend steering clear of single-ended tube amps (especially the current ones) for an all-round practice amp. You may never be satisfied with the essentially one sound, which only smears as you turn it up. Good used tube amps are out there, and they have their charm and issues. A real good choice in my opinion for a new current-production box is the Vox Pathfinder 15R solid-state combo. It's inexpensive and sounds real presentable over a range of tones. Opinions will vary. Good luck!

 

[poodlesrule]

Thanks gnboy.

At the time, I did buy a Pathfinder 15R. I think Duffy talked me into it.

I like it a lot.

As I mentioned before, I ran into two 10" speakers (given to me, from a older Marshall Micro Stack?), and made an extension cab for the Pathfinder. Same Vox voice, but much more body than the 8" speaker!

 

[Perfect Stranger]

Fender Mustang I or II

 

[gndboy]

I have come to dislike single-ended tube amps for general use, including practice and rehearsal. Per above, it's a one-sound thing that can be cool for some stuff, but generally is frustrating for general playing. There is no denying the fantastic trem of the Supro 16T, but even with a good 6V6 it's impossible to get any tone approaching what could be called clean. For an inexpensive box that sounds good over a large swatch of sonic territory I still recommend the Vox Pathfinder 15R. There are a ton of amps out there, but not many new at $120 that satisfy.

 

[gndboy]

Poodlesrule - I like what you say about the 2X10 + '15R. I had one of those awful Cambridge 30's c. 2002 with 2X10. I really like tens (the speakers and the strings hi) and I may well try a setup similar to yours. No way am I going to do baffle surgery on my Pathfinder. Lately I play mine with the tone controls mid-scale and the volume control all the way up, using the gain control for level. Up to a point it is really "Byrds" sounding. Playing my '15R through a good 1X12 Celestion cabinet sounds fine, but I actually like the internal eight. Gonna put a Weber eight I have in there and see how it sounds. Whoever designed the Pathfinder 15R really nailed it.

What make are your tens from the mini Marshall? You can likely find out from numerals on the speaker frames; try the Waldom Electronics website, which may be able to supply useful clues. Chances are about 85% or better they're Celestions, Oxfords, or Eminence. Those are all good speakers, and I'll bet there is not much difference (in my case) between the stock eight and a Weber. It's fun to compare speaker drivers.