Low wattage 5150/6505 style amp

[AlanH]

Hi Folks,

Could you recommend any small amps that I could try which can emulate the warm 5150/6505 tone but at a low volume.

I'm guessing it would have a 6V6 power tube and be a higher gain amp.

However, while not having a 6V6, I wonder whether something like the Blackstar HT5 on an American ISF setting might be a good bet.

Thanks

Alan

[korodesu]

I don't think there's any low wattage amps with all the gain stages of a 5150. If you're looking for high gain with a low watt you might want to look into a preamp/power amp combo. And as sad as it sounds, a pod might also be an option. My buddy has an x3 live and even though they always sound horrible on youtube, I was blown away at how it sounded on high gain and clean patches through his PA system.

Personally, I have a Hughes and Kettner metal shredder preamp that has a built in 5 watt power amp. It covers anything from plexi-jcm800 sound wise and is really 80's. With an EMG 81 and a boost in front of it I was able to get a sound that was almost identicle to Gojira's and they use 5150's.

[CreamedBeef]

I think the Peavey Bravo would do it. I believe they were a 20 watt version of the Ultra, which was a pretty damn high gain amp. See if you can find one

[oscillat0r]

Vypyr 30...or even the 15 w/a pedal. Does a great 5150 imo

(although I dont think of the 5150 or even 6l6 in general as warm...)

[Shreddyknight]

I have a 5150 head + cab that I use live mainly and at home I have right now a Blackstar HT5.

I must say the HT5 is a great room amp for the buck... comparison will be no good.

The Blackstar with 5 watts can do all stuff.. it has a very decent clean channel and the strong thing is the distortion channel where you can go from rock to metallica with no problem just making a good setting. It has the ISF knob so you can change from brithish tone to american tone... and differences are quite noticeable so it´s useful. It´s also a cab emulator with not too much difference. Is easy to use it and sounds very good. If you want use it for more modern heavy metal stuff will be a little short but up to Metallica and hard rock is absolutely great.

Other cool thing is that articulates really good and provides harmonics very easily. At low volume sounds very very good... I mean the 5 watts are really loud so.. in your room you probably don´t go more than 1 or 2 at the volume.. but if you turn it to 5-6 you feel how the response is different and spreads more warm sounds.

So.. I was saying in my opinion can not be compare with 5150 becuase Blackstar it has a rough or cold (I don´t know how to explain it) sound than 5150 don´t have. It means.. the distortion on 5150 spunds hot and huge with more volume, you can feel it in the ambience just with a power chord.... this could be a big difference but as I stayed if you are looking for a very good rock and hard rocking amp that can do the clean job properly, sounds very good at low volume and can be carried very easily becuase reduce dimension and weight and cost you cheap.. this is a good option.

Other amps you might consider will be Peavy Classic 30 and Egnater Rebel 30 also in combo.. but Egnater is much expensive and both ones have a big wattage for home.

Cheers¡¡

Javier

[Kramer James]

For a small amp I use a Fender Superchamp XD. 15watts, 10inch speaker, 16 amp voicings, 2 6v6 tubes, 1 12ax7, some effects. It handles pedals and preamps very well, although a few of the amp voicing I really like straight through the amp. I was blown away by the amp, especially for the price $299 with a 5 year fender waranty.

I bought one as a practice amp away from my '88 randall rg150 and Johnson Millenium 250 half stacks, and it has become my main amp with a Vox tonelab le in front . The stock speaker sounds great i think, but some upgrade it to an eminence ragin cajun. I'm making a speaker box with a 12inch eminence texas heat, so I can have an alternate speaker to crank. I play classic rock to speed metal and it fits me quite well.

Downsides: No effects loop, no Mid control. Neither has been a problem for me at all.. I either use it as a tube power amp with the tonelab and/or pedals in front, or just as something quick (plug in and play).

[kramerpacer]

If you are looking for a mere practice amp I'll suggest the Fender Champion 30 DSP. It's solid state but has great dirt and great clean as well as built in effects. Cost you about $100-150 on the used market.
Want something bigger, try out some of the new Peavey Vypers.
Want tube? Peavey Triumph, Bravo, Ultra, Prowler will do great.
Even fancier? Mesa DC-3.

[Cygnus X1]

A Cygnus-7 would get close.
Would need a little overdrive to get into "nasty high gain" territory.

It would take a while to get one though.

[AlanH]

Thanks for some really good suggestions, guys.

The bravo looks like an interesting option on the used market. I might also see if I can try one of the new 1W Blackstars as I want to keep the volume down and these Blackstar HTs looks like good all rounders.

Alan

[Heinz]

The 5w Blackstar will push a 4x12 if you need. Played around with one at the Sam Ash store...good stuff.

It still needs a little volume to sound the best; that's the thing about tubes. I'd like to try the 1w... I bought a Keeley MT-2 thinking I could use it thru clean on my 50 watter for quiet practice...nope, it likes volume. And when it has it, it kicks ass! Great pedal for heavy stuff.

I've only gotten decent gain sound from solid state at can't-hear-it-in-the-next-room volume so far...but a 1w tube amp intrigues me...