Which SS amp to buy ?

[BedroomMusic]

I would just buy a used Katana combo

I just need pure clean amp, I don't need this whole digital area , + I already own modular amp.

If they're available in your area, and you're already keen on Marshall-esque things, the Laney Lionheart Foundry combos are worth checking out.

I can buy it on blind from some online shop is Checz Republic / Slovakia, without trying. I know it is a great amp , but I'm kinda more open towards Ironheart Foundry Leadtop Head + H&K TM110 Box, just cause I can't carry heavy stuff, I'm from surgery ... But thanks. I already did think about Laney Lionheart, but moving it while cleaning my room will be pain. It's much easier for me to deal with 6 kilos cabinet + tiny head. But Laney Ironheart Foundry Leadtop is in game.

 

[BedroomMusic]

Realistically any amp is going to be loud for your space, therefore it does not matter how powerful or not the amp is as long as it is adjustable to the volume level you need. This can be done either by a master volume amp, or just by reducing the level from your pedals.

I use the BluGuitar Amp 1 + BluGuitar Fatcab or Nanocab at home and it's 100W but I can easily turn it down to a whisper. I assume that's outside your budget, probably even used. But if not, it's a great option.

I think your budget would be best spent on the used market. I don't know what it looks like where you live but if you list some options available and your max budget, maybe we can give better suggestions.

Sorry for double post , but I have no clue how to edit previous post so.

My max budget would be like - 500$ , that seems reasonable for smaller solid state amp.

And my options are:

DV Mark Greg Howe / Micro 50 - 250 or 350 $ + H&K TM110 Box for 200 $.
Laney IronHeart Foundry Leadtop Head for 200$ + same H&K box.
Orange Crush 35 combo - 250$
Marshall MG15 - 100$ combo.

I eliminated:

H&K Spirit of Vintage - tiny bit too much static noise on idle. It just hums.
Roland JC 22 - same issue as H&K.
Orange O Tone 40 - similar issue as those 2 above.

Not sure how I feel about Joyo BantAmps , there are nice Fenderish clones, but tube in preamp. I just don't know anyone who would deal with that if tube fails or something.

 

[laxu]

Sorry for double post , but I have no clue how to edit previous post so.

My max budget would be like - 500$ , that seems reasonable for smaller solid state amp.

And my options are:

DV Mark Greg Howe / Micro 50 - 250 or 350 $ + H&K TM110 Box for 200 $.
Laney IronHeart Foundry Leadtop Head for 200$ + same H&K box.
Orange Crush 35 combo - 250$
Marshall MG15 - 100$ combo.

I eliminated:

H&K Spirit of Vintage - tiny bit too much static noise on idle. It just hums.
Roland JC 22 - same issue as H&K.
Orange O Tone 40 - similar issue as those 2 above.

Not sure how I feel about Joyo BantAmps , there are nice Fenderish clones, but tube in preamp. I just don't know anyone who would deal with that if tube fails or something.

You can eliminate the Marshall MG series, those are crap.

The others seem like solid options but I'd rather get a 1x12 cab. It will sound fuller than a single 10".

If you are having that many hum issues, I'd consider the problem with the store or where you live if you bought those amps.

 

[synthpenguin]

The others seem like solid options but I'd rather get a 1x12 cab. It will sound fuller than a single 10".

Yeah, I like 10" speakers for some things, but unless OP knows what they want / like, I'd suggest 12" too for the versatility.

Something like those Harley Benton 1x12 Celestion V30 cabs would be great. Thomann sells them for like 160USD, as do some other dealers in Europe, I think. I believe they also have some even cheaper ones with off brand speakers too.

OP, also maybe look around at local listings, as used cabs pop up for cheap sometimes (depending on your area). Cabs are something you can really get a good deal on if you look around.

 

[Jarick]

I’d look at either the orange crush 35 or the newer orange o tone 40. I’m very curious about the latter as it’s basically a solid state Princeton reverb, clean pedal platform with tremolo and reverb for $400. And proper solid state too no modeling.

 

[synthpenguin]

My max budget would be like - 500$ , that seems reasonable for smaller solid state amp.

Are you able to order from Thomann? I hate to go on and on about Quilter, but if you can order from there...

Quilter Superblock US or UK - 299 €
Harley Benton G112 Celestion V30 - 169 € OR Harley Benton G112 - 89 € [the former will be better, but you can always upgrade the speaker of the latter option later]

388 to 468 € / 450 to 543USD total.

Oh, and then 4 € for a speaker cable to connect the two (don't use a regular instrument cable!)

This would give you an excellent pedal platform that you wouldn't even need to "grow up" from later unless you wanted more volume, and a 12" speaker too (and a very good one if you can stretch to the V30 cab). Anyway, I'll stop talking about this direction lol; I just have a lot of experience with it in exactly the situation you describe (clean pedal platform, home use), so I know it's a very good choice.

- - -

Otherwise, I'd go between the Laney or the Orange. I think both are reliable choices, especially the Orange.

The Laney has the advantage of being able to connect to a 12" speaker, which is a major plus imo, but may not matter to you. If you aren't sure, I would lean towards a 12" speaker by default just because it's more versatile (and there are more options to choose from if you want to swap it out later). To get a 12" speaker with an Orange that's not the O Tone (since you eliminated that option), you'd either have to go up to the Orange Crush CR60 or go with a head, both of which will be a bit out of your price range, at least new.

Also, if you will use the overdriven channel, both sound very different from each other. Similarly, some people love the Orange cleans, and other people find them dull. That's sort of the running theme with these Orange amps in general: people either love their sound or find themselves fighting against them.

I personally like the overdriven sound of the Oranges, but am not a huge fan of the cleans without some extra sweetening from a boost or EQ pedal.

Anyway, I'd play and listen to demoes of both amps' clean and overdriven sounds and just go with the one of the two you prefer sonically. Subjective opinions on the sound aside, both would be good options for your situation.

 

[QQQ]

Another vote for the Orange. Those sound great.

 

[BedroomMusic]

Yeah, I like 10" speakers for some things, but unless OP knows what they want / like, I'd suggest 12" too for the versatility.

Something like those Harley Benton 1x12 Celestion V30 cabs would be great. Thomann sells them for like 160USD, as do some other dealers in Europe, I think. I believe they also have some even cheaper ones with off brand speakers too.

OP, also maybe look around at local listings, as used cabs pop up for cheap sometimes (depending on your area). Cabs are something you can really get a good deal on if you look around.

I just had surgery, I just can't carry that stuff. So it will be pain when I clean stuff, moving etc. On the other hand, that 1x10 is like 6 kilos, I can deal with that. 1x12s are just heavy compared to that.

I’d look at either the orange crush 35 or the newer orange o tone 40. I’m very curious about the latter as it’s basically a solid state Princeton reverb, clean pedal platform with tremolo and reverb for $400. And proper solid state too no modeling.

+1, for sure I will try out Crush 35.

Are you able to order from Thomann? I hate to go on and on about Quilter, but if you can order from there...

Quilter Superblock US or UK - 299 €
Harley Benton G112 Celestion V30 - 169 € OR Harley Benton G112 - 89 € [the former will be better, but you can always upgrade the speaker of the latter option later]

388 to 468 € / 450 to 543USD total.

Oh, and then 4 € for a speaker cable to connect the two (don't use a regular instrument cable!)

This would give you an excellent pedal platform that you wouldn't even need to "grow up" from later unless you wanted more volume, and a 12" speaker too (and a very good one if you can stretch to the V30 cab). Anyway, I'll stop talking about this direction lol; I just have a lot of experience with it in exactly the situation you describe (clean pedal platform, home use), so I know it's a very good choice.

- - -

Otherwise, I'd go between the Laney or the Orange. I think both are reliable choices, especially the Orange.

The Laney has the advantage of being able to connect to a 12" speaker, which is a major plus imo, but may not matter to you. If you aren't sure, I would lean towards a 12" speaker by default just because it's more versatile (and there are more options to choose from if you want to swap it out later). To get a 12" speaker with an Orange that's not the O Tone (since you eliminated that option), you'd either have to go up to the Orange Crush CR60 or go with a head, both of which will be a bit out of your price range, at least new.

Also, if you will use the overdriven channel, both sound very different from each other. Similarly, some people love the Orange cleans, and other people find them dull. That's sort of the running theme with these Orange amps in general: people either love their sound or find themselves fighting against them.

I personally like the overdriven sound of the Oranges, but am not a huge fan of the cleans without some extra sweetening from a boost or EQ pedal.

Anyway, I'd play and listen to demoes of both amps' clean and overdriven sounds and just go with the one of the two you prefer sonically. Subjective opinions on the sound aside, both would be good options for your situation.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of amp-in-pedal type of stuff , I'm more like for a classical amp type of guy. But I believe you it sounds good. It's just 300€ for amp in a pedal is not my cup of tea. I can get that for less than 150 $ , like EHX Magnum and Joyo American Sound. That gets me that for 150$.

Reason why Orange O Tone is out is this , few qoutes from Google people.

" Even when idle, there's a constant rhythmic hum or pulsing sound. Sitting 2-3 meters away, I can clearly hear the amp reacting when switching flight mode on or off, or when a message comes in on my phone. "

" The sound of the o tone 40 is very good , it takes the pedals super well BUT , there is a but: a huge unpleasant noise in the amp. I tried to plug it in different ways, but nothing, the noise remain. "

Similar " problem " with few amps I tried.

Funny thing is: I didn't notice this on Marshall MG when I was trying out pedals.

Tiny bit of edit, sry.

I can order from Thomann in Austria, or Muziker in Slovakia, those 2 are in in terms of web shops. And Orange Crush and DV Mark are in my country.

 

[synthpenguin]

I just had surgery, I just can't carry that stuff. So it will be pain when I clean stuff, moving etc. On the other hand, that 1x10 is like 6 kilos, I can deal with that. 1x12s are just heavy compared to that.



+1, for sure I will try out Crush 35.



Honestly, I'm not a fan of amp-in-pedal type of stuff , I'm more like for a classical amp type of guy. But I believe you it sounds good. It's just 300€ for amp in a pedal is not my cup of tea. I can get that for less than 150 $ , like EHX Magnum and Joyo American Sound. That gets me that for 150$.

Reason why Orange O Tone is out is this , few qoutes from Google people.

" Even when idle, there's a constant rhythmic hum or pulsing sound. Sitting 2-3 meters away, I can clearly hear the amp reacting when switching flight mode on or off, or when a message comes in on my phone. "

" The sound of the o tone 40 is very good , it takes the pedals super well BUT , there is a but: a huge unpleasant noise in the amp. I tried to plug it in different ways, but nothing, the noise remain. "

Similar " problem " with few amps I tried.

Funny thing is: I didn't notice this on Marshall MG when I was trying out pedals.

Tiny bit of edit, sry.

I can order from Thomann in Austria, or Muziker in Slovakia, those 2 are in in terms of web shops. And Orange Crush and DV Mark are in my country.

I wouldn’t think of the Superblock that way, and I don’t think the American Sound or the EHX Magnum compare at all, but I understand if the aesthetic of a traditional head or combo is important to you. That’s fair enough.

Re: weight, fyi the Orange is only a couple kg lighter than those 1x12 cabs, so maybe try lifting one to make sure it’s okay if you get the chance.

Let us know what you go with!

 

[Byrdman]

I know you said you don't want all the modeling stuff, but if I were in your situation, I would still get a used Katana head & cab (preferably) or combo. Clean tone, crunch tone, and or higher gain stuff is pretty good. Not great but one of the best SS bedroom amps IMO. That or a Line 6 Catalyst which is what I bought when I was in your situation.

Both can sound like the Marshall and other amps you are looking at and they are reliable, light, and relatively inexpensive for what you get. Plus, you can move it on pretty easily in a year or two if you want to upgrade and not get hurt on it.

 

[newholland]

i dunno how big the used market is where you are, but if you can find a fender stage 100, theyre fantastic clean platforms, and if you upgrade the speakers, they respond way beyond their pricepoint. i bought one as a bombproof backup for $90, and i play it because i LIKE it into evms.

 

[BedroomMusic]

i dunno how big the used market is where you are, but if you can find a fender stage 100, theyre fantastic clean platforms, and if you upgrade the speakers, they respond way beyond their pricepoint. i bought one as a bombproof backup for $90, and i play it because i LIKE it into evms.

I did find Fender Stage 1600, 2x12" .... That is for sure waaaaay too big and waaaaaay too heavy for me and my room. But I bet it is a descent and nice amp.

 

[Frodebro]

Solid state living room practice rig…

 

[bucephalus]

The Quilter Superblocks are both superb sounding amps, take pedals fantastically and also have di out and fx loops. At the price there really hard to beat.