Cheapest tube amps avaliable in NZ

[rickenbackerkid]

Just saying.....

if you're buying a small amp and need a bigger sound - check out the Celestion G10 Vintage I'm selling - it will make a small amp sound HUGE!!

I do recommend the Pro Junior if you can get one for the right price, they are a brilliant amp. I'm in a Springstreen tribute show and pre-COVID I played some theaters with it and only got compliments. The other guitarist plays a Marshall 50 watt with a pair of 2x12s and our sound guy reckons my rig sounds just as good in the PA and with a lot less stage wash.

[quyet]

You do realise the Roland in your link is not a tube amp?

Wrong link Meant this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF20Ed2 ... jreload=10

[quyet]

Lots of great advice in this thread, thanks.

Will definitely have a go on some amps once stores open again. Guess I can't commit to a tube so soon. You are right about a cheap tube having a good sound - one good sound.

That Laney 10W looks good though...

[griff]

Hello guys,

Not getting my hopes up ... but

I am a bit curious about smaller tubes after learning about this little one, https://youtu.be/6UMC-t7MUDE, the Celestion Tube 15.

My god, hobby guitarists are blessed these days. Things have really changed! What's the deal with hybrid tube/SS??

I always used VOX and Peavy SS amps in the past, but maybe thinking of treating myself if these budget tube amps are available in NZ.

Any ideas? Seen anything around in the shops or imported without killer mark-up & shipping? Anyone got experience with a hybrid?

Maybe talk me out of it?

You do realise the Roland in your link is not a tube amp?
Cool. Just checking.
Unless you get lucky, buying a cheap tube amp is like buying a cheap BMW. Excellent until it breaks which it probably will. The high voltages required by these amps just don't mix with cheap construction. Many here have been lucky and I can hear them screaming at their screens but I will remind them of two things:
1. They never kept them long because hardly anyone here keeps gear for long.
2. The same people telling you it's a good idea will also tell you how great a Katana is.

I had a Chinese 5watt head, brand name Wangs. Cost me $100 and it really was one of the best sounding amps I've owned. I loved it right up to the moment it made a serious attempt at burning my house down.

The other thing you'll find with a cheap (and often not cheap) tube amp is it has one great sound. Which is brilliant if it happens to be the sound you're looking for.

"My Wang exploded"

[jeremyb]

Lots of great advice in this thread, thanks.

Will definitely have a go on some amps once stores open again. Guess I can't commit to a tube so soon. You are right about a cheap tube having a good sound - one good sound.

That Laney 10W looks good though...

One thing to keep in mind though, if you're looking to jam with a drummer, a little combo isn't going to cut the mustard, at least if you got something like a Katana you will be able to explore a wide variety of tones as well as gig with it

You can always get a tube amp down the track if needs be, I have my little AC4 for those times, but the bulk of the time I'm using the Katana

[Mini Forklift]

Don't be sucked into the whole wattage thing either. A SS 15w amp is not the same as a 15w tube amp, and even a 5w amp is plenty loud enough for most people if it's home use

Tons of great options to be had second hand, depends on what you're after. Shouldn't really go too far wrong with Laney or Vox, and FWIW the MPC amp that I had was fantastic

[MikeC]

Just saw this on TradeMe in case you're still looking - https://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instrum ... ae3145-001

[robthemac]

And this... 21 minutes to go

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 2601644005

[k1w1]

I ummed and arred about this, but since I got my MikeC Tweed Deluxe I haven't plugged another amp in, even my beloved Valco.

I have an MPC 5 watt Champ which I would let go for $120. It has had some cap upgrades, tube upgrades and a switch which has original Champ sound, top cut and bass cut, all by MPC .

Lovely sounding amp I wasn't sure I wanted to sell, but the only use in the last 10 months was as a weight to take down belly in an acoustic. I have some pics somewhere, can't find them at the moment.

ETA: This is it as a weight

IMG_1947 by Laurie Franks, on Flickr

[quyet]

I ummed and arred about this, but since I got my MikeC Tweed Deluxe I haven't plugged another amp in, even my beloved Valco.

I have an MPC 5 watt Champ which I would let go for $120. It has had some cap upgrades, tube upgrades and a switch which has original Champ sound, top cut and bass cut, all by MPC .

Lovely sounding amp I wasn't sure I wanted to sell, but the only use in the last 10 months was as a weight to take down belly in an acoustic. I have some pics somewhere, can't find them at the moment.

ETA: This is it as a weight

IMG_1947 by Laurie Franks, on Flickr

Cool stuff, so it's a copy of the Fender Champ eh? Nice. Is MPC Australian? Sent you a pm.

[k1w1]

Yes a Fender Champ clone with a few extra features. MPC was a guy in Gisborne who imported Chinese amps and then did a few mods/upgrades. Closed down about 2 years ago.

This is the second I have owned, gave the first to Canadian mate who liked the sound so much I gave the it to him.

ETA: Damn, my bad this is actually a 5f2a Princeton clone.

[JHorner]

ETA: Damn, my bad this is actually a 5f2a Princeton clone.

[Starfire]

ETA: Damn, my bad this is actually a 5f2a Princeton clone.

They're basically the same though, aren't they? Just that the Princeton has a tone control.

[mugamee]

Yes a Fender Champ clone with a few extra features. MPC was a guy in Gisborne who imported Chinese amps and then did a few mods/upgrades. Closed down about 2 years ago.

This is the second I have owned, gave the first to Canadian mate who liked the sound so much I gave the it to him.

ETA: Damn, my bad this is actually a 5f2a Princeton clone.

what rectifier did mpc put in these amps? just out of curiousity

[k1w1]

It is unmarked but I think a 5Y3GT.

IMG_2036 by Laurie Franks, on Flickr

IMG_2038 by Laurie Franks, on Flickr

IMG_2040 by Laurie Franks, on Flickr