Good solid state amp under $500 or under

[guitarman2]

I picked up a peavey bandit (a really old one) last week at L&M for a practice amp but this thing is not good for much more than practicing scale exercises in my bedroom. The reverb buzzes very badly and can't be used and its just not a very good sound. Probably keep it cause it only cost $99. May give it to my 16 year old daughter who wants me to buy her one of those $99 squire Strats (Pink of course).
However I would like an amp that is light, preferably 2X12 as I prefer the 2X12 sound, will most likely have to be solid state as I don't want it to cost much more than $500. And have fairly good sound in case I ever had to use it on a gig for a backup. And I'd like it to be fairly light but beings as it will be a solid state it probably would be light.

[Hamstrung]

I picked up a peavey bandit (a really old one) last week at L&M for a practice amp but this thing is not good for much more than practicing scale exercises in my bedroom. The reverb buzzes very badly and can't be used and its just not a very good sound. Probably keep it cause it only cost $99. May give it to my 16 year old daughter who wants me to buy her one of those $99 squire Strats (Pink of course).
However I would like an amp that is light, preferably 2X12 as I prefer the 2X12 sound, will most likely have to be solid state as I don't want it to cost much more than $500. And have fairly good sound in case I ever had to use it on a gig for a backup. And I'd like it to be fairly light but beings as it will be a solid state it probably would be light.

If you've seen any of my previous posts you may notice that I look like a Carvin spokesman. I can assure you I'm not but I've got some of their products and I'd highly recommend checking them out. You can get a tube amp near your budget (1x12 anyway). They also have SS even cheaper. I've got a Vintage Series Belair tube amp and a SS SX100. Both have beautiful clean channels and loud as you need.
http://www.carvinguitars.com/amplifiers.php

[Budda]

if your reverb is buzzing, chances are it could just be the tank or a jack - as in, its a cheap fix.

see if you cant get the bandit fixed - it's what i'd recommend, along with a used line 6 flextone II.

[greco]

What about considering a Roland Cube 30 or Cube 60
...just a thought.

Dave

[adamthemute]

I haven't tried them all, but I see good things about the Roland Cubes, Tech 21 Trademarks, and Vox Valvetronix amps.

Some used Marshal Valvestate combos sound great for the price.

If I were to get a SS amp I would buy a Sunn Beta Lead.

[noobcake]

Yeah I love my Vox Valvetronix, great amp for the money, used to own a Cube 30 as well which was very solid too. The Cubes don't come in a 2x12 model if I recall correctly, but the Vox does. It's one heavy bastard though, the 2x12 model is probably around 70 pounds or something.

Edit: well I was messing around with recording via the line out on the Vox today and cooked up a clip so you can hear for yourself how it sounds http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=864150&content=music the playing isn't too stellar, but I'm very pleased with the tone that I got (for a $200 amp I think it sounds pretty darn good)

[guitarman2]

if your reverb is buzzing, chances are it could just be the tank or a jack - as in, its a cheap fix.

see if you cant get the bandit fixed - it's what i'd recommend, along with a used line 6 flextone II.


I probably wouldn't bother fixing the reverb on this as I only paid $99 for it. It serves as a small home practice amp but I don't think I'd consider using a 1X12 for gigging if I had to use it as a back up. Same reason I won't consider the Roland Cubes. One idea I would consider though is a Roland Cube or Peavey Bandit for home practice and buy an extension 1X12 to use when I needed to gig with it. I'd be interested to hear the Roland cube or Peavey Bandit with an extension speaker if that is even possible on a Roland Cube.

[guitarman2]

Yeah I love my Vox Valvetronix, great amp for the money, used to own a Cube 30 as well which was very solid too. The Cubes don't come in a 2x12 model if I recall correctly, but the Vox does. It's one heavy bastard though, the 2x12 model is probably around 70 pounds or something.

Edit: well I was messing around with recording via the line out on the Vox today and cooked up a clip so you can hear for yourself how it sounds http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=864150&content=music the playing isn't too stellar, but I'm very pleased with the tone that I got (for a $200 amp I think it sounds pretty darn good)


You're right. It does sound pretty good.

[noobcake]

The Vox actually sounds better "live" too, I think the line out bypasses the power amp or something.

[Budda]

I probably wouldn't bother fixing the reverb on this as I only paid $99 for it. It serves as a small home practice amp but I don't think I'd consider using a 1X12 for gigging if I had to use it as a back up. Same reason I won't consider the Roland Cubes. One idea I would consider though is a Roland Cube or Peavey Bandit for home practice and buy an extension 1X12 to use when I needed to gig with it. I'd be interested to hear the Roland cube or Peavey Bandit with an extension speaker if that is even possible on a Roland Cube.

why wouldnt you use a 112 to gig...?

[satch09]

Haha thats funny, the thread I mean, I actually love peavey, and have had it for years and never had a problem, no buzzing or anything, I have the bandit and studio pro right now, and love em, considering your budget the bandits "new" price fits...haha

[hollowbody]

I'd keep my eyes peeled for a used Roland JC-120 or a Lab Series L5. Both are regarded as the best solid-state amps ever. Unless you want something with all kinds of modeling on it, in which case you'd want something newer.

[guitarman2]

why wouldnt you use a 112 to gig...?

It just sounds anemic to me. Everyone's got their preferences and 2X12 has always been my favorite. I don't mind 1X15 either. But not 1X12.

[guitarman2]

I'd keep my eyes peeled for a used Roland JC-120 or a Lab Series L5. Both are regarded as the best solid-state amps ever. Unless you want something with all kinds of modeling on it, in which case you'd want something newer.


No modeling for me. Hate it. I did see a Roland Jazz chorus in the pawn shop down the street from my office a couple of months ago. If its still there that'll mean they are asking too much. I might take a stroll there tommorrow. I did once own an L9 Lab series. Was pretty nice. Wish I had that now. Of course it wasnt too small. 1X15

[EdMan57]

I really dig my Traynor Dyna-Gain DG60R combo.Even though it houses only a single Celestion G12P-80 speaker,it's oversized cabinet and tube like Dyna-Gain circuitry gives up a rather deep and full sound.I paid $335 USD for mine and I feel that it's easily worth every cent.

Ed

[gibson335]

I have a Gallien-Krueger 250RL head with matching GS212 cab. It's a late 80's SS guitar amp, it was my first real amp until I discovered tube amps. Loud as sin & cheap L&M in Mississauga had the 250ML head going for 160.00 used...Good luck!!

[Greg Ellis]

Not sure why you're only looking at solid state. Is it reliability that concerns you?

Peavey Valveking 212 regularly sells for $599. Sounds great to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD7EoehgpsA

What style of music do you play?

[devnulljp]

I've seen a couple of L5s for around the $500 mark.
Do you like the Roland jazz chorus? Those go for about that on CL all the time.

EDIT: Gah! I just noticed hollowbody mentioned these two amps too. I think we're right, in that price range :food-smiley-004:

http://dennischandler.com/img/assets/1019/L5.jpg
http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/brand,zzounds/fit,400by400/JC-120-23fcd27f68b619654ddc0bc29c7ff93f.jpg

[Ti-Ron]

What about considering a Roland Cube 30 or Cube 60
...just a thought.

Dave

+1 one that! The cube serie is a good backup and great sounding amp!

[famouspogs]

You might want to look at some mid 90's fenders if youre going for purely solid state. I have a fender stage 112SE and it sounds amazing for a solid state amp, However it does still sound like a solid state amp.

[rollingdam]

I don't know what he uses now, but BB King used a LAB series amp for a long time.