EnkaiScreamer Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 i am going to be looking for a second hand tube amp but my first question is: Is this a good idea? and my second question is : Where do i look for a DECENT second hand tube amp?since my budget is limited:up: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roscoe 5 Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Depends if its head or a combo.Kennys in Dundee do amazing deals. Check them out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Yes. Second hand is often a better option than buying new. New prices are astronomical at times, and as long as the amp has been taken care of and serviced regularly, then opting for second hand stuff is often the best option.Ebay is the obvious place to look for second hand amps, or the Trading post on here. Gumtree is fairly rubbish good amps in Aberdeen, so unless you're willing to travel to pick up, or arrange couriers, stick to Ebay.If your budget is limited, then save up. Good tone doesn't come cheap. You can bargain hunt and strike lucky sometimes, but don't rely on it. Save, and buy something worthwhile that will keep its value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veldt666 Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 Many second hand bargain's to be had, but, be prepared to "Maintain" your tube amp, at least once a year, New Tubes & a checkover.This sometimes puts people off, coz they can be tempramental.Also, type's vary, big Clean sound, (work great with pedals in front) IE: Fender / Hiwatt /Carlsbro. Or lots of Gain / Distortion, IE: Marshall /Peavey / Cornford / Mesa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 It is totally fine to buy a second hand valve amp. As long as you know what to look for to check it's alright and know if it has been looked after etc. I bought my ENGL E670 SE EL34 (what a mouthful ) second hand from a guy in Texas. I researched back his previous posts on the forum it was advertised on to see what he was like with his gear/what he had done to it and such!The benefit of the ENGL though was that I could change the pin layout on the transformer to change it from 110V to 230V, this isn't an option on many amps so buying from the USA may not be the best idea for you (unless you buy a step down transformer to go with it).If looking in the UK 2nd hand, check all the usual online places (GAK, Dolphin Music etc.) for offers, check eBay, Scot-Ads. Those sort of places. Also scour music dedicated forums (ESP guitars, BC Rich, Dean, this forum, other "music scene" forums etc.) and you'll probably find musicians trying to sell/trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
givemeasmile Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/equipment/61181-sale-trade-marshall-tsl602-combo.htmlI have the above one for sale if yer interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR!ΔNGL€ T€€TH Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 If you do buy a second hand amp, you should totally add some bevels to it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnkaiScreamer Posted June 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 yeh im, looking for a head, about 100 watts, for metal but with clean,im stuck with my line 6 spider 3 head right now and its not bad but i desperately need to upgrade since im playing live a lot.Yeh it was more the maintanence side of things i would be wary about, the amps background etc...thanks for the help guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted June 15, 2010 Report Share Posted June 15, 2010 What are you basing the need of 100watts on? A single channel 30 watt amp is still loud enough to cave your head inwards. A Marshall DSL50 is loud enough for any venue you're likely to play. I barely take my DSL50 above 4 or 5 on the volume dial.How much are you looking to spend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 If you do buy a second hand amp, you should totally add some bevels to it.Mwahahaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 50W all valve is certainly more than enough.I used to run a Mesa Single Rectifier Rect-O-Verb II combo and that was only 50W and it only went up to about 4 on both channel and master volume for gigging and was plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 50W all valve is certainly more than enough.I used to run a Mesa Single Rectifier Rect-O-Verb II combo and that was only 50W and it only went up to about 4 on both channel and master volume for gigging and was plenty. Yep - that very amp cracked the plaster on my ceiling at "3" 30w - 50w is mucha-plenty for most venues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnkaiScreamer Posted June 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 im not really looking for combos because ive got the 200w 4x12 cabinet at home and im used to just taking my head to practise and to gigs so its easier to use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 I'm only stating that 50W is enough. You get 50W heads too remember Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 im not really looking for combos because ive got the 200w 4x12 cabinet at home and im used to just taking my head to practise and to gigs so its easier to useDon't rule out combos as a lot of them have speaker outs so you could easily connect one to your cab and you would also have the benefit of a smaller amp for more intimate venues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Don't rule out combos as a lot of them have speaker outs so you could easily connect one to your cab and you would also have the benefit of a smaller amp for more intimate venues.Good point, well made - who wants to humph a 4 x 12 around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HateEvent Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Not me (anymore) - it doesn't fit in the car since I changed it. :| Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkaline Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Good point, well made - who wants to humph a 4 x 12 around?I only have a 2 x 12 and i can't be arsed humphing that around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsby Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Scot Ads is good for deals from teuchters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnkaiScreamer Posted June 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 ah good point! i was in rnb today trying out a nice line 6 bogner combo, only 40 watts but WOW it was nice! and i hardly ever lug my 4x12 around :Lokay yeh im actually interested in a nice combo also, i had a look at a nice laney which was mentioned on here but anymore ideas/offersmy budget is around 200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roscoe 5 Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 well for 200 it will have to be a combo.Peavy combos are pretty good - or H and K have quite a heavy sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnkaiScreamer Posted June 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 what kind of peavey could i get?and are there any decent H and K combos for that price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soda Jerk Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 You'll struggle to get anything worthwhile for 200. You might strike it lucky with an eBay bargain, but the going rate for a reasonable valve amp will be at least around 100 more.Seriously. Saving up is the best advice. Otherwise you'll be spending your entire budget and something that just won't cut it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnkaiScreamer Posted June 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 yeh okay thanks guys, so a good save for a valve head, but a combo is a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toiletbag Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 Don't be scared of opting for a lower wattage too. I don't understand people's preoccupation with buying 100 watt heads given their impracticality in a live setting. I use a 30 watt Orange AD30 through a 1x12 dialled fairly clean and it is LOUD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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