https://www.reddit.com/r/Guitar/comments/acwvqe/question_practice_amp_for_lowvolume_jamming/
created by iunoionnis on 05/01/2019 at 18:46 UTC*
5 upvotes, 12 top-level comments (showing 12)
I have been looking into low wattage tube amps, like the Vox AC4TV, but the reviews I've been reading seem to suggest that even 1/4 of a watt is a bit loud when cranked. I have a lot of neighbors with small kids and my spouse isn't always thrilled to hear constant wailing, so I'm looking for some quieter options.
I am currently playing a casino and an epiphone strat clone. I do a lot of Hendrix, Beatles, and proto-punk/early punk stuff, although I mess around with classic rock and some newer stuff as well.
I don't know much about the differences between amps. I know that I don't really want an amp with effects because I like using pedals (although I'm open to the idea of amps that can model other amps). So basically, if cranking a low-watt tube amp will still be too loud, where should I go for a good sound at a low volume?
(P.S. I won't be gigging, at least not for the foreseeable future. I just play in my home office to relax).
Comment by Tjinsu at 05/01/2019 at 18:51 UTC
8 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Yamaha THR-10 is hard to beat. Nice and small and sounds great at the respective volume levels. It also FEELS very good to play through, personally I find it feels and responds much nicer than many of other amps in this segment. Very reliable and simple amp and the software and recording is all very easy to use. It looks good too. Can't beat it for an apartment.
Comment by Nathanial199 at 05/01/2019 at 18:50 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The fender champs are really good. Even the 100 watt, set at 3-4 is perfect. I’m a pedal guy, too, and I like using that amp to get a clean sound and let the pedals take care of the rest.
Comment by RadioFreeWasteland at 05/01/2019 at 20:37 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Yamaha THR10
Get the standard if you play both clean and with gain, the thr10c if you play mostly clean, and the thr10x if you mostly play with gain.
Really amazing sounding amp, and I'm really not a modeling/small speaker guy
Comment by Cordurkna27 at 05/01/2019 at 19:08 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The Vox VXI seems like it'd be a good fit for you if you're looking more towards a budget/no-frills kind of amp.
Comment by [deleted] at 05/01/2019 at 19:06 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Look at the katana50. I personally don’t like all the options with smaller speakers. If you have a bit more budget the 100 is definitely worth it for the additional features. They can be turned down to 0,5 watt and as transistor amps the volume knob is very good without changing the sound. The katana feels and sounds amazing for the price
Comment by [deleted] at 05/01/2019 at 21:32 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I run an attenuator with my amp for late night practising, works pretty well. Nice thing about the attenutator is that it opens up your choice of amps, so you can pick the one that you like the sound of rather than the one that is quiet enough.
For what it's worth, I'm use a Mesa Express 5:25+ (25W tube amp) with a Palmer Power Pad[1].
1: https://www.adamhall.com/shop/gb-en/detail/index/sArticle/5103
Comment by turbocoupe at 05/01/2019 at 21:46 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I got a Monoprice Tube 15W and it sounds great. Apparently it's a clone of the Laney Cub. I waited for a sale and got mine for $150 shipped.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611815
Comment by DoDevilsEvenTriangle at 06/01/2019 at 06:47 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
When I travel I pack my Blackstar Fly3 with the extension cab and I use it in hotel rooms and stuff as pc speakers on my laptop. As a guitar amp it's fantastic, and as a monitor for a pc, it's also fantastic.
Comment by luixino at 05/01/2019 at 18:50 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Consider the Boss Katana mini: it's not a tube amp, and it might be smaller than you would like, but it seems like it would fit your needs, and is a legit amp unlike others in this class that are more like toys.
Comment by fprintf at 05/01/2019 at 19:58 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
If you have an iPhone/iPad you can download a bunch of free app sims and then buy a $50 adapter. You can do the same with a computer but the software tends to be a lot more money. That way you can listen over your headphones and I find the sound just fine.
Comment by Lampburglar at 05/01/2019 at 23:13 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I have a Katana 50 that sits in the living room next to a Hot Rod Deluxe. When I can't run the tube I run the Katana. Also awesome for late night jamming with headphones, it does an excellent job of sound quality even though headphones. Plus, it's switchable between 0.5/25 and 50W. It's all around an excellent amp!
Comment by [deleted] at 05/01/2019 at 20:22 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I play through a 40w tube amp. If I can't get the tone I want without volume I use a pedal. Also, they make so much hardware now you can use an app on your phone and headphones to make an electric sound like any amp set up you'd want.
Other than a tiny bass amp for recording I don't think I'd buy an amp that I couldn't jam with other people with - unless money/storage space was no object and I was going to own multiple amps.