I need to replace my old ac50

[davidd]

The time has come for me to move it on, as much as though I love it I have not used it for an age. I've had it since I was 14 or 15 (I'm 43 now!) but it is just too big (physically) and so sits in a corner...sadly..

So I'm going to ebay it, I have the top and cab, I should get a reasonable sum out of it and so can buy something a little smaller which will get used.

So what to replace it with??

I love the sound of the old vox, before I had the ac50 I had another vox valve I think it was a v15, lovely little thing. So I'm happy with the sound, I'd just like a little more scope to change the tone a little. I'm not after a modelling amp though.

So.. I play all sorts of stuff, from led zep and the foo fighters to a lot of smiths and radiohead to cool jazz . I have a few guitars, strat, telecaster, sheraton, burny les paul plus other stuff and an electrified ukulele.... I have a smattering of pedals..

As I said, I like the vox thing but I wondered what you lot would suggest.. I'm not a fan of Marshall, and was thinking maybe one of those little vox heads and cabs, or the orange version. But then maybe a fender hotrod.. It must be valve, it must have reverb. It probably needs to be about 30w for the odd village hall gig....
Maybe blackstar....

Give me options please.;)

Thanks

D

[Justin Cyder]

+1 for Blackstar, lovely amps. I have a 1965 AC30, it's so lovely paired with a strat, but tbh, it's 50 years old & too fragile to gig, so it's a housecat & an AC30 in a front room is a crime against music - can't get it above 2 without things vibrating off the neighbour's mantlepiece.

[franki68]

I had the voc nightrain and it was brilliant, only one channel though so I bought a black star , loads of good small amps out there, spoilt for choice .

[gbbird]

Another one for blackstar. I don't own one as yet, but i have tried a few and they are great. If/when i ever upgrade i shall be looking at these

[Whitester]

Stick with Vox - just go smaller. They sound absolutely fantastic IMO.

[bloodfart]

I have a Blackstar which is great, but if I were in the market again I'd be looking at Hughes & Kettner Tubemeisters. They are 18W, but very versatile both in sound and for recording.

[davepoth]

Night Train looks good, and can be switched down to 7.5 watts which would be nice for the front room.

[davidd]

Right, some good info, need to look at blackstar.. I should get at least £500 for the vox, so I'll set that as a limit.

The H&K looks good, anyone got one and what blackstars should I be looking at?

Ta

D

[bennyboysvuk]

When I tried some Blackstars, the smallest one I was happy with was the HT Stage 60. It had much more depth than the Club 40.

I didn't buy either in the end as I wanted to scratch an old JCM900 itch.

[davidd]

Anyone want to comment on fender hot rods??

[chazola]

I had a Hot Rod for a while and it had the brilliant Fender clean chime of course, but the O/D was quite 'coarse' and not smooth like the Vox boost tone. Doesn't matter if you use a pedal obviously. It was fatter sounding than Marshall overdrive (never been a fan of any of their small amps), but I think if you're a fan of Vox tone you'll be better off sticking with them. Dunno if an AC15 would suit you or if it would still be too loud, I use a Pathfinder 15R now for practice which is solid state amp but it honestly sounds valve-like.

I've heard lots of good things about Blackstar but not played through one, the best practice valve amp I've played was a 70's Fender Champ, though they are expensive.

Edited by chazola on Thursday 19th January 09:36

[davidd]

Right, the Ac50 is on ebay... (item no 300655645721 if you fancy a punt). I had a chat with the chaps in digital village (next door to my office) who suggested I tried an ac15c1.. so I did.. Most splendid so I'll have one as soon as the ac50 goes.

Saying that, I have stripped and cleaned the ac50 and it is sounding utterly lovely.... hmmm

[chevy-stu]

The small Bogner amps are REALLY good... Pricey, but very good..

[Tiger Tim]

I use an AD15VT which is pretty cheap and still versatile. Crackhing little amp I think.

[5705]

davidd said:

Right, the Ac50 is on ebay... (item no 300655645721 if you fancy a punt).

Good advert. What are the speakers in the cabinet?

[davidd]

5705 said:

Good advert. What are the speakers in the cabinet?

Good question, only one is original... http://daviddonnan.smugmug.com/2012/January/i-bWmd...
cheese if it asks for a password..

It sounds lovely though...

D