Need a new amp......cheap

**VanBlu** · 12.20.06, 03:50 PM

Well, I play just for fun in my bedroom, the only audience being my wife and two kids. I have a little Peavey Blazer but the distortion sucks. I bought a cheap little Boss distortion pedal, but it's just "ok".

I'd like to buy a cheaper amp, something in the $100 range. I'd love some good crunch. I know I'll never get a VH sound, but anything close to Ed's crunch would be great. I love to play Unchained, if that helps.

Short of that, maybe there's a stomp pedal that could approximate something close to the sound that I can just use with the Peavey.

I know I need a Marshal stack, but it is just my bedroom.

Thanks for any help, I know you guys have the most knowledge.

**STC5150** · 12.20.06, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by VanBlu

Well, I play just for fun in my bedroom, the only audience being my wife and two kids. I have a little Peavey Blazer but the distortion sucks. I bought a cheap little Boss distortion pedal, but it's just "ok".

I'd like to buy a cheaper amp, something in the $100 range. I'd love some good crunch. I know I'll never get a VH sound, but anything close to Ed's crunch would be great. I love to play Unchained, if that helps.

Short of that, maybe there's a stomp pedal that could approximate something close to the sound that I can just use with the Peavey.

I know I need a Marshal stack, but it is just my bedroom.

Thanks for any help, I know you guys have the most knowledge.

For 100.00, you aren't going to get very close. They sell little marshall solid state amps now, but they aren't worth it. I just bought a peavey 258 efx for 180, you might want to look @ those, they are pretty decent. I run my amp with a Boss Ds-1(orange) pedal and the boss 7 band EQ, gets the job done ! Also, before you get an amp, try boss's Metal zone pedal, see if you like that, or just buy the EQ pedal, it did wonders for my sound. Hope this helps !

**VanBlu** · 12.20.06, 04:56 PM

I figured I wouldn't for $100, I just wanna get close.

Thanks for that info!!!!

**STC5150** · 12.20.06, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by VanBlu

I figured I wouldn't for $100, I just wanna get close.

Thanks for that info!!!!

See if you can get ahold of one of the boss eq pedals, they go for about 100 and your possibilities are endless with it. I bought one yesterday, and without it it sounds like I am playing though a toy !

**lil'devil** · 12.20.06, 05:03 PM

try looking maybe for used amps.

i bought a johnson millenium modeling amp used for $400 dollars which used to cost something stupid when it was new.

not necessarily suggesting this amp, but you can get some great deals on used hardware out there ... i think this has been the best purchase i've ever made.

**OU812fan** · 12.20.06, 05:03 PM

For a great rock and blues sound, try going for Marshall AVT amps. They are a bit expensive but they have an excellent tone. I've owned one for a little over a year and I'm still very pleased with the amp. I bought a used AVT 20 for $230. The amp is definitly worth looking into and try finding one used

**VanBlu** · 12.20.06, 05:27 PM

Thanks guys, this is all great info!!!

**Jimmy is Cool** · 12.20.06, 05:53 PM

I'd recomend the Line 6 Spider III modeling amp, I own the 15 watt for just playing in my room and I think it's great

**wombattt** · 12.20.06, 06:00 PM

I heard this the other day at the Guitar Center
"MXR EVH-117 Eddie Van Halen Flanger"
"with an EVH Switch for instant 'Unchained' sound. Manual, Speed, Width, and Regeneration controls. Die-cast housing with EVH striped graphics. "

The sound was almost spot on.

however the price is $190.00

**kaystayflaar** · 12.20.06, 08:43 PM

I would definitely recommend an Epiphone Valve Junior and put your overdrive pedal infront of it. You can pick up the combo for about $100. This way you have a decent sounding tube amp. You throw an overdrive pedal in front and the thing gets LOUD. Plenty loud for your house. There's my 2 cents.

**lovemachine97(Version 2)** · 12.20.06, 09:19 PM

Roland Cube 15 for $95, or if you can swing it, the new Cube 20x for $159. They sound great, and the 20 has a tuner and effects built in...

The micro-cube is only $125, and it has the effects, but while its 2 watts are louder than you think, and the battery option is cool, the sound quality on the 20x and 15 are much better...

Bar none the best sounding, most versatile amps I can find in the price range. I highly recommend trying one.

Check out the 20x Summer NAMM video here:

http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...21&ParentId=57

**Eddie's Little Monster** · 12.20.06, 09:37 PM

Vox Pathfinder

**tommywho5150** · 12.21.06, 02:34 AM

if u are condidering a stomp box approach, take a look at the digitech rp80, it had tons of amp modelling features along with a ton of other effects, including the amazing wammy, i have 1 i use for bedroom noodling through a 10w practice amp and manage to get a pretty close approximation to the original brown sound and the tone ed used for balance, the pedal also has a built in expression control for realtime changes, which can be set to alter the wammy, gain phaser, flanger, or whatever effect u want,
the u.k. price for it is £90 so i would assume the u.s. price is around $90-$100
making it very good value for money in my opinion

hope this is of help

**HipCat5** · 12.21.06, 04:56 AM

A modeler like the Digitech or the Behringer V-Amp series will get you very far. I prefer the Behringer V-Amp 2 for under $100 over the Digitech series. The V-Amp 2 has a GREAT modern high gain tone and if you tweak it with your PC, you can get some excellent brown tones.

I've since upgraded to the V-Ampire, but when I had a V-Amp 2, I ran it through many different power amps (everything from little 5 watt units to 100 watt Boogie power amps to house PA's) and it always had nice tone (never incredibly loud though).

If you can find one used somewhere for like $50, grab that and a cheap practice amp and you'll be set for a little while.

Good Luck