Metropoulos Forum

My current band has a great drummer, solid bass player, decent front man, and 2 guitarists (myself, and rhythm). Problem is that the bass player and I completely smother the rhythm player. (He plays an older Marshall Mg that is really small.)

I need some suggestions for an amp that'll keep up with my Traynor Bassmaster w/2-12 cab.

His Criteria:
50 watts (mv or non mv)
all-tube
toneful
Under $500
any suggestions you guys can give me to pass would be greatly appreciated!

Look into the Pro-Tube AOR, and AOR II series by Laney. 50 watt models seem to be fairly easy to come by on eBay. Should be able to get one under $500 for sure. Good MV rock amp, with not bad cleans IMO. These amps can be picky about preamp tubes in my experience. [/end of Laney Pro Tube plug]

EDIT: Forgot to mention that some of the AOR's (not the Pro-Tube by itself) has a bass boost that's absolutely insane, there's a good chance your bass player will be drowned out. AOR II's seem to be around $400, while the AOR seems around $300 give or take. I picked up a 6 knob for $250, but preamp tubes needed replacing for sure.

I've seen some decent sounding used Fender amps that runs around that price range on ebay.

Fender Hotrod Deville 2x12
FENDER DEVILLE HOT ROD 4x10
Fender Blues Deville 4 x 10

I'd stick with a 2x12 or 4x10 type amp.
I was never fond of the tones from single speaker amps.... not enough "swirl".

Not "boteek" stuff, but they do sound OK for what they are.

my 2cents.

thanks dudes! I'll start relaying these suggestions to him!!!

travis

might try and hunt down a Mig 50.

Thanks Man!!

wheres the best place to start looking for a Mig 50?

google & ebay

I picked up a PV valveking 100 watt head just cause it was $399 and now my Marshall stays home and I use the PV for gigs! They also have combos too in 100 and 50 watt. Nice amp for the price. It doesn't sound quite as good as my Marshall but its damn close.
RR

I was wondering about the Valve King! Does it give a decent clean sound? I'll get him to go check out a Valve King and keep an eye on ebay.


Thanks again guys,
Travis

Yea the clean channel is decent. I use it with an acoustic sim and it sounds pretty good. Its almost a 3 channel amp. It also has a gain/volume (one or the other or both) boost with a pedal click. 6L6 power tubes. I like it and my band mates like it too. Quiet as a mouse even with the hi gain on. I am running it thru a quad of V-30's. You might want to change out the stock speakers on the combo though. I bought my head new in the box. I have this issue with buying used amps. I feel you would be better off with new and a warenty. I have been burned before. All I need to do now is convince the wife I need a Metro.
RR

awesome man, definately a strong contender!