I've been keeping an eye out for one of these but haven't been able to snag one yet. I just started this video, and I don't know if he mentions them or not, but you can get a Crate Blue Voodoo for a really good price now $200 or less
I got a Windsor years back for $80. The store couldn't figure out why it didn't work and said it would cost more to send it back to get it fixed. I asked what they'd bone it out for and the salesman said 'How much do you have in your wallet?' I said '$80.' He looked at me for about 5 seconds and said 'Sold!' I did the exact same thing with a Bogner Alchemist. $80 and a few pedals for trade. Both amps only needed the tubes pushed in all they way and worked perfect after.
I bought a Windsor 100w head 10 years ago. There was a video on YT talking about how they were developed to compete directly with the JCM800. Its a great amp. Grab it if you can find one. I've been watching for one in my area with no luck.
I have owned two. Paid 300 for each. Fantastic amps. This is just my opinion, but I believe the regular covered ones (not the furry ones) are a little better, but I could be imagining it. I toured and recorded with a x100b as my primary amp for a decade and it was a workhouse and I often got compliments on it.
Nice video. I've had good luck with Crate VC50's and the VFX5212, both of which are still offered for just a few hundred $. The 80's Laney Pro Tube and Pro Tube Leads have been great for me too. You can still get them for around $800. In fact, I picked up a 50 watt PTL head for only $100 at an auction. The deals are definitely out there.
I just bought a vox practice amp with the British flag on the grill cloth because it looked cool. Just tested it and it sounds like trash, but not bad for practice amp as it's intended. Think im gonna donate to a guy I know that wants to learn
I bought my Mesa Nomad fifty five for $450... Peavey Valve Kings go for around $200, and don't forget about the Carvin MTS and Valvemaster. Both can be found in the 2-300 range
Robert, you've done it again. I just found myself purchasing a Peavey Windsor head thanks to a hint in this video. It had its first run in our rehearsals yesterday. For a doom guy like me it's a no-frills work horse, lots of power in one channel, working and simple enough EQ section, very decent sounding. Doesn't really do cleans, but in this context it doesn't matter. For the quality and sound it was a dirt cheap and no-brainer solution. Thanks, man!
Any Peavey tube amp I've had I've loved. I have the Classic 20, and had a Windsor 20 combo, and a 6505. Amazing value! Next on my list of cheaper amps is a Bugera 5w
I'm happy to see Crate Blue Voodoo made the list. If you like the 120, the 150 & 300 are even better. They don't come up as often, but when they do they're usually less than $800
Sovtek MiG 100! Slightly radioactive? Only way to go! Why does no one take me seriously about the “radioactive” part of my amp? Not kidding! The thing is in fact radioactive!
Bugera makes decent stuff for a good price. It's true the early models had a lot of issues, but they have mostly been fixed with the Infinium line. I can also attest to Blackstar, they are mid-priced new but on the used market they are practically given away. Very versatile amplifiers. I would also recommend Jet City amps. They are based on the Soldano SLO 100 and the build quality is supposed to be pretty good.
They had only one issue with one molex connector and internet made a big deal out of it. Headbangers were stupid enough not to investigate, and bash the cr*# out of them. Otherwise they are top notch amplifiers. But in a way i am glad Bugera is hated, as i buy their used 100w heads for 150$. If you have the first models, just ditch the molex and solder few wires directly to PCB.
Yes sir! I have a friend with a new Infinium 5w head. It's awesome! Also, I have a Blackstar Ht5 head and matching cab in the cream colour. It looks great, to the point I can keep it in my living room and my girlfriend doesn't mind. But it sounds perfect as well, especially at the low power setting when it's cranked. It's plenty loud to where if I turn it up on the full power, the neighbors get pissed.
Great list! The only amps I would add would be the Sovtek MIG 50/60/100 and the Jet City JCA100H/100HDM. I plan on buying a majority of this list in the future lol
Happy to see the Peavy Classic 100 on this list. I own a Peavy Classic 50 combo tube amp and the Classic 20 head. They are both great so I'm glad one of these models made your list!
I agree with the Crate Blue Voodoo. I actually used one back in the 90s and I did not used most of my drive and distortion pedals. The drive channel is already good enough. Yes I miss that amp.
I was laid off for only 4 weeks and I took my $1200 and bought a used Friedman PT-20 (Pink Taco 20 watt). But any on your list would have been a great choice. My father used to have a club on the north side and we had live music. We had a house band and they would just set up their gear and leave it. The lead guitarist had a B52 100w head and matching cab. It sounded great. Full, loud, loads of bottom end and just a well rounded tone. I would take my guitar in after hours and jam on it. Loved the hell out of that thing. He would not sell it once we sold the place.
I remember the Blue Voodoo amps coming out when I was about 14. I was playing through a 50 watt Crate bass amp at the time and the guitarist in our band ended up with the Blue Voodoo 120......and I could no longer be heard. That amp was LOUD!!! 26 years later, my ears are still ringing from it. It sounded incredible, too.......until my ear drums melted from it.
Hey man I love your videos and all and really like that you mentioned Krank. I own a Krank Revolution and 2 4x12 cabinets, possibly within the first 20 ever made. I think you may have misspoke when you said Dimebag played Krankenstein amps. As far as I know he only ever played Krank Revolutions. The Krankenstein amps were released after his passing but he did want his own signature amp with Krank so they released a line as his own with modifications he suggested to the Krank Revolution 1.
Great video 👍 I personally have a mint Carvin MTS 3200H that I bought eight years ago for $200 currently outfitted with JJ's that I will never part with. It currently pushes a 4x12 Cab consisting of 2 WGS ET-65's and 2 WGS Retro 30's. It is by far the best rig I have ever owned. From the clean tone to high gain, it is nothing short of phenomenal.
The Carvin X100 and/or it's solid state brethren (SX100) has been used for layering on every System of a Down album from their first Demo to the double album they released right before hiatus. He usually paired it with a Plexi, and either a Dual Rec or a JCM or something. On Toxicity, the main tones were from the Mesa, with the Plexi and Carvin as layering for hexatracked guitars. On the first album, they were quad tracked through a JCM and the Carvin.
Tip from an old man.An electronics repairman once told me in audio equipment/combo guitar amps and heads-“If it’s heavy,it’s built well and has good components inside.”Just some food for thought.
I had a blue voodoo 60 and i loved it.I changed the power transformer to a mercury transformer and did a lot of recording with it these amps are really good and are very reliable.The gain was amazing.Then i traded it plus some cash for a 5150 2.What a mistake!!!! I tried to buy it back he said no.but i was very happy to see it on the list these amps are great.I just bought the 120 from guitar center for 325.00 and it was in super clean condition,planning on replacing the transformers and a few other things but i cant speak highly enough about these amps great video subbed as well.
Spot on with the carvin v3 🤘🏻 years back tossed the dice. Ordered a full stack. Custom specs all over it. Thing has cleans that will challenge my fender hot rod deluxe. Has enough grit to run with my 5150. Such a fantastic amp.
I found a Carvin MTS (Master Tube Series) 3200 head in mint condition for $400 a couple months ago. Runs at 50 or 100 watts at the flick of a switch. 6L6GC powered. Sounds glorious through my Washburn 4x12 with Celestion G12T-75's. I highly recommend getting one if you can.
After your glowing review of the Laney IRT Studio, I'm surprised to see it absent from this list. I bought one after your recommendation, and it is the center of my bedroom setup. I love it. Great video!
OMG that intro was awesome your facial expressions made me laugh so hard I had tears ... great info on used amps . One of the best videos you ever made in my opinion. One of the best videos I've ever seen on RUclips. Great info excellent knowledge and entertaining RGD you rock.
Very cool to see the old Blue Voodoo on this list. Seems like Crate gets a bad rap sometimes, for whatever reason, but I love my BV-120. I always say - if it's good enough for Buck Dharma, it's good enough for me. Rock on, Robert.
This was last year and very situational but I got my Marshall SL-X w 1960A cab for $900! Just be patient and comb CL and local shops, you'll find a good deal out there.
Great list! Ive been eyeballing that blue voodoo for a while now. Been loving my triple rectifier for about 5 years now, bought it a pawn shop for $200. Wasnt working, changed the tubes and a few caps and bingo! Downside is that it has A LOT of tubes
Lol I laughed at this. Oh yeah my stimulus went to gear. Ordered parts from Warmoth to build my own. Giving that a try. However I can attest to all.your Marshall choices. I have had all of them. Huge fan of the dsl 100. Really versatile amp.
Fun video! There are some classics in that list for sure. I'd love to see an "under $300" list - there are some pretty good amps for next to nothing, like the Peavey ValveKing 100 which you can find for around $250 if you look hard enough. I'm with you about Peavey - I have the ValveKing 20 head and I still like it a lot. But yeah, it's not going to compete with a JCM 800.
Valveking100s are a great value and have an amazing clean channel and the lead channel just screams when u hit the volume boost switch. though the version 2 valveking100s with the autenuater fell short and overheated even with the front and back grills taken off. also the class A class A/B knob on them is a great feature.
Yeah, when he said “affordable” in the title, I wasn’t thinking used prices. The first thing that came to my mind was the Valveking. And he’s talking amps that were multiples of the Valveking “new” price. I don’t have the 100W head but I do have the 50W VK112 and it is capable of some pretty amazing tones. But to get those tones, you’ve got to drive the speaker pretty hard, and even at 50W, it’ll make your ears bleed. Sound engineers are preferring small amps these days, especially in small venues. But even the huge cabs you see behind the major touring acts are empty. It’s all mostly direct preamp stuff, because it’s so much easier to mix FOH. I can’t imagine needing that 100W Valveking for much of anything.
The valveking 100s are amazing amps for the price. Just don't use the stock peavey speakers, they do the amp nk justice.. I have a valveking 100 sitting under a xxx on top of my cab. It holds its own and when you take into consideration you get them used between 200 and 250 they're hard to beat. I have a XXX, a 5150, and a DSL100, and I would put it up against any of them.
Good list. For us players who love clean amps that take pedals well I'd like to add the late 60's early 70's Fender Bassman heads. You can still pick them up for 800 or less. I've been rocking my 67 for nearly 20 years now, live and home use and have only had to replace the power tubes. Killer clean tone, takes pedals well, and built like tanks.
I have one of the old Peavey Valvekings that I bought for less than $200. Paired with Celestion Vintage 30's, It sounds pretty decent and doesn't break the bank. I had one of the B-52 AT100's back in the day too. It was an amazing amp! My all time favorite though was my Carvin XB60. My favorite amp ever!
@@RobertWJackson I bought a pair a year ago and it took little time to tune my ears to the tone and the room placement. I love when you talk about the JCM 800, the best amp ever for me man.
Good Review! I agree with most of what you said on here. I was impressed with the Peavey 3120, and I also used to own the B52 AT100 and while I agree it had killer tone, I thought it was a bit noisey, but very much Dual Rectifier sounding, great tone! I also had a Peavey Windsor and I had to just go out and purchase one again and hoping to like it more this time! LOL I'm mostly a Marshall guy, but Peavey has my heart too, they've really made some great stuff over the years, I own a Classic 30, a 2x12 Classic 50, thinking about maybe getting the 410 version too, but would like to find a Classic 50 or 100 head. The Classic series is one of Peavey's Best Productions! I regret selling my XXX and my JSX (XXX with Joe Satriani's killer noise gate and cool chrome grill) a couple more of Peavey's greatest moments. I'm looking at a 5150 as well. I have G.A.S. really bad.....LOL
I was surprised to see the El Diablo on this list. It's a HIGHLY underrated amp. I've found you can get any sound you want out of this amp, and the cleans are amazing. And then the 3 effects loops. These get a lot of hate because there's definitely a learning curve that most players don't have the patience for. But if you stick it out, you'll be rewarded!
I own a x100b from the 80's. Great amp great sounding great for pedals. I have found that both mine and a friend of mine both have the same issue of the fuses blowing all the time. And yes we do use slow blow fuses. We just run through the fuses.
That’s interesting. Myself and a buddy of mine both have x100b, with the regular wrap, not the fuzzy ones and I have never had any issues with fuses. It was my primary amp head for many, many years and I moved on to various different amps. Recently I bought a Marshall JCM600 and was thinking it might pair well with the x100b and brought it out of the basement. Just got some new tubes in it, but it needs biasing and It needs a tune up for sure as it’s been 10 years+ since I used it though.
I have two amps on here in combo versions, I have a British made DSL 401 and a vintage 1960’s Ampeg Reverberocket 2. Both are killer amps, the Marshall is great for everything and the Ampeg can do anything from its era. The Ampeg is of course a vintage amp with two 7591 power tubes and for a vintage amp at its price is great. It needed capacitors but I’m a tech so that wasn’t a problem. The Marshall is in mint shape with the cover and everything, it’s just missing a foot on the bottom.
I have two tube amps that are underrated. The Crate GT 500 head and the Pignose G40V designed by Dennis Kager. Got 2 GT 500s for less than 150 and 2 Pignoses for less than 200. They have a nice warm sound but can get raunchy - the Crates are two channel with EL84s and the PIgnoses are 6L6s single channel. The only drawback these days are tubes mounted on the circuit boards because the boards get hot. Another missing item is tube rectifiers for that "sag".
Hi Robert! I like when you post videos like these because I learn about a few things I didn't know about, and I see things that I remember very well too! I do remember the Blue Voodoo Crate amps, and tried them out in the stores when they were new, and I thought they sounded pretty damned good. I also remember some of the Peavey amps you listed, and was a bit surprised that there weren't more of the older tube heads listed here. Some of those had HUGE guitar tones. One that you listed that I didn't know about was the Genz-Benz.' I do know their 4x12 reflex cabs are the ultimate monster guitar cabs ever, especially if you want that killer low end. I will look into this head further though, because I'm very curious. As always, informative and entertaining! Thank you for posting! (BTW, I did pick pick up a new job as a QC inspector, so I'm not blowing any stimulus money LOL)!
Been thinking the new guitar route. Particularly a new EVH Standard. But Im open minded. I like amps too. I'll add a Peavey XXX to the list for good less than $800 used amps. Father of the 3120.
I have a really nice blue voodoo for sale. 60 watt 2x12. Great amp. It's near mint too. Just serviced had the power caps replaced, input jack replaced, re soldered everything and new power tubes.
I have a USA made Blue Voodoo and damn it's great. I don't like the gain channel too much so I use the clean channel and just put OD in front of it. I got a deal for it, 200 with a 4x12 cab and a foot switch. It's LOUD and sounds pretty great.
I still own a JCM900 SLX and JCM2000 DSL, both 50 watters and they still are fantastic amps. The value of what i paid to the current value has definitely depreciated but i still love both of em. But a repair tech a couple hours north of me ( who now has a youtube channel) outright trashed those amps when i took one to him to get fixed. He said " The last real tube marshall was a jcm800, this is just solidstate" and that really has pissed me off ever since he said that. And im glad you mentioned the Ampeg Reverbrocket! It debuted at nearly the same time as the JCM2000 and they were incredibly cool and sadly forgotten. Used a lot of the same technology with each other actually Love these lists, Mr. Robert!
@Mikey Gabbard A lot of corksniffers say that the 900’s “cheat” because they use diodes in the gain stages, but they don’t like to admit that the tubes still play as much of a role in those amps as they do in anything else. I’m no amp tech, but that’s how I understand it. Regardless, mine still sounds kickass.
@@RobertWJackson youre 100% correct on this. Fact of the matter is most every amp made past 1990 utilizes some form of diode clipping if you get down inside of them. The mere fact of a printed circuit board with any IC furthers this and there's a reason for it: it pushes the amp further than any flat tube gain design can. But it hardly makes it a solidstate by any means. It doesnt even qualify as a hybrid by that logic. And the fact is: i have no issue with hybrid or solidstate as long as the amp can produce a great sound you can use. I might not ever understand these guys sometimes with this snubbery or as you put it beautifully: corksniffers. I could counter argue someone like this tech i mentioned as being not as skilled as he claims, by favoring something like an 800 or earlier for its simplicity and not being able to work on a modern amp due to it's intricacies.
I bought a 90s fender tweed hotrod deluxe 60w 2x12 combo for 350. Usa handwired and versatile A.F. has not met a pedal it does not like. Sounds great at low volumes and cranked. Was actually shopping for a head initially but so glad I pulled the trigger.
Robert I really enjoy your videos brother, I have a Peavey Ultra 120 an absolutely killer 3 channel amp that was the grandfather to the 5150, that Senergy amp company is coming on strong, very hard to ignore
I’ve got a VK100 paired with the Sheffield 4x12 M/S cab. It’s the only amp I’ve ever had that when it’s on 3 you feel it in your face and at 16ohm 7 will melt your face off. Bought the amp and cab for $400!
I got my Thrasher as a wedding gift from my father in law. Told me it had to much gain for him lol. I found a guy selling a 6505 20 watt for pretty cheap that I’m picking up Thursday. I have a feeling it’s just going to make me want the full sized version lol
I bought the Epiphone valve junior a decade ago. $150 it sounds amazing and going strong. It's my favorite amp I've owned. I had a Mesa triple rectifier which I loved but could never turn up past 2 at gigs before the sound guy would ask me to turn down lol.
Lst iteration of the x100b is a monster a perfect amp and beautiful tones. It's far from a one truck pony. Too bad all these prices are two years old. Way more now.
It is so funny that people are just now learning about Steve Vai and the X100B.. Frank Zappa was given these and this was Steve Vai's very first endorsement amp and it started his relationship with Carvin to make the Legacy Amp.. I am sorry but I am truly glad that with the Legacy amp that he stepped away from the Marshall sound (brown sound).. I will give you props on the Blue Voodoo I owned the 120 series and ran 2 half stacks for years and really miss those amps but the price point of them today are about $550 and in pretty rough shape from some i saw on Ebay but with a lot of love and a few hundred to spare to upgrade it you would have a top selection of amp especially in the studio.. What i thought was funny was i had mine for a few years before everyone that saw mine told me that Megadeth was sporting Blue Voodoo Live and had a major endorsement with them for a few years but Crate did make a very unique Solid State amp called the Excaliber and people are asking about $500 for it 220w Solid State amp and with a Digitech tube pedal I think it was like the RP16 or something it had an amazing sound also but what was cool about the original was it had the logo from Excalibur the movie logo with the little sword and all under the name but with a tube pedal that thing was simply awesome and i cant say i ever saw anything close since
@@RobertWJackson I have seen them posted on ebay and guitar center. A few look like they found them in a old storage unit and realize they have tubes so they can charge alot for them.. If I had of seen $235 I would of bought 2 of them but no seriously people are asking big bucks here the last month ..
Great video! So many great affordable amps on the used market. I love my Peaveys. Would be cool to see a video on the cheapest gig ready rig you can find on the used market. Could probably get below $400 if you go solid state amp.
I had the first edition Blue Voodoo as well! I miss it; I got rid of it when I got on the Line 6 trip. I currently own one of the later black versions.
I always thought the JCM2000 was seriously under-rated , certainly in the UK market, which is where I hang out... Also; super informative videos...so I subscribed ...woohoo
Robert I've shared my love of Crate with you before. Have the Blue Voodoo 120 I got for under $300, Just spent $350 for a minty Peavey Windsor. I play them through a crazy genz-benz 4x12 cabinet. So hard to get deep into without disturbing the neighbors. Ha!
Marshall Class 5, if you can find one cheap is a great head.Prices are going up though.If you crank it ,you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a 5 watt head.
I was always cautious when it came to the JCM900 amps because so many people said they sound bad, well I took a punt and paid $150 AU and swapped a JCM800 1960A cab with G12t-75's that I paid $200 AU for, for a 50watt JCM900 SL-X untested. I got it home fired it up and it sounds fantastic, without a boost pedal. If all the people who have never played one keep crapping on them it will keep a great amp affordable and like me others can get a steal as well.
Yep, the SL-X’s are awesome. Like you, I’m not in any hurry to make sure the world knows how awesome the JCM 900’s are. I already have one, but I’d sure love to own one or two more.
i have owned Peavey amps for a long time,,,an Ultra 120 for 20 years,,before that a Triumph 120 both still affordable great sounding heads ,when you can find them
My vote is also for awesome but I think underrated Peavey Windsor
Totally agree. I managed to nab one for $150. Checked all the tubes and found no need to replace any of them.
I've been keeping an eye out for one of these but haven't been able to snag one yet. I just started this video, and I don't know if he mentions them or not, but you can get a Crate Blue Voodoo for a really good price now $200 or less
I got a Windsor years back for $80. The store couldn't figure out why it didn't work and said it would cost more to send it back to get it fixed. I asked what they'd bone it out for and the salesman said 'How much do you have in your wallet?' I said '$80.' He looked at me for about 5 seconds and said 'Sold!'
I did the exact same thing with a Bogner Alchemist. $80 and a few pedals for trade.
Both amps only needed the tubes pushed in all they way and worked perfect after.
I bought a Windsor 100w head 10 years ago. There was a video on YT talking about how they were developed to compete directly with the JCM800. Its a great amp. Grab it if you can find one. I've been watching for one in my area with no luck.
@@WalkenDead Hold out for one, you wont regret it.
Finally you mentioned my dream amp. The Carvin x100b.
I have owned two. Paid 300 for each. Fantastic amps. This is just my opinion, but I believe the regular covered ones (not the furry ones) are a little better, but I could be imagining it.
I toured and recorded with a x100b as my primary amp for a decade and it was a workhouse and I often got compliments on it.
IMO Jet City deserved a spot on this list.
Nice video. I've had good luck with Crate VC50's and the VFX5212, both of which are still offered for just a few hundred $. The 80's Laney Pro Tube and Pro Tube Leads have been great for me too. You can still get them for around $800. In fact, I picked up a 50 watt PTL head for only $100 at an auction. The deals are definitely out there.
Let's be honest here, as long as we and our families aren't starving, we bought at least one piece of gear lol
My new Gibson Original Collection Les Paul Standard 50's Wildwood Select in Dark Cherry Burst with upgraded top and pickups arrives today on Fedex.
I bought a Marshall dsl100hr and a new strat. My girlfriend hates me lol
@@richfiryn woah I need pics
I just bought a vox practice amp with the British flag on the grill cloth because it looked cool. Just tested it and it sounds like trash, but not bad for practice amp as it's intended. Think im gonna donate to a guy I know that wants to learn
I would but I have no space and need bigger place before I can even think about buying more gear!
I bought my Mesa Nomad fifty five for $450... Peavey Valve Kings go for around $200, and don't forget about the Carvin MTS and Valvemaster. Both can be found in the 2-300 range
Love my Carvin MTS3200 and Carvin NoMad
Robert, you've done it again. I just found myself purchasing a Peavey Windsor head thanks to a hint in this video. It had its first run in our rehearsals yesterday. For a doom guy like me it's a no-frills work horse, lots of power in one channel, working and simple enough EQ section, very decent sounding. Doesn't really do cleans, but in this context it doesn't matter. For the quality and sound it was a dirt cheap and no-brainer solution. Thanks, man!
Awesome man! I’m actually subtly looking for one of those myself.
Isnt the Windsor a hot rodded Plexi copy?
It’s definitely along those lines, though the Windsor doesn’t sound identical to a hot-rodded Plexi. I like mine.
Love love love your "Top 10 or 15" type lists man!!!!! KEEP up the great work & info
Thanks man!
Any Peavey tube amp I've had I've loved. I have the Classic 20, and had a Windsor 20 combo, and a 6505. Amazing value!
Next on my list of cheaper amps is a Bugera 5w
I'm happy to see Crate Blue Voodoo made the list. If you like the 120, the 150 & 300 are even better. They don't come up as often, but when they do they're usually less than $800
Great amps. I just missed a half stack with the 120 head for $350, looked brand new. Bummer
Sovtek MiG 100! Slightly radioactive? Only way to go!
Why does no one take me seriously about the “radioactive” part of my amp?
Not kidding! The thing is in fact radioactive!
Bugera makes decent stuff for a good price. It's true the early models had a lot of issues, but they have mostly been fixed with the Infinium line. I can also attest to Blackstar, they are mid-priced new but on the used market they are practically given away. Very versatile amplifiers. I would also recommend Jet City amps. They are based on the Soldano SLO 100 and the build quality is supposed to be pretty good.
+1 for Jet City. I love my Soldano designed 100HDM. It has such a great high gain tone
They had only one issue with one molex connector and internet made a big deal out of it. Headbangers were stupid enough not to investigate, and bash the cr*# out of them. Otherwise they are top notch amplifiers. But in a way i am glad Bugera is hated, as i buy their used 100w heads for 150$. If you have the first models, just ditch the molex and solder few wires directly to PCB.
Yes sir! I have a friend with a new Infinium 5w head. It's awesome!
Also, I have a Blackstar Ht5 head and matching cab in the cream colour. It looks great, to the point I can keep it in my living room and my girlfriend doesn't mind. But it sounds perfect as well, especially at the low power setting when it's cranked. It's plenty loud to where if I turn it up on the full power, the neighbors get pissed.
Great list! The only amps I would add would be the Sovtek MIG 50/60/100 and the Jet City JCA100H/100HDM. I plan on buying a majority of this list in the future lol
The jet city is a beast!
Happy to see the Peavy Classic 100 on this list. I own a Peavy Classic 50 combo tube amp and the Classic 20 head. They are both great so I'm glad one of these models made your list!
Keep doing this lists Robert, you rock!
I agree with the Crate Blue Voodoo. I actually used one back in the 90s and I did not used most of my drive and distortion pedals. The drive channel is already good enough. Yes I miss that amp.
I was laid off for only 4 weeks and I took my $1200 and bought a used Friedman PT-20 (Pink Taco 20 watt). But any on your list would have been a great choice. My father used to have a club on the north side and we had live music. We had a house band and they would just set up their gear and leave it. The lead guitarist had a B52 100w head and matching cab. It sounded great. Full, loud, loads of bottom end and just a well rounded tone. I would take my guitar in after hours and jam on it. Loved the hell out of that thing. He would not sell it once we sold the place.
I remember the Blue Voodoo amps coming out when I was about 14. I was playing through a 50 watt Crate bass amp at the time and the guitarist in our band ended up with the Blue Voodoo 120......and I could no longer be heard. That amp was LOUD!!! 26 years later, my ears are still ringing from it. It sounded incredible, too.......until my ear drums melted from it.
Hey man I love your videos and all and really like that you mentioned Krank. I own a Krank Revolution and 2 4x12 cabinets, possibly within the first 20 ever made. I think you may have misspoke when you said Dimebag played Krankenstein amps. As far as I know he only ever played Krank Revolutions. The Krankenstein amps were released after his passing but he did want his own signature amp with Krank so they released a line as his own with modifications he suggested to the Krank Revolution 1.
Great video 👍 I personally have a mint Carvin MTS 3200H that I bought eight years ago for $200 currently outfitted with JJ's that I will never part with. It currently pushes a 4x12 Cab consisting of 2 WGS ET-65's and 2 WGS Retro 30's. It is by far the best rig I have ever owned. From the clean tone to high gain, it is nothing short of phenomenal.
The Carvin X100 and/or it's solid state brethren (SX100) has been used for layering on every System of a Down album from their first Demo to the double album they released right before hiatus. He usually paired it with a Plexi, and either a Dual Rec or a JCM or something. On Toxicity, the main tones were from the Mesa, with the Plexi and Carvin as layering for hexatracked guitars. On the first album, they were quad tracked through a JCM and the Carvin.
Yes! Crate made the list..... proudly own a Blue Voodoo BV120H myself..
🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Some amazing choices here. Thanks and keep up the great content!
Tip from an old man.An electronics repairman once told me in audio equipment/combo guitar amps and heads-“If it’s heavy,it’s built well and has good components inside.”Just some food for thought.
I have the El Diablo 60C. It’s a pretty wicked amp. The active EQ is a shade difficult to figure out at first. But it’s a kickass amp.
I have the B-52 AT100. Never had an issue. Great sounding amp. Just heavy to lug around.
I had a blue voodoo 60 and i loved it.I changed the power transformer to a mercury transformer and did a lot of recording with it these amps are really good and are very reliable.The gain was amazing.Then i traded it plus some cash for a 5150 2.What a mistake!!!! I tried to buy it back he said no.but i was very happy to see it on the list these amps are great.I just bought the 120 from guitar center for 325.00 and it was in super clean condition,planning on replacing the transformers and a few other things but i cant speak highly enough about these amps great video subbed as well.
Spot on with the carvin v3 🤘🏻 years back tossed the dice. Ordered a full stack. Custom specs all over it. Thing has cleans that will challenge my fender hot rod deluxe. Has enough grit to run with my 5150. Such a fantastic amp.
I found a Carvin MTS (Master Tube Series) 3200 head in mint condition for $400 a couple months ago. Runs at 50 or 100 watts at the flick of a switch. 6L6GC powered. Sounds glorious through my Washburn 4x12 with Celestion G12T-75's. I highly recommend getting one if you can.
My B52 AT100 has ran for years .. needs new tubes by now ..it still goes tho ,never a problem
I have a BV60H, and with a BBE Sonic Maximizer inserted in the effects loop it is awesome!
After your glowing review of the Laney IRT Studio, I'm surprised to see it absent from this list. I bought one after your recommendation, and it is the center of my bedroom setup. I love it. Great video!
The IRT-Studio is only 15 watts. Too wimpy compared to the rest of the amps on this list.
Thank you Robert - you’ve managed to double the prices on most of these amps in under 3 years. 😅 And I’m adjusting for inflation.
You’re welcome! 🤣🤣🤣
OMG that intro was awesome your facial expressions made me laugh so hard I had tears ... great info on used amps . One of the best videos you ever made in my opinion. One of the best videos I've ever seen on RUclips. Great info excellent knowledge and entertaining RGD you rock.
Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed it!
@@RobertWJackson yours is one of the few channels I allow notifications 😁🎸🔊🌎🤘
Very cool to see the old Blue Voodoo on this list. Seems like Crate gets a bad rap sometimes, for whatever reason, but I love my BV-120. I always say - if it's good enough for Buck Dharma, it's good enough for me. Rock on, Robert.
Sammy hagar used them 2 I believe
@@ThunderFalcon333 Very cool.
I named my red LP "Sammy" after the man himself.
I just replaced my Vodoo with a Mark V and I'm not selling the Crate.
But I bet it needed MOAR cow bell!
Those carvin v3 are really good!
This was last year and very situational but I got my Marshall SL-X w 1960A cab for $900! Just be patient and comb CL and local shops, you'll find a good deal out there.
Same price I paid for my Dual Reverb with 1960B, but this was 10 years ago haha
Great list! Ive been eyeballing that blue voodoo for a while now. Been loving my triple rectifier for about 5 years now, bought it a pawn shop for $200. Wasnt working, changed the tubes and a few caps and bingo! Downside is that it has A LOT of tubes
There's one on guitar centers website right now.. Just type in crate and you'll see it $
300
Yea! I've been waiting for this 😎 thanks Rob
@@tophertaylor69 *Roberts Guitar Dungeon*
Who THE FUCK is Rob? Did somebody change the name of this channel to “Rob’s Guitar Dungeon” and forget you inform me about it?
@@RobertWJackson *Lightning strikes* dun dun dun!!!
Lol I laughed at this. Oh yeah my stimulus went to gear. Ordered parts from Warmoth to build my own. Giving that a try.
However I can attest to all.your Marshall choices. I have had all of them. Huge fan of the dsl 100. Really versatile amp.
Building your own is a lot of fun - working on guitars is a whole nuther rabbit hole to go down, as they say.
Fun video! There are some classics in that list for sure. I'd love to see an "under $300" list - there are some pretty good amps for next to nothing, like the Peavey ValveKing 100 which you can find for around $250 if you look hard enough. I'm with you about Peavey - I have the ValveKing 20 head and I still like it a lot. But yeah, it's not going to compete with a JCM 800.
Valveking100s are a great value and have an amazing clean channel and the lead channel just screams when u hit the volume boost switch. though the version 2 valveking100s with the autenuater fell short and overheated even with the front and back grills taken off. also the class A class A/B knob on them is a great feature.
Yeah, when he said “affordable” in the title, I wasn’t thinking used prices. The first thing that came to my mind was the Valveking. And he’s talking amps that were multiples of the Valveking “new” price.
I don’t have the 100W head but I do have the 50W VK112 and it is capable of some pretty amazing tones. But to get those tones, you’ve got to drive the speaker pretty hard, and even at 50W, it’ll make your ears bleed.
Sound engineers are preferring small amps these days, especially in small venues. But even the huge cabs you see behind the major touring acts are empty. It’s all mostly direct preamp stuff, because it’s so much easier to mix FOH.
I can’t imagine needing that 100W Valveking for much of anything.
The valveking 100s are amazing amps for the price. Just don't use the stock peavey speakers, they do the amp nk justice.. I have a valveking 100 sitting under a xxx on top of my cab. It holds its own and when you take into consideration you get them used between 200 and 250 they're hard to beat. I have a XXX, a 5150, and a DSL100, and I would put it up against any of them.
@@countzero5150 The ValveKing is pretty versatile. Definitely an underrated amp and a killer choice in the used amp market.
Fortin amps were around before Mike was contracted with Randall. The Trasher was an import take on the NATAS.
Dude, are just too funny! I love your videos!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I actually have one of the JCM2000 DSL100s!
It’s one of the best amps I’ve played through, absolutely love it!
Nice that I own three on the list.
The gnat er is a sweet amp yup.
I had it's little brother.
Sold it no regrets.
Your input is always interesting.
Hi Robert :-)
Once again killer video:-)
Very informative, special for us from outside USA (Germany)...
Have a nice and healthy sunday:-)
finally a crate amp gets thrown into a positive review😁 i owned 2 crates and i dont get why they receive so much hate.
I like Crate amps. Always have. 😉
My Blue Voodoo is tried and true! Makes my neighbors pull their hair out to this day!
Just got a Blue Voodoo thanks to you 🤟🤟
🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Good list. For us players who love clean amps that take pedals well I'd like to add the late 60's early 70's Fender Bassman heads. You can still pick them up for 800 or less. I've been rocking my 67 for nearly 20 years now, live and home use and have only had to replace the power tubes. Killer clean tone, takes pedals well, and built like tanks.
I had the crate bv60 head and cab. (Blue Tolex and gold logo) I liked that amp better than any high end amp I ever owned prior to my PRS archon 100
Oh man...Genz Benz, what a long lost memory
I have one of the old Peavey Valvekings that I bought for less than $200. Paired with Celestion Vintage 30's, It sounds pretty decent and doesn't break the bank. I had one of the B-52 AT100's back in the day too. It was an amazing amp! My all time favorite though was my Carvin XB60. My favorite amp ever!
Bought a Randall pro tube 2 cream tolex for $175 $100 in tubes. Been a gem the past 15 years. Zero issues.
love those Kali Monitors
They’re great, aren’t they?
@@RobertWJackson I bought a pair a year ago and it took little time to tune my ears to the tone and the room placement. I love when you talk about the JCM 800, the best amp ever for me man.
Good Review! I agree with most of what you said on here. I was impressed with the Peavey 3120, and I also used to own the B52 AT100 and while I agree it had killer tone, I thought it was a bit noisey, but very much Dual Rectifier sounding, great tone! I also had a Peavey Windsor and I had to just go out and purchase one again and hoping to like it more this time! LOL I'm mostly a Marshall guy, but Peavey has my heart too, they've really made some great stuff over the years, I own a Classic 30, a 2x12 Classic 50, thinking about maybe getting the 410 version too, but would like to find a Classic 50 or 100 head. The Classic series is one of Peavey's Best Productions! I regret selling my XXX and my JSX (XXX with Joe Satriani's killer noise gate and cool chrome grill) a couple more of Peavey's greatest moments. I'm looking at a 5150 as well. I have G.A.S. really bad.....LOL
I was surprised to see the El Diablo on this list. It's a HIGHLY underrated amp. I've found you can get any sound you want out of this amp, and the cleans are amazing. And then the 3 effects loops. These get a lot of hate because there's definitely a learning curve that most players don't have the patience for. But if you stick it out, you'll be rewarded!
exactly. most "players", while us musicians and craftsmen artists..... understand the machine
I thought you may have included the Peavy JSX 120! Definitely a killer amp .Jerry
Totally agree re jcm900! Killer amp
I own a x100b from the 80's. Great amp great sounding great for pedals. I have found that both mine and a friend of mine both have the same issue of the fuses blowing all the time. And yes we do use slow blow fuses. We just run through the fuses.
That’s interesting. Myself and a buddy of mine both have x100b, with the regular wrap, not the fuzzy ones and I have never had any issues with fuses.
It was my primary amp head for many, many years and I moved on to various different amps. Recently I bought a Marshall JCM600 and was thinking it might pair well with the x100b and brought it out of the basement. Just got some new tubes in it, but it needs biasing and It needs a tune up for sure as it’s been 10 years+ since I used it though.
I have two amps on here in combo versions, I have a British made DSL 401 and a vintage 1960’s Ampeg Reverberocket 2. Both are killer amps, the Marshall is great for everything and the Ampeg can do anything from its era. The Ampeg is of course a vintage amp with two 7591 power tubes and for a vintage amp at its price is great. It needed capacitors but I’m a tech so that wasn’t a problem. The Marshall is in mint shape with the cover and everything, it’s just missing a foot on the bottom.
I have two tube amps that are underrated. The Crate GT 500 head and the Pignose G40V designed by Dennis Kager. Got 2 GT 500s for less than 150 and 2 Pignoses for less than 200. They have a nice warm sound but can get raunchy - the Crates are two channel with EL84s and the PIgnoses are 6L6s single channel. The only drawback these days are tubes mounted on the circuit boards because the boards get hot. Another missing item is tube rectifiers for that "sag".
Hi Robert! I like when you post videos like these because I learn about a few things I didn't know about, and I see things that I remember very well too!
I do remember the Blue Voodoo Crate amps, and tried them out in the stores when they were new, and I thought they sounded pretty damned good.
I also remember some of the Peavey amps you listed, and was a bit surprised that there weren't more of the older tube heads listed here. Some of those had HUGE guitar tones.
One that you listed that I didn't know about was the Genz-Benz.' I do know their 4x12 reflex cabs are the ultimate monster guitar cabs ever, especially if you want that killer low end. I will look into this head further though, because I'm very curious.
As always, informative and entertaining! Thank you for posting!
(BTW, I did pick pick up a new job as a QC inspector, so I'm not blowing any stimulus money LOL)!
I had the am Diablo 100 head and thought all the gain channels were awful but the cleans were heaven
Been thinking the new guitar route. Particularly a new EVH Standard. But Im open minded. I like amps too. I'll add a Peavey XXX to the list for good less than $800 used amps. Father of the 3120.
I have a really nice blue voodoo for sale. 60 watt 2x12. Great amp. It's near mint too. Just serviced had the power caps replaced, input jack replaced, re soldered everything and new power tubes.
Thanks Robert. You gave me (not my wife 😉😁) some great ideas. Thanks and have a great week.
The Peavey Windsor is a great anp and super cheap on Reverb.
I know, I’m thinking about grabbing one, actually. LOL
Glenn Fricker has talked about them as well and how awesome they are.
Give the Windsor a once over I bought one new and it had some assembly issues The used market should be good
I know that early Bugera amps have a lot of issues, but my 1990 120w head from like 2008-2009 works perfectly. I guess I got lucky with the amp, idk 😅
I have a USA made Blue Voodoo and damn it's great. I don't like the gain channel too much so I use the clean channel and just put OD in front of it. I got a deal for it, 200 with a 4x12 cab and a foot switch. It's LOUD and sounds pretty great.
I still own a JCM900 SLX and JCM2000 DSL, both 50 watters and they still are fantastic amps. The value of what i paid to the current value has definitely depreciated but i still love both of em. But a repair tech a couple hours north of me ( who now has a youtube channel) outright trashed those amps when i took one to him to get fixed. He said " The last real tube marshall was a jcm800, this is just solidstate" and that really has pissed me off ever since he said that.
And im glad you mentioned the Ampeg Reverbrocket! It debuted at nearly the same time as the JCM2000 and they were incredibly cool and sadly forgotten. Used a lot of the same technology with each other actually
Love these lists, Mr. Robert!
Solid state?!?! 😂 😂 😂 Are the tubes in a JCM 900 just for looks?
@Mikey Gabbard A lot of corksniffers say that the 900’s “cheat” because they use diodes in the gain stages, but they don’t like to admit that the tubes still play as much of a role in those amps as they do in anything else. I’m no amp tech, but that’s how I understand it. Regardless, mine still sounds kickass.
@@RobertWJackson youre 100% correct on this. Fact of the matter is most every amp made past 1990 utilizes some form of diode clipping if you get down inside of them. The mere fact of a printed circuit board with any IC furthers this and there's a reason for it: it pushes the amp further than any flat tube gain design can. But it hardly makes it a solidstate by any means. It doesnt even qualify as a hybrid by that logic. And the fact is: i have no issue with hybrid or solidstate as long as the amp can produce a great sound you can use.
I might not ever understand these guys sometimes with this snubbery or as you put it beautifully: corksniffers. I could counter argue someone like this tech i mentioned as being not as skilled as he claims, by favoring something like an 800 or earlier for its simplicity and not being able to work on a modern amp due to it's intricacies.
@truth and common sense warrior anytime! And enjoy your MG!
Peavey Triumph and XXX. Triumphs are mostly known for the 60 and 120 watt combos but there are a few 120 heads out there.
I bought a 90s fender tweed hotrod deluxe 60w 2x12 combo for 350. Usa handwired and versatile A.F. has not met a pedal it does not like. Sounds great at low volumes and cranked. Was actually shopping for a head initially but so glad I pulled the trigger.
B52 AT-100 is an awesome deal. I got mine with the matching 4x12 cab for $350.00 has twin reverb cleans and recto style dirt.
Robert I really enjoy your videos brother, I have a Peavey Ultra 120 an absolutely killer 3 channel amp that was the grandfather to the 5150, that Senergy amp company is coming on strong, very hard to ignore
Thanks man!
I’ve got a VK100 paired with the Sheffield 4x12 M/S cab. It’s the only amp I’ve ever had that when it’s on 3 you feel it in your face and at 16ohm 7 will melt your face off. Bought the amp and cab for $400!
I got my Thrasher as a wedding gift from my father in law. Told me it had to much gain for him lol. I found a guy selling a 6505 20 watt for pretty cheap that I’m picking up Thursday. I have a feeling it’s just going to make me want the full sized version lol
Great vid as always really want to check out a few of these lol
Awesome intro narration. Made my day! :)
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Only because we all know it’s true!
I bought the Epiphone valve junior a decade ago. $150 it sounds amazing and going strong. It's my favorite amp I've owned. I had a Mesa triple rectifier which I loved but could never turn up past 2 at gigs before the sound guy would ask me to turn down lol.
Lst iteration of the x100b is a monster a perfect amp and beautiful tones. It's far from a one truck pony.
Too bad all these prices are two years old. Way more now.
It is so funny that people are just now learning about Steve Vai and the X100B.. Frank Zappa was given these and this was Steve Vai's very first endorsement amp and it started his relationship with Carvin to make the Legacy Amp.. I am sorry but I am truly glad that with the Legacy amp that he stepped away from the Marshall sound (brown sound)..
I will give you props on the Blue Voodoo I owned the 120 series and ran 2 half stacks for years and really miss those amps but the price point of them today are about $550 and in pretty rough shape from some i saw on Ebay but with a lot of love and a few hundred to spare to upgrade it you would have a top selection of amp especially in the studio.. What i thought was funny was i had mine for a few years before everyone that saw mine told me that Megadeth was sporting Blue Voodoo Live and had a major endorsement with them for a few years but Crate did make a very unique Solid State amp called the Excaliber and people are asking about $500 for it 220w Solid State amp and with a Digitech tube pedal I think it was like the RP16 or something it had an amazing sound also but what was cool about the original was it had the logo from Excalibur the movie logo with the little sword and all under the name but with a tube pedal that thing was simply awesome and i cant say i ever saw anything close since
Where are you looking for Blue Voodoos that they’re $550? I just bought a pretty clean BV120H a couple of months ago for $235.
@@RobertWJackson I have seen them posted on ebay and guitar center. A few look like they found them in a old storage unit and realize they have tubes so they can charge alot for them.. If I had of seen $235 I would of bought 2 of them but no seriously people are asking big bucks here the last month ..
Great video! So many great affordable amps on the used market. I love my Peaveys. Would be cool to see a video on the cheapest gig ready rig you can find on the used market. Could probably get below $400 if you go solid state amp.
I had the first edition Blue Voodoo as well! I miss it; I got rid of it when I got on the Line 6 trip. I currently own one of the later black versions.
I always thought the JCM2000 was seriously under-rated , certainly in the UK market, which is where I hang out... Also; super informative videos...so I subscribed ...woohoo
I would have two amp to add to this list: Blackstar HT, HT metal and HT mk2 series amps and Peavey Valveking 100 (not mk2)
Robert I've shared my love of Crate with you before. Have the Blue Voodoo 120 I got for under $300, Just spent $350 for a minty Peavey Windsor. I play them through a crazy genz-benz 4x12 cabinet. So hard to get deep into without disturbing the neighbors. Ha!
Marshall Class 5, if you can find one cheap is a great head.Prices are going up though.If you crank it ,you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a 5 watt head.
I’ve always like the Class 5. Great little amps.
I got my blue voodoo half stack about 14 years ago for 5 or 6 bills total. Good deal then and I still have it.
Great amps!
I should pick up that vox and the Peavey Classic. Peavey makes great stuff. I only use their cabs for bass right now.
At one time I was endorsed by Randall amps
come to canada....see the outrageous prices we pay for these exact amps....x2 easily..often x3
Come shopping brother.
I got a perfectly working JCM 2000 DSL 50 for 400 bucks Canadian. And see Windsor's in the 150-200 range. Good deals are out there.
That's because you got that awesome free healthcare 🤔
@@FastSloW-qt8xf free???...come see the taxes,wait times & services denied and you can stay for the low low price of "California is cheaper"
@@FastSloW-qt8xf "free healthcare"
I'm paying 40% of my income in taxes
N I ain't rich, brother...believe it
I have three Marshall 2204's..a 76 non master, a 78 master volume, and an '86 Small box ..
. ..and the key to it is using 6550 power tubes
Really appreciated your sense of humor here!
Genz-Benz made a killer bass amp. My shuttle max 12.0 has served me well (and is rather light). Shame to see they went out of business. Good list!
Nice! I am stocked at home unable to make money. what should I do? right!! spend more! :))
Jokes away, great job you're doing in there.
I was always cautious when it came to the JCM900 amps because so many people said they sound bad, well I took a punt and paid $150 AU and swapped a JCM800 1960A cab with G12t-75's that I paid $200 AU for, for a 50watt JCM900 SL-X untested. I got it home fired it up and it sounds fantastic, without a boost pedal. If all the people who have never played one keep crapping on them it will keep a great amp affordable and like me others can get a steal as well.
Yep, the SL-X’s are awesome. Like you, I’m not in any hurry to make sure the world knows how awesome the JCM 900’s are. I already have one, but I’d sure love to own one or two more.
I would have put the blackheart bh100 on this list. Killer sound, well built, goes for cheap (around 350 for the head alone) seriously underrated
i have owned Peavey amps for a long time,,,an Ultra 120 for 20 years,,before that a Triumph 120 both still affordable great sounding heads ,when you can find them