Suggestions for small amp sounds good when played low

I'm wondering what there is that might fit this specification. A small amp for electric guitar, doesn't need to be at all powerful, just for use at home without disturbing others but needs to sound good even when played _very_ low, have headphone socket that cuts the speaker out, ideally be able sound like a little valve amp at any volume, have some sort of distortion option that sounds like a little valve amp turned up even when it isn't turned up, and better still with reverb too. I'm getting back into playing after a long break and I'm quite amazed at 'what they can do nowadays' so maybe this isnt such a tall order as it once would have been. I just read about the Zoom Fire 15 which sounds like it does all of the above and more and has some sort of compensation for low volume playing that might be right, but its a 15 watt amp and that means its potentially really loud for my needs and I wonder about how it does turned right down low. I can't get to try one of these AFAIK so it would be good if somene knows this amp and can state its abilities! Any other suggestions or help appreciated.

why not try something like a Pod or a VAmp through headphones ...

My Roland Cube appears to fit your needs, but you'll have to get your own.

You might want to check out a Tech 21 Trademark 10. I can't remember if it fits all of your requirements, but I might be in the right ball park.

Daniel C.

I'll second that opinion. How 'tube-like' they are depends on the model and your personal opinion. I own a Pod XT, and used to own a Pod Pro. While not exactly like a valve amp, they are close enough for my uses. I'm more than willing to forgive their minor shortcomings due to the fact that you can get fantastic sounds in pretty much any style of music very easily without annoying anyone else in the house. You can play such devices through home stereos as they have line level outputs. Also, you can plumb it straight into your computer should you wish to record; they really are great fun. For your uses, sounds like you might not need an amp at all.

Vamps are £100 ish, Pods about £200 and Pod XT's around £300. Your ears and budget should tell you which is for you (if any ) Loads of other floor based pedals do amp modelling nowadays, so you might want to look in that direction too.

If you definately want an amp, the smallest valve amp I can think of is a Cornford Harlequin at 6W. Played one a couple of times, and really liked it apart from the lack of reverb Also, no headphone socket and it's over £500 IIRC. Not sure if the Laney LC15's have headphones on them, but several folks on here have them and like them.

My little Peavey Classic 20 isn't bad for home use, but even that doesn't do the very low volume requirement since it sounds best flat out... maybe a Cornell Romany that has a 1 watt low power option, but probably amp modelling is best as others have suggested. I use a Boss GP-20 amp factory that does it for me... hey it's beginning to sound like I'm on the Roland payroll here

JJ

Home: www.jjquick.com Band: www.rattlesnakeshake.com

Tech 21 trademark 10 or cheaper the behringer 'copy' which isn?t bad

Try the Roland Cube 30, I've got one and it's bloody superb!

cheers

I would say a POD style device, the tech 21 trademark 10 (i tried one and it was great - www.tech21nyc.com), or the zvex nano amp - www.zvexamps.com, which is basically a very small (2 watts, and it fits in the palm of your hand) valve amp. Have a listen to the sound samples - they are pretty good.

Thanks for all the responses. It looks as if there will be something that does the job, I just have to start narrowing the list down!

A question about some of the suggestions: Roland cube- does it play well when turned down so low that it no louder than someone talking er, quietly? Same question re the Trademark 10- will it do this?

Just to clarify-a headphones only option isn't suitable- I'd like to have the headphones option as part of something else. I'd really like an amp so that I can play along with someone else, or play along with my hifi. I don't want to depend on plugging into a hifi system because I think I've used up all the input channels on that already, and I want to be able to play along with the hifi anyway, not take it over for the guitar alone. The amp modelling options is still interesting though because it means (I assume) I can plug the device into a bland-sounding amp and I will still get a guitar sound with real character.

Hmm. This is all quite exciting! Now I need to start asking questions about

I'd suggest a V-Amp or similar (J-Station, POD, etc). Use it with headphones for great sounds. Connect it to your home stereo for low volume good sounding practice...

For years I had a very large setup that I used when performing, and felt really contricted when I wanted to practice at home.

(Plus having a top-heavy rig that can topple and kill a toddler did not make the wife happy! LOL)

I tried a few different small amps, and was disappointed. For me, part of the missing sound is the chunky "feel" of having a loud amp pushing some air when you are playing hard. Plus, I have a home studio, and recording at low volume just isn't the same.

Two suggestions:

FOR PRACTICE
Get a good set of comfortable quality headphones you can wear for a long period, and try out a few different V-Amps. I settled on the POD myself.

No, it's not quite the same, but it ~is~ satisfying as hell! Plus, V-Amps can be tweaked greatly, so you can get some fantastic sounds. Warning, it might change you: I am now addicted to using headphones for practice!

FOR RECORDING
You didn't mention this, but I thought I'd throw this "old school" tip out there in case you were interested in recording.

Build an enclosed, sealed speaker case. Approximately 30" X 18" X 18". The entire box is made out of high density hardwood and is dampened internally. The top is hinged and clamps shut.

Inside, you have a 12" speaker mounted, and your microphone of choice on a little floor stand and positioned in front of the speaker.

You can run this from your main amp just like any other cabinet, and exterior noise is low enough you can easily use it in an apartment when it is cranked.

Quality coming off the mic into the board is a little different than mic-ing a cabinet in open air, but in some ways it is much better.