I thnk I am going to get a tube amp - at this point, mainly for practice and to play at some low key jams. I currently have a Pignose 30 which I like, but want a tube amp also. I went to my local guitar center today and tried a couple of amps that were in my price range - $200 or less. The one I liked the best was a used Peavey Classic 20. It gave me what I think of being a real gritty Chicago blues sound. It appeared to be in good condition and certainly worked well. They want $190 for it and I put something down to hold it. Does anyone have an opinion on this amp? My google search seemed to indicate that a lot of people like this amp. From what others have recommended, my other choices within my budget might be a Fender Champ 600, VHT Special 6, or Epiphone Valve Jr. Thanks. Rich
For the money you can't go wrong, but these are all basically guitar amps. Since they are tube amps, they will warm up a mic, but they are limited in range. If you are primarily a harp player, you might look into an acoustic amp, using the mic channel. It's worth experimenting with anyway.
Also acoustic amps have one very good feature that you don't normally find on other amps, and that is an xlr out which connects directly into a PA and allows you to use your amp as a monitor and control all the EQ.
I am no fan of the peavey amps...they sound lifeless to me (I have a classic 30). I vastly prefer Fender amps like the blues jr or the pro jr for harp. they have enough clear clean and punch to sound right..to my ears anyway.
for guitar I like Fenders n Boogies and DR Z stuff is noce as well
