Hi, I'm new here, so go easy on me. I have an early Gibson SG and play mainly blues and blues-based rock. Not into metal or punk. Just joined a band playing originals after many years of just playing for self-enjoyment or occasional jams. I'm getting rid of my solid state Fender Princeton 112 Plus and replacing it with a tube amp. Having a hard time deciding which ones to go preview. My original thoughts were to get something in the 40 to 60 watt range, but I could be convinced otherwise. Here's where it gets complicated.

1. I'm cheap. I'm not going to spend $2K or $3K for an amp and then have the band break up a month from now and not need an expensive amp any more.

2. I want to get good tone at rehearsals, where we keep the volume pretty low.

3. I want to be able to get good tone at high volumes at gigs without it sounding like crap.

So does such an amp exist? Recommendations? Or just tell me I'm crazy.

Thanks.

No, your not crazy.. you sound just like any other guitar player including myself. 50 watts should be plenty. I have a 20 watt Hughes and Kettner Tube 20 that's loud and proud and a 30 watt marshall studio 30 800 series that blows away alot of amps....

So I would try some out first to find the tone you like. You don't need a 100 watt head with a 4x12 cab

Haven't had a chance to actually go out shopping yet, and of course, the proof is in the playing. But here is my list of amps to try out, so far:

Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212
Traynor Custom Valve 50 Blue YCV50
Ampeg R212R Reverbrocket
Carvin BelAir 212

Any feedback on these, especially given my original parameters above?

Thanks.

Scott

You have to play them first to know what you want