Budget amp suggestions

[Maddnotez]

Give me the goods.

Unfortunately I think I'm selling my Uberschall today. Times are tough and while I can certainly justify keeping the amp I got bills. Ironically after having it listed for months the day someone wants to buy it I find some guys to play music with so I still need an amp.

Looking to temporarily downgrade but I'm on the poverty.

I like saturation. Wet and tight like your dad's BH. I'm looking at the 5150 Iconic EL34. It sounded good to me but isn't saturated. I figured with the right boost maybe I'm good.

Trying to keep it under 1k. The cheaper the better but still needs to work with a band and not sound like complete shit.

For reference my top 3 amps have been the Uber Ultra, VHT 100CL and JP2C in order.

[greatmutah]

Did not play the EL34 Iconic but I did A/B a 6L6 Iconic to a script 5150. The Peavey came home but the Iconic could get close. If the Peavey hadn’t been there I might have bought the Iconic. But the Peavey is more familiar to me.

[Maddnotez]

Did not play the EL34 Iconic but I did A/B a 6L6 Iconic to a script 5150. The Peavey came home but the Iconic could get close. If the Peavey hadn’t been there I might have bought the Iconic. But the Peavey is more familiar to me.

Yeah I've only heard killertones 1 chug teaser.

The thing that appeals to me other than the price is that I love the 5150 iii EL34 50W. Would like the 100w but it's too expensive BUT the Iconic el34 is 80w so....kind of a sweet middle ground for headroom

[greatmutah]

You know I really liked the 50 Watt EL34 I played at GC a few years back. Probably would like it more than the 6L6 50 Watt. I’m curious to see how the Iconic EL34s do in the wild. Also if you see a decently priced 6534+ grab it. That amp fucking rules and there’s not a lot of them.

[RaceU4her]

im loving my 5153 el34 50w now. clip that c137 diode and the blue channel is tits, and the red as long as you keep the gain around 9 oclock is great too.

[Maddnotez]

I'll add a bit more info RaceU may have seen this on Rig Talk. I have used the 5153 50w quite a bit. In fact that's probably a top 5 amp for me and I definitely loved it. My worry is lack of headroom. When I did use the amp it was just myself and a drummer. The amp got there but barely. My situation now is a full band with 2 guitars in a much smaller room so I may not need all that headroom?

I can't afford the 100w version so I figured the Iconic was a sweet middle ground at 80w.

With that said I've been looking locally and here are the top 3 deals I have found.

5153 el34 50w + matching 2x12 for $1k. That is with a 2.5 hour drive each way.

3120 and Peaverty cab for $800 very close by

Ultra plus 120 and Peaverty cab for $600 close by

[greatmutah]

I think the 80 watts of the Iconic would be a solid middle ground. I wouldn’t rule out a he Peaverty 3120 (I love the XXX and that’s basically the same amp) or Ultra though.

[Maddnotez]

I think the 80 watts of the Iconic would be a solid middle ground. I wouldn’t rule out a he Peaverty 3120 (I love the XXX and that’s basically the same amp) or Ultra though.

Yeah it's a tough choice but I am leaning toward the 3120. This is just a temporary solution until I can afford another high end amp one day so keeping that in mind I want the cheapest possible while still getting somewhat of a decent sound.

[RaceU4her]

i have always wanted a XXX/3120, just never came across one. for $800 with a cab and local id probably give that a shot

[Guitarbilly]

I'm surprised you couldn't get enough headroom out of the 50w 5153. I've never had that issue and while I don't play metal, I play pretty loud.

I don't know if I'd get the Iconic. I don't have anything against hybrid amps but for the price you could do better IMHO. Used 6505, XXX etc