Looking for a budget vintage amp...

[Tarcisioo]

Hey guys! I'm heading NYC early July and I'm looking for a entry level small vintage combo. Been serching on reverb for a $650 maximum price and got a few amps that got my attention. But the thing is I have some knowledge on marshalls and fenders, but nothing besides.

The amps that got my interest were a few Gibsons: GA-8 Gibsonette, GA-8T Discoverer, GA-15 RVT, GA-19RVT Falcon, GA-20RVT Minuteman.
A few Traynors too, YGM-3 seems to get some love. Alamos and Ampegs also meet my budget.

The thing is, I know nothing on any of those amps. Really, I'm that ignorant.

It sure would help if I told what sound I was looking for. Here it is: I wouldn't mind a tweed tone, really. But I would really dig a bloomfield-esque thing, abig reverb with a nice breakup. Also, as you can notice by my choices, 20W would be already getting too loud to me. 5W is too quiet (that's why I didn't put any Champ)

Last thing to mention, I will bring it to my country by airplane, so Traynors are already in a little disavantage, as they're big and heavy. But if it sounds that good...

Sure will appreciate if anyone can help me out

 

[mingus]

You may want to look for a Silvertone 1472 or 1482. They're great values and really good sounding amps. :salude

 

[CDaughtry]

Alamo Model 3...you can thank me later.:jim

 

[Tarcisioo]

Alamo Model 3...you can thank me later.:jim

Wow, looked into some demos on the tube and it sounds KILLER! But the thing is, I couldn't find any of the 50s ones for sale. On Reverb, there's these 2 mid 60s:

Are they still any good?

 

[darkwave]

I have a Gibson GA15RVT as my main small combo. Personally, I'd strongly suggest you try one out in person before you buy. Mine has had a lot of mods done to it to get to the point that I'm willing to use it as a go-to, and it still is an acquired taste. Stock, they are peaky to the point of being fatiguing and they SWIM in reverb (the reverb is kinda cool as an extreme effect, actually).

I stuck with it because the combination of features was something I really wanted in my quiver: 1x10, 12ish watts, no negative feeback, el84s, reverb, trem. It compliments my other amp well when run in tandem (that one is 2x12, 50 watts, class AB with neg feedback, 6L6s).

-Douglas C.

 

[Kris Ford]

I have a Gibson GA15RVT as my main small combo. Personally, I'd strongly suggest you try one out in person before you buy. Mine has had a lot of mods done to it to get to the point that I'm willing to use it as a go-to, and it still is an acquired taste. Stock, they are peaky to the point of being fatiguing and they SWIM in reverb (the reverb is kinda cool as an extreme effect, actually).

I stuck with it because the combination of features was something I really wanted in my quiver: 1x10, 12ish watts, no negative feeback, el84s, reverb, trem. It compliments my other amp well when run in tandem (that one is 2x12, 50 watts, class AB with neg feedback, 6L6s).

-Douglas C.

Was gonna suggest a Gibson GA type.

My VERY first amp ever was a Crestline series Discoverer Tremelo, FWIW.

 

[Wally]

NYC might be the worst place to look for a bargain.
Those Gibson amps that you mention there will likely be outside of your budget. The first generation circa 1961 with the rear controls GA19RVT and GA20 RVT are great amps....adn likely will be more than $650. The last 1961 GA-20RVT with rear mounted controls I had was sold to Texas Fiddle legend Alvin Crow for $425 about 20 years ago....I knew what it was and valued it. So did he, right? I have had a GA15RVt from later that was a really nice amp. Many times the speaker is the weakest point in a Gibson from 62 and later. Some of the CTS speakers they put in their amps were low efficiency with a limited frequency range.....harsh, thin sounding.

 

[Wilko]

The Thomas Organ made Voxes are really undervalued. Actual PTP wired, tube rectified EL84 with reverb and tremolo.

Cambridge Reverbs can be had under 600 all day long. You'll want to put a better speaker. Weber makes some nice 10s. I like to put12" Celestion Blues in these.