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Forums :: Gear

Amp recommendations for pavement gigs

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Tue, 06/10/2025 - 01:33
fritjof
fritjof's picture
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Joined: 07/05/2017

Hi 

This summer I'll be playing with a small outfit in a bar in Italy. I have sat in with them before, a few years ago, but back then I didn't have a VC on my mic (which I do now, thanks to bluexlab) and I ran through the PA which caused some issues with feedback or general volume.How I wanted an amp then. I still do, to leave the PA for the singer and not run into issues with phantom power etc.

So this year I've decided to invest in a ~100 euro amp (hopefully less, if found second hand) to keep in Italy and bring with me for this and future gigs there.I've looked at different amplifiers, but have a hard time deciding. The band I'll be playing with is a 3 piece bluesband. I'm going for a clean tone with breakup around the edge, inspired by Musselwhites sound here: Charlie Musselwhite w/ Richard Bargel.

My mic is a vintage Shure bullet with a 1964 CM element in it. It sounds great and I can get a pretty good cup (regarding bass response). At home I play through a Laney Cub 10, which is perfect for my purposes. Unfortunately I cannot bring that one along (packing a car full of family etc) and it would be nice to just have an amp ready to go whenever we're there (~ 4 times a year).

I've been looking at the Roland Cube, but unsure which wattage to look at, since I remember something about tube amp volume being somehow louder than transistor volume... (am I completely off here?)Have also been looking at The Orange Crush 20RT and Fender Mustang V2 - in case I don't happen upon a VHT Special 6 or another Cub 10 that fits my budget. I do like the tube sound, but for a gig once in a blue moon it's not crucial.

Any thoughts, advice or opinions to share?

 

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