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I’m looking for a combo amp for my son who is into classic rock and metal. He digs everything from Architects to Zeppelin and branches out into a bit of pop punk on occasion.

He’s not really into gear or having lots of amp voices so a modelling amp with too many options is probably not a priority. I’d like to find him something that just does one or two things really well. I was thinking of a second-hand Blackstar HT5, or maybe an Orange Crush of some kind?

A Katana would be ok I guess.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Or even something to sell me?

Oh, and the first person to suggest an AC10 loses their colon.

What sort of budget Ben?

That mesa 5:50 combo that was on trademe.

Switch it to the 5w circuit for home, switch it to 50w when he finds a drummer

Marshall dsl20? Not much more than the blackstar but a lot more options, better reliability, and bigger sound.

The Mesa express won't do metal, they're far too flubby.

Budget under $500, but preferably more like $350.

He has zero interest in playing music with anyone else, and if that ever changes, we’ll reassess.

What are these like?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 3955184519

Sounds like katana would do the trick. Good for headphones to so he can shred in bed

hamo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:38 pm What are these like?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 3955184519

You mean other than cute as a button?

StrummersOfThunder wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:39 pm Sounds like katana would do the trick. Good for headphones to so he can shred in bed

Definitely considering one.

I like the look of the Orange practice amps too though. Anyone tried one?

bender wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:47 pm

hamo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:38 pm What are these like?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 3955184519

You mean other than cute as a button?

Heh, yeah. I remember well back in the day there was a range of them, the 18w had a good reputation, wasn't sure if it extended to the 5w.

hamo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:48 pm

bender wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:47 pm

hamo wrote: ↑Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:38 pm What are these like?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace ... 3955184519

You mean other than cute as a button?

Heh, yeah. I remember well back in the day there was a range of them, the 18w had a good reputation, wasn't sure if it extended to the 5w.

I remember a gearfest or two in Petone where there were a few of those.

Probably hard to beat a Katana for your budget?
Black star with the isf control do cover a lot of ground from scooped metal to mid focused rock tones so it would probably do the job of covering his genre preferences with turning one knob.

Those Crates were designed by Obeid Khan who went on to form Reason amps (and file a lot of patents in that space). They were made to a budget but the design was top drawer. I had the v33 when I lived in the states and had it modded.

I'll keep an eye on that one on TM. The nostalgia is real.

Btw they won't have enough gain for metal or the tightness. They weren't voiced for that.

Laney have some really nice sounding amps in the small range and pricing is reasonable.