Looking to buy a new practice/recording tube amp

[Slippery fingers]

As I've stated in another post Im looking for a small practice/recording amp, Im leanning tword the Fender Champion 600 reissue, but I have also looked at the fender Vibro Champ, and the Crate V18 112. I have zero experiance with all these amps, the Crate seems priced right, and as all the others gets good reviews on Harmany Centrals Guitar amp data page, however, and this may seem silly to some, but the Crate is made in VietNam, and being a VietNam vet, Im a bit aprehensive about buying that amp. Anyway I would appriciate any imput on these amps from you guys.
Paul

[ElTwang]

What are you exactly looking for? Fender tone? How loud can you play? (at home/rehearsal?).
The Crate will have the output of a regular amp and can play loud. The small Fenders are great at home/recording.

For a pratice/recording amp I'd go for vintage Fender/Gibson/Supro ones with 8" or 10" speakers.
For new stuff and some cash to spend I'd look into:

http://www.carramps.com/raleigh.html
http://www.carramps.com/mercury.html
http://swartamps.com/amplifiers_tweed_tone_6v6se.htm
http://swartamps.com/swart_space_tone_reverb.htm

[dubtrub]

My son purchased a small solid state Marshall that is one of the best sounding inexpensive practice amps I've ever played through. Best of all it is only about $80 at Guitar Center. Practice Amplifier

I don't own any amps other than Fender tube, but I have played through a variety of Fender solid state amps that sounded pretty darn crappy. My favorite practice amp is my 79 Vibra Champ, but I have read good feed back on the Fender Discussion page about the Champ 600 and the new Vibro Champ XD.

[ElTwang]

Yes, I'm also only refering to tube amps. Have a 70s silverface Fender Champ that sounds great cranked.
For non-tube I like Tech 21 amps.

[Dennisthe Menace]

As I've stated in another post Im looking for a small practice/recording amp, Im leanning tword the Fender Champion 600 reissue, but I have also looked at the fender Vibro Champ, and the Crate V18 112. I have zero experiance with all these amps, the Crate seems priced right, and as all the others gets good reviews on Harmany Centrals Guitar amp data page, however, and this may seem silly to some, but the Crate is made in VietNam, and being a VietNam vet, Im a bit aprehensive about buying that amp. Anyway I would appriciate any imput on these amps from you guys.
Paul

Paul, when you say small practice/recording amp, are you just looking for a straight signal into a recorder unit?? Are you looking to have FX with it, or that doesn't matter? You had mentioned that you have a Fender HOT ROD. I thought that had a line out on those, which means that you don't have to go out and buy another amp . But if you are looking for a small tube amp with no bells and whistles, the Blues Jr just might do the job for ya . You also mentioned you were getting rid of the AD 50 because of the lack of tone (sound). So again, you just answered your own question, STAY AWAY from any other Solid State Amps with FX built in, because you will eventually end up hating it later down the road after the "Newness" wears off.....

[Slippery fingers]

Im just looking for a small, good sounding tube amp, something that won't break my back trying to lug around, my Hotrod pretty much resides at my brother's house where we practice, and my Traynor YGL3 Mark lll weights in close to 100 lbs, my Traynor YCV40 is 50lbs, a little big to be carring around, and 40 tube watts is a little much for playing late at night. And the Vox is a nice amp if you like modeling amps but it's the XL model designed primarily for heavey metal, not my cup of tea, and I don't like solid state amps, I don't know why I ever bought it. So I was thinking something around 5 watts should fit the bill, thats why I am concidering the Champion 600 it's not much bigger than a lunch box, but I've read that the 6 inch speaker leaves something to be desired. I can go to GC and play one but as most of you guys know, when your in a music store playing something and getting ready to buy it, sometimes the excitment can take away from being very objective. I'd rather listen to someone who has had one for a while, and has had a chance to play with it for a while. Blues Jr's are really nice, but I did'nt want to spend $450.00/500.00 for an amp to play on my porch, or late at night, but I know the old adage is very true that you get what you pay for, and the Blues Jr is one of the best amp deals out there.
Paul

[Dennisthe Menace]

Well, that's the smallest I would recommend with basic EQ and reverb with a decent size speaker (12"). But if Reverb doesn't matter, then you probably would still be happy with the Fender Pro Junior. It is just a "Straight Ahead" Amp, good sounding (still all tube circuitry), and has a decent 10" speaker with 15 watts R.M.S. of power. You are limited with only VOL and TONE controls, but again, that might be all that you need. And it also weighs in at a little under 21 lbs.....They sell for $380 at Sam's Trash and G.C. But you could even get it cheaper at other Internet Sellers, or find a used one on E-Bay.....for example:
I believe this particular one is a Special Edition in Blonde. Most are done in the Black Tolex....
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Pro-Junior-J ... otohosting

[MWaldorf]

I'd consider a 70s Champ or VibroChamp. I'm sure the new Fenders are good, but you'll lose a bunch with depreciation right out of the gate. One of these can be had in the $200-$300 range, and they're more likely to hold their value than a new amp. Granted you might have to take it to a tech for a once over, but that would still be my choice. As a step up, Princeton Reverbs are pretty expensive so I'd consider an Ampeg Jet or Reverberocket.

[ElTwang]

Great suggestion, Mel. Ampegs are really really cool!

[dubtrub]

Digging through my photo file I found this pic of my Vibra Camp and pedal board. Although This in not normally my bedroom setup, it is one great system for practice or small jams at lower volumes.