Head Amp
What would you recommend for an amp head and cab?
I’m looking for a reasonably priced amp head and cab set. I generally play all sorts of metal but i also really like to play blues and other styles of music that require good clean tones and effects.
When it comes to cabs I’m really not sure what to get, but for heads I’m looking at companies like Bugera.
Please don’t recommend Line 6 equipment!
Since you are looking for an amp that is reasonably priced, you will have a smaller selection. There are two ways to go; Tube or solid state. Tube amps generally cost a lot more than solid state amps. Most people think that tube amps sound better. While this is generally true, I have heard some very good sounding solid state amps and some not so good sounding tube amps. There are very few tube heads on the market that put out enough power to run a 4-12 cabinet that cost less than $1000. Two that I can think of are the Bugera (that you mentioned) and the Peavey vyper tube head (about $600)
There are a lot more solid state heads on the market that are well under the $1000 price range. Many are under $500. Most amp companies have a solid state line and many of them sound pretty good! I have owned solid state heads by Marshall and Ampeg and Behringer that all had very convincing “tube-like” tone. I would recommend them to anyone who wants a pro set up but is on a budget. There are literally dozens of very good 4-12 cabs on the market so take your pick. Some start as low as $200!
Be sure to shop around and try as many as possible. Also, check into used amps and cabinets. Sometimes you can get a real good deal on a used Marshall head! Keep in mind that used amps will often need new tubes, so figure that into the cost before you buy.
For the last several years I have been using a Hughes & Kettner switchblade head through a full Marshall stack. (or a single 12 cab, depending on the situation) It is an awesome amp but a bit pricey (list $2000). It has excellent tone and great effects built in. It has a full tube architecture but also has MIDI control and 128 storable patches. I sometimes pair this with one of the other amps I own to blend different tonalities of clean and crunch. I definitely would recommend the H&K to anyone who can afford it.
Fuchs Viper Amp Head
