Need some help finding a good guitar combo amp

[tmoney61092]

Recently I've been doing a little more dabbling in guitar and have become interested in getting a nice little combo amp. What I'm looking for is something that has a VERY nice, not distorted up clean sound since I can get distortion/fuzz through pedals. I'm really drawn towards Fender amps because the few I've played have given me some great tones! I'm mostly interested in one of the models from the 70's. Only looking to spend about $400 so any guidance on what model to look for is much appreciated!! Thanks as always
 
~Taylor

[tubeperson]

Try to find a used Roland JC-120 chorus.  It is extremely clean in tone, still being made for over 20 years, and available in the used market place.  I have one that I love using with my Chapman Sticks.

[pace]

Taylor, there's a lot of nice fender silver-face and Ernie-Ball circuits from that era w/ good headroom at that price. I guess it's a matter of wattage and your preferred volume level

[tmoney61092]

Thanks tubeperson, just checked those out and they look very nice and will def be considering one!
 
Pace, i'm really looking at either a bassman or a twin reverb since I plan on using a bass vi type instrument and feel the 12's will really make it a best of both worlds. As far as wattage and volume level, pretty much loud enough to be heard in a practice situation is all I would need since they just mic amps during live performances, any idea on what kind of wattage I'd need to look at for that?
 
~Taylor

[tmoney61092]

but if you know of any other models from that era around that price please let me know!!! thanks
 
~Taylor

[hydrargyrum]

I've always read that 20 watts is plenty of juice for a practice situation.  I can't recommend the Silverface Pro-Reverb enough (just make sure it isn't one of the later master volume models).  It's got a ridiculous amount of headroom (a fuzz or distortion pedal is a definite must-have), and it is insanely loud for being 40 watts.  They call them the little twin.  I bought mine back in 1997 for around $400, but the prices have been going up.

[redcloud]

I really like my Peavey Delta Blues  and Classic 30.  Reasonably priced and great tone.

[pauldo]

+1 on the Roland JC-120.
A guy I know backed up over his with his car - scuffed it up a bit and twenty years later he is still gigging with it with no problems.

[jet_powers]

I've been using my '66 Bassman with a 410 as a guitar amp for years. Visiting guitarists to my studio almost always want to use it!
 
JP

[afrobeat_fool]

It sounds like what you need my friend is the Fender 75. Very nice, and the LOUDEST amp I have ever heard. Nice EQ and line boosts. Riviera design.Tubes, 15in speaker, great for the Fender VI. I played a vintage one thru my 75 for years. Fairly cheap 4-500. Downside: they are heavy. Tubes are sensitive. kinda rare.  
 
Nick

[pace]

Lots of good suggestions here Taylor.... One more would be to look for a silver face bandmaster or bassman head, so it can be used w/ whatever cabs you want.... I use mine w/ a 1x12, a 1x15 or a 2x12 depending on the situation......

[tmoney61092]

I'm loving all these suggestions! Right now I'm leaning towards a bassman 50 or 100 and one of the 2x12 cabs since I've seen some on craigslist for about $500. Thanks for all the help!
 
~Taylor

[tmoney61092]

so what's the difference between the blackface and silverface bassman amps?
 
~Taylor

[5sicks]

The differences are in the quality of capacitors mainly...the blackfaces are termed pre CBS. The early multi-national bought Fender in about '64 and peeled back on some costs. Real pioneering stuff it was; preparing us for the future.

[5sicks]

Also, you might want to look at London Power amps. Their 5-10 watters are plenty loud enough for a 12 and infinitely tweak-able to taste. Browse London Power