The Steel Guitar Forum

Whats a good lightweight gigging Amp? something that can be stand alone or plugged in direct?

Quilter Aviator or MP200.

What's your budget? How much power do you need? Steel guitar, regular guitar or both?

I agree with Bill. I play retro country and western-swing on both Stringmaster T8 and Telecaster (often within same song), and wanted an amp that was lighter than my 75lb Fender Vibrasonic (love the tone, but can't take the weight anymore).

I ended up with an Quilter Aviator Gold 12". It handles my steel (in the clean channel), and my Tele in the drive channel. Two independent tones that both sound great in a one-amp solution.

If I were just playing Tele, I might just use my other Quilter, which is a MicroPro with the 8" speaker. Sounds as big as a 12 and can also get LOUD. Amazing amp. And at 19lbs, easy on the back.

Never tried any of their "block" series, but as one who also plays bass for a few different things, I may have to try their Bass Block 800. Hearing great reviews on it.

TJW

I use a milkman half and half as my go to gigging amp.

Works great mic'd.

That Milkman hybrid Half 'n Half is pricey, but dang if it doesn't look and sound sweet. If I were going to go just pure dedicated steel amp, I'd seriously look at one of those. Love the simplicity and the classic blonde styling. A great tube pre-amp with a class D amp for serious weight reduction sounds like a nice combo.

+1 on the half n half.

+2 on the half & half.

+3 on the half & half

Insanely happy with the mini cab 12" combo from Telonics...30 pounds and will take anything I can throw at it, and the direct out is killer...

Bob Hoffnar wrote:I use a milkman half and half as my go to gigging amp.

Me too. 30 lbs., 300 watts. It can handle any gig.

Roland's "Street Cube" is a great sounding package if you don't need too much volume, plus it runs on AA batteries if necessary.

Jimmy any of the Telonics line would fit the bill for you in lightweight yet powerful combo amps.
I use the TCA500 and it comes in about 34lbs, 500w with a 15" neo speaker -- 12" versions are also available

The new Roland 'Blues Cube Hot' is working well for me. Weight has become an issue of late and at 27# it is a joy to carry. The power output may be attenuated from 5 watts to 30 (I normally run mine on the 15W setting and last evening jamming with a six piece band I was running the pre on '2' and Master on '4' and it had no problem holding its own)...Note: Before purchasing I researched all reviews on this unit and the general consensus of opinion was that the speaker was the weak link (and they were correct). Replaced the stock unit with an Eminence 'Cannabis Rex' and the final result was definitely favorable...FYI: Changing speakers however requires removal of the chassis.

Lower budget... a pair of Peavey Bandit 65's (usually around $75ea on Craigslist)...
I would add an RV3 (stereo reverb/deley)... and Black Box if you want a tube in the signal path.

Nobody has mentioned the Roland Cube 80XL. 80 watts, closed back, 12"speaker, weighs around 30 lbs. and around $300 or less used. Built in reverb and delay. This amp sounds really nice for an amp in this size and price range. I have gigged one and been pleased with its performance. It does not have the sound of a 300 watt amp with a 15" speaker, but it does not cost a fortune and my back really likes it. There is a newer model of the same basic amp that is around $300 new.

you can also use a evans se series amp. 150, 200, 300 etc.great for steel, also fantastic on acoustic or electric guitar. se 200 weights in at 36Lbs
thanks
wayne