In a few months, we're packing up and going abroad for the year. I'm taking 1 guitar (my T-Rose) and 1 amplifier. Not going to shlepp my de Lisle: too expensive to ship and to big and heavy to carry on the plane. But one of the reasons for this trip is to seek out collaborators for my current musical project. So I'm looking for an amp that is small enough to carry on the plane, loud enough to play with a drummer, and relatively inexpensive. And though I don't expect it to compete with my de Lisle in terms of tone and quality, it has to sound decent. Current candidates include:

AC4C1-BL - But will it be loud enough to play in combo?

SCXD - Ditto, plus I've been playing through a brit voiced EL84 amp

ZT Lunchbox - How good can that 6.5" speaker sound? And no tubes?

Comments on these, as well as other suggestions would be most appreciated. I've checked out the bigger stores in the area and it doesn't seem like I'd be able to try all three of these in the same place.

I got a Tubemeister head, 5 kbs/13lbs, an amazing little amp. I play with an extremely loud drummer, I mean the bits and pieces of his drumsticks are flying across the room when he's playing, and it can hold up with ease (over a 4x12), though I have to admit I do not play clean.

It has a fantastic line level speaker simulator and silent mode, so no cab needed. XLR out to the mxiing desk and you're set.

What else is there, 2 channels (plus lead boost), fx loop, master and gain for both channels, takes preamp/dirt pedals really well, comes in a handy bag, 3 year warranty. There's a 5 watt and 36 watt version as well , with less or more features/watts/dials etc. Maybe worth a look. If you only play clean/clean with pedals etc the 5 watt version maybe just what you need.

Get a Fender Pro Jr. (you can find them for $350-ish). I have an AC4, and while it's great for recording, it's only good for reasonably quiet combos. Pro Jr rocks pretty loud, and even has a bit of headroom (plus fantastic sound)

the ZT Lunchboxes are pretty amazing. The 6.5 one sounded boxy to my ears unless youre running through a an extra cab, but the Club ( the one with the 12" speaker) is quite something. nice low end, pplenty of volume and headroom, and fills the room very well.

You need to be thinking about volt transformers, etc. it may be easier, what with the extra luggage fees airlines love to charge, to start meeting some musicians on the net now and buy something used there. seel it when you come back, or store it if you plan to go back and forth. Quite frankly, thats what I'd do.

Already some good ideas!

Pro Jr. added to the list. I'd want to make sure I can get a little break up at apt. volumes. Bet cranking the Dyno Brain would help there.

The ZT Club is at the upper end of my budget, but has a built in voltage converter. Outboard converters are simple enough so it's not a necessity but a nice convenience for sure.

Tubemeister is probably more than I want to spend on something like this. Gotta figure out how to check the local listings over there. Gear is super expensive in Israel, so I'm not sure it would work as well as doing that in Europe.

I love my SCXD, but even that might be too big to carry on. It's not too heavy, but heavy enough walking through airports and such. But it's plenty loud to compete with a drummer.

I absolutely love my lunchbox. I didn't care for the bigger Club version at all. I never could dial in a tone I like, whereas almost anywhere I put the knobs on the lunchbox I like it. I still desperately miss the reverb, but the club's reverb was so bland and subtle it might as well not have it.

Remember it's a 200 watt amp, unlike those others you mentioned. You can drive the holy hell out of a big cab with it if you need to.

Carry on in general has to fit 22x14x9 and 27 lbs. Most of the amps I'm considering, even going up to a Blues Jr. (16x18x9), are less tall but wider and right around the weight guideline.

What about a Roland Cube? I have the 80XL, and have never gone past 5 on the volume knob, it is that loud. And it's not too bad on the weight, maybe around 35 lbs. The 40 watts version is even smaller and still some great cleans and some decent on-board effects.

Kustom, VHT, and Jet City all make small 5-10 watt tube amps that would fit the bill. I used my 5w Kustom head with a 2x12 and it would get loud enough that my band mates told me to turn down, so I think any 5 watter would work ok for what you're looking for.

Bugera also has a 5 watt combo with verb (something most little amps lack). I know some of the Jet City amps have verb, but most of the small ones don't. I haven't played the Bugera V5, but I've spent some time with a few of their amps, mostly the V22, and they were all great sounding amps. I couldn't dial in a bad sound on the V22, I was really impressed with it. That would be a decent candidate if it's not too big. It's in your price range, I do know that.

I'm also gonna vote for the ZT Lunchbox.

I used to visit Billy Penn's blog and he is now a ZT dealer. I trust Billy's honesty when he claims that the Lunchbox amps are amazing.

Spotlight on Ken Kantor

Try to find a Music Man 50-112 or 50-110. Heavy but a mini dynamo!

Strummer, I carried a SF Princeton on a Transatlantic flight, no problem. There was more than enough space in the overhead compartment. I researched it and I too came up with the dimensions you mentioned. Truth is a lot of passenger's carry-ons exceed those dimensions by a bit. I know the Princeton doesn't meet some of your requirements but you can use it's dimensions (20” x 16”x 9½”) as a measuring stick. Btw, I also carried on a Hagstrom Swede in a HSC on the same trip. Not a word said. Of course I didn't ask for anyone's permission either!

In my limited experience: Trace Elliot Velocette or Gibson Goldtone GA-15.

Both can had (if lucky) for that sort of money used.

No trouble keeping up with a vigorous drummer. Only downside IMHO is that the 10" open back is very directive. If you get the SE one (Single Ended), they'll let you swap the tubes for all kinds of variations.

Ah, and the other problem is that they are pretty rare...

+1 on the suggestion of finding an amp when you're there. Blues Jr or Pro Jr shouldn't be too hard to come by.

I believe for what you described, the ZT Lunchbox is the way to go. Even when you can carry other amps, you may find yourself using the Lunchbox instead. However, you may want to also bring a reverb or echo pedal...the ambiance control on the amp is more for tone shaping than adding spacious depth.

Yes. Very well stated.

Have you considered purchasing an amp in Israel, & selling it when you leave? Schlepping an amp to/from Tel Aviv sounds like a nuisance!

Yeah, I'm trying to minimize that very nuisance. Gear in Israel is very expensive, from what I understand. Much more so than in Europe. I also don't quite know where to begin to look. My guess is that I could figure it out pretty quick, but I'll have many other things to worry about when we get there (setting up the apt., getting 3 kids into new schools, getting to work myself). And I don't want to be hunting for a deal there for several weeks. So I think I'd rather bring one.

The Blues Junior isn't smaller or lighter than my de Lisle. So I think that's out. A Pro Junior might do it, but at 5 watts will it have more volume than the VOX AC4 in blue that I currently fancy? Same thing with the little Bugera...

Gonna try to find a place to try out the ZT Lunchbox. I'd rather stick with tubes, but if it sounds good (and everyone attests to how loud it is) then convenience might seal the deal. If we end up there long-term or permanent, my de Lisle will follow in part of a larger shipment.

As others will attest to, gear on this side of the Atlantic is expensive. Additionally the resale market is nowhere near as strong. I'm guessing the U.K. used gear market may more closely resemble the U.S. but I can tell you here in Spain there is little market for used gear. The music shops do not accept trades and the mark-up is probably close to 30%. Locally a Pro Junior runs about $650, a Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue, $1350. I presume prices in Israel will be in that ballpark.

Now I'm going to mess with your head. I've been looking at this At Mars Amp for awhile. Check out the demos!

http://www.destroyallguitar...

Get a ZT Lunchbox.

If you are worried about the lil speaker, get a cheapish 12" cab, like the Epiphone Valve Jr cab. It has an Eminence Legend speaker, and sounds great but does not color the sound.

From most reports, the reporters are put off by the little speaker of the ZT until they play it. Then they try to figure out how such a small speaker can play so loudly and sound good.

It isn't the average 6.5" speaker. It has a long-throw driver so it can handle what is being thrown at it.

The Lunchbox takes pedals very well, too.

Stupid double-post. Sorry!

GC seems to have the lunchboxes used for $199. But I definitely want to try one, and preferable after the Dyna Rose conversion which is estimated at 2 weeks out. I guess I could order one from a place with a return policy. But then I pay $100 more if I keep it. Still looking locally for a place to try one.

GC has a 30 day return policy

I 've played both the ZT lunchbox and the Vox AC4. The Lunchbox sounds head and shoulders better than the Vox in my opinion. It sounds and FEELS like a real amp. Plus it is a great deal louder. In this case the matter of tubes or no tubes is counterintuitive. The no tubes one is better in this case.

Do try the Lunchbox first. I've been curious for a while, and with no disrespect to previous posters, when I tried one I could not relate to it at all. It's a very personal thing, obviously.