The other thread reminded me, and I hope somebody knows so I won't have to do my own research (egads!)
I currently have an all-stock Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp, which is alright . . . I guess. I'm looking for a new tube amp, but here are the catches:
1) I want it to sound fantastic "out of the box."
2) I want it to make sense for me to buy some badass replacement tubes (and Tone Tubby hemp cone speakers, noice) if I decide to later.
3) I really want there to be a headphone jack, but I can't think of a tube amp I've ever seen with that (is it even possible?)
4) Doesn't need to be huge: 4x12 or 2x15 is fine

Gracias

Nail some things down for me, first.

1. Do you want something small, medium-sized, or large? There are 1x12 combos that are fantastic for some sounds, and then there's head / 4x12 setups for other.
2. MOST IMPORTANTLY, what sound are you shooting for? Be specific.
3. Budget? Be honest.

I'm sure Kyle will lay down a dissertation on this subject but I'll give you my quick two cents:

News flash: Guitar amps rarely sound like you think they should "out of the box"

A couple of questions:

What kind of music to you play the most?

What kind of guitar(s) do you play?

How many channels do you need?

The amp that you have is a very good and versatile one; Unless you are doing some serious recording/live stuff, you might can tweak your sound with a pedal or preamp and be happy for much less money.

Oh, and on the headphone jack... the reason you don't see them often (and usually only on crappy tiny amps) is because the kind of circuitry that makes guitars sound good through speakers also makes them sound absolutely awful through headphones or on a direct line into a mixer, which is almost the same thing. Some fancy-shmancy amps do have specially voiced direct outs or headphone jacks, but usually someone wanting a h.j. gets a headphone amp that's tiny, portable, and made for that purpose (has no speakers, cigarette pack-sized).

There are volume brakes, though, that go in-line on the way to the amp's speakers that will let you turn the amp up to wherever sounds good tone-wise (loudish, normally, where the tubes get cookin) but then turn the brake down so that it can be whisper-quiet. But they're like $350 or something outrageous.

Thanks for the quick responses, y'all. For the size, see (4). I'm not opposed to a head/cab set-up, but it is somewhat overkill for what I need (parties/ small bars.)

I guess the sound I'm looking for is kind of important, huh? I'm a vintage nut all the way. Most of the time I play either clean or w/ tube overdrive; don't want to have to dime the volume to overdrive, but I want a nice punchy (think Bassman) clean sound as well. I play a G&L ASAT Special, and use effects only rarely (but tons of 'em when I do, so FX loops are a plus.)

Budget is ideally less than a grand, and I don't have an aversion to used equip.

Thanks again, and a sub-question: any recommendations for good headphone amps < $500?

I asked about size because 4x12 IS huge, to me.

The way I see it, you were close with the first purchase, the HR deluxe. But see fender skimped on a lot of things in those amps, and it sounds like you're getting to the point where you can tell. I like those amps a lot, and Bloor's right - they could get most people by forever w/ no problems. But they're kinda sloppy at times, and don't sound vintage at all, really.

For under a grand, you could have...

- A fender deluxe reissue (1x12, deeeeep reverb, 30 watts, good sound, $500 slightly used $650 new).
- A Bassman reissue (4x10, gobbs of headroom, tighter sound than above, but bigger and heavier)
- A nice fender Twin reissue (100watts, 2x12, crazy volume / headroom, great all-around amp but slightly less vintage mojo and pretty heavy)
- One of those Vibroluxe Reverb reissues like mine but the special one with a 15 instead of 2x10's... that's one of stevie ray vaughn's favorite setups. Came out a coupla years ago I think.

If effects loops and quiet background noise are a concern (effects/pedals you mentioned) then I'd steer away from something truly old. Plus old gear needs love, and not everybody's into that. I'd stay away from Mesa if you want vintage. They've flirted with vintage sounds recently, but haven't nailed them, and you'd just pay more than you should. Vox's and Oranges are also lovely, but again cost a lot more than a comparable (or better) fender. And change those tubes once every few years minimum. You'll be surprised what your amp really sounds like.

Yeah, it struck me that his amp might be due for a tube switch and reassesement of sound on his amp. almost, I'm serious, don't dive into something big until you truly ascess what you got there. Even if you don't keep it, a fresh set of tubes won't hurt your resale value in the least.

The boys speak wisely. Try a tube change.

4x12 or 2x15 is huge to me. 2x12 or 1x15 is as big as i'd go. Maybe a 3x10.

If you want to get a vintage tone without having to deal with a lot of issues, you're pretty much bumping yourself into the $1500-$3000 range for a point to point hand wired like Fender's VibroKing 3x10, or a Victoria (fantastic brand), or a Vox, etc... ad nauseum.

Change the tubes first. Then shop around if you're still not happy and figure out what you want. Then figure out how to get it. Once you know what you want, don't half ass it, and buy something in between because you'll eventually trade up, and in the midst of all the trading, you WILL lose money. So just make do with what you have till you can have what you want.