• Registered: 2010-07-23
  • Posts: 7

Topic: A new setup

Hey all

Finding myself a student, with some money on my hands, heavily involved in several university bands and (largely inspired by JB himself) taking a far greater interest than I ever have before in my guitar and my gear, I was hoping to ask the forum's advice on what I should be purchasing.

My role is as a vocalist and rhythm guitarist, but I want to play lead for myself! I know gear doesn't make the player, and i'm not at the top of my game by any means, but I'm getting to the point where my kit in no way satisfies my needs. Need that Blues Rock Tone!

I currently play an Epiphone Les Paul Custom through a Roland Cube 15x.


I'm looking to upgrade my amp significantly (to something i can gig with). I'm looking to spend between 200 and 300 GBP, and have been looking at a Vox Valvetronix VT50. I know, solid state isn't the way to go, but not only do I know nothing about tubes, but they tend to be outa my price range. Nevertheless, I could be persuaded up to a max £500 through compelling argument! Haha.

I'm also looking to upgrade my pickups. I've been looking at Bareknucle Crawlers, and I'm happy to spend 200 pounds plus here. However, I don't want to shell out on new pickups that don't suit!


Those are my current concerns smile I'll be looking towards pedals in the future, but a TS9 and a Boss DD of some sort seem fairly solid? I already own a DS-1.


I see a lot of awesome advice here, and any ya'all could give me would be hugely appreciated!

Cheers!

Charlie

  • From: East Tennessee
  • Registered: 2006-04-25
  • Posts: 240

Re: A new setup

Think about a used Blues Jr. or Blues Deluxe for an inexpensive tube platform for pedals that has a solid tone on its own. For a more Brit tone think Marshall DSL 201 or 401 or even an Orange Tiny Terror combo or head with a 1x12 cab. Each doable for under $500 US (you can do the exchange math). Send that DS-1 to Robert Keeley and get his Ultra Mod for the DS-1. It totally remakes the pedal into a workable Marshall-like tone that really sings with humbuckers.

Blessings
Larry

"...play skillfully and shout for joy." Psalm 33:3b (honest, it really says that)
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: A new setup

You might want to check out www.JHSPedals.com
They so some great mods and custom work. Very responsive and a pleasure to work with.

  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: A new setup

Have a look around for a used hot rod deluxe. Great sounding clean channel that takes pedals well. I'm jamming with some mates today and am taking a super champ xd with me. I'll let you know how it sits next to a drums, bass and another guitarist. We do have a PA we can use so we'll see. For home use the superchamp xd is great. I find it takes pedals very well.

  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: A new setup

The jam went pretty well yesterday. I wasn't 100% happy with the tone from my amp but it was pretty good. I'm thinking now of looking for a used hot rod deluxe myself to jamming maybe even band situation. I was running the super champ xd through a 1x12 extension cab which seemed to help a little. Had to run it on full blast though to compete with the other instruments.

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: A new setup

Tone is in the ear of the beholder... that said, avoid at all costs the Vox Valtronix amps.  They do not sound good.  If you must get a modeling amp the Fender Cybertwin is a much better amp. 

But I agree with above, I'd get a 15 watt Vox AC15 for about 500 bucks, or a Blues Junior, or a hotrod deluxe.  You will be much happier with those amps than the Valtronix. 

Please avoid the mistake I made years ago selling a rocking fender twin to go with a valtronix...then realizing my mistake and buying back the twin at a huge loss.

7 Reply by ScrapheapBlues (edited by ScrapheapBlues 2010-07-25 16:21:10)

  • Registered: 2010-07-23
  • Posts: 7

Re: A new setup

Thanks for all your replies so far fellas!

After jgalvan's ringing praise ( tongue ) of the VT series, I may shy away from them! I've been spending hours watching youtube videos of loads of different amps over the last few days, and especially after whatchya'all are saying i'm definitely looking at the AC15 and the Blues Junior. Question; the AC15 cc model is a lil above my prefered price range; is the VR worthy? It's not all tube, but i don't know HOW not tube...

As far as amps go 15 watts definitely looks like all i could afford so i'm feeling pretty torn between the AC15 and the Blues Jr. Does anyone have any ringing endorsements one way or the other? I'll do my best to try the both of them out but a lot of my local shops don't stock a great amp range, just stacks and stacks of MG series marshalls.


I suppose my main question is one that i need the gritty honest answer of users from, not the word of vendors; are these 15 watt tube amps enough to play mid scale gigs? By mid scale i mean fairly small, low ceiling'ed rooms with stages maybe a meter above the floor or less, playing to between 100 and 250 people. We pretty much always have a PA available so I suppose it's not such an issue, but mic'ing a small amp isn't always best i hear. Thoughts on these amps as viable gigging equipment?


Thanks so much for your help!

8 Reply by jgalvan8804 (edited by jgalvan8804 2010-07-26 06:55:16)

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: A new setup

The answer is YES kind of... 15 watts is fine for certain uses.  Different guitars work different ways thru 15 watt amps.  I have a 58 RI LP which for the most part will push the amp into slight break up no matter what the volume is on the AC15. Not the case with the AC30. THis doesnt mean I have no cleans.  If I play light I have plenty of clean. But if I push my playing I can drive the amp a bit.  This is a nice feature if you like control of your sound at your finger tips.  If I play my tele I get much more cleans because of the weaker pickups.

That said... The Blues Junior may have more clean headroom than the Vox in my experience BUT.... Its all in what you want you tone to be.  Fenders are NOT Vox's.  They sound very different. 

You will not need more than 15 watts to play in a practice.  However I'd be prepared to MIC the amps if you play outside or in a bar. 

Just my humble opinion.  Both are great amps and far better than anything in the valtronix world.  Good Luck.

Just to toss it out there Mike Campbell uses a Princeton and sometime a deluxe reverb on stage with Tom Petty.  His AC30 is in a sound proof case that he cant hear. 
And they play some rather big shows.

-Jeremy

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: A new setup

I love my Blues JR., but I'd still take a chance on a VOX ac15. I don't think think you can make a wrong decision there.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool