• From: England
  • Registered: 2008-11-23
  • Posts: 10

Topic: I am getting some new gear and your input is needed

Hello Everyone,
                          I'm getting some new gear. I ve been playing guitar for 3 years. I currently have- Epiphone LP standard, Marshall MG30 DFX, and a cheap guitar cable. I want to get as close as possible to Joe's sound as possible(not realistic I know but- closer than I am now). I will be playing 99% of the time at home, then once or twice a month I'll hire a room out at the local Hall. So volume and Wattage- not to high. I have a budget of £1, 400.
Here is a list of stuff I was going to try out-  any help from you guys would be great
orange tiny terror head or combo
marshall 1974x combo
vox ac4tv head or combo
blackstar ht-5 head or 5/15 combo
Ibanez tubescreamer ts808
is good quality cables worth it? planet waves good?
If I get a amp head the cab was going to be the same brand
Is a bigger cab , better for sound?

Joe Bonamassa is the greatest guitarist of all time

Adam T's Website

  • Registered: 2009-03-23
  • Posts: 70

Re: I am getting some new gear and your input is needed

Cables are very important I'd say!!  Have seen a past post from Joe that says the same.  Planet waves sound good but as Joe said in his post are quite unreliable.  Mines just started to get a horrible crackling occuring.  Although they are meant to have a life time guarantee. 

As for amps I've never played one but the tiny terror sounds amazing and I know Joe's a fan of it. I've played a few other orange amps which are nice.

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: I am getting some new gear and your input is needed

Planet waves cables are good, I've got 5 of them. All great, had them for a few years now with no problems at all. They've been wrapped up and tugged on hundreds of times with no problems at all.

The orange tiny terror is fantastic, I tried one a few years ago just after they came out...loved the thing. I'd say go for that.

Also, I'd recommend changing the pots in the epiphone. Give you much more clarity.

  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: I am getting some new gear and your input is needed

Planet Waves cables are Ok - and affordable...
You forgot 1  important thing for Joe's sound- a nice delay!!!

Amps - I don't know. I'm going to try a Ceriatone OTS...

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: I am getting some new gear and your input is needed

Okay man if you are happy with your Epiphone and Marshall MG30DFX, I think you could easily make a decent little JB rig for minimum bucks.  I would run the Marshall MG as your "wet" amp with some reverb and delay going with a moderate amount of gain.  Now, to really get Joe's sound you will need another amp.  A combo would be better for your situation so here's some that I would check out:  Peavey Classic 30, Fender Blues Jr., Fender Supersonic 1x12, Fender Hotrod Deluxe 1x12, Ceriatone OTS combo, etc.  Reverb is important to have on the amp that is not running the delay to blend the two together better.  As far as pedals: TS808 RI, Fulltone OCD, Fulltone Fulldrive II, a tremolo (I use a cheap Boss TR2 works GREAT), an ABY amp switcher (Lehle, Voodoolab, or Radial...all good), and maybe even a chorus for the alternate amp like Joe does with his Carol Ann or Twinkleland.  Good luck man hope this helps!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: I am getting some new gear and your input is needed

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Now, to really get Joe's sound you will need another amp.  A combo would be better for your situation so here's some that I would check out:  Peavey Classic 30, Fender Blues Jr., Fender Supersonic 1x12, Fender Hotrod Deluxe 1x12, Ceriatone OTS combo, etc.  Reverb is important to have on the amp that is not running the delay to blend the two together better.

i think the vox could accomplish this too. If you've ever heard Davy Knowles from Back Door Slam, he uses a Voc AC30, and thats it! Gets great tone. Eye of the beholder really.

Although I can vouch for the Peavey Classic 30, very underrated and very cost effective!

- 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
  • From: England
  • Registered: 2008-11-23
  • Posts: 10

Re: I am getting some new gear and your input is needed

Thanks you guys for your help

Joe Bonamassa is the greatest guitarist of all time

Adam T's Website