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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Looking for a second amp for blues/blues rock
Having read through the messages in this thread here's my recommendation. I'm about to downsize from a Marshall TSL601 combo to a Vox Night Train head and cab. You should definitely check this out! Amazing Brit tones, ultra portability and great looks.
I thought about the Night Train and almost went that way, may still get one someday.
I did build an 18 watt Marshall clone. It was my first amp build. It works but has some bugs in it, mostly noise. It was a real learning experience. It is usable and playable but it is also very loud. I hope to fix the noise problems and the be able to really use it. I found out during the build that I was doing some things backwards. I still plan on putting up pics and stories about the build showing the mistakes I made. Who knows, maybe it will help someone avoid making the same kinds of mistakes. I want to build another amp but haven't settled on which one yet. I also bought a Valve Jr. to play around with and do some mods to but haven't started on that yet.
Like many, I am anxiously waiting the release of the Dr. Z Monza
Said to be like a Carmen Ghia, but with a drive/gain knob
Sounds wicked
Here's one you tube, there are more
He's showin just how gainy it is, but it does a nice blues overdrive as well
Like many, I am anxiously waiting the release of the Dr. Z Monza
Said to be like a Carmen Ghia, but with a drive/gain knob
Sounds wicked
Here's one you tube, there are more
He's showin just how gainy it is, but it does a nice blues overdrive as well
Thanks for the GAS, Rick. How much?
Here's some different makers of kits I've heard good things about:
All 3 of these brands seem to have good word of mouth. I'd definately research them more thoroughly. But, all 3 seem solid.
Also, there's this:
I built a Torres Prince-Tone Jr. (2 X EL-84) a few years ago. Lots of fun, and great sounding! But, it was hard to build, and there were some inaccuracies in the directions, etc. I love the finished product, but am not a fan of working through/with Torres.
As to the noise issues: A lot of things can be cleared up by neater wiring and soldering. All those wires everywhere can be like little "Noise Antennaes"! 
In fact, exactly how things are wired, is one of the hallmarks of Trainwreck and some other "Holy Grail" type amps. So, take a lot of time to plan out where the wires will run, and which path they will take. And look at Chassis Pictures of as many top quality handwired amps as possible. Look at the quality and technique of the wiring.
Harry Joyce (formerly of HiWatt) has some stuff so clean looking, that you'd swear it took him a year to get just a couple of wires so straight and true!
Thanks for the GAS, Rick. How much?
That's the $64,000 question right now
I'll post when I hear it, due to be released soon
Looks like a winner
Have you looked into the Tonebone - Plexitube? It is a very passable clone of a Marshall Plexi (I run mine in front of a Fender Deluxe) with two channels. The second channel has an effects loop where I keep my DD3. The only drawback is it runs on 15V and most pedalboards won't accommodate it unless you have an AC outlet close. My guitars are a 95 American Strat with Hot Noiseless pu's and an Ernie Ball John Petrucci model. Both sound great through the Tonebone.
That's the $64,000 question right now
That's a bit steep, I better start saving my pennies! 
Thanks for the GAS, Rick. How much?
The Monza will be available in the 1 x 10 configuration we got for $1299. It will also
be available as a head only for $1149, a 1 x 12 and 2 x 10 with Dr Zs own 10s for $1399
http://guitardigest.com/MONZA.pdf
http://guitardigest.com/MONZA.pdf
The Monza will be available in the 1 x 10 configuration we got for $1299. It will also
be available as a head only for $1149, a 1 x 12 and 2 x 10 with Dr Zs own 10s for $1399http://guitardigest.com/MONZA.pdf
http://guitardigest.com/MONZA.pdf
Sounds like a winner. Simple, 3 knobs, grab and go with lots of available sounds with no pedals necessary.
The Monza does look cool. I have a Carmen Ghia that I really like. Plenty of volume for small gigs. And add a shure mic and cable in your gig bag, for those larger gigs where you need to mic the amp. Either that. or a Palmer Load/DI Box.
The Tone Control on a Ghia allows for more Tone Shaping than your standard "Tone" Knob. It affects the Mids and Highs, as well as shaping the Lows.
So, the amp can cover a good amount of territory.
This is the best bang for the buck on the planet. I own it, waited out front of my local GC on Black Friday morning to snag it.
Soldano designed, built for the road and incredible tone. $299.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jet-City-JC … 1475974.gc
Have you looked into the Tonebone - Plexitube? It is a very passable clone of a Marshall Plexi (I run mine in front of a Fender Deluxe) with two channels. The second channel has an effects loop where I keep my DD3. The only drawback is it runs on 15V and most pedalboards won't accommodate it unless you have an AC outlet close. My guitars are a 95 American Strat with Hot Noiseless pu's and an Ernie Ball John Petrucci model. Both sound great through the Tonebone.
Single IC voltage regulators are readily available to drop the 15 volt to 9, 5, or whatever you want. 3 pins and easy to install. Rick
This is the best bang for the buck on the planet. I own it, waited out front of my local GC on Black Friday morning to snag it.
Soldano designed, built for the road and incredible tone. $299.
I need to try one of these out.
I also need to try a Jet City...
To the op, would recommend trying a lower-watt EL84 amp, even a Peavey. Raunchy, smooth -- it's all in there.
The Jet City "Mini Stack" did sound really good! Aggressive, and plenty of grind.
I found a Jet City Amp demo on youtube that sounded really good. Now I have to find one in person to try out.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Looking for a second amp for blues/blues rock
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