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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Joe's Guitars, Amps and Gear → Amp help
Hey guys i wanted to get some input . I'm looking to pick up a nice combo I'm between the Marshall 1974x and the Rivera Venus 5 . I play blues and some classic rock but I want something that sounds good at lower volumes (practice at home) but can still crank out when its needed to be heard . Thanks for any suggestions , Paulie
Never tried a Venus, but I've never played a Rivera amp that I do not like. Marshalls are good too, but I've played Marshalls that don't have the "it" factor - so be careful and make sure the one you get has the magic in it before you buy.
Here are some old quotes from Joe that might help you.
Take care,
Bill
Ok... This is too much fun to stay out of.
500 pounds or about $1000 usdAmps I like for that much new/used
Marshall DSL 50 1X12 combo
Fender hot rod deville 2X12 combo
used Vox AC 30 reissue
used circa 94 Peavey Classic 30 or 50 and while you are at it try to find a Val-Verb
vintage Lab Series L-5 or L-7 solid state but BB King and Ty Tabor love em.. so do I
used Mesa Boogie Lonestar 2X12 maybe a bit more than a grand but a good amp
used Marshall 30th anniversary 1X12 combo again maybe a bit more again
vintage silver face Bassman or bandmaster
vintage marshall JCM 800 combo
vintage Garnett 30 (by Gar Gilies of Winepeg CA)Amps to beware of... Im not saying dont buy them but give them a good listen
DR Z...I know I know people love them.. I have never played one that did it for me, again if you own one and like it .. thats great.
Fender Blues Deville series... The original ones were very very very bright... did I say they were bright?
Anything that says Crate and voodoo on it
Anything that says Johnson or Cyber on it
Anything that says KRANK on it.. They are used in a lot in Heavy Metal, but sound like vacuum cleaners to me.anyway thats my 2 cents...
Thanks
Joe Bonamassa
Favorite amps: under a grand!!
Used AC -30 with greenbacks
Used Marshall JCM 800 50 watt
Orange Tiny Terror.. Pretty good.. it'll do in a pinch
Marshall Lead Overdrive 30 circa 1979 (solid state)
Fender Bandmaster head circa 1966 or 1967
and the NUMBER ONE favorite!!!!!
LAB Series L-5.. mine cost me $400 dollars in North Carolina!!! mint with tags.. best pound for pound dollar for dollar
you should try a dual el 84 hugues and kettner which is an all valve amp to be used in a little room at low volume and with an excellent tone and response
the clean tone is dual with a twang button and the drive is excellent with a boost and what is important very light for your back
The 1974x is a superb amp as soon as you hit 6 on the dial its right there, brilliant chunky grind and very pick sensitive and cleans up when you dial down / play softly... I pretty much soley gig with this amp now from pubs to anything bigger its very loud too. It takes pedals well and the best thing about it is all it has (apart from the useless tremelo) is tone and volume nothing else it really is a killer amp I love it to bits 
I'd be happy to answer any Q's etc about it
In the vintage style marshall flavor, try a Blackheart BH15HD if you get a chance... I own one and they're just insane. 15 very loud watts if necessary, but they sound very close to a marshall 1974 or 2061 and sound great at very moderate volumes as well. They're also very affordable.
I demo'ed it on youtube, search for shredchris...
I'd invest in a Marshall JTM 30 and an 808 Ri. The JTM 30's can get a little hot sometimes. Some people put a little fan on them, but I never noticed/had any problems. Good FX Loop too.
Ben
Any thoughts on the marshall bluesbreaker ?
I went and played a EGNATOR rebel 30 combo last night and for $900 that thing sounds great any input ?
Any thoughts on the marshall bluesbreaker ?
If you ask me they don't have the wattage if you wanna go clean. You have to keep at low volume for the clean. If you crank it up all the way, it sounds distorted - but that 'great' distortion... but then how do you clean it up? You'd almost have to have two amps.
Paulie Les Paul wrote:Any thoughts on the marshall bluesbreaker ?
If you ask me they don't have the wattage if you wanna go clean. You have to keep at low volume for the clean. If you crank it up all the way, it sounds distorted - but that 'great' distortion... but then how do you clean it up? You'd almost have to have two amps.
Or you could easily roll off your guitar volume for cleans. If you dime it, it won't roll off nice and all arituclation is thrown out the window. At low volumes it will be clean, as it goes up it will overdrive the tubes into sweetness - around 7 on the volume is a good spot, it can clean up on the guitar volume and can still have a little bite when opened up. They aren't that broken up though. It's a classic Marshall tube British overdrive. If you like the Beano album/ stuff of that nature, then this is your amp. I love them. Likes 808's and anything JMI in front of them too. Add a wah and you are good to go.
Rock on,
Ben
Or you could easily roll off your guitar volume for cleans. If you dime it, it won't roll off nice and all arituclation is thrown out the window. At low volumes it will be clean, as it goes up it will overdrive the tubes into sweetness - around 7 on the volume is a good spot, it can clean up on the guitar volume and can still have a little bite when opened up.
Ben
true. I've been doing that a little with my Epi Valve Jr.
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