1 Topic by mbookatz (edited by mbookatz 2010-03-04 14:36:07)

  • Registered: 2010-03-04
  • Posts: 21

Topic: new amp advice

i currently have a second hand jcm 2000 dsl 50 watt. i just find it too cumbersomne for practicing and gigs. I am looking to sell it sometime soon as i also find it quite thin sounding. I love joes tone anbd cant quite find an amp with the depth and the low end response. I am also a big warren haynes and derek trucks fan aswell is that helps. I have a budget of just under about 800 pounds as i am in the uk. I am looking for an amp that isnt too big and heavy, whether it is in combo or head form is ok, but somehting that has a nice thick tone but still cuts through at my price range. Any suggestions? It also needs to be of a wattage that is usable, the highest wattage i would need is 50 watts, but would prefer less. I like the "marshally" sound but am open minded to ideas.

2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2010-03-04 19:26:09)

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

Re: new amp advice

IF you can find one, I seriously recommend trying a Rivera.
It has a Marhshall channel (with overdrive) and a Fender Channel (with ninja boost)
They have 1x12 combos in a 30 watt and 55 watt varieties. I had a 100 watt knucklehead back in 2000, and I sold it for the 55 watt 1x12 combo. I've loved it since 2000 and haven't heard 'better' since. I can run it into a 4x12 cab whenever I want too.

Here's a 30 watt on eBay. I'd would recommend this is exactly what you want.
http://cgi.ebay.com/RIVERA-THIRTY-TWELV … 5190ce5cb5

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

Re: new amp advice

What about the Marshall Vintage Modern, you tried one?

  • Registered: 2010-03-04
  • Posts: 21

Re: new amp advice

i havent tried it yet i am really loooking for that warren haynes ish tone on a budget kinda. i like the marshall gain but not so much in the way of that tone i am looking foir more of an american tone wiht a huge low end. i play mostly blues and jam band stuff, i dont usepedals just the volume knob on the guitar

  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: new amp advice

mbookatz wrote:

i havent tried it yet i am really loooking for that warren haynes ish tone on a budget kinda. i like the marshall gain but not so much in the way of that tone i am looking foir more of an american tone wiht a huge low end. i play mostly blues and jam band stuff, i dont usepedals just the volume knob on the guitar

Mesa Lonestar... the first version not the newer one and not the special... The 100/50 watter.  Change the tubes to JJ EL-34s and 12ax7 (no need to bias, its self biasing, just flip the switch on the back from the 6L6 position to te EL-34 position).  Turn the reverb knob off and use a delay in the loop for when you want a wet sound.  Then grab yourself an 808 Ri and a wah if you like.  The speaker is up to you... it comes with a v-30, but I'd drop in an EV.  Oh and use the Diode Rectifier, not the tube rectifier - there's a switch on the back.  Then proceed to rock!

Ben

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  • Registered: 2009-03-30
  • Posts: 178

Re: new amp advice

http://www.blackstaramps.co.uk/products … ht-40.html

Bought this two weeks ago and am thrilled with it. Its made by guys who used to be at marshall so its got awesome crunch in spades, but the clean channel is also surprisingly good, i mean you can get tones like srv's lenny/riviera paradise kind of thing, then if you crank it theres good crunch tones and it interacts really well with the volume knob. The ISF thing works really well too, trust me this amp has loads of low end and punch and the isf thing just shapes that to a tighter more american sound or a more open british sound.Oh yeah also the master volume is great for playing quieter, believe or not it actually sounds good at bedroom levels! Don't buy till you've tried it.

  • HRJ
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  • Registered: 2009-03-30
  • Posts: 178

Re: new amp advice

On the rivera i would say that it probably has better cleans the the blackstar, definitely more fendery anyway if thats what you're after, but the overdrive channel isnt quite there for me...

  • Registered: 2009-11-14
  • Posts: 17

Re: new amp advice

I second blackstar aswell mate.i recently invested in the new series one range and bought the 200watt head and 4x12 cab but they also have the series one 45 watt combo which would be right what your looking for.they are full of tone i can promise you that.

  • Registered: 2010-03-04
  • Posts: 21

Re: new amp advice

thanx guys but i had a blackstar was soooooo dissappointed with it, it was so lifeless. is it just worth me modding my jcm 2000

  • Registered: 2008-07-05
  • Posts: 85

Re: new amp advice

mbookatz wrote:

I am looking for an amp that isnt too big and heavy, whether it is in combo or head form is ok, but somehting that has a nice thick tone but still cuts through at my price range. Any suggestions? It also needs to be of a wattage that is usable, the highest wattage i would need is 50 watts, but would prefer less. I like the "marshally" sound but am open minded to ideas.

Since you're in the UK I would seriously consider tracking down a used Cornford of some sort.  They sound killer and will more than meet your stated needs.  Probably a bargain on the used market there.  Build quality is head and shoulders above most everything built out there today.  If I didn't currently own a Carol Ann I would likely be playing through a Cornford (again)

http://www.cornfordamps.com/

  • Registered: 2009-11-24
  • Posts: 94

Re: new amp advice

thanx guys but i had a blackstar was soooooo dissappointed with it, it was so lifeless. is it just worth me modding my jcm 2000

Before modding the amp, try a set of JJ or TAD tubes in there and set the bias at -82mVs... Thinness gone, thickness in... The DSL is really a great amp but it need the right tubes and the right biasing to sound its best.

  • Registered: 2010-03-04
  • Posts: 21

Re: new amp advice

i have jj in the pre amp, the amp got thinner, i even use the bass boost in and have a hot plate with bass boost in, my settings are bass 10, treble 3, mid 5 and presence 0 still quite thin sounding

13 Reply by Chris Martins (edited by Chris Martins 2010-03-12 20:57:56)

  • Registered: 2009-11-24
  • Posts: 94

Re: new amp advice

Make sure your bias is set at -82mV.  The JJs shoulnd sound thin at all. Darker yes, therefore warmer and thicker, but the preamp valves are only 1/4 of the equation. The guitar, power valves ( VERY important part ) and speakers also have a HUGE impact on your overall tone. But your first step should be to check your amp's bias setting and adjust it. Also boost your mids, and lower your bass. Thickness in the tone comes from the mids, not necessarily the bass and as far as possible ( meaning if "at all" possible from time to time ) lose the attenuator. Those things are really not your tone's best friend.

  • Registered: 2010-03-17
  • Posts: 6

Re: new amp advice

mbookatz: I recently switched to an Egnater Rebel 30 1x12. It has a very deep cabinet for an amp its size, with huge bass response. It sounds much bigger than it is. Wattage is variable from 1-30 so you can get dirty easy, or have a lot of headroom for clean. It has five 12AX7 preamp tubes and two EL-84 tubes for the brit sound, and two 6V6GT tubes for the american sound  - or - you can blend them.

List $899 which is less than 800 pounds. I use the clean channel which is perfect for me, but my brother-in law has used the gain channel and it's now one of four contenders for his next amplifier. He's a Marshall/Vox guy and I am/was a Fender guy. Anyway it took me completely by surprise because I thought I was going to walk out of the store with a Hot Rod DeVille. I gotta say this is much easier to carry.

1989 Fender Strat plus (mahogany body, maple neck, lace sensor pickups, locking tuning heads, steel double roller nut)
2009 Ibanez AK-95
2007 Crafter accoustic
2009 Egnater Rebel 30 amp