Topic: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

Hey Everyone,

Need some direction....

Here is what I am looking for (if it ever exists)...

I play a lot of blues based rock and I am getting into learning how to play smooth jazz.  As you can see below the guitars I have...will play the smooth jazz on the 58RI....ok, is there an amp that you would suggest that can kind of handle my needs and not break the bank..under $1,000.

Also, has anyone ever used or have experience with a Fender Bandmaster?  There is a shop near me with a 1967 Blackface Bandmaster head for $550 in good condition.  Any thoughts on the amp?  Is the price reasonable?

the last piece of the puzzle is I have always wanted a Marshall...is there a Marshall that can satisfy my current needs?


Thanks,

Barry

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

I would go buy the Bandmaster.  Great amp and very versatile, and it loves pedals.  The price sounds reasonable.  He would probably take less if you take cash along.  I have a 1965 Bandmaster and it is my favorite amp.  Paired with the right speaker cab they are hard to beat.

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

If you play jazz, then definitely go with the Bandmaster/Bassman,or most indicated for jazz would be a Roland JC120.
It would actually be difficult to get a good clean from a Marshall.

Fender strat '62 custom shop relic/AgostinCustom CL-111-KR/
'69 Marshall 50watt Jmp 1987 smallbox/Marshall 6100.
king of tone OD/BossDS1/line6 dl4/Foxrox Aquavibe/chicago iron octavia/70's Vox Wah/Boss rt20/holy grail reverb/Mogami

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

The vintage modern has great cleans, as does the JVM series. The JCM2000's clean is really good as well. A  30th Anniversary model would sound great clean too. Actually Plexis and 800s have pretty decent clean tones as well, even though they're not known for that, but they're not Fender type cleans, as in "sparkly", that's all... If you need great clean and great dirty, your best bet in a Marshall would be a JVM...

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

If you want to go the Marshall route, the best cleans are probably a JTM45 type circuit because that's closer to an actual Fender amp than say a Superlead.  Very touch responsive and reacts great with your volume knob.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfbhmRBqe9o - Clean & Dirty JTM45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MNdE87- … re=related - Pretty and clean JTM45

No Pedals for the JTM45

In the Fender camp, any number of things could work assuming you'll be using a boost of some sort for the rock stuff.  My Super is the ultimate pedal platform.  For newer amps, I like the lower wattage Princeton RI or the higher powered '59 Bassman RI.  BTW try before you buy but if that '67 Bandmaster is healthy SNAG IT.  Those old Fender heads are highly overlooked but amazing sounding.  Don't be afraid of using a little grit in your smooth jazz playing.  Robben Ford and Larry Carlton have made a nice living doing just that.

'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.

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

Grab the Bandmaster!

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

HELP!!!!!

I good friend of mine is dying to buy my vox ac15cc1 for his studio...unfortunately it is my only amp.  Everyone is telling me that I need an amp to play out (which I haven't yet) of at least 30 watts.  I'd love to be able to buy a new one but money is super tight and what I'd get from the vox wouldn't cover a new amp...new to me...

I need a pretty versatile amp that has great cleans...around 30 watts...wonderfuly warm blues tones...marshally crunch.  I play mostly blues rock but I am getting into learning jazz and smooth jazz stuff. so that amp has to be able to be that flexible.

Also, I'm not getting any younger so the amp needs to be relatively light in weight...

Any thoughts????

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

The AC15 should be plenty to play a gig! 15 Tube Watts, right?

    Buy a Shure Microphone and a good Mic Cable. Costs less, and does what you'd need, allows you to run the Vox through a P.A. And the P.A. will give you all the volume you'll need.

   And your Vox WILL get good Cleans for Jazz, too.

    However, if you're just wanting a new Amp (and don't we all?  tongue ), a Peavey Classic 30 or 50 would be a great choice. As well as any Fender Amp.

    Yes Marshalls get good Cleans too. But, the Bandmaster would be a GREAT choice. Plus, it will INCREASE in value over time. So, you should be able to get your $$$ back, easily.

    And again: 15 Watts is PLENTY for gigging. And much more manageable around the house.

    People who think you NEED more Wattage are probably relatively new to gigging. In fact, this is why peopleuse P.A.s in the first place!  big_smile
   Rookies often have this dream of getting a "Marshall1/2 Stack". Then, after a year or so of never being able to play them at the proper volumes, they finally give up and sell them for a huge loss of $$$. Andtheygo out and buy a 15 or 30 Watter that is actually useable. In fact, I make a good amount of cash each year buying those"almost new" 1/2 Stacks and re-selling them in the paper! tongue

    Good luck on whatever you decide. None of it is life-or-death, andI'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you end up with.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

Two other amps I was thinking about are a Used Peavey Delta Blues and a Traynor YCS-50 (which came very highly recommended by Rik Emmett, who is the featured artist of that amp)...

this was done with the Traynor ycs50 for Rik and the ycs90 for Dave Dunlop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chq1fx_tfos


Do any of you have any experience with these amps?

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

Both are solid Amps. But,you're going to have to play them yourself to seeif they're a good fit for you.

    I think the Traynor is more versatile. And it would work well for you. Some people RAVE about the DeltaBlues.

    Both Amps use EL-84 Power Tubes, just like your Vox does. So, they will have that compressed, focused Midrange that gives Voxes a lot of their Mojo. Also, they break up into OD very well.

    However, you may prefer the bigger Frequency Range of 6L6 Tubes. Like a Twin Reverb uses.

    6V6 Tubes, like on a Deluxe Reverb are also great for your purposes. In fact, a DRRI is a great, CLASSIC Amp. It's been the choice of Gigging Blues AND Jazz Players sincethe originals came out.
   
    Again, nowadays Wattage isn't as much a factor as many claim.

    A Mic and a Mic Cable will go a long way..........

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

Anybody play through a Egnator Rebel 30 yet?

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

If you want to go the Marshall route, the best cleans are probably a JTM45 type circuit because that's closer to an actual Fender amp than say a Superlead.  Very touch responsive and reacts great with your volume knob.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfbhmRBqe9o - Clean & Dirty JTM45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MNdE87- … re=related - Pretty and clean JTM45

No Pedals for the JTM45

In the Fender camp, any number of things could work assuming you'll be using a boost of some sort for the rock stuff.  My Super is the ultimate pedal platform.  For newer amps, I like the lower wattage Princeton RI or the higher powered '59 Bassman RI.  BTW try before you buy but if that '67 Bandmaster is healthy SNAG IT.  Those old Fender heads are highly overlooked but amazing sounding.  Don't be afraid of using a little grit in your smooth jazz playing.  Robben Ford and Larry Carlton have made a nice living doing just that.

Little "Mountain Time" there....sweet.

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

rpic wrote:

Anybody play through a Egnator Rebel 30 yet?

I have. I played all the amps at Guitar Center, with my Strat and my AK95, and ended up buying one. I love the clean channel. The sound is very good for jazz.

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

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

If you are drifting into jazz, DO check out the Roland Jazz Chorus amps. They are as clean as you will ever get, and the stereo chorus is awesome. The only downside is that they are kind of high wattage for small spaces - my brother-in-law never had his 120 turned up past 2 when gigging in Philadelphia.

I eventually sold my JC77 because I am headed the other way and I wanted a darker smokier sound which I now get from my Egnater rebel 30.

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

Re: Amps...Amps...Amps...too much to choose from

That is a good price on the Bandmaster;  I have a 66 and it is my main amp!

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint