• From: Green Bay, WI
  • Registered: 2010-03-29
  • Posts: 49

Topic: Need some serious amp selection help...

I know, I know, there have been tons of these type of threads, but I still feel like I need to post (sorry it's so long...).  Obviously, not very far down the line, I'd like to buy another amp, but for real this time.  I want this amp to be versatile, long-lasting, and (hopefully) satisfy my tone needs for a long time.  (Pretty much the "end all, be all" type of amp that I'll use for many years.

I play in a southern rock/country/blues/classic rock type band, so I'd like an amp that can cover these types of tones.  But, one of the really important things to me is clean tone.  That's really making me lean towards Fender.  I'm actually getting a really nice clean tone now, but I'm seriously lacking crunch (something like a "Bridge to Better Days" or "Story of a Quarryman" type tone...you know where it's nice and thick and crunchy and obviously distorted, but still articulate and relatively clean, not like over-the-top metal distortion).  And that's my problem...I can get beautiful cleans, and screaming leads and rock heavy distortion, but I'm just dying to find a satisfying middle ground.  (Btw, using pedals on my clean channel isn't working as well as I'd like, as it's a Vox VT100, which isn't an all-tube amp...really great sounding amp, but it's still just not it)

So, do I go with something solid and trusty like a Deluxe/Twin Reverb or Bassman (the "Jockey" thread has got me drooling a little...) and just attempt to achieve my tone with pedals, or do I try something like a SuperSonic, or an Egnater Renegade, or maybe something Marshall?  Marshall seems like a great choice for crunch, but I can't seem to play one with satisfying clean tone...or am I wrong?  I'm liking the Bassman idea with pedals....but I'm not sure how well it would work.  So, as you can see, I'm just completely clueless which way to turn right now.  To be honest, I wish I had the cash to just buy each one, take them home and play them with my guitars, through my pedals, and A/B to find the best one....but I simply can't afford that experiment...  Any help/ideas/thoughts, etc are greatly appreciated.  Thanks guys!

  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

TrueBlueDrew wrote:

I know, I know, there have been tons of these type of threads, but I still feel like I need to post (sorry it's so long...).  Obviously, not very far down the line, I'd like to buy another amp, but for real this time.  I want this amp to be versatile, long-lasting, and (hopefully) satisfy my tone needs for a long time.  (Pretty much the "end all, be all" type of amp that I'll use for many years.

I play in a southern rock/country/blues/classic rock type band, so I'd like an amp that can cover these types of tones.  But, one of the really important things to me is clean tone.  That's really making me lean towards Fender.  I'm actually getting a really nice clean tone now, but I'm seriously lacking crunch (something like a "Bridge to Better Days" or "Story of a Quarryman" type tone...you know where it's nice and thick and crunchy and obviously distorted, but still articulate and relatively clean, not like over-the-top metal distortion).  And that's my problem...I can get beautiful cleans, and screaming leads and rock heavy distortion, but I'm just dying to find a satisfying middle ground.  (Btw, using pedals on my clean channel isn't working as well as I'd like, as it's a Vox VT100, which isn't an all-tube amp...really great sounding amp, but it's still just not it)

So, do I go with something solid and trusty like a Deluxe/Twin Reverb or Bassman (the "Jockey" thread has got me drooling a little...) and just attempt to achieve my tone with pedals, or do I try something like a SuperSonic, or an Egnater Renegade, or maybe something Marshall?  Marshall seems like a great choice for crunch, but I can't seem to play one with satisfying clean tone...or am I wrong?  I'm liking the Bassman idea with pedals....but I'm not sure how well it would work.  So, as you can see, I'm just completely clueless which way to turn right now.  To be honest, I wish I had the cash to just buy each one, take them home and play them with my guitars, through my pedals, and A/B to find the best one....but I simply can't afford that experiment...  Any help/ideas/thoughts, etc are greatly appreciated.  Thanks guys!


In my eyes this all comes down to budget. For the spec above the Fender 57 Twin  Custom reissue meets everything you need. It is a tone monster. Or, a second hand VibroKing. If you wanna go boutique, the Cornell Tweed Clapton is unbeatable but it's boutique bucks.

If you budget is lesser, a Bassman RI is great if you like 4 x 10's, OR, Peavey Classic 50 (hugely underrated amp and cheap as chips.)

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • Registered: 2010-01-30
  • Posts: 30

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Or just get some tube-loaded effects??

I just picked up a Vox Valvetronix ToneLab ST for $300 (Aussie dollars) brand new. Includes the power adapter but no USB cable sadly, but everything else is there!

Otherwise I'd go for a Marshall amp. Tried the rest, always come back to the best.  tongue

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

I am gassing for the retro wreck... it's solid state but DO NOT let that fool you, I think it sounds wonderful. And its less than $1000 smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFPPLJe5vdg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOCkvtStD80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcpkVqJj … re=related


Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Let me tell you that half stacks are cool. But not necessarily feasible. I've seen gigs where all these acts bring in full stacks and can't turn them past .5 - and the next act putting a little 1x12 on a chair, mic'd it, and it sounded amazing.

In order of importance (#1 being sad but true) Here's how I go about amp shopping:
1. How much can I spend?
2. How bright or dark do I want to sound?
3. Do I want it to break up, have on-board distortion, or do I want to drive it with a gain pedal?
4. How loud do I want it, and what size venues will I be playing?
5. How dependable do I need the brand to be? Is the company reputable?
6. How heavy is it, and will it fit in my car?

- 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: Green Bay, WI
  • Registered: 2010-03-29
  • Posts: 49

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

I'm sorry, I should've been specific about budget.  I'm only 20 and currently a college student, so boutique money is definitely hard to come by.  Part of me feels like I should just save and save and then eventually buy a Two-Rock or something like that, but even if I were to save, the other part of me feels like 2k+ is still a LOT of money--especially for an amp.  When that money can be put towards student loans, or even simple needs like rent and food, it just seems unreasonable to use it for an amp at this time.

Ceriatone seems like a good way to get closest to boutique amp styles on a budget, but after you factor out shipping costs (I'm in Wisconsin, USA) and then buying a speaker cab to go with it (should it be a head), that also seems like it would add up to be too much.  Basically, I guess my budget is around $1000.  I'd prefer to spend less, and I'd really really hope to not spend more.  That's why I'm looking at stuff like the Deluxe or Twin Reverb or SuperSonic, etc. (can be had used for under 800).

  • From: Green Bay, WI
  • Registered: 2010-03-29
  • Posts: 49

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Let me tell you that half stacks are cool. But not necessarily feasible. I've seen gigs where all these acts bring in full stacks and can't turn them past .5 - and the next act putting a little 1x12 on a chair, mic'd it, and it sounded amazing.

In order of importance (#1 being sad but true) Here's how I go about amp shopping:
1. How much can I spend?
2. How bright or dark do I want to sound?
3. Do I want it to break up, have on-board distortion, or do I want to drive it with a gain pedal?
4. How loud do I want it, and what size venues will I be playing?
5. How dependable do I need the brand to be? Is the company reputable?
6. How heavy is it, and will it fit in my car?


Yeah, what I get doesn't have to be a stack...I'm certainly fine with a 1-12 or 2-12 combo.  The gigs that I play are typically just small bar/club places, and have only played two shows so far where my amp needed to be mic'd.  So, I'm okay with a combo being mic'd rather than having four 100-watt heads, like Joe  tongue ...I'm not selling out stadiums or arenas at the moment!

#3 is actually part of my reasoning for starting the thread.  I'm not sure which is best for my needs...  Break up, on-board distortion or pedals?  I've tried the different ways with my amp, but it's not exactly the same as it isn't all tube.  And when I play amps at different shops to test out, I can't really bring my whole setup or even open up the amp's volume without making people's ears bleed, you know?  So it can be hard to find the right amp.  That's why I've come to you guys.  I'm sure most, if not all, of you have much more experience with different pro-quality amps than I do.

  • From: Green Bay, WI
  • Registered: 2010-03-29
  • Posts: 49

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Sorry to triple post here, but I thought of one more thing...

If an amp has added features that save me money, that's a nice a plus for me.  For example, all of my amps have had built-in reverb, so I've never had to buy a reverb pedal.  That's one of the reason I really liked the Valtronix when I bought it---really versatile with the built in amp models and effects, etc.  BUT, if an amp doesn't have reverb (like a bassman), but it satisfies my tone hunt, then I'm fine with buying it.  So it's not the official deal-breaker, but like I said, it's a plus.

  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Best do-it-all amp I have played through without need for any pedals is a Mesa Lonestar.

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Late 60's early 70's silverface fenders, you can find bassman and Bandmaster heads for $300-$500, Super Reverbs are great amps as well. Don't overlook the peavey Classic 30 and 50($300 - $500. The Mesa Lonestar is a great amp but your going to pay over $1000 for a used one. If you lucky you can pick up a JCM 800 or 900 cheap but the clean will never be fender clean. Check out demos on you tube if you can't test them all out should get you some idea of the sound.

  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Your going to school, so you live in a dorm, apartment or at home, so volume needs to be a consideration when home as well as playing with band. I would go with a combo amp and in particualr for your clean needs etc a Fender Deluxe Reverb RI (new $999.00 before you barter price down).  Amp takes pedals good and at 22-watts of tube power, will be fine with band without mic'ing it on small gigs and easy to transport at about 40 lbs.  You can get a new one with warranty out the door at a GC for $800.00 easily, maybe less -get a new one.

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

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

+1 on the Peavey Classic 30, or even 50 - but those are loud.

I was the proud owner of a Peavey Classic 100 halfstack when I was in college and I didn't make ears bleed... the Classic 30's have established quite a reputation for themselves.

You can get a low wattage Fender tube amp to a couple hundred bucks too. If you got a Blues Jr. Used for less than $300 you could get a mic and just Mic it through a PA if you never needed to.

I'd stay away from a 2x12, because they're bulky and heavy to carry around... unless it's a Fender Twin Reverb....those have GREAT cleans that fill a room.


The Peavey Classic has channel switching from clean to dirty and it does a good job. For the Fenders... I'd get some sort of pedal to drive it.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr … Categories

- 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: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

TrueBlueDrew wrote:

I'm sorry, I should've been specific about budget.  I'm only 20 and currently a college student, so boutique money is definitely hard to come by.  Part of me feels like I should just save and save and then eventually buy a Two-Rock or something like that, but even if I were to save, the other part of me feels like 2k+ is still a LOT of money--especially for an amp.  When that money can be put towards student loans, or even simple needs like rent and food, it just seems unreasonable to use it for an amp at this time.

Ceriatone seems like a good way to get closest to boutique amp styles on a budget, but after you factor out shipping costs (I'm in Wisconsin, USA) and then buying a speaker cab to go with it (should it be a head), that also seems like it would add up to be too much.  Basically, I guess my budget is around $1000.  I'd prefer to spend less, and I'd really really hope to not spend more.  That's why I'm looking at stuff like the Deluxe or Twin Reverb or SuperSonic, etc. (can be had used for under 800).

1,000 bucks is a pretty good budget and you can make that go a long way.  Have you tried an Egnater Tweaker?  affordable, and you could get maybe a second low watt head and still have enough left for a 2X12.  Thats a lot of bang for your buck and you will have a lot of tonal options.  Me personally, if I had 1,000 to spend, I'd be looking 2 low wattage heads, a 2X12 cab and a decent OD and Delay pedal. -Seth

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

My personal choice would be the Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb.  Plenty loud, breaks up early, but if you crank it and use the volume knob on your guitar you can clean it up.  I used to own one and it is a total sleeper.  Could pick it up for about 500 bucks used.  The tremolo on it rocks as well!

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
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Logo33 wrote:

I am gassing for the retro wreck... it's solid state but DO NOT let that fool you, I think it sounds wonderful. And its less than $1000 smile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFPPLJe5vdg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOCkvtStD80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcpkVqJj … re=related


Logan

SO WHERE DO YOU BUY THESE THINGS?  I DON'T SEE ANY INFO ONLINE? -S.

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

Couple of things to consider... First what kind fo clean do you need. I went with Vox because of the clean tones.  And I was always a fender guy. So I dont know if that says anything.  I think Vox amps take OD pedals better than the fenders I've owned/played.  Totally opinion...

Bruno's are expensive new but I've seen quite a few on the bay for 1500.  They have unbelieveable clean tone. Worth trying out. 

Also consider that a ok guitar will sound great thru a very nice amp but a 59 burst will sound like crap thru a bad amp.  So the amp in my opinion is more important to overall tone than the guitar.

Try out a bunch of amps at the local guitar store or guitar center.  GC is hated here sometimes but they at least let you try out any amp in the store.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

helrazr84 wrote:

SO WHERE DO YOU BUY THESE THINGS?  I DON'T SEE ANY INFO ONLINE? -S.



You can find the info at www.destroyallguitars.com... really an awesome site.

Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Need some serious amp selection help...

My '68 Super Reverb + pedals does about 90% of what I need as far as tones.  I can't recommend them highly enough, especially when you can get them for under a grand.  Also, don't rule out 'boutique' amps because they are closer than you think to your budget.  I'm a big fan of the Dr. Z stuff myself...EVERY amp seems to have a stupendous clean tone and a great mild grind.  My Maz 18 can do ANYTHING well and it's extremely loud/portable.  I really like the Carmen Ghia and Z-28 too and trust me you WILL NOT need reverb with these amps!  Also, keep your eyes peeled for cheap Silverface Fenders.  You can often times score a Princeton Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, or Super Reverb with someone who doesn't appreciate them because of the silver faceplate...I assure you that most of them sound incredible.

You mentioned some 'Marshall-y' stuff so I'll make a recommendation there.  If I had the extra $$$ I would have bought a Fargen Mini Plex a long time ago.  It's a great little amp that gets the closest to a real cranked plexi tone without having to blow the windows out of your house with it's volume.  I have one locally listed for $1000 that's been sitting there for over a year.  I bet he'd take $800 or $850 for it!  wink

'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.