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Hey guys:)
Any suggestions on a good setup for truly getting the Joe Bonamassa guitar tone at bedroom playing levels?
Let's start from a blank canvas and my budget is probably around £1500 or 2000$
Obviously my main thing to think about is what head+cab to go for that will cost around £1200 (was thinking DSL100), so my other few hundred is there for pedals
Thanks!
*Edit- Bedroom playing levels aren't too much of an issue actually as I'm usually alone anyway!
My "bedroom-setup" is:
30w Marshall JTM45 (reissue), Keeley-mod'ed tube screamer, Nova Delay and Boss RV-5. I have a Marshall Powerbrake between the amp and THD 2x12 cab. Then add a Les Paul and I'm a happy guy!
My "bedroom-setup" is:
30w Marshall JTM45 (reissue), Keeley-mod'ed tube screamer, Nova Delay and Boss RV-5. I have a Marshall Powerbrake between the amp and THD 2x12 cab. Then add a Les Paul and I'm a happy guy!
Is the powerbrake any good?
Thanks!
Jonny,
If you can, give the Axe-FX from Fractal Audio a shot. It is an absolutely fantastic little device. Emulates nearly any tone you like, There is even a preset on the device called 'So Many Roads' which is designed to sound like Joe's tone on that particular song. It is basically a dual Marshall/Dumble amp combination with delay etc.
In fact, my favourite preset that I am building myself on the box is based on the Carol-Ann OD2. I generally play it through the power amp section of my Mesa-Boogie DC-10 to move air, although I have just ordered a flat response powered monitor so I can really play with the cab sims on the device.
It sounds just as good as many tube amps I have played, and the added bonus for me is that it is so LIGHT and easy to transport to gigs etc. Sometimes I just use the device and plug it into the venue's FOH system.
No idea what these devices cost in the UK, but I got mine second hand from a member at another forum for around US$2000 shipped out.
Cheers,
Devan
Jonny,
If you can, give the Axe-FX from Fractal Audio a shot. It is an absolutely fantastic little device. Emulates nearly any tone you like, There is even a preset on the device called 'So Many Roads' which is designed to sound like Joe's tone on that particular song. It is basically a dual Marshall/Dumble amp combination with delay etc.
In fact, my favourite preset that I am building myself on the box is based on the Carol-Ann OD2. I generally play it through the power amp section of my Mesa-Boogie DC-10 to move air, although I have just ordered a flat response powered monitor so I can really play with the cab sims on the device.
It sounds just as good as many tube amps I have played, and the added bonus for me is that it is so LIGHT and easy to transport to gigs etc. Sometimes I just use the device and plug it into the venue's FOH system.
No idea what these devices cost in the UK, but I got mine second hand from a member at another forum for around US$2000 shipped out.
Cheers,
Devan
Yeah I've heard about that device...sounds like it's got good reviews! 
However, I'm just not a fan of emulators of any kind (especially amp simulators like some of the Vox amplifiers) I just prefer the real thing blasting out! But I'll definitely have a look at it and see what I think
Thanks for the input!:)
Is the powerbrake any good?
Thanks!
I think it does the job very well. It is most likely the only reason for not being kicked out of the apartment building .... LOL:-)
Jlowther wrote:Is the powerbrake any good?
Thanks!
I think it does the job very well. It is most likely the only reason for not being kicked out of the apartment building .... LOL:-)
Haha 
I think they've discontinued them now though 
Here's a link to some clips from one of my other favorite guitarist. he uses Fractal Audio to simulate some of his father's tones so he doesn't have to take so much equipment on the road. The Fractal Audio effects aren't your typical emulator effects. Wish I had one...
Old Fender Bandmaster or Bassman head, Marshall 1965 4x10 cab or good 2x12 cab. Add a couple of good overdrives, a Boss DD-3, and decent reverb pedal. What you have to consider here is that you are getting an excellent hand wired head for a fraction of the price of a new hand wired boutique head. These old heads love pedals and a Fulltone OCD (I prefer version 3) will get you very good Marshall grind. OCD's are thick but if you put a tubescreamer in front of it, you will get a smooth lead tone that will still cut. A good chorus pedal works well in this set up too. If you ever decide to trade, the old Fender heads will hold their value.
Old Fender Bandmaster or Bassman head, Marshall 1965 4x10 cab or good 2x12 cab. Add a couple of good overdrives, a Boss DD-3, and decent reverb pedal. What you have to consider here is that you are getting an excellent hand wired head for a fraction of the price of a new hand wired boutique head. These old heads love pedals and a Fulltone OCD (I prefer version 3) will get you very good Marshall grind. OCD's are thick but if you put a tubescreamer in front of it, you will get a smooth lead tone that will still cut. A good chorus pedal works well in this set up too. If you ever decide to trade, the old Fender heads will hold their value.
When I first read your comment, I almost dismissed the idea of a Fender head straight away...I've always been a Les Paul/Marshall kind of person....but after looking at the bandmaster on YouTube it sounds damn good! Just for arguments sake, are there any Marshall heads that are especially known for producing a smooth, creamy lead tone?
Thanks!
Here's a link to some clips from one of my other favorite guitarist. he uses Fractal Audio to simulate some of his father's tones so he doesn't have to take so much equipment on the road. The Fractal Audio effects aren't your typical emulator effects. Wish I had one...
Thanks! They sound pretty damn good, I believe he uses Guitar Rig 4 aswell for recording
Yeah I've heard about that device...sounds like it's got good reviews!
Thanks for the input!:)
I can understand - I wasn't a big fan of hardware modellers for years either. I've used Amplitube on my Mac for a while for practising but never considered it for live use at all.
However, when I got the Axe-FX it completely blew me away. It actually has that responsive 'feel' that a tube amp does. Doesn't feel solid state at all. If I didn't live on the other side of the planet, I'd say come over and try it out with your favourite guitar. Unfortunately, these devices aren't usually at your local guitar store to just drop in and try out...
Oh, and when you mentioned bedroom playing - this thing you can use with headphones, or a small set of desktop studio monitors at low volume, and still get that tube breakup sound...
Sorry - I'm not trying to do the hard sell on you (And no, I don't work for Fractal 
) - Just didn't want you to dismiss it outright until you could experience it.
Jlowther wrote:Yeah I've heard about that device...sounds like it's got good reviews!
Thanks for the input!:)
I can understand - I wasn't a big fan of hardware modellers for years either. I've used Amplitube on my Mac for a while for practising but never considered it for live use at all.
However, when I got the Axe-FX it completely blew me away. It actually has that responsive 'feel' that a tube amp does. Doesn't feel solid state at all. If I didn't live on the other side of the planet, I'd say come over and try it out with your favourite guitar. Unfortunately, these devices aren't usually at your local guitar store to just drop in and try out...
Oh, and when you mentioned bedroom playing - this thing you can use with headphones, or a small set of desktop studio monitors at low volume, and still get that tube breakup sound...
Sorry - I'm not trying to do the hard sell on you (And no, I don't work for Fractal
You've gotten me really interested in this little device now! But I'm afraid I'd have to test it out somewhere before I spent £1500 on it! 
Interesting you can get the feel of a real tube amp...are you running it through a cabinet?
Many thanks
You've gotten me really interested in this little device now! But I'm afraid I'd have to test it out somewhere before I spent £1500 on it!
Interesting you can get the feel of a real tube amp...are you running it through a cabinet?
Many thanks
At the moment, I am plugging it into the 'Effects In' jack on my Mesa/Boogie DC-10. This bypasses my preamp stage, and just uses the power amp stage.
However, this means that I have to bypass the cabinet sims on the Axe-FX as I am already running it through the 2x10s on my DC-10. Once I get my flat response powered monitor though, I can start playing with the cabinet sims as well, so I can make it sound like it is pumping through a 4x12with Scumbacks or a EVL 1x12 or virtually anything...
You DO have to bear in mind that you need a powered cab or monitors to play this device through. And if you were seriously gigging with it, you might need a MIDI footswitch to make the most of it. This does add to the basic cost, but hey - you've got about 40 amps, 30 cabinets and about 70 effects all in the one box...
Like I said, if I lived closer, I would definitely invite you around to jam with it for a while. Only you can make up your mind as to whether it suits your style or needs.
I believe some of the earliest Marshalls were based on the Fender Bassman. Also, I think most of Joe's smoother lead tones come from his 6L6 based amps, although they are combined with his Marshall Jubilee (EL34's). But as it is often stated on hear, most of Joe's tone is in his fingers and he can make about any amp sound good.
For just bedroom levels I would go for a Blackstar HT5 or a Marshall Class 5 and a few pedals.
If you are planning on gigging in the future (or hate your neighbours) get either a Marshall DSL 50 or Vintage Modern 50.
As far as Attenuators go, I have tried a THD Hotplate, they are OK until about -8db after that they really suck your tone.
Even then they still sound like your amp is turned down anyway
Devan - Yeah I'll definitely look into this device a bit more, seems pretty cool
HoosierRock - the problem is I can't afford 2 amps to run in stereo right now, that'll have to wait;)
Nairbr - DSL50 seems like a good choice...although the DSL100 would probably be better as it would give me more clean headroom and to be honest, not much difference in perceived volume from the 50
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