• Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 135

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

For my home use, I have a Fender princeton Chorus Amp and the Marshall Class 5.  I still need an A/B switch so that I can switch back and forth.  But, I can get some pretty good tones from the Fender, and also a little distortion bc it has a dirty channel on it.  Plus, I have the Class 5 which I can turn up all the way for lead tones and add my Tube Screamer to get a little more.  Now, thiis a cheap way to get close to Joe's tone, I think.  No one is going to have Joe's tone because no one is Joe!  Joe's fingers are what get him the majority of his sound.

I do think that the Class 5 is still a great amp and used live with a mic in front of it, could be a great amp for the price. 

Again, my 2 cents.

  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Picked up a class 5 today. So far its ok, nothing great. I'm used to my JCM 900.I'll give it a few days to get used to. It's for the house anyway.

39 Reply by scrptman (edited by scrptman 2011-05-27 18:07:01)

  • Registered: 2010-03-01
  • Posts: 15

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

I'm loving my Blackstar HT5. With Tube screamer (or similar) and a compressor in front of it I get a pretty gnarly, growling crunch sound. Not necessarily looking for Joe's tone with it though, but it works great for some ZZ Top, AC/DC ish crunch.

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Artisan wrote:

Picked up a class 5 today. So far its ok, nothing great. I'm used to my JCM 900.I'll give it a few days to get used to. It's for the house anyway.

Hope you do end up liking it, I think they sound great.  I don't mean any disrespect to you by saying this, (since you're used to a JCM900) but back when I was more into heavy distortion, I probably wouldn't even try a class 5.  Now that I feel my ears have developed and can appreciate and differentiate a lot more nuances in guitar tones and amps, I don't get so turned on my Steve Vai levels of distortion!  But even if you're not too into it, you can always use a distortion pedal should you decide to keep it.

  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Just a follow up from the OP, I ended up snagging a Pro Jr. today at the GC Memorial Day sale. 15% off $399 is a pretty sweet price for a good amp. Only had a chance to play it a little tonight - I'll give it a proper try out tomorrow. But so far it sounds really great - and it was killer in the store.

I still can't get over how tiny that thing is though!

  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

helrazr84 wrote:
Artisan wrote:

Picked up a class 5 today. So far its ok, nothing great. I'm used to my JCM 900.I'll give it a few days to get used to. It's for the house anyway.

Hope you do end up liking it, I think they sound great.  I don't mean any disrespect to you by saying this, (since you're used to a JCM900) but back when I was more into heavy distortion, I probably wouldn't even try a class 5.  Now that I feel my ears have developed and can appreciate and differentiate a lot more nuances in guitar tones and amps, I don't get so turned on my Steve Vai levels of distortion!  But even if you're not too into it, you can always use a distortion pedal should you decide to keep it.

No offense taken, I use a JCM 900 but don't overdrive it, except for leads. It gives me a good Marshall sound. I have gotten back into playing after a 15 year hiatus. The kids are grown and now I can afford gear I couldn't afford back in my traveling days. I found some more tone in the Class 5 this weekend, but I have to get use to it,learn it. I also am playing through two guitars I just aquired, an R7 and an R8, that I have had less than a week. Yes, I'm searching for tone.

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

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

Artisan wrote:

I also am playing through two guitars I just aquired, an R7 and an R8, that I have had less than a week. Yes, I'm searching for tone.

Sounds like you aquired some good $hit!  I found the Les Paul a little tough to play coming from strats and thin neck guitars and I guess when you have an amp as brutally honest as a class 5..it can take some getting used to I suppose; especially after not playing for 15 years!  Welcome back! -S

  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

So after having my pro jr for a day at home, I could not believe the hiss coming out of that thing! I mean, at bedroom level it almost makes it unusable. Makes me nervous to take it to a gig where that noise is going to be mic'd.

So I promptly went back to guitar center, bought the class 5, and a/b'd them at practice volume. They actually sound fairly similar, but there are some differences. Looks like I have 30 days to decide which one to keep, but that pj hiss is making he decision easier every time I turn it on.

45 Reply by wasatch (edited by wasatch 2011-05-30 16:50:17)

  • Registered: 2011-05-01
  • Posts: 113

Re: Need a smaller (lighter) amp... Class 5?

What a weekend!

Long story short, I ended up taking both the C5 and the PJ back, and spent a little more to get the Egnater Tweaker 112. Can't stop playing it - it sounds great, and is super versatile.

If anyone is looking for a great tube amp, you should really check it out.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Wasatch