• From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 99

Topic: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

It's the one thing I've never been able to find and be happy with. Crunch, marshall and heavy amps no problem to find and be happy with but most clean amps I get I either find get too twangy/country or just lack that 3D sparkle to them.

So what are people's choices for clean amps - Two Rocks, Van Weeldens, Fenders, Lazy Js, Divided by 13s, Vox?

Been talking to Jesse at Lazy J about building a really clean J20 or 40, but also looking at the astronomically expensive Custom Reverbs which I just can't justify laying out for so interested on peoples thoughts, it's not easy to find a place with all of them to try if I'm honest.

Thanks in advance.

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

It's hard to beat a 65-66 BF Twin Reverb for clean sparkle. I'd like to try a CA OD3.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

My '67 and '74 Twin Reverbs are clean machines! I run them in stereo split with a TC Chorus, Deluxe Memory Man, and an EP3 Echoplex.  That's roughly 170w-200w of clean power....yeah baby!

'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.
  • From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 99

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

My '67 and '74 Twin Reverbs are clean machines! I run them in stereo split with a TC Chorus, Deluxe Memory Man, and an EP3 Echoplex.  That's roughly 170w-200w of clean power....yeah baby!

The 85 watts they pump out doesn't make them unusable at bedroom and smaller settings you find? I take it just adds to the headroom without being insanely loud.

  • From: Southampton, UK
  • Registered: 2011-09-06
  • Posts: 231

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

Can't beat a Fender IMO - my choice is my Blues Deville 4x10".  I also have a Bugera V55H and matching cab and for the £/$ you just can't beat it.  I took it out on a gig last night and was blown away once again - guys come and ask me about the rig and can't believe the quality of the sound for the bucks.

Gibson LP '89 Custom * Gibson LP '04 Classic * Gibson JB LP Studio * Fender 50th Ann. Deluxe Strat * Gibson Explorer Pro * Epiphone Korina SG * Michael Kelly Patriot Premium * Ibanez 105NT Artcore Custom * Takamine acoustics * Fender Blues Deville 4x10" * Marshall DSL100 and DSL50 * Marshall 1960A * Laney LH55 * Bugera V55HD * Bugera 212VT * Marshall 1912 * Roland Cube 60

Coolaxeman's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

My dream would be a black faced fender twin from the 60's

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Registered: 2011-09-02
  • Posts: 110

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

1965 Fender Twin Reverb. Can't beat it. Fender will always have the best clean tones around.

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

For me it is my Carol Ann OD3 and my Twinkleland. I have a Fender twin which is awesome also but my OD3 and twinkleland are it for me. Can't beat it matched up and blended with a Marshall Silver Jub or a Catagory 5 JB Jubilee.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

Strat through a '65 Bassman... big_smile

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • Registered: 2010-09-30
  • Posts: 163

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

Lots of great clean amps, depending on what you want... My BF Super Reverb is one of my personal favs, as is my Mesa Lone Star.

What are you looking for in your clean tone? How will you play through it? What guitars will you pair with it?

Cheers,
-Matt

  • From: Bangor, Wales, Uk
  • Registered: 2011-08-09
  • Posts: 23

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

Two-Rock

12 Reply by alex.p (edited by alex.p 2012-02-20 06:50:53)

  • From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 99

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

Thanks for the responses guys, appreciate them. Fenders look to be the general choice with a few boutiques in there.

Zen Guitar wrote:

Lots of great clean amps, depending on what you want... My BF Super Reverb is one of my personal favs, as is my Mesa Lone Star.

What are you looking for in your clean tone? How will you play through it? What guitars will you pair with it?

Cheers,
-Matt

Looking for a nice open clean tone. Has to be smooth and not verge towards country twang that I've got covered elsewhere. It's to be used pretty straight with just a wah and fuzz in front for when needed and some delay. Really want a clean tone to fill the room and that will hold the notes well with that 3D chime amps like Two Rocks and Dumble's seem to be able to put out.

Guitars being used will mainly be Les Paul and PRS McCarty although have a fender strat on the way.

  • Registered: 2010-12-26
  • Posts: 206

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

My Mesa Boogie mkIIb gets a beautiful clean tone. Love this amp.

  • From: Manchester, England
  • Registered: 2010-10-20
  • Posts: 27

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

Have you considered Laneys at all? In my experience they have always had great dry sounding cleans (Some consider their clean tone a bit sterile but I love them). I had a GH 100TI Head that had a very nice clean tone with acres of headroom. Also to back up the Fender case- The good old Fender Deluxe?

Gibson Flying V Faded Cherry (Crescent Moons), Reverse Head Stock Custom Strat HSH, Vintage V100 Icon Lemon Drop LP, Blackheart Handsome Devil and Blackheart Killer Cab, BSM TrebleBooster, Metal Muff, Dunlop Wah, Vox Time Machine
  • Registered: 2010-05-21
  • Posts: 121

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

My dear Reeves is still my favourite clean amp. I have sold my Fenders, so I guess there are different tastes out there.... LOL :-) Reeves is almost identical to Hiwatt. Mr. Reeves was the man behind Soundcity and Hiwatt.

Keep rocking!
Andre'

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

any 60's Ampeg

  • From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 99

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

Thanks again for the responses guys.

Used to own an old Laney 50 watter which had great cleans just not enough base response for my liking, didn't quite feel round enough.

Will have a look into the mentioned fenders and see if can take them for a spin. Had a crack at a custom reverb sig v3 today and the tone was phenomenal. Then looked at the tag and fell off the stool.

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: What's peoples favourite clean tone amp?

I think you just described a Carol Ann.