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

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

I would say of the smaller amps, a Fender Pro Jr. cranked cannot be beaten.  I have often considered going dual Pro Jr.s dimed for live work (only if mic'd).  Alas a lot of gigs I play are non-mic'd and I need more juice.  I digress, the original question is about what gear is "best" to play the blues, specifically guided at amps.  I mean this 100% without sarcasm (unusual for me, I know): the best gear in order to play the blues and sound good is... life.

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

20 Reply by Chrisuk (edited by Chrisuk 2012-03-25 06:13:00)

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

wharris wrote:

Beano was a JTM45

"Marshall JTM45... ...Seeking a powerful amp to make available to british musicians, Jim Marshall, Ken Bran and Dudley Craven essentially copied the circuit and overall electronic design of the 5F6A tweed Fender Bassman... ...they followed the bassman circuit almost to the letter." Dave Hunter.

So yes a JTM45 which runs the same circuit as the bassman (5F6A) but built with british components.

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

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

They are similar but not quite the same circuit. The power amp circuits are for just about identical, but the feedback circuit is taken from the 16-ohm output (rather than the 2-ohm output) resulting in a change in the ratio of preamp and power amp distortion. There is also an extra brightness capacitor on the bright channel, different V1 (12AXY). Speakers, while not part of the circuit, were 12 inch Celestion rather than 10 inch speakers.

"By the way, it was a bass amp we originally wanted. It was to replace the Leak amps we were selling for bass; but the guitar sound was too good to pass up!" Ken Bran, builder of the first JTM.

  • Registered: 2011-08-29
  • Posts: 267

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
harlequingr wrote:

$300 budget

Get a used Fender Blues Jr., Peavey Classic 30, or Vox AC15 (tube)

all have "good" blues sounds...

good luck!

+1

Oasis.Guitar's Website

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

wharris wrote:

They are similar but not quite the same circuit. The power amp circuits are for just about identical, but the feedback circuit is taken from the 16-ohm output (rather than the 2-ohm output) resulting in a change in the ratio of preamp and power amp distortion. There is also an extra brightness capacitor on the bright channel, different V1 (12AXY). Speakers, while not part of the circuit, were 12 inch Celestion rather than 10 inch speakers.

"By the way, it was a bass amp we originally wanted. It was to replace the Leak amps we were selling for bass; but the guitar sound was too good to pass up!" Ken Bran, builder of the first JTM.

Cheers, although I knew about the valve and speaker differences you're talking about - I assumed that the Marshall team had already worked out that Bassmans were being used as lead amps.

We've gone a bit off topic though and away from the point I was making - that the standard amps of that time (even the champ - student model) would be considered boutique construction today being handwired circuits, US or British built speakers, valves from what is now refered to as the 'golden age', etc...

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

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

Great point.

  • Registered: 2012-03-23
  • Posts: 9

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

macg1 wrote:

I would say of the smaller amps, a Fender Pro Jr. cranked cannot be beaten.  I have often considered going dual Pro Jr.s dimed for live work (only if mic'd).  Alas a lot of gigs I play are non-mic'd and I need more juice.  I digress, the original question is about what gear is "best" to play the blues, specifically guided at amps.  I mean this 100% without sarcasm (unusual for me, I know): the best gear in order to play the blues and sound good is... life.

what about a fender vibro champxd? how is that for blues,jazz,hollowbody. i have a taylor t-5.thanks.

george

  • Registered: 2012-03-23
  • Posts: 9

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

macg1 wrote:

I would say of the smaller amps, a Fender Pro Jr. cranked cannot be beaten.  I have often considered going dual Pro Jr.s dimed for live work (only if mic'd).  Alas a lot of gigs I play are non-mic'd and I need more juice.  I digress, the original question is about what gear is "best" to play the blues, specifically guided at amps.  I mean this 100% without sarcasm (unusual for me, I know): the best gear in order to play the blues and sound good is... life.

what about a fender vibro champ xd? i have a taylor t-5. i want clean blues,jazz,hollow body sound.thanks.

george

  • Registered: 2012-03-23
  • Posts: 9

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
harlequingr wrote:

hi,

i have an opportunity to get a Marshall class 5 for $240.simple all tube classic sound. will it work? thanks. for the help.

george

It will work, and you will be happy with it. Be ready to mic it if you're in a band or gig situation.

Also, you should get a delay pedal to set slightly "wet" and an overdrive pedal for solos. I like a little delay as opposed to reverb pedals.

Then you should be able to get some good blues tones. Blues rock even. Or even Joe Bonamassa tones.

Here's a vid of JB playing through a wall of Marshall Class 5 amps... although I think only a couple of them were turned on.
http://youtu.be/t1NAUGshmBc

I played through a Class 5 and liked it a lot. But I own a Fender Blues JR and like the cleans better on the Blues JR. My brother loves his marshall class 5... it's a great little amp with some balls.

hi,

i listened to bonamassa and it sounded more crunch and rock than blue.i want pure blues/jazz sound,clean with some effects if i need them .will the fender avibro champ xd work better for me than the marshall class 5? i have taylor t-5.thanks.

george

  • Registered: 2010-12-06
  • Posts: 122

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

harlequingr wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
harlequingr wrote:

hi,

i have an opportunity to get a Marshall class 5 for $240.simple all tube classic sound. will it work? thanks. for the help.

george

It will work, and you will be happy with it. Be ready to mic it if you're in a band or gig situation.

Also, you should get a delay pedal to set slightly "wet" and an overdrive pedal for solos. I like a little delay as opposed to reverb pedals.

Then you should be able to get some good blues tones. Blues rock even. Or even Joe Bonamassa tones.

Here's a vid of JB playing through a wall of Marshall Class 5 amps... although I think only a couple of them were turned on.
http://youtu.be/t1NAUGshmBc

I played through a Class 5 and liked it a lot. But I own a Fender Blues JR and like the cleans better on the Blues JR. My brother loves his marshall class 5... it's a great little amp with some balls.

hi,

i listened to bonamassa and it sounded more crunch and rock than blue.i want pure blues/jazz sound,clean with some effects if i need them .will the fender avibro champ xd work better for me than the marshall class 5? i have taylor t-5.thanks.

george


What does the Taylor sound like?  Are you looking for an electric blues sound or acoustic sound?  The Taylor appears to be ill suited for electric blues.   What does your current amp sound like now?  You won't get cleaner than solid state (generally speaking).

By the way, the Taylor T5 looks like a really interesting guitar.

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

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

I think the vibro champ is a fun little amp for practice or studio use, but I think it will blow at a live show.  5 watts just isn't much of anything live.  Even if you mic these things I think champs sound tiny, think Eric Clapton Derek and the Dominos.  He's using a tweed champ and although thats my favorite album he has ever done I think its one of the weakest guitar sounds he's ever had.  It put the attention to more of the singing and the band itself rather then eric the guitar player, which is exactly what he wanted.  But to me sounds tiny.

AD3THREE's Website

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

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

If you want cleaner Jazz/blues stuff, I personally would stay away from marshall and orange stuff.... and go with a Fender or a Roland amp. If you can find the old solid state Gibson Lab Series... that's what B.B. King uses and they are budget priced.

- 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
  • sted
  • sted
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  • Registered: 2011-03-20
  • Posts: 333

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

DarthElvis wrote:

I think your little Peavey is just fine. Some of the masters got by with less. Work on what your fingers do and the rest will follow. If you must, take NPB's advice and get yourself any of the Amps he mentioned. Two Rocks and Dumbles for the blues, LOL. What blues? The Grounded Yacht Blues? My Benz gots a Flat Blues?

Haha! Great comment, love it!

For that money its got to be Class 5, Blues Jnr, maybe Vox AC15. If you need bigger wattages then an old model Fender HRD might be attainable. Guitar wise have a look at the Classic vibe series of guitars from Squier, I know a few fellow gigging guys who swear by them and they don't weigh in too much, great guitars for the cash. Best of luck in your search!

  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 176

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

wharris wrote:

Beano was a JTM45

+1... Never was a Tweed 5F6 Fender Bassman... Clapton used his JTM45 and cranked it in the studio...

33 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-03-28 10:25:44)

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

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

macg1 wrote:

I would say of the smaller amps, a Fender Pro Jr. cranked cannot be beaten.  I have often considered going dual Pro Jr.s dimed for live work (only if mic'd).  Alas a lot of gigs I play are non-mic'd and I need more juice.

The Fender ProJunior is a 15 watt w 10" speaker with two knobs... I like the Blues jr because it has reverb, more EQ and a 12" speaker for not much more $ching$. I have the Blues JR. and the other guitar player in my band has the ProJr.... both sound great. We describe the ProJr. tone as "bratty." cool

- 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
  • Registered: 2012-03-23
  • Posts: 9

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

njpaulc wrote:
harlequingr wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

It will work, and you will be happy with it. Be ready to mic it if you're in a band or gig situation.

Also, you should get a delay pedal to set slightly "wet" and an overdrive pedal for solos. I like a little delay as opposed to reverb pedals.

Then you should be able to get some good blues tones. Blues rock even. Or even Joe Bonamassa tones.

Here's a vid of JB playing through a wall of Marshall Class 5 amps... although I think only a couple of them were turned on.
http://youtu.be/t1NAUGshmBc

I played through a Class 5 and liked it a lot. But I own a Fender Blues JR and like the cleans better on the Blues JR. My brother loves his marshall class 5... it's a great little amp with some balls.

hi,

i listened to bonamassa and it sounded more crunch and rock than blue.i want pure blues/jazz sound,clean with some effects if i need them .will the fender avibro champ xd work better for me than the marshall class 5? i have taylor t-5.thanks.

george


What does the Taylor sound like?  Are you looking for an electric blues sound or acoustic sound?  The Taylor appears to be ill suited for electric blues.   What does your current amp sound like now?  You won't get cleaner than solid state (generally speaking).

By the way, the Taylor T5 looks like a really interesting guitar.


i have the t-5  limited with the ovangkol top and sapele back and sides.the sound acoustically is great.unplugged it sounds like a taylor  acoustic guitar.plugged in a taylor acoustic electric.the electric sounds have all variations in between; hollow body,blues,jazz,rockabilly, you name it.it runs the gamut and now i decided to get the fender vibro champ xd,which i got for a steal on ebay, which will give me hundreds of variations from a marshall to a vox  to a blackheart.wow plus dozens of pedals.the t -5 is a real one guitar does all.

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

Just some extra input, if you wanted a versatile amp for under $300, I don't think you can beat the Fender SCXD.
Demos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUgWSJ73 … F02ADC8621

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h764vM-2G5w

This is the older version however, not the new one with computer compatibility or whatever, I don't know how well they compare or if anything has been changed on the newer version.

Currently I use two-three amplifiers, a Phaez SIBLY (Since I've been loving you type tone) and the SCXD for cleans and lead, and a JCA20 for heavier rhythm type stuff.

  • Registered: 2012-04-23
  • Posts: 1

Re: best amp and guitar for blues sound

Hi, I have the following (in smaller amps)

Marshall class 5
VHT special 6 (head)
Peavey Classic 30 (tweed)

I like all of these amps and they all have great "blues" sound.  I play the VHT most of the time onstage (miked with a EVM-12L)...  IF I had to pick ONE... I would pick the Peavey (it has been "re-capped" with sprage/silver mica)  even before the mods it was a great sounding amp... I have a Celestion G30H 12 in it and I would suggest as with ALL tube amps "pick your tubes carefully.  I do not think you have to have the expensive "boutique" tubes BUT tubes make a BIG DIFFERENCE in the sound of the amp....  I use Tungsol (12ax7/12at7) in the pre amp section of most of these and Mullard for the power tubes...... none of these tubes are expensive...

IF you want an amp that is "closest" to Joe's sound, i would say that it would be the Class 5, if ya cant get close with that it is NOT the amp......  hope this helps....