• From: Gizycko, Poland
  • Registered: 2010-04-03
  • Posts: 116

Topic: I need a new amp !

Hi.

I'm currently looking for new amp. I need something to do the jubilee kind of thing but a bit brighter, more mid focused. I've got SPL copy but i'm not sure if I'm gonna blend these amps. I play in a rock band so I'm looking for BCC kind of thing not Joe's solo tones. Amp can't be too dark it needs to cut through 4 piece band. I ain't got money for a jubilee. My plexi is cool but tends to be too dark on normal channel and to bright on bright channel. I blend those now but there's not enough gain for me and I've got to have the TS on all the time.  There are some interesting used amps on sale here in Poland but I don't know which to choose.

1)ENGL E650 Head Ritchie Blackmore Signature. I'm afraid that it's gonna be to high gain to me and too dark also.

2) JCM 800 2205 50 watter, drake transformers, brand new Mesa tubes. It might be too bright.

3) JCM 800 2010 100 watt, drake transformers, brand new JJ tubes ( huge + for me), but same as above I'm afraid it's gonna be harsh.

4) Orange rockerverb 50. Looks like it's perfect for me but I've heard that it's very pedal unfriendly.

5) DSL 100, the cheapest one, but I'm afraid that the green channel not gonna heave enough gain and the red one will be harsh. Quite unreliable.

The Engl is built like a tank but i don't know if it's not too modern. Never played Orange so...

What do you think guys?

  • synchu
  • Silver Member
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  • Registered: 2012-06-15
  • Posts: 60

Re: I need a new amp !

Did you play them? Go out and play'em smile
I'd vote for the DSL. Great amp. Much more versatile than JCM800 (which are nice amps themselves, but sort of a one trick pony to me at least).
Orange have their specific thing going on and you have to play them to decide. RVerbs have probably nicer clean tones, if you are interested in this, but for driven tones, I personally like Marshalls better.
To sum it up go play them smile

3 Reply by DamZet (edited by DamZet 2012-09-09 14:29:04)

  • From: Gizycko, Poland
  • Registered: 2010-04-03
  • Posts: 116

Re: I need a new amp !

I've played on 2205 and it was a bit too bright but the cab was not mine, mesa 2x12 so probably V30... I've played the DSL and it was fine but only fine, played it only at low volumes so... I don't have a chance to play Orange or Engl but right now I think I'll choose engl. A friend of mine has Thunder combo and the drive channel is so great. Also the Blackmoore is right now on sale in really good price.

  • synchu
  • Silver Member
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  • Registered: 2012-06-15
  • Posts: 60

Re: I need a new amp !

DSL as with all Marshalls needs to be opened a bit to deliver the goods. I.e. on 5-6 at least. And that's loud for most of us that do not play large venues.
However, if you don't think it's your amp then perhaps it isn't.
Now, I played a number of Engls, including Screamer, Thunder, Savage, Fireball, and more, and while the new Engl Retro is probably the best of all that I played, I simply don't seem to go well with them. I find them a bit flat sounding to my ears. But to each it's own. Blackmore is a fine and well built amp, I am sure.

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

Re: I need a new amp !

What's wrong with having the TS on all the time?  If it sounds like you want it to sound leave things the way they are.

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

Re: I need a new amp !

njpaulc wrote:

What's wrong with having the TS on all the time?  If it sounds like you want it to sound leave things the way they are.

^^This^^

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: I need a new amp !

I wouldn't go with the Engl. It has usable sounds...but is actually too bright...loads of gain...not amazing classic rock sounds and hates pedals. A very messy tone-stack and preamp...
Same with Orange. I've had both.
I'd go with a good, early 800. They really roar...
If you're a good player, they are not just a one trick pony, because they react far better than a DSL would to the dynamics of your playing.

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

Re: I need a new amp !

I too would go with the 800. DSL as second. This obviously from your choices and not suggesting anything new.

Are you saying you DON'T want a tube screamer on at all times? Are you just wanting that as a solo boost?

A little off topic but I just remembered this. Wanna hear something absolutely disgraceful? I went to hear a band last year. It was a 3 piece and guitar player had a full Marshall stack behind him. That had my attention but also there was a Line 6 combo to the side. His tone was completely offensive so I asked him about his setup during the break. Turns out he was using the Line6 into the power amp of the Marshsll... What a waste of a great amp.

  • SgtB
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  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 309

Re: I need a new amp !

I see you've tried the multiple channel JCM 800's. Did you try the single channel 2203 or 2204?  Totally different ball game. They are not "harsh" as they don't have the diode clipping.  In general, a 2204 is the same as a JMP. The 2203 circuits changed a bit after the first couple of years.

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  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: I need a new amp !

I just bought a Traynor YCV40wr, a really great amp at an extremely affordable price!!

Check out Traynor's great range of amps!

And they're made in Canada!!

All the best from Aus,

- Stefan

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

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

Re: I need a new amp !

stefanhauk wrote:

I just bought a Traynor YCV40wr, a really great amp at an extremely affordable price!!

Check out Traynor's great range of amps!

And they're made in Canada!!

All the best from Aus,

- Stefan

Due to his location, I think he might be slightly limited to his choices.

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: I need a new amp !

helrazr84 wrote:
stefanhauk wrote:

I just bought a Traynor YCV40wr, a really great amp at an extremely affordable price!!

Check out Traynor's great range of amps!

And they're made in Canada!!

All the best from Aus,

- Stefan

Due to his location, I think he might be slightly limited to his choices.

Ah, right!

Didn't notice that!

Sorry!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: I need a new amp !

But I do really like the quality of overdrive that the ENGL's have!!

Steve Morse can't be wrong, can he?

Steve is also a fan of Jubilee's mind you!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Gizycko, Poland
  • Registered: 2010-04-03
  • Posts: 116

Re: I need a new amp !

I've played on 2204 ( single channel, 50watt, 2 inputs) through my cab and if it was darker I'd take it but with presence and treble at 0 it was still too harsh to me. After watching many many many many demos and listening to BCC live over europe I think I'll take DSL. Engl does not seem to be right amp for me... There is something special about Marshalls big_smile

  • synchu
  • Silver Member
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  • Registered: 2012-06-15
  • Posts: 60

Re: I need a new amp !

Yeah, out of more than few amps lying around, I always seem to keep at least two Marshalls (nower days a JTM60 and a Class 5, last one pushed with Suhr Kokoboost and a Plush drive makes a sweet, sweet sound - couldnt believe it). And forgot an acoustic Marshall AS something, I have, good stuff as well.
Now, every guitar player at some point had (or if doesnt yet) ought to have a Marshall, it's inevitable.

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

Re: I need a new amp !

You might try a Marshall Vintage Modern. They can be had for reasonable money.

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

Re: I need a new amp !

800's can sound harsh but that's if you run your guitar with vol/tone on 10 all the time. Roll off on the tone and you'll get great sounds out of it I'm sure.

But form your description it sounds like none of these are "the" amp you're looking for... You gott be confident in what you're playing through.

- 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: Gizycko, Poland
  • Registered: 2010-04-03
  • Posts: 116

Re: I need a new amp !

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

800's can sound harsh but that's if you run your guitar with vol/tone on 10 all the time. Roll off on the tone and you'll get great sounds out of it I'm sure.

But form your description it sounds like none of these are "the" amp you're looking for... You gott be confident in what you're playing through.

Finally played on DSL on higher volumes. Guys... the tone, the feel. Topic can be closed, that's the amp for me.