• Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Topic: Need new amplifier HELP

Ok playing in a tribute band that is rock orientated ie gibson thro Marshall
Thing is we keep playing gigs where I have to use another Guys equipment
and sometimes they sound horrible recently got a Valvestate to use .
so my singer/guitar uses a Peavey 30 classic and it sounds great and is
easy to set up , wheras my regular rig .Jubilee and ceritone HRM sounds great
but too much hassle to set up.

So I need a combo - my shortlist so far

50W Marshall DSL

jCM 800 (4010 2 channel 1)

Budda superdrive 30 or 18

Peavey classic 30 or 50w

any opinions any body owned these and can compare ?

commonsense is pointing to a DSL but Ilove the sound of  the budda
and Michael Schenker  got great sounds from the JCM 800

Cheers D

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

I'd vote 30W Budda or DSL

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

Yep , well Iam buying second hand So DSL fairly easy to come buy
as are Peavey or JCM 800 . in the UK budda is harder to find but
may be woth the wait

I Will be selling the Class 5 head I bought which honestly sounded great
but is no nearly loud enough for 2 guitar band so it has to go.

cheers WHARRIS

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

I'd go DSL personally.  Budda's are made by Peavey now days anyway.  NOt saying its not a great amp but the DSL seems to be the standard for a combo if your wanting a gritty tone.  The Peavey has a great clean tone I think is the best value in the amps discribed, it also had a very usable distortion tone like a Fender Hot Rod series amp.  I'm not impressed with the old DSL clean channel unless its cranked, couldn't touch the peavey as far as clean. 
Honestly I'm under the opinion if you can get a great clean you can get a great distortion tone with a pedal.  People hate it when I say that but the fact of the matter is unless your making a lot of money what sense does it make taking 2 amps to a gig one clean one dirty.  I'm simple and I like my rigs simple.  If Amp distortion is better for you go with the Marshall, if Clean tones with a pedal for distortion is better (and in my opinion more versatile with less setup) then go with the Peavey.  I'd pass on the Budda but thats just me.  Great amp but the others are great too at a lot less cost.

AD3THREE's Website

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

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

Depends... the Budda and Marshall are great, but if you are a pedal hound, i would opt for a classic 30 as it is cheaper, a workhorse, sounds GREAT, and takes pedals super well.  I am not sure how the peavey era Buddas fair on quality of build, but to me that is a no brainer.

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
  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

WELL..   funny how things turn out

Went to try a DSL locally ,was at reasonable price (the GAS WAS SETTING IN)
, the guy selling it was
actually selling two amps the other was a HIWATT 50W  Higain 2channel
So I tried the DSL and honestly the only channel worth mentioning was the
crunch channel , the rest done nothing for me , so out of comparison I tried the
HIWATT , and honestly it was far better the clean channel was bright and clean
and lush while switching to the gain channel seemed to regain the punch with
nice clarity and good usable gain .

so side by side I had to go with what my ears were telling me so I Made an offer
on the Hiwatt which was in top condition and had been revalved with mesa tubes
ended getting it for same price as the DSL wich was much poorer condition

Did I make the right decision hell who knows  time will tell !!

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

IMHO you did.  People love Marshalls but they love them for that crunch.  If it was a vintage Marshall then the clean would have been better but the crunch would have been much louder because you'd have had to find the sweet spot and that is usually louder then most of us can get away with at small gigs.  Like I said before if you can get clean then you can get good distortion!  If its in better condition then I'm sure you're making the wise choice.  Enjoy your new Hiwatt and do a Pete Townshed windmill for me!

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

Pretty sure I recall Rush using Hi-Watts back in their early days too... smile

kestrou

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

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

Buy a used Budda if you can afford it. Peavey classic is the working-mans priced "good tone" amp.

- 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: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

YEAH

Thanks guys fo your inputs  this should do until the GAS reappears LOL
Can never have enough amps..

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • macg1
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Need new amplifier HELP

Hiwatts are great, good job!

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