• JBSRV
  • JBSRV
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  • From: Colorado Springs-Colorado
  • Registered: 2008-07-04
  • Posts: 1,047

Topic: question

I have a choice to make. New guitar or new amp??? I'm thinking of either a Les Paul of some kind (probably epiphone) or a deluxe players strat. For an amp I would get a Hot Rod Deville or really any kind of Fender reverb amp with some kick. I might be having my first gig soon so I might be leaning towards the amp. Opinions???

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: question

I have both Epiphone Standard and a Fender Deluxe player both are superb (I think epiphones come down to trying them out till u find a nice 1) I recommend that Fender Champ XD amp I gig with it constantly now, down 4 gigs since I bought it and not 1 regret has ample volume for most venues.... and tbh if your gonna play anything bigger mic'ing it will work.... I had a blues deluxe well still do have the reason I've swapped over is simply weight its a nightmare to carry about upstairs etc... a deville is even worse weight wise you will soon get fed up of lugging it about besides the tone on the Fender Champ XD was better then my blues deluxe and better then my pals Deville... they retail at £200ish and you could pick up a epiphone standard for £270 (£240 online) a Deville retails at £550? so you could have best of both worlds... Just a thought

I aint affiliated with fender btw Im just extremely made up with this amp I was as dubious as the next person and was gonna buy a Deluxe Reverb Reissue.. I took it to my local guitar shop hes a good pal of mine let him have a Jam he said hes gonna order them in for his shop and get him self one.....

Anyhow there u go.. btw deluxe players strat is very versatile I picked mine up for £250 ish second hand was a bargain

  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: question

Hey JBSRV...

Asking a question like yours really accomplishes one thing...it causes more questions.  I don't mean to be rude, but you may as well ask what kind of car you should buy without hinting at any of the things you hope to use it for.

You're trying to decide between two guitars that are the stark opposite of each other in just about every way, so what kinds of tones do you hope to achieve?  What styles will you be playing?  How much do you want to spend?  What kinds of pickup configurations are you going for?  And on and on.  As for the amps, again - what's the application?  How much power do you need and will you be able to play it loud?  Are you looking for something with alot of clean headroom?  Multi channel?  Fender type tones?  Marshall?  And on and on some more.  All I'm saying is that when you go on a gear forum and post vague questions, you'll get vague answers that will only make you more undecided.  Guys will start telling you what their favorite pieces of gear are and you'll get nowhere fast.

In short - give us something to chew on, man!

Corby
OceanEFX

Ocean's Website

  • JBSRV
  • JBSRV
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  • From: Colorado Springs-Colorado
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Re: question

John- alright thanks. I have heard great things about that amp and I think I'll go and try to find one to test out!!

Ocean- Sorry I'll be more specific. What I want is an amp that I can do small gigs with and still have a great tone. I need a good clean channel that doesn't have a washed out tone because I  play "Lenny" and "Little Wing" and I need some "pop" if you know what I mean. I also need some good overdrive (maybe I can just get a TS-9 ??). As you can tell I am not very smart when it comes to knowing gear. But that's what I'm looking for in an amp.

The only thing I need with a guitar is something versatile and reliable.

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: question

What's your current setup and what about it makes you want to get something new?

Ocean's Website

  • JBSRV
  • JBSRV
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  • From: Colorado Springs-Colorado
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Re: question

here's an old topic that explains my problem with my current steup.

http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6794

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry
  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: question

Sorry I knew the tones he was after :x, Im getting a nice clean / crunch atm just using the volume knob :x

8 Reply by Ocean (edited by Ocean 2008-08-04 15:02:00)

  • Ocean
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  • From: south of Dallas
  • Registered: 2008-06-13
  • Posts: 60

Re: question

Oh yeah - I remember that post...

Well, if it were me, I'd go for the new amp first.  No doubt.  You can doctor up a SRV strat alot easier than you can make that amp do what you want it to.  If a HR Deville is on your short list, I'd start out with a smaller Blues Jr. (or something similar) and see how you like it first.  The Deville is crazy loud and at 60 watts, I think you'll find yourself being asked to turn down.  And please...whatever you do...don't use the OD channel if you DO get the Deville!  Just get yourself a used Tube Screamer and go nuts...

Ocean's Website

  • JBSRV
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Re: question

alright thanks for the insight. I think I'll probably go with the Champ XD that John suggested or a blues junior. I'll try them both out. Thanks for all the help both of you!! smile

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry

10 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-08-05 16:10:33)

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

Re: question

Dude - I almost own a dozen guitars now, and one amp. Take it from me, you can only play one guitar at a time.

Get another amp.

REASONING:
You can play through two amps at the same time, also a different amp can give your one guitar a different "flavor." There aren't many big players out there that only have one amp onstage, yet one guitar is all you need.

My buddy has the Deville, and just got another fender amp. Its a tube 18Watt or something. It has like two or three knobs... and when you turn it up all the way it naturally distorts. the 18watts let you crank it without shattering glass.

If you're not opposed to line6 I'd say check those out - you get a lot of Bang for you buck - all kinds of tones. and you can put them into a PA (for playing) or into a computer (for recording) versatile. Joe used to use them for his Twin Reverb tones back when he did smaller gigs and his vintage twin reverbs couldn't handle the road wear & tear.

I play Rivera amps. you should check em out if youve never heard of em.

- 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