Amps

[musiclawyer]

We're starting up a new band. We'll be playing some small rooms. I'll be doing a lot of rythm electric guitar and some electric acoustic. I need a new amp--something with enough effects to go without an effects box but versatile enough to go with. Not too pricey. What should I get? Most of the rooms will mic the amp. Thanks

[XNASA]

1. I got a Fender Stage 100 DSP...

It's loud, has some onboard FX and is light enough to carry with one arm.

I don't like the dirty channel that much though.

[Pepperbelly]

2. Fender Princeton.

65 watts, a 12-inch speaker, many on-board effects. Under $400.

[opiate69]

3. Line 6...

Now, personally, I think nothing compares to a Mesa Boogie, but a few friends of mine have Line 6 amps, and I gotta say, they're pretty damned close.. plus, this model is far more affordable than any Boogie amp...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/482244/



Insane tone and power at an affordable price.

Spider II builds upon the best-selling Spider to deliver 12 unique amp models and 7 different effects, with 3 available simultaneously and easily tweakable using the Smart FX knob. Delay times can be adjusted via tap tempo. The 112 features 75W of power, a 12" custom Celestion speaker, a front-panel tuner, spring or room reverb, and a headphone out.

Features:

12 unique amp models
7 different effects with 3 available simultaneously
Smart FX knob for easy tweaking
Delay times can be set via tap tempo
Custom Celestion 12" speaker
Front-panel tuner
Spring and room reverb
Headphone out
75W
21"W x 18"H x 11"D
If versatility matters, you'll love this amp. Order today.

[LifeDuringWartime]

4. hmm

i saw a band with that exact amp once. he had the full line 6 floorboard for it and everything.

sounded TERRIBLE.

[Pepperbelly]

6. I played with one a buddy of mine has ...

It was one with the 2X12s and I didn't care much for the sound. And it seemed to feel odd to me. Like it wouldn't push back. :shrug:

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Thought The Exact Same Thing

The one i played was the head and the 4 x 12 cabinet. The sound seemed constantly compressed. The guy who owns it is a fine player, and he sounded good through it, but it just seemed a bit overprocessed, and i didn't like the way chimed and false harmonics seemed a little dead.

I tried an awfully lot of the models and didn't much care for them. Although there were a couple of ultraclean tones with compression and chorus that were VERY cool. But, the distorted tones tended to either be too harsh or too compressed.

Different strokes, i guess.
The Professor

[opiate69]

7. Hehe..

Just because somebody can afford good tone doesn't mean that they'd know how to get it out of their amp...hell, right after I'd first recorded with a dual rectifier (and had the producer tell me that it was the best sounding amp he'd ever heard), I saw some lame-ass Blink-182-ish band who had one.. sounded like shit..bottom line is, if you're in the market for an amp, bring your guitar to the store,(because their piece of shit Squier Start isn't gonna sound anything like your custom American made Strat, for example..) and plan to spend at least an hour putting the amp through it's paces.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Buddy!!!!

Nothing compares to a Mesa Boogie! My Man! That's what i use. I've got an F-50. Clean channel is crysalline pure, and the distortion channel is so saturated you could put a towel in front of the speaker for 10 seconds and then ring the harmonics out of the towel.

There are some REALLY good boutique amps out there, but tend to make even a Boogie look cheap. (Cornford, Matchless, and amps like that.)

I'll put my little 50 watt, 1 x 12" against any amp for tone. Quiet, too!

We are now officially pals.
The Professor

[opiate69]

10. No doubt.. Boogie rules!

I have an older Mark III 100/60 watt "short" head and a vertical 2X12 cabinet.. sounds like God herself... but, I am anxiously awaiting my tax return so I can finally pick up a dual rectifier solo head and 4X12 cab.. so I can sound a little more like the devil. :evilgrin:
I don't think I've heard of Cornford or Matchless, but but I know Soldanos also kick major ass, but damn.. they cost about as much as a friggin' car.

[LifeDuringWartime]

5. effects

go to any local guitar store and use the smaller amps. if you find one that sounds good and is easily portable, get it.

as far as effects, you might want to check out the boss ME-50. it's very portable and easy to use. its a versatile multieffect but is all knob and footswitch-based. no menus to navigate.

i remember seeing small combos by Alesis in musicians friend for very cheap with built in effects. they also came with a small control pedal, with an expression pedal and a switch.

[Pepperbelly]

11. something kinda interesting ...

I, like most guitar players, am obsessed by my tones. I have been doing an experiment with my amp ... a solid state Fender Princeton Chorus with 2X10s and 50 watts. Of course, it has the Fender Dynatouch overdrive which, on some models, specifically the Champ, is pleasing but on the Princeton, I really haven't liked it that much. The amp had another weakness imo ... it was no where near powerful enough on clean channel.

So to solve that, I took my Alesis nanoverb and use it as a pre-amp. It has a knob for input which, OC, amplifies the signal that comes into it, a knob for output which allows you to control the output of the box and a mix knob that mixes "wet" into the "dry" signal. What I have done is maxed the input, maxed the output and zeroed the mix.

I add a little chorus for some air and some reverb and BAM!

It ends up crunching like a Marshall Bluesbreaker in the Fender's clean channel. Loud as hell, too.

Just seemed like this might be interesting to other players and certainly not worth a thread.

:shrug:

edited TWICE because I sometimes suck at typing.

[no name no slogan]

13. I've been looking at those Princetons...

I've got an old 80s vintage Fender M80 2x12 solid-state combo, complete with the gray carpeting on it. It's got great stereo chorus (80w per channel) and a really cheezy 80s metal overdrive circuit. I've used this amp for years, but I'm looking for a bit smaller amp that's easier to lug around and a bit more "modern" sounding. Plus the stereo effects sends/returns sounds like a helluva deal.

I'll have to check them out some more, after the holidays, when I'll hopefully get some more cash...

[Pepperbelly]

15. They are cool except for what I noted above ...

The clean channel lacks a bit of punch and the overdrive doesn't quite satisfy. Sounds kinda hollow or something.

BUT ... when I preamp BIG with the Alesis and run it through the clean channel, it crunches like a bluesbreaker, both with humbuckers and single-coil. More satisfying sound than the overdrive circuit actually. Warmer and with more character.

And loud as hell. Did I mention that? Loud as hell.

:headbang:

[no name no slogan]

17. Sounds promising....

The Princeton is also a lot smaller than the old beast, which is appealing as I get older.

I run my main signal thru a pre-amp, too, so maybe this will overcome some of the lack of "ooomph". And the fact that it is LOUD is icing on the cake!

Hmmm......maybe I'll have to venture back to the shop where I saw that used Princeton and see if they're in a horsetrading mood.... :)

[Pepperbelly]

19. 2X12s push more air but ...

the 2X10s this sucker has still make me huff and puff if I carry it very far.

[DeepGreen]

12. Does anyone have experience with Roland amps ?

Cube, VGA ,,, ?
I have not purchased an amp since 76. I live in
a third floor apartment. The double stack I have
is getting heavier with each year. Some time in
the future, I will be looking for something much
easier to carry but still has the bunch I like.
So, far I have found the thread very interesting.

[LifeDuringWartime]

14. cube

i like the roland cube bass 30

i imagine any of the cube amps would be great for recording..

[DeepGreen]

16. Thanks

When I get ready, I will take my guitar and go
check some out.

[no name no slogan]

18. I've always lusted after a Roland Jazz Chorus (JC120)

The 2x12 model....something about those amps just appeals. I've always been a sucker for good stereo chorus, ever since my first stompbox in the 80s. However, I have a hard time justifying such expenses for a guitar amp. Maybe someday...

[DeepGreen]

20. It is sounds like Roland makes some good amps

Thanks

[Bonhomme Richard]

23. I've played through a JC-120 for years..........

Love the amp. The combo of the my Rickenbacker 330-12 and the Roland....God there's nothing like it. I've been reaqainting myself with the Byrds lately.
The downside is that you can't get a good dirty sound out of it so you need an effects box. When I played out I used to bring the JC-120 and also a Marshall Valvestate 65 with me. LOL I would set the Marshall on top of the Roland and switch back and forth. It worked out OK but it was a lot of hauling.

[Fiendish Thingy]

21. I'd suggest checking out a Vox Valvetronix amp...

There are many different models, including 1x10, 1x12, 2x12 and separate head w/4x12, ranging in price from $250-$1200 or so.
The Valvetronix are modeling amp with a difference- they have a tube in the preamp (I think) section of the signal path. The circuitry actually adjusts from Class A to A/B depending on which amp model you choose. Amp models include 4 different Vox amps, 3-4 Fenders, 4 Marshalls, and about half a dozen other types like Mesa Boogie, Soldano, etc. Plus lots of effects like modulation, distortion, compression, delays and reverbs, many modeled on classic pedals or circuits like Fender reverb. Go to Harmony Central and read some reviews...

[dbt]

27. I lust after a Vox Valvetronix!

Got damn near kicked out of Guitar Center one afternoon for hooking a lime green (!) Rickenbacker into an AD60VT and hijacking the store to Strawberry Fields.

I have used a Line 6 at a gig or two and found that it feels like a tube amp from 1965, but the distortion seemed too bottom-heavy.

:smoke:
dbt

[porkrind]

22. I use a Peavey EVH 5150

This is a fantastic sounding all-tube gain and power-stage amp. It really sounds unbelievable. :)

[Dukkha]

24. * sigh* sadly I sold my Boogie!

What was I thinking!

I used to have a big Mesa/Boogie Simulclass 295 which pushed two Boogie 1X12 Black Shadow Celestion cabs.

The Amp was the finest I've heard. I bought it used in 93

AND.....the pervious owner: Joe Satriani.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. You Had Satch's Amp?!?!?

You should be flogged for selling it to someone other than me!!!! (Being that i'm a Satch fanatic.)

Go get that amp back!!
The Professor

[ronzo]

26. I sold my loaded MKII wood/wicker like fifteen years ago.

I rue the day!
I'll eventually get my hands on one again...
dammit.