AMP Advice

[Sweat]

OK I know that this type of thread is posted all the time but here goes mine!

Since I now have my to main guitars(with a third possible later in the year) a Luke and a 20th Silo, I now need an amp to compliment both. I only play for fun and myself, so the max wattage would be fifty, but most likely 30/35 watts.
I have played a lot of the stock amps at GC,Marshall,Line 6,Crate ETC. have not found one that I like, my playing can go from damn heavy to soft jazz,my cuurent price range is 300 to 500. Any suggestions

Beagle

 

[tristan]

orange tiny terror + a good overdrive pedal...
I think the new JSX could be good too.
otherwise, you can try the rivera cubster or pubster...
the engl screamer is a pretty good amp too.
VHT comes with a new combo calles "memphis", very good but that's not the same price...

to me the two best solutions are to search for used & discontinued amps.

- the mesa blue angel
- VHT super 30

complete these with an overdrive and you'll be the king of the world !!!

 

[Duolos]

You looking for a single 12 or 2X12 config? What options are most important to you? Are modelers out of the question for your liking? There are some decent products out there. Often at home I use my vox just for kicks. I never play out with it but for home and hobby use, it is a nice amps. Let me know more of what you are seeking and I will do my best to try to help you.

 

[Sweat]

You looking for a single 12 or 2X12 config? What options are most important to you? Are modelers out of the question for your liking? There are some decent products out there. Often at home I use my vox just for kicks. I never play out with it but for home and hobby use, it is a nice amps. Let me know more of what you are seeking and I will do my best to try to help you.

Modelers are out to sterile and I have a GNX4 workstation for modeling but it too can be sterile, trying to find one that is tube like but without the price tag and just let me play natural and use a pedal or two to create sounds.

Tristan mentioned a JSX but not sure what that is also the other amps tristan mentioned sound great from research but no local amps to try, that is a big part being able to test first.
Thanks for any help or input

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The JSX is made by Peavey, Joe Satriani uses it

I've played through a JSX half-stack and it was fun, but it just wasn't for me.

 

[Sweat]

OK I know that this type of thread is posted all the time but here goes mine!

Since I now have my to main guitars(with a third possible later in the year) a Luke and a 20th Silo, I now need an amp to compliment both. I only play for fun and myself, so the max wattage would be fifty, but most likely 30/35 watts.
I have played a lot of the stock amps at GC,Marshall,Line 6,Crate ETC. have not found one that I like, my playing can go from damn heavy to soft jazz,my cuurent price range is 300 to 500. Any suggestions

Beagle

By the way forgot to mention my 20th has a piezo and want to get the most out of that option as well, again all advice or input is appreciated.

 

[Elmer Imperial]

I'd agree with Tristan, used amps are a great way to go. I picked up a Mesa Maverick (a cousin of the Mesa Blue Angel that Tristan mentioned) a few months ago, and it SMOKES with the 20th Silo. It also sounds fantastic with my Axis SS and my SUB1, and it was in your price range too.

If you haven't already, go here, get an idea of what people are selling in your price range, and then read all you can about those amps that look like they may work for you. You can usually find sound clips for amps you're interested in if you look around a bit.

Just be careful when hanging around TGP - those guys have a serious appetite for high dollar gear, and it's easy to get sucked in to believing that amp nirvana is achieved through the liberal application of large stacks of cash. Not that there's anything wrong with expensive amps, of course...

The best thing about getting a good deal on a used amp is that if you play it for a few weeks and decide that it's not for you, you can sell it and lose little or no money on it and start over again.

 

[Elmer Imperial]

By the way forgot to mention my 20th has a piezo and want to get the most out of that option as well, again all advice or input is appreciated.

I've gotten great results running my piezo output directly into the PA. Otherwise, I think (but I could be wrong) that you'll want two amps - one for the magnetic pickups, and an acoustic guitar amp for the piezo. I'm not aware of a single amp that would sound great with both outputs.

 

[GWDavis28]

You can forget the JSX it's way out of your price range.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitar/navigation?q=jsx

So you are looking for a tube amp in the range of $300-$500 right?

Glenn |B)

 

[jazzbo jim]

Beagle-
I know your cool on modellers but have you tried the valvetronix? They are by far and away the most tubelike modeller I've heard. Crazy versatile, reasonably priced, headphone/line out and sound decent even at bedroom volumes.
If the mood strikes you to go out and jam, it can hold its own with an ensemble too.
Two of the models are a Fender Blackface and a JCM 800- I own both of these and I think the Vox comes dangerously close to both.

both in your price range too!

 

[jazzbo jim]

BTW, as far as the piezo goes, a basic tube amp won't do it justice-if you want the acoustic goods, you'll need a tweeter ( like those in acoustic guitar amps like fishman etc ..ie) big $)

 

[candid_x]

I've never been fond of modeling amps, but I have played through a Vox ToneLab SE at the studio, and it gets closer to tube sound than any modeler I've yet heard. Maybe it's the one 12AX7 tube or maybe that's just hype. Whatever it is, Vox gear sounds excellent.

Sorry, a bit OT.

 

[uvacom]

For $300-500, I definitely think something like a Vox Valvetronix (whatever suits your needs and budget) would be a good choice. The Tonelab SE is great and would basically just expand your tonal palette.

On the other hand, something to consider - $300-500 isn't a lot to spend on an amp through which you will play multiple guitars which I assume you paid well over $1000 each for. It's oft been said that an amp is like 90% of one's tone, so you might consider just picking up a used behringer V-amp or something really cheap (if you don't have anything at all to play through right now) and use the rest of the money to save up for something really nice which will do your guitar justice, like a mesa lonestar or something.

 

[Elmer Imperial]

On the other hand, something to consider - $300-500 isn't a lot to spend on an amp through which you will play multiple guitars which I assume you paid well over $1000 each for. It's oft been said that an amp is like 90% of one's tone, so you might consider just picking up a used behringer V-amp or something really cheap (if you don't have anything at all to play through right now) and use the rest of the money to save up for something really nice which will do your guitar justice, like a mesa lonestar or something.

Good call, this is very true.

 

[BetaCAM]

Hi,

I was about to suggest maybe a used Peavey Classic or Delta Blues liked I bought, I absolutely love it, but if you want to catch the big fish, I'd agree with the advice of buying a modeler of some sort like V amp or Pod or what not, and save up for some kind of MESA or alike...

I'm kind of jealous at you guys, here in Israel we have no MESA dealer, and the only ones I've heard were the Triaxis and a friend's Mark4 A combo which is absolutely killer amp!

 

[Sweat]

For $300-500, I definitely think something like a Vox Valvetronix (whatever suits your needs and budget) would be a good choice. The Tonelab SE is great and would basically just expand your tonal palette.

On the other hand, something to consider - $300-500 isn't a lot to spend on an amp through which you will play multiple guitars which I assume you paid well over $1000 each for. It's oft been said that an amp is like 90% of one's tone, so you might consider just picking up a used behringer V-amp or something really cheap (if you don't have anything at all to play through right now) and use the rest of the money to save up for something really nice which will do your guitar justice, like a mesa lonestar or something.

Hey all thanks for your input, lots of suggestions, and I am not sure at all what I want which is why I started te thread. But I think uvacom just nailed it on the head, I have several different ways at the moment to use my guitars so it is not like I am stuck, and I have always cheaped out on amps, which is probably why I am always dissappointed. So money stays in pockect and saves towards?

Any suggestions now that we have uped the spending range some.

 

[Duolos]

You are in a tough spot due to your price range. I have a ton of amps Diezel, Bogner, Framus, Mesa, Cornford, Splawn blah blah blha but I also have a Vox Valvetronix and it is a great amp for what it is. For the money and for your home etc, it is tough to beat for quality tones and versatility. Out of all modellers, I think it is the best one. If it is cranked insanely loud it will thin out in comparison to my other amps but for quality tones at whisper volumes with all kinds of options, they are realy nice amps. Believe it or not, You could go with a clean based amp like JC 120 and use a nice pedal and get some nice tones as well. Can't beat a 120 for clean sounds from a bang for the buck perspective. I hope this helps some...

 

[Sweat]

You are in a tough spot due to your price range. I have a ton of amps Diezel, Bogner, Framus, Mesa, Cornford, Splawn blah blah blha but I also have a Vox Valvetronix and it is a great amp for what it is. For the money and for your home etc, it is tough to beat for quality tones and versatility. Out of all modellers, I think it is the best one. If it is cranked insanely loud it will thin out in comparison to my other amps but for quality tones at whisper volumes with all kinds of options, they are realy nice amps. Believe it or not, You could go with a clean based amp like JC 120 and use a nice pedal and get some nice tones as well. Can't beat a 120 for clean sounds from a bang for the buck perspective. I hope this helps some...

Duolos, thanks for you input it all helps, I am most likely going to spend a little more a get something I will like an use, just have to take time and drive around and do some testing!

 

[Elmer Imperial]

Duolos, thanks for you input it all helps, I am most likely going to spend a little more a get something I will like an use, just have to take time and drive around and do some testing!

Depending on where you're driving around and how far you want to go, here are a couple of places you might want to check out. You might already know about these shops, but just in case: Larry Morgan in Garland, Charley's in Dallas, Zoo Music (are they still around?) in Garland, and Anderson's in Frisco.

These are all nice smaller shops that carry stuff you may not see at your local Guitar Center.

Happy amp hunting!

 

[Duolos]

Duolos, thanks for you input it all helps, I am most likely going to spend a little more a get something I will like an use, just have to take time and drive around and do some testing!

How much can you afford to spend now? If you can find a Mesa Mark IV combo that would be great for an all around amp.