Off Topic Combo Amp

[cjl5150]

[I hope this topic is ok on this forum]

I am looking for a relatively inexpensive combo amp that will compliment by SUB 1. I play mostly in a praise and worship band that does contemporary music (Hillsongs, Lincoln Brewster, etc.). I need an amp that does warm cleans and a nice fat gain channel. I don't need a real metal tone. I had a Sovtek Tube Midget head that had a beautiful 'Marshally' sound. I wish I could find that in a channel-switching 1x12 combo. I tried the Haze 40 and it was ok, I think the Flextone III is decent for what it is. The Blues Jr is kind of thin and bright and the Classic 30 is solid, but papery. I am asking for a lot out of an amp under $600. Hopefully you guys can help me out with some suggestions.

 

[ScoobySteve]

You might wanna try more from Line 6's amps.

A valve series. For praise/worship, you actually need some diverse set of sounds, and its expensive to isolate each sound with accessories and gear. I think for that case modeling is the way to go.

 

[cm_17]

I second that about the Line6 modelling combos. Just make sure you get at least a 75W model - for me that is the threshold combo size for the Line6 SpiderIII and Spider Valve, with warm yet chimey cleans and acceptable gain sounds. The digital effects in them are also quite handy.

A little hint - try the Spider III 75w. That model was recently discontinued and should thus be on sale or at least cheap. Somehow to me the new Spide IV don't quite get up to that model's sound.

 

[ScoobySteve]

There are also some Spyder models that Line6 offers that are all tube power as well.

 

[GoD_X]

like the others said. try the line 6 spider 4 or the spider valve mk2, it all depends on your budget.. they now come with podx3 type effects, loopers, they are midi upgradable, whammy, harmonizer, etc etc and 16 different amp models..

 

[Crimson Sunrise]

Mesa/Boogie DC-3 1x12 combo

Mesa Boogie DC-3 Studio Caliber - eBay (item 280434932080 end time Dec-13-09 12:38:59 PST)

 

[izzy]

See if you can find a used Randall RM50 combo. Pretty common to see them with modules like the BLACFACE and an XTC which would suit you well me thinks. Great little amps. More info here.

 

[marduke]

have you looked at the new Vox VT series? 4 seperate channels with built in effects. and fairly inexpensive too. not a tube amp as such, but some awesome tones from them

 

[PaoloGilberto]

Buy Blackstar HT Series HT-5H and HT-110 Guitar Mini Half Stack | Amp Stacks | Musician's Friend

a friend of mine has this. I like the sound with my JP 6

try it if you can

 

[azazael]

You could try a BB Preamp in front of whichever of the valve amps you currently own give you the best clean sound?

 

[candid_x]

With a speaker and tube upgrade, the Fender SCXD is perfect for P&W. It's got the natural push of 6V6 tubes, half of a 12AX7 to power the preamp, and a a bunch of amp voices and effects. The clean channel alone is worth the modest bucks, and some of the fx are darn sweet. Channel 2's voice 8 is killer, but there's clean to overdriven tweeds and blackfaces, some crunch bits too, all with master/gain controls and eq. Like I said, the stock speaker won't cut it. I upgraded to an Emi Ragin Cajun (10") for awhile, but wanted the 12". This is the coolest little amp I've ever owned. It'll hang with a drummer, np, and still sounds decent at 'bedroom levels'. Small enough to tote around.

I've upgrade mine to a 1x12 Newell cab.

 

[Phrat]

Not sure what they retail for in the US, but a Fender Hotrod Deluxe will give you nice thick clean sounds (which work nicely with distortion/overdrive pedals) and the gain channel has plenty of bite and a nice boost.

Although 40w they are bloomin loud to boot!

 

[Tung]

See if you can find a used Randall RM50 combo. Pretty common to see them with modules like the BLACFACE and an XTC which would suit you well me thinks. Great little amps. More info here.

+1 on the rM50. I use one, along with the RM100 half stack. The RM50 is usually being used alone at rehearsals or small gigs. The Randall modular system allows you to buy whatever modules you want to fit your own needs. All modules are tubes, so, no transistor or modeling here, total tube tones.

 

[izzy]

You could try a BB Preamp in front of whichever of the valve amps you currently own give you the best clean sound?

This is also a good option.

 

[izzy]

+1 on the rM50. I use one, along with the RM100 half stack. The RM50 is usually being used alone at rehearsals or small gigs. The Randall modular system allows you to buy whatever modules you want to fit your own needs. All modules are tubes, so, no transistor or modeling here, total tube tones.

I have two RM20 combos that I A/B via switchbone (just one of my rigs). Great little amps. For the interested, Randall are coming out with the RM22, a 2 module 15 watter.

 

[David Corrales]

Buy Blackstar HT Series HT-5H and HT-110 Guitar Mini Half Stack | Amp Stacks | Musician's Friend

a friend of mine has this. I like the sound with my JP 6

try it if you can

I have one of these Blackstar heads as well, I can even record some samples if you want. I really love it

I'd also suggest a Marshall valve combo like the DSL 401 (Marshall DSL 401 JCM 2000 Tube Combo Amp MINT CONDITION - eBay (item 150394737628 end time Dec-09-09 12:59:36 PST))

Finally, I don't like the sound of the Line6 spyder line. The gain is a one trick pony for metal. Cleans are normal and the effects but you'll be better off with a valve amp. I have a Line6 pod which is nice for recording and have played a Flextone II as well but they still don't cut through the mix as much as a tube amp and the Flextone sounds harsher as well.

 

[nobozos]

I would get a Classic 30, re-tube it with JJ tubes, and put a BBE Sonic Stomp in the effects loop. The heavy channel sounds better with the Boost button out, and the gain on 9 or 10. If more gain is desired, a Boss Super Overdrive works well in front of the amp. The BBE Sonic Stomp and the JJ tubes should eliminate the papery sound you were referring to. You could also replace the Blue Marvel speaker with a Celestion G12H30, or Vintage 30.

 

[jamminjim]

Carvin Bel Air is worth looking at.

 

[redeleon]

LINE6 SPider III 75WATTS user here,

im getting good tones on this one,
its just takes some of your time on tweaking..

a bit of a trial and error kind of thing,
but right now i got the tone that I wanted,
punchy Mesa Boogie amp model with the mids I wanted,

to a sparkling clean channel
to a creamy overdrive..

and it cuts through my band well..


many people dislike this amp
but im liking it!

spider 4 has a slight difference on the amp models,
they just added more control of the effects and of course they added a looper and pitch shifting effects, which is cool.

 

[cjl5150]

Wow. Lots of ideas! I didn't realize that so many are guys are using Spiders. I like the Flextone III but never messed with the Spiders much.