Amp dilemma, help?

[Figjam]

Im a bass player, but im wondering if you guys could help me and my band out.

If you dont want this here, lemme know.

We play experimental rock, and our guitar tone is slightly distorted/overdriven, but not too much, just enough to add sustain and a little crunch. If anyone is familiar with The Mars Volta..there you go.

We are looking for a combo amp, preferably 210, 212, something like that, that is around 100 watts, give or take.

Price range is under $600. We have a few in mind but we arent sure what is best. The Line 6 Spider II 212 150 watt is on our list, since he uses a POD already, we like Line 6 stuff but im not sure how good the amp is.

He was using a Fender FM212R but it crapped out on us.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

i'd be glad to try to help. i would personally go with something of about 50 to 120 watts of tube power. they sound so much better and much more powerful. if he has the Line6 POD, just run that through the amp and save the money on the effects loop. just remember, solid state is alright, but you will get swallowed by the mix. hopefully this helps you

 

[Figjam]

Thats what i was tihnking, line 6 and line 6 may be redundant and not usefull, so im looking for something with a nice good clean tone to work off of. Any 50+ watt tube combos that are in the price range?

Also, any tube amps that have a modern enough tone? We need something with good upper mids and treble.

 

[Figjam]

Thoughts on http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Amps?sku=481442 ? Seems to have mixed reviews


other suggestoins?

 

[Sub1 Zero]

go hit up ebay, save money wherever you can. i got a 100watt tube head on there for $250 and its awesome. its a carvin, i guess they are so-so, but hey i cant afford a mesa dual rectifier, so i get what i can. i am one of those guys that just uses pedals for my effects anyway, i dont buy an amp for its effects. a head with a cab would be best, there are just more possibilities that way. i hate seeing people lose money if they dont have to, so i would say ebay it up man

 

[mbgreene]

Thats what i was tihnking, line 6 and line 6 may be redundant and not usefull, so im looking for something with a nice good clean tone to work off of. Any 50+ watt tube combos that are in the price range?

Also, any tube amps that have a modern enough tone? We need something with good upper mids and treble.

Is your guitarist set with his POD tones and just looking for clean power or are you looking for a tube amp to add its own flavor?

You might also want to check out the Tech21 stuff http://www.tech21nyc.com/ They have a 1x12 power engine that provides transparent power for modelers like the POD or their own modeling combos which provide quality amp modeling tones but not the additional effects (i.e. phase, flange, chorus etc.) found on some of the other modeling amps like the Line 6.

 

[Figjam]

He doesnt need a modelling combo at all. Just something with a good clean and drive tone. He mainly uses the POD for effects and the amp for the drive. Something with a nice moderate drive would be good.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--TCHTM60 this looks nice

as does the power engine for a trasnparent tone

EDIT: the power engine actually loosk really good, great price too.

thanks

 

[MikeVt]

Hey Figjam! I know there some that would disagree, but if you can find one, how about a Roland JC-120? I've had mine since 86, and I won't play through anything else. It has the bright clean tone you're looking for - but it lacks in the drive area. However, since it's such a full range amp, it sounds GREAT with modellers. If he wanted to, he could theoretically drive it from the POD. It really depends on how badly he really wants that tube drive...

What's the name of your band? I spent several years in the Pok area and played with a bunch of guys down there in the late 80's and 90's. I love the music scene there - it's like a big family.

Mike

 

[Figjam]

We were At The Moment.. now we are Evaporated the Fur, just changed name recently because of new guitarist.

 

[SteveB]

MikeVT makes a good point. The JC120 is a classic. It's solid state, but it sounds soooo good! The clean is awesome, and I've heard that adding a Boss DS1 gives it a great lead sound. (I've only ever played them 'clean', myself.)

It's on my list of amps that I want to own one day, for sure.

 

[wired]

Thoughts on http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Guitar/Amps?sku=481442 ? Seems to have mixed reviews


other suggestoins?

The Valveking is a solid tube amp for the money. Not spectacular, but solid. You'll have a hard time finding a new, high quality tube amp for under $600, so I suggest looking used.