OT - Anyone have a Koch Studiotone?

[thindave]

All, I'm going to get rid of my old Boogie Mark IV and get a "smaller" amp. I've looked at the Mesa Lonestar Special which I really like but I've heard quite a bit about the Koch Studiotone as well. Does anyone have one and care to offer some opinions - positive or negative?

Also, I'd welcome any other suggestions - looking for an EL84 amp with at least two channels and low-power options.

 

[roburado]

All, I'm going to get rid of my old Boogie Mark IV and get a "smaller" amp. I've looked at the Mesa Lonestar Special which I really like but I've heard quite a bit about the Koch Studiotone as well. Does anyone have one and care to offer some opinions - positive or negative?

Also, I'd welcome any other suggestions - looking for an EL84 amp with at least two channels and low-power options.

No interest in the Mesa F-30?

 

[thindave]

It doesn't have a low-power mode. The LSS lets you run each channel at either 30, 15 or 5 watts. I tried it with the clean at 30 and the crunch at 5 - really sweet. Plus, it has a solo mode which works on either channel. It's really flexible...

 

[roburado]

It doesn't have a low-power mode. The LSS lets you run each channel at either 30, 15 or 5 watts. I tried it with the clean at 30 and the crunch at 5 - really sweet. Plus, it has a solo mode which works on either channel. It's really flexible...

True.

 

[OrangeChannel]

Haven't tried the studio tone, but I used to rock a Multitone combo....great amps man. Hifi-bogner type tones w/ mojo!

 

[TimSz]

Small amp!

My first question is what kind of scratch you're looking to spend. Are you looking to trade something evenly for your Mark IV? are you willing to throw more cash into the pot?

What do you want out of the amp? Do you want four channel versatility like the Mark IV or have you streamlined your sound? I actually PMed a few people about amps because I've worked in a few music stores, and try to keep up with the latest and best gear. Feel free to PM me and I'll give you about a million different choices for whatever you decide is for you.

I am currently out of a job, so I feel no burden spending hours researching for the perfect amp. It gives purpose to my otherwise hollow days watching "The Office". Damn that Dwight.

 

[thindave]

Thanks OC and JJ, I still need to find one in NJ/NY o try out - I've just been going on recommendations and online specs fo row.

I'm looking in the $1700 and under range, 2 or 3 channels, 30 watts or less, a built-in attenuator is a plus, gotta have a nice clean channel...

 

[augustyn]

koch and engl are great german amps. i was allowed to test the studiotone a few weeks ago and liked it a lot. i'd prefer the twintone but thats heavier and bigger at all.
maybe hava look at engl classics, screamer and thunder combos also.
but to anwer your question. koch studiotone is a great small amp and funny or not i am thinking bout buying one.
just my 2cc
auge

 

[CudBucket]

Thanks OC and JJ, I still need to find one in NJ/NY o try out - I've just been going on recommendations and online specs fo row.

I'm looking in the $1700 and under range, 2 or 3 channels, 30 watts or less, a built-in attenuator is a plus, gotta have a nice clean channel...

Have you considered the THD Flexi or Bi-Valve?

 

[robelinda2]

THD are really great amps, whichever of them is the lowest power is just amazing, i forget if its the bi-valve or the flexi-valve.

 

[OrangeChannel]

The Flexi-50 is a 50 watter...that's not gonna help you there...Bi-Valve is 20...and they also make the Uni-valve which is the lowest wattage piece they produce...You might also want to check into John Suhr's Badger...or the Bogner Duende...hottt!

 

[thindave]

Thanks Jon - I'll check those as well...

 

[ratter]

Just got a Lonestar Special. Outstanding amp. The wattage options really do the trick for low-volume playing. I'm not used to so much versatility...

 

[thindave]

Yeah, that's what I'm leaning towards. It's so different from the MkIV, that it's pretty refreshing...

 

[TimSz]

My little secret for sooooo cheap.

hey there kids.

Have you checked into Laney amps? They're dirt cheap for all tube amps. You can get a little thirty watter for under a grand canadian, and that's Class A. It's three channels, ranging from super clean to overdrive to distortion. Some no talent assclown named Paul Gilbert plays them and he certainly sounds all right! I highly recommend you look into them because their pricepoint will slay Mesa. You'll get a GREAT amp and have enough left over to eBay purchase a EBMM!

The no talent assclown comment was a joke, in case anyone missed that.

http://www.laney.co.uk

 

[robelinda2]

yep Laney are great. Ive been recommending them to students for years, their full vavle combos are just excellent value for money.

 

[Zaphoid]

I can throw in my two cents here. I actually tried out a Koch Powertone when I wasnt sure about keeping my Mark IV. In my opinion it couldnt even hold a candle too the versatility of the Mark IV. It had a decent clean and a fuzzy overdrive but it was seriously lacking in the versatility department. My Mark IV sounds great for blues, metal and clean stuff. Using the low power options on the Mark IV isnt good enough for ya? In tweed mode at the lowest wattage settings my Mark sounds great at low volumes. Heck even bedroom volumes.

 

[thindave]

I have the 6V6s (tweed & 8ohm) in my MarkIV to go even lower! IMO, the clean channel on the LSS just seems to have more character than the IV's...

 

[Zaphoid]

Yup Ive heard great things about the Lonestar cleans. Have also heard its quite versatile.

 

[candid_x]

hey there kids.

Have you checked into Laney amps? They're dirt cheap for all tube amps. You can get a little thirty watter for under a grand canadian, and that's Class A. It's three channels, ranging from super clean to overdrive to distortion. Some no talent assclown named Paul Gilbert plays them and he certainly sounds all right! I highly recommend you look into them because their pricepoint will slay Mesa. You'll get a GREAT amp and have enough left over to eBay purchase a EBMM!

The no talent assclown comment was a joke, in case anyone missed that.

http://www.laney.co.uk

Love my Laneys, though they're better when tweaked a bit. I always get compliments on their tone. Hugely under rated amps. Blows away my friend's 100 watt Mesa (forgot what model combo) at jams. Sorry, Mesa dudes, maybe his isn't one of the better ones? I'm thinkin' Heart Breaker, but not sure. To me it sounds two dimensional and sterile by comparisson.