What is a good versatile combo amp?

[Roubster]

I'm just tryin to do some research here. I asked before between two amps, but I kinda omitted that. So what do you guys think is a good versetile amp that is preferably NOT digital OR does NOT SOUND digital? I have a Line 6 Spider 2, which is ok for just screwing around. It just doesnt sound professional to me. So my price range would be around 500 MINIMUM, up to about 1000 and maybe over if necessary. I was lookin at Peavey XXX and JSX, somethin like that. I know everyone has their own style and ear, but any good recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I need to know what is worth lookin in to and testing out, because I am not about to try EVERY freakin amp out there.

 

[Funky Chicken]

Look for a used VHT Pittbull Combo or Rivera Rake. Very versatile, take pedals well, and sound like a real guitar amp should. You'll be closer to $1000 than $500, but well worth the difference.
I'm not anti-Peavey. I have a Classic 50 410 that I love. I just think that you can do better given your budget.

Anybody else?

 

[mbgreene]

Although I know your looking for versatile, a bit more info on what you want to play, where you want to play it, and what your playing through it may be helpful. That way others with similar parameters might be helpful in letting you know whats going on. There is a lot of advice on the board and it runs the gammit.

Personally I just purchased a Traynor YCV40 based primarily on reviews and recommendations as well as the deal I was able to get (just under $500). Its 6L6 based with a Celestian Vintage 30. It was a GP editors pick and was mentioned a few times in other amp request threads. There wasn't one local to try and its a bit of a leap of faith but I do things like that on occasion. Its scheduled for delivery today so I'll let you know.

 

[Roubster]

Well, I am very much into progressive music, and all kinds of styles. I listen to things from new age, to celtic to classical to metal and jazzzz. My God is Steve Morse, and I play somewhat in his style. Meaning everything picked cleanly and smoothly. Of course I am playing a Silhouette H-S-H, but also a Ibanez with Petrucci's earlier pick ups. So therefore I need something to cover all the bases. I need to be able to achieve distortion like Petrucci and Morse, and also get a nice clean tone for more jazz (which I am getting more and more into). The occasion of me playing would definatly be at home, but also jamming and performing at some freakin point. So I was thinkin something like 2x12 with 100W or more. However I would aslo need it to be good for lower volume practicing (unfortunatly) since I live with my family in a tiny a$$ apartment. Oh yeaaaa, and I need it to last for a loooong time. I dont want to be buying amps freakin every couple of years. That's what these EBMM guitars are for and what I want to spend my money on !!!

 

[francric]

I'm curious too. Is there such a thing as a versatile amp? Something that can do jazz, blues and hardrock, metal? Enquiring minds want to know.........

 

[SteveLINY]

I'm curious too. Is there such a thing as a versatile amp? Something that can do jazz, blues and hardrock, metal? Enquiring minds want to know.........

Mesa Mark 4...
Or VHT...
VHT is always my top pick, but they don't make too many amps, especially in a combo that are as verstile as a Mark 4.
Steve

 

[francric]

Steve, aren't those puppies kind of expensive?

 

[dan desy]

For less money, I'd recommend a Rivera M60 and a good overdrive pedal. This amp is great , powerful and has so many cool features.

The clean channel on this thing is unbelivable, add a nice OD pedal, and you get a wicked rhythm tone. The gain channel is pure hot-rodded Marshal, with plenty of gain for heavier stuff. Switch on the OD pedal and you get a great lead tone.

For less than $800 used, you get a very versatile setup.

 

[skabassist13]

Mesa/Boogie F-100? Maybe the F-50?

 

[SteveLINY]

Steve, aren't those puppies kind of expensive?

I guess that's a relative term....LOL

How about...What's your budget????
IMHO, you get what you pay for. You can easily score a Mark 4 combo for about $900. To me, for a good tube amp, that's not much at all.
Steve

 

[SteveLINY]

For less money, I'd recommend a Rivera M60 and a good overdrive pedal. This amp is great , powerful and has so many cool features.

The clean channel on this thing is unbelivable, add a nice OD pedal, and you get a wicked rhythm tone. The gain channel is pure hot-rodded Marshal, with plenty of gain for heavier stuff. Switch on the OD pedal and you get a great lead tone.

For less than $800 used, you get a very versatile setup.

Good suggestion...

 

[freeman]

MESA F50 or F30

 

[blackspy]

The few JSX's I've seen will do just about anything. Sweet cleans, to ultra gain.

 

[francric]

I guess that's a relative term....LOL

How about...What's your budget????
IMHO, you get what you pay for. You can easily score a Mark 4 combo for about $900. To me, for a good tube amp, that's not much at all.
Steve

Well Roubster mentioned between 500 and 1000, so that makes it. Do they make those anymore? I'm assuming that is used? Also what is or who makes VHT? Sorry if that is a stupid question. We also have some F50's mentioned. Anyone else have an opinion. Hey Roubster, get back in here. You started this..........

 

[Roxy]

Peavey JSX Combo. In a word, "awesome." I had a MESA F-100 combo, and to my ears the JSX smokes it. Nothing beats three independant channels for versatility. Better cleans, more crunch & features than the F-series. Go try one out!

 

[Dugger]

Hey...I also was all set to get a JSX or Triple XXX, but I've now got a Peavey ValveKing 2x12 combo on order.

When I went shopping recently, I wanted a tube amp that could cover a lot of ground. Money was no object. My dealer just got in the first ValveKing 1x12 combo, and I decided to try one out while I was waiting for my salesman. Before I plugged in, I was told that they were a new line made in China, and only costed about $350 for the 1x12 and $500 for the 2x12, so I figured it was going to be a cheap joke, but I was totally floored! In fact, I never thought I'd EVER reccommend a Peavey amp to anyone, let alone buy one for myself.

The 2x12 combo is 100 watts, has 2 channels (clean and lead) has a quasi-power brake built in (called the 'texture' knob) has gain boost, volume boost, presence and resonance controls, and sounds really good to my ears. It has 4 6L6's and 3 12ax7's. It also has 2 speaker outs on the back, so you can bypass the speakers and power a whole stack.

My buddy who plays in a cover band bought a 1x12, and it covers all the bases pretty well. The distortion sounds a lot like a Marshall, with more gain, and a little more bite. The cleans have tons of headroom, and (while not Fender sparkle) it is super clear and very tweakable.

For the money, these are impressive amps.

 

[deweyd]

There are many options in this price range. A few suggestions:
Line 6 Flextone 3 - I know its still modeling amp and I have not a/b'd it against the spider. For me, I did gig with this amp a few time a month... until I decided to go back to tubes. A lot of guys on the L6 board were adding Graphics and Tube based mic pre-amps to the fx loop to warm up the sound. The Flex 3 modeling technology is "deeper" and more complex than the Spider series. With some tweaking it can sound fairly tube like.

The next 2 list at or below your $500 min
Peavey Classic 30 - with some upgrades like a tube guard, new speaker these amps are gems. This is what I switched to from the Flex 3. Add an extension cab and you have an awesome amp. There are many mod's documented on that web that hotrod this guy. 30 Watts of tube power is plenty in most gig situations

Tech 21 Trademark 60 - just got this puppy as a back up to my C30. Solid State, psudeo digital but wow! what a great sound. You can chain one of their Power Engines to the TM60 and double the wattage.

Have not played but
Rivera Clubster and Chubster series had excellent reviews in GP recently

The Crate Vintage series is worth looking at too. Some are shipping with Tone Tubby Speakers.

Good luck, nothing better than shopping for new gear

Dave

 

[Roubster]

Thanks for the good suggestions so far. I have YET to still try out these things. Havent realy had the time. I guess I'll do it either tomorrow or Columbus day. It's still gonna be a WHILE until I get something, but I always like doin the research part of gettin new gear. I dunno if any of you guys like doin that too. Even after purchasing something I keep on lookin at other things. Maybe that's my problem, that I always see somethin better after I get something else. But anyway, I think so far to me the JSX, and possibly the Mesa Mark 4 sound the best. I was actually lookin at the other Line 6 stuff as well.
Hey deweyd, have you tried out the Vetta amp? That looks pretty interesting, even tho it is digital.
francric, what kind of set up do you have right now?
What do you guys think of Marshal amps??? I think these things are like history now. No one really seems to like em anymore.

 

[francric]

I have a Ultimate Chorus but I really want to go tube, just don't want to spend a fortune. I'm kinda leaning towards a F30 maybe a F50. I wish I could bring myself to buy a Mark IV but at $1900, that's a bit much, unless I could find a used one.

 

[LasagneFTW]

I have a Ultimate Chorus but I really want to go tube, just don't want to spend a fortune. I'm kinda leaning towards a F30 maybe a F50. I wish I could bring myself to buy a Mark IV but at $1900, that's a bit much, unless I could find a used one.

ive seen a few used ones at local Guitar Centers for under 1300$ (found a shortbody combo used for 1100 too bad i didnt have the funds available, woulda scooped that up right there, and you can easily find one in the 1000-1500$ range on the 'Bay, if you dont mind buying off of ebay and getting a used one.