VellaJ
Greetings. I'm looking for some opinions regarding amps at the moment...
I'm currently running a Laney LX35R amp, which I got when I was starting out. For those not familiar with it, it's a 30W solid-state amp. Fairly neat, not bad in terms of volume... However, when looking for the kind of tone and versatility that comes with the more up-market amps, it's not ideal for gigging, etc.
I'm looking for a new amp, preferably a valve, with a decent power output and versatility. Anyone got any good ideas in terms of value for money? I'm not a professional, but I would like something decent for playing in clubs, and for recording purposes?
Thanks!
Riaan
You may want to have a look at this:
http://www.jedistar.com/low_watt_amps.htm
Though it deals with low wattage amps, there probably are some amps that would be nice for small gigs. Low watt valve amps seems the way to go for most guitarists.
Vick
What kind of music are you into man?
Do you want squeaky cleans?
Or do you run dirty most of the time?
If you run dirty, a 15watt valve will do for pubs, if you want cleans and your going to be un miked, 25watts and up...
The messa express range is good, pricey but versatile and good tone,can get reasonable cleans,good dirty tones and good high gain tones,its also switchable between 5w and 25w,the 5w is great for bedroom practice and recording, has 2 channels...
The orange dual terror is also nice,has switchable output 30,15 and 7 watt, tone wise I think its a great amp,voiced differently then the messa, will not do high gain without a pedal,but yea,its not really meant for metal stuff,grate for rock and reasonably versatile...o and also has 2 channels
Then there's also the orange thunder30, also a very nice amp,more expensive then the dual terror, also switchable between 7, 15 and 30 watt, great overdrive sound, if you tweak it right, you can also get some really nice cleans, fx loop,2 channels...
All the amps mentioned above take pedals well if set reasonably clean...
Oky in the 15watt category:
Fender blues jr. Great amp...go try one...
Orange tiny terror, almost the same as the dual terror tone wise, 15 watt amp switchabel to 7 watt...
Vox night train...15watt switchabel. To 7.5 watt...also gate amp...
Laney cub 15, joel just posted a topic on them, take a look at that, I only have very limited experience with them, but I do like them,the head has a digetal reverb built in and fx loop...
?
Vick
O and I almost forgot... The blackhaert handsome devil 15watt amp, pure rock n roll... ? not that versatile thou,but dos what I was made to do really well...
VellaJ
Riaan: Thanks for the link. I took a look, they seem quite impressive for such low power. I was under the impression that the standard kind of power would be about 30-50W, but from what everyone seems to be saying, lower power seems a good idea.
Vick: Shucks, I've had to copy and paste this into Word! All that info is too much for my brain, but I'm going to do some research on those! In terms of sound, I like being able to get those decent cleans, but I like the tube amps for that overdrive sound that you just can't get from transistor amps... I like to rock most of the time, but things like Death Metal escape me...
With the lower power amps, I would imagine there's an external jack of some description to plug into another amplifier in the case of a larger gig? My Laney has has an Ext. Speaker jack that seems to work quite well for that.
MikeM
How long have you been playing? I'd recommend a VT20+ or similar so that you can learn what tones you want with a hint of tube goodness. Not to mention running an RP90 into a tube amp is sacrilage hehe.. The Valvetronix series also has a built in attenuator so you can use it anywhere even if you get a bigger one.
VellaJ
MikeM wrote:
How long have you been playing? I'd recommend a VT20+ or similar so that you can learn what tones you want with a hint of tube goodness. Not to mention running an RP90 into a tube amp is sacrilage hehe.. The Valvetronix series also has a built in attenuator so you can use it anywhere even if you get a bigger one.
Yeah I hear you about the RP90. I got it to put through the Laney, for convenience and decent sounds. It was also pretty well priced for what I needed.
I've been playing for about four years, but I was being privately tutored by a guy called Mike Pilot (Google him, he's been around the music scene!) so I've had quite a bit of experience in terms of experimenting with different styles and sounds...
MikeM
Not knocking the RP directly, just saying, it's not easy to know you prefer a tweed amp as opposed to something blackface voiced. Or do you?
If you dabble in so many styles then you'd do well to get something like a valvetronix that can go from clean fender tones to drive vox and even hi-gain goodies.
I think getting something like that is a very good idea until you know what you want as it takes a while for your ear to develop and to acquire tastes in tone and what synergises with your style.
AlanRatcliffe
If you go valve, look at 15 - 25W models if you want to be able to hang with a drummer. 15 is kind of on the verge, some models are loud enough (Vox AC15), some aren't (Fender Princeton). You also have to look at where they start distorting on the dial - some won't stay clean when loud enough for a drummer.
If you go solidstate, look at 50W and up. You can use a 100W if you like as you can turn a modelling amp down without changing the tone much.
pbrizzolari
I agree with Alan the configuration of the valve amp has a lot to do with how much power you need. I have a H&K 25th anniversary and it's configured so that the clean channel will not break up easily. I reckon that puppy will easily keep up with a drummer. That's at 20 watts.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
VellaJ
Thanks guys. Yeah I've seen the Orange amps talked about all over the forum, and the Vox seem to be quite popular as well. I'm just surprised nobody has mentioned makes such as Marshall or Roland, etc. Reasons for this? Expensive?
IceCreamMan
set out a saturday morning an go to various music stores an play em all ...take 2 saturdays if needed, 3 ,4 as long as it takes
u dont mention budget ... and that will be deciding factor at the end of the day i reckon.
unlimited budget i would seriously look at the mesa range of smallish tube amps .... but they dear.
i went orange tiny terror ... very good pricing to be had on these at marshall music currently but they are a tad limited in versataility ....
Vox AC15/30 fantastic pair of amps as well ...decisions decisions ..wish i could afford more n 1 ...
VellaJ
IceCreamMan wrote:
u dont mention budget ... and that will be deciding factor at the end of the day i reckon.
Good point. When I said "value for money," I should have been more specific. I guess ff I'm looking at an amp of 30W or under, I really wouldn't want to go above maybe R6K. Can't say I'm very "up" on the prices of the smaller tube amps though, so I could be way off...
IceCreamMan
R6k new u going to battle for tube new,,,ORange TT combo wiht 12 inch celestion runs at just under that. AC15 u not goign to get for 6k afaik an no mesa unless it fell of a truck.
Second hand however will give you a whole pile more choice ....from time to time something crops us here that is well worthy of a look ....
if u not dead set on tube then the VT50 Vox is well worthy of a look as well...
so many choices eh ...
AAMOI if you looking for clean tone then the Orange TT is not going to do the trick volume wise with a drummer ...the amp kicks huge only with dirt .... if you looking for clean stay from the TT range (combo or head and cab)
go to all the stores , test everything out , get a tone u like then shop around and look second hand...from time to time some seriously great deals come up here and on gumtree etc ...
ryanguit
look at the marshall all valve amps at T.O.M.S. Sandton they are really cheap (for all valve amps) and if you dont mind me pointing out that there is a JCM900 in the classifieds you should check out if its not already gone... was a seriously good price.
I bought my valve amps either broken or in not ideal conditions.
Orange OR120 R3500 with 4x12 cab. broken. took 2 years to find a tech that could fix it. R2000. i now fix my own stuff
Roland bolt was stock working as valve power amp and state preamp. R1100 from Icecreamman. gutted the preamp. now all valve.
Look in the classifieds!
cheers
ezietsman
VellaJ wrote:
IceCreamMan wrote:
u dont mention budget ... and that will be deciding factor at the end of the day i reckon.
Good point. When I said "value for money," I should have been more specific. I guess ff I'm looking at an amp of 30W or under, I really wouldn't want to go above maybe R6K. Can't say I'm very "up" on the prices of the smaller tube amps though, so I could be way off...
There's some love for the Laney Cub12. 1 or 15 watt all valve. Demos on youtoob sounds pretty good. Very good price.
There's also the Blackstar HT-20 going for around R6500 I think. 20 watt, 2 channel amp. Music Co. in Mellville is the importers.
Marshall MA-50 Combo (never played one, you may like it)
Marshall Haze 40 (I don't like it, looks and feels a bit cheap, so so sound)
Marshall Haze 15 - Never played one. Think it lacks a master volume so no bedroom playing.
VellaJ
Yeah I'm all for second hand amps, provided they're in decent condition... I've only just found the GFSA classifieds now, there seem to be some interesting ones on there (up til now I've only been looking on Gumtree). I think I'd rather go that route than spend a fortune unnecessarily on a new one.
Thanks for the info everyone! ?
VellaJ
What is the feeling regarding the Peavey Valveking 112? I've come across and advert for one for R4,500. I'm told that it was purchased 8 months ago and is still in it's box, brand new. Does anyone have any experience with these amps?
AndyD
I Have a Peavey Valve king 112 that I bought From a forum member. I Also have a Fender Bassman and I bought the Peavey for portability. I Have found the amp to be very good in general. The clean Channel is very clean and fender like. The Dirty Channel I find a Bit over the top and so if I require any Dirt I just use a tube screamer or a tonebone on the clean channel and get a great tone. It takes some work and getting used to but in general I think the vk 112 is a nice amp and worth the money. Mine is stock and I haven't changed the speaker or anything on the amp and it sounds great. I also Have had no reliability issues in the year that I have had it. Try one you might like it. I do.
Cheers Andy
VellaJ
joel wrote:
☹ , I've got no room to talk about the concept of 'buying once' ,...... but from my experience , if I were you , I would consider buying a reasonable 1 or 2 ( or 4 ? ) x 12 cab first.
Then a head , such as Laney Cub , or Vox night train , or something similar .
That way , if and when you need more wattage or when more funds are available , you can get a 'bigger / better ' head and still use the same cab...... thats how I've landed up and i'm now happy. I have one head (Laney Cub 1- 15w) for my study /jamming use and one head ( Mesa Stiletto Ace 50w ) for stadium gigs . ?
I'm hoping to make this amp my main amp, pretty permanent. I'm not a professional, so don't really need mega Wattage (more than 50W in a club or bar will get me kicked out!) and I kinda don't have the budget for buying multiple heads and separate cabinets. But maybe in the future I'll consider that, when I have the reason and means to buy lots of equipment! :?
