hertjies
Hi guys/gals,
I like using a lot of different distortion and fuzz stompboxes; MXR Wylde OD, Backout Effectors Musket & Mantra, EHX Metal Muff, Hardwire Valve Distortion, and hopefull many more soon ?. So I started looking around for the "best" small (50watts and under ? ) all valve combo that could handle these type of pedals. The vibe I was going for is Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon, Baroness, but with the odd Pink Floyd In The Flesh here and there ? . So basically Classic/Hard Rock. I'll be playing a Les Paul and a Strat mostly.
The amps I were considering so far are (only from internet research and actually in preferable order):
Peavey Classic 30
Vox AC15
Vox AC30
Fender Deluxe Reverb
Fender Deluxe Hot Rod
I could go and test some of these amps in the shop, but I don't have the time, so I just want to eliminate some of them. So what are your experiences and thoughts about these amps, any other suggestions. Sadly I am on a tight budged of under 10K ☹
Thanks in advance!
MikeM
Ac30 is going to be WAY too loud.
However one thing to consider is that pretty much all of those amps won't be totally happy with fuzzes. The bright cap makes the treble quite harsh.
I'd personally look at the AC15 or Deluxe Reverb (although this is over R10k) first.
hertjies
MikeM wrote:
Ac30 is going to be WAY too loud.
However one thing to consider is that pretty much all of those amps won't be totally happy with fuzzes. The bright cap makes the treble quite harsh.
I'd personally look at the AC15 or Deluxe Reverb (although this is over R10k) first.
AC30: I was also thinking that it might be to loud, and its a 2x12, was leaning more to 1x12 or 1x10 for portability. As for the Fender amps, I am very skeptical, seeing as that I am gonna be playing stoner/sludge.
The AC15 looks the most promising so far. The Classic 30's features looks nice, ever tried one?
MikeM
Try out the Fenders. You'll be surprised. Honestly they can pull off just about any sound IMO.
I've owned an AC15, and a good friend had a Classic 30. The Vox sounded quite a lot better to me but I play more rock oriented stuff.
To be honest, it'll be best for you to test them out yourself, sounds like you have a specific sound in mind ?
Just remember that bright cap, can really change how a fuzz sounds IMO.
hertjies
MikeM wrote:
Try out the Fenders. You'll be surprised. Honestly they can pull off just about any sound IMO.
I've owned an AC15, and a good friend had a Classic 30. The Vox sounded quite a lot better to me but I play more rock oriented stuff.
To be honest, it'll be best for you to test them out yourself, sounds like you have a specific sound in mind ?
Just remember that bright cap, can really change how a fuzz sounds IMO.
Any under 10K Fenders recommendations? So far the AC15 looks good, not to pricey, wish I had the moola for a nice Orange or Dr Z combo, but one can only dream haha. Will watch for the bright cap you are talking about.
shadow1
Hey man,
Firstly, great to see another user that loves multiple drives or "flavours"
I cant speak for most of those amps BUT I was about to purchase a fender blues JNR or deluxe and I ended up walking out with the Peavey classic 30.
This amps drive channel was far better in my opinion (not so harsh on higher gain settings) and the real beauty of this amp is that it takes pedals exceptionally well!
I ran it into my 2x12 (V30) cab on the weekend and it sounded really good! I beleive the c30 is a super amp for the price.
Danny-B
Look for something second hand if you want a good Fender ?
I have a '66 Bassman into which I run a Blue Boy Deluxe, Trex Mudhoney as well as a Twosome Fuzz. It sounds deeeeelish.
Also, a you might find a Laney Lionheart under 10k quite soon in the classifieds ?
MikeM
Think we should make a Blackout Effectors club here :?
Dinosaur-Snr
Blackout Effectors FTW.The twosome is my be all end all FUZZ. Stacks so well with my Lovepedal COT50
MikeM
That's 3 Twosomes!
Hmm, which side? Musket into COT?
Dinosaur-Snr
COT at 2 o clock. into the Fixd side with Fuzz 1 & 2 engaged. Fuzz 1 at 2 o clock and 2 turned completely counter clockwise. Untamed ala jack white fuzz goodness ?
Danny-B
Where do you guys have your tone control on the Fix'd side? I find myself running it at around 3-4 o clock.
nicovlogg
If you want an amp that can handle pedals well at a really good price, the Classic 30 is the one - leave the overdrive channel completely alone and just use pedals, and you'll be fine. I played one for long and I miss the headroom. The Vox's are not as pedal friendly as mike said. Then the Fender is, at a higher price, a classic. ?
MikeM
Gotta agree there. I didn't mention just how picky the Voxes are.. Tube screamers usually sound awful on em.
hertjies
Thanks for the replies guys, big help!!!
Last night I went and checked out this band called The Great Apes. One guitarist was running a Schecter Corsair -> Boss Turbo Distortion -> AC15 and the other guitarist was running Tele (standard, I think) -> EHX Big Muff -> Classic 30
I got to say, both sounded very good, so I guess I will just have to go and try those 2 out then.
We certainly need to start a Blackout Effectors club, still need to add a Whetstone to my chain. And then there is this
Black Arts Toneworks Pharaoh Fuzz
singemonkey
An underdog to consider in your price range is the Laney LC15R. My buddy just bought this little combo. Apart from it having a great natural tone and an unbelievably deep genuine spring reverb for such a little amp, I really noticed how fantastic it sounded when my friend kicked on a Pro Co RAT in front of it. Seriously impressive for a budget tube amp.
