What amp should I get for under R5000?

timmie23 · 2011-10-18T12:07:44+00:00

Hi everyone, I'm new here. Thought there would be some knowledgeable people here who could answer this question. I've got about R5000 to spend on a new amp...

What amp should I get for under R5000?

Wizard

timmie23 wrote: I'm really not looking at playing any clean at all. So the heavier side of things is where I'm going to be looking at.

BlackStar HT5 is a solidly built amp that does high gain really well.

MikeM

And it can REALLY rock with a 212 or 412. Try find one second hand if you can..

Kalcium

Jack Flash Jr wrote: The Fender Super Champ is all valve but has a 2nd channel with a ton of modelling as well as quite a few good built in effects. At 20W valve you can play at home comfortably but it's loud enough for gigs, no prob if mic'd for bigger ones.

This is something I've been wondering though, the site says theres only 1 preamp tube, surely the preamp isn't really all valve with only 1 preamp tube? Even the class 5 has 2 preamp tubes and that is only a 1 channel volume amp, no gain switch...Also read somewhere that the drive section is solid state on the Super Champ though im guessing thats part of the preamp. Is that section only linked to the gain control? Ie if you put gain on something minimal and turn up the volume the solid state section would only juuuuust be adding to the signal?

singemonkey

If you get a 15watt amp, you'll have plenty of drive on tap for club gigs. Just put the amp up, and you'll get an intense distortion. For metal, you might need only an EQ pedal to cut the mids to get the classic sound. (what does everyone else think about metal on small amps - most of which seem tweaked for classic rock?)

If you're playing softer, but you still want intense, saturated pre-amp drive, you'll need either a two channel amp with a lot of gain (which the HT5 has, although, being a 5 watt you'll be miking it up for every gig - which, as I said, is ok, but requires a little more effort and understanding from the sound guys.)

Otherwise, with something like the Vox, the laneys, the Orange, or the TS, you'll probably want a pedal of some kind to push the preamp harder at quieter volumes (like band practise). The metal zone just has such a miserable, flat, and at the same time, clichéd sound, I'd advise you to avoid. But I'm not a metal guy. I know there are a lot of options - such as MXR's Fullbore Metal pedal, and many others, including Mesa simulating pedals.

For a tight, roaring distortion, my preference would be for a ProCo Rat. But listen around. Boss isn't the only game in town. Most of the huge range of pedals made all over don't cost much more than Boss. Boss does some things really well, but in SA, we've got into the habit of turning to them first, even for effects that they suck at.

KT66

Well I second the Ibanez TSA15
I am so impressed with it I am actually ordering one myself

I have some Mil Spec 6v6 Tubes NOS that I will use to replace the Chinese tubes that the amp comes with
I think its going to be Killer

what I actually would have liked to see on an amp like this is a 5y3 tube for rectification (as this amp is using solid state rectification)
it wont change the sound in any way but it will make the valves last longer ,as with a 5y3 /80 etc as the heaters gradually start to glow
from startup the plate voltage rises gradually (we are talking milliseconds) this is not so hard on the tubes.

but at this price point I dont see anything touching the TSA15

Jack-Flash-Jr

Kalcium wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote: The Fender Super Champ is all valve but has a 2nd channel with a ton of modelling as well as quite a few good built in effects. At 20W valve you can play at home comfortably but it's loud enough for gigs, no prob if mic'd for bigger ones.
This is something I've been wondering though, the site says theres only 1 preamp tube, surely the preamp isn't really all valve with only 1 preamp tube? Even the class 5 has 2 preamp tubes and that is only a 1 channel volume amp, no gain switch...Also read somewhere that the drive section is solid state on the Super Champ though im guessing thats part of the preamp. Is that section only linked to the gain control? Ie if you put gain on something minimal and turn up the volume the solid state section would only juuuuust be adding to the signal?

That's a question for the tech guys... I've yet to hear any complaints about the channel 1 valve sound though. The only drawback for me is the speaker size could be larger... but that can be addressed (and it's shared by by most of the other examples offered).
@Timmie: that price sounds about right but you could probably negotiate a further discount from walk-in stores...

timmie23

I think I've decided to go with the Ibanez though. I dunno, but the little stack just looks so nice compared to the combo ? Only down side is only getting the cash mid December, so doubt I'd still be able to pick one up around that time....

Now I just have to decide which pedals to combine it with, to get the best out of it.

I feel like such a total noob, but glad I came here to ask for help.

Kalcium

Jack Flash Jr wrote:
Kalcium wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote: The Fender Super Champ is all valve but has a 2nd channel with a ton of modelling as well as quite a few good built in effects. At 20W valve you can play at home comfortably but it's loud enough for gigs, no prob if mic'd for bigger ones.
This is something I've been wondering though, the site says theres only 1 preamp tube, surely the preamp isn't really all valve with only 1 preamp tube? Even the class 5 has 2 preamp tubes and that is only a 1 channel volume amp, no gain switch...Also read somewhere that the drive section is solid state on the Super Champ though im guessing thats part of the preamp. Is that section only linked to the gain control? Ie if you put gain on something minimal and turn up the volume the solid state section would only juuuuust be adding to the signal?
That's a question for the tech guys... I've yet to hear any complaints about the channel 1 valve sound though.

Yeah thats what I thought, I mean as long as it sounds good and has the dynamics what difference does it make? Sigh I need to stop gasing and just get my valve amp back...then I'll be happy...Durban needs better amp techs :/

Danny-B

@Kalcium - Glen Turrell is the only man to use!

Norman86

You need to demo amps!!! So, you might even find, you demo the ibanez and dont like it!!!
You need to try before you buy!!!

I got sold on my Albion TCT35H and GLS212 cab...
Will be posting a thread later, comparing it to a Mesa Boogie Express 5:50!!
Or at least, there will be sound clips available!!!

timmie23

I think one day I should just drive through to JHB and visit a few shops.
From videos I've watched online, I'm really liking the Ibanez. I just think you're right when you say I should demo them.

If only the shops here were better stocked.

Norman86

dont forget to take your guitar ?

Mind you, take your cable and whatever else you use too!!!
cant demo on other gear, its not the same!!! ?

BluJu

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Roland-JC-120-Jazz-Chorus-Amplifier-for-Sale-R3500-W0QQAdIdZ323335198

This one! ?

timmie23

Norman86 wrote: dont forget to take your guitar ?

Mind you, take your cable and whatever else you use too!!!
cant demo on other gear, its not the same!!! ?

Sad thing is. I have none.... Sold everything back in 2009. Been a very hard two years. Everytime I watched a Live DVD or went to a gig, I just sighed and said..... It's time to buy again.

timmie23

Brendon "BluJu" Neuhaus wrote: http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Roland-JC-120-Jazz-Chorus-Amplifier-for-Sale-R3500-W0QQAdIdZ323335198

This one! ?

Good find. Vintage does have that certain charm to it ?

Norman86

but you have a schecter omen 6 guitar?

timmie23

Norman86 wrote: but you have a schecter omen 6 guitar?

Is the one I was going to get along with an amp.

mladenvic

Here's an amp worthy of buying for under R5000 : Crate V3112 all valve. You could probably negotiate it down to R4500 at a music store.
A lot of people praise it for it's tone on both the low and high volumes. Plus it's a valve, so you can crank it up at a gig if ever need be.

As stated by one of the reviewers: "The Crate V series amps are a Secret that just really hasn't caught on yet. When they do they will sell like a motha!!"

Check the reviews on it below:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--CRAV3112
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?1362858-Review-Crate-V3112

Mr-Smith

I read through this entire duscussion on the amps and got really interrested in the Ibanez TSA15 myself. A lot of my questions was answered, thanks!
So I also did some research on the Ibanez and the more info and reviews I found the more interrested I got.

Dumb question..... how would it sound played through a Ashdown Engineering , Five Fifteen Mini Rig Bass Cab. ( 2x10" 4ohm 100Watt) ?

And also where in Cape Town can I find a dealer to buy this little Ibanez monster?

Warren

Mr Smith wrote: I read through this entire duscussion on the amps and got really interrested in the Ibanez TSA15 myself. A lot of my questions was answered, thanks!
So I also did some research on the Ibanez and the more info and reviews I found the more interrested I got.

Dumb question..... how would it sound played through a Ashdown Engineering , Five Fifteen Mini Rig Bass Cab. ( 2x10" 4ohm 100Watt) ?

And also where in Cape Town can I find a dealer to buy this little Ibanez monster?

You'll definitely want to take the cab with for testing.

Guitar head -> bass cab shouldn't cause any technical issues (assuming you match the ohms as you would with any cab), but it's possibly not going to give you the sonic representation of the amp which the designers intended - you will possibly lose mids and top-end (since bass speakers aren't designed to reproduce too much of that stuff) and end up with a darker sound overall. If it sounds good to your ears, that's fine, but I'd possibly look at just buying a cab (or a combo) that gives you the right sort of sound you're after.