Which amp is right for me?

zigzagwanderer

The tones I'm going for is really Hendrix. I know I guess it's overdone, but I just love his sound. SRV's "Lenny", and Dan Patlansky's "Luca", is the clean sound I'm going for. Then The Black Keys, Auberbach's big fuzzy distortion, and Keith's tone on Tumbling Dice.

I hate asking questions like these, because there's no right or wrong answer. I have a Strat, so judging from the above, which amp covers these bases? I've heard the Swart amp's distortion, haven't heard it clean, but thats the Black Keys sound I'm going for.

I guess I should say I'm trying to avoid Marshalls too, and my budget is 7 to 8000 rand.

makepeace

Firstly, welcome here ?.

Secondly, those are all really different tones, and you'd need different amps to do each justice. Afaik, Auberbach use(s/d) a combination of Fender Bassman/Twin/DR and Marshall JTM45. You can get Keiths tone using a tele and a Tweedy amp like a deluxe/pro. Jimi used a Fuzz Face into big Marshalls mainly in the end, but you could easily get away with a 40/50W Marshall.

Whats your reason for avoiding Marshalls? Is it based on reason, or advertising?

I would say play some of those amps first, because you can't very well get away with buying them all.. You'll probably find that a combination of the right fuzz pedal and a good 15-30W tube amp will do you well.

zigzagwanderer

For sure I'll get a fuzz, I'll making one at the moment, but I'll buy a proper one too.

Marshalls.... Everyone's got one. It's all you ever see, Strat and a Marshall. What I just really want is the most diverse amp. For the above tones, what do you think about Strat + Fender Tweed? Could you get a Tweed under R8000 here? It's a bit juvenile really, but I'm really just going for what my favourite guitarists use as listed above. Plus I love the look of the Tweed!

I'm really kind of set on a Fender, which ones most diverse and affordable? Is second hand a viable option? Another thing, the amp's gotta be good for gigging. Doesn't have to be a huge 150W, but 15W is really way too small.

AlanRatcliffe

If you want all those different amp tones, maybe you should be using a modelling amp. Just sayin'...

Yeah, I first thought tweedier Fender, which have more of a midrange push like the Marshalls. You can't get the sweet SRV cleans though... Price range limits you a bit too. Maybe you should try something like a Hotrod Deluxe and tailor your pedals to give you the wider range...

BTW - on the Swart, don't forget that some models you can change the valves to different types for different tones. Not live though and more than a little out of your price range.

And yes, second hand is always an option on a budget.

makepeace

The real tweed era Deluxe (the 5E3), is a REALLY scary character of an amp, especially when you don't know what you're in for. Its pretty much a one trick pony, however if there were a "Best Trick" competition for pony riders, it would win hands down. It does the strat (and most other single coil guits) very well, you could go as far as to say that's its thang, but it can also be quite versatile if you really get into the nitty gritty of the amp as in finding out how it works and that information to set it up to its strengths. Unfortunately for you the only retail version is the Fender 57' RI, which is hideously expensive.. RRSP is like 20 grand, but you can pick them up for a leel less. People that want a 5E3 these days usually build them.. There are a multitude of kits available from lots of manufacturers, and they're all pretty good.

+1 on hot rod deluxe. I've not owned one, but I've heard they're really versatile with pedals and quite neutral amps as it stands.

OR you could go the route of a Fender Bassman/Bandmaster.. Thats what the old Marshall 40-50 watters are actually, with small modifications and beefier OT's. You could easily modify one to sound like a Marshall without looking like one ?

zigzagwanderer

Wow thanks for the responses! Really helpful. I'll try those out when I see them, thanks alot ?

Another thing, I was recommended the Vox AC-15 by another guitarist, anyone have any experience with this amp?

makepeace

I don't have direct experience, but I've heard that they're superb amps.. I've already got some parts to build one, just waiting for some time to put into it.

I think you have to be looking at the right one though, as there are loads of variations with these Voxes.. You'll need the one with the EF86 channel and the top boost channel. Think its the AC15-HTVH, Heritage Handwired?

To be honest though, for you I'd recommend looking for a second hand Silverface Bandmaster/Bassman and cab. It should fit very comfortably in your price rance. I think you'd be really happy with it, and there is room for modification.

AlanRatcliffe

makepeace wrote: You'll need the one with the EF86 channel and the top boost channel. Think its the AC15-HTVH, Heritage Handwired?

That's the one to have. A truly great amp for chimey clean to bluesy crunch. Unfortunately it can't do the sparkly Fender cleans (or cleans at high volume) and is also relatively expensive (especially the head and cab version, which is the one to go for - EF86s don't like combos). The AC15CC doesn't have anywhere near the same chime, vibe or liveliness - very flat in comparison.

zigzagwanderer

Hmm... Well even Hendrix didn't jump into the best amp on the market when he bought his 2nd one, so I could do the same I guess. I found on BidorBuy the Vox AC15 going for R4000, which is pretty great. Only problem is loudness, I have a lil' Cube 15X at the moment, which is so soft it's completely drowned out by other amps.

Manfred-Klose

Well even Hendrix didn't jump into the best amp on the market

you can plug hendrix into a radio. and he will still sound amazing.

AlanRatcliffe

zigzagwanderer wrote: I found on BidorBuy the Vox AC15 going for R4000, which is pretty great.

That won't be a Heritage Handwired version - they go for R20K new and 12Kish second hand.

Only problem is loudness, I have a lil' Cube 15X at the moment, which is so soft it's completely drowned out by other amps.

A 15W valve amp will be at least double the volume of a solid-state amp (it's to do with the way they are rated). And the Vox ACs are loud by any standards. I found the Heritage Handwired was well able to keep up with most normal drummers as long as I didn't expect to be sparkly clean.

I still think you should be looking at the Fender Hotrod Deluxe and a decent crunch pedal...

zigzagwanderer

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
zigzagwanderer wrote: I found on BidorBuy the Vox AC15 going for R4000, which is pretty great.
That won't be a Heritage Handwired version - they go for R20K new and 12Kish second hand.

That's alright, I don't have near that amount of money.

Where will I find a Hotrod Deluxe under R7000?

zigzagwanderer

Haha found one right here http://johannesburg.olx.co.za/fender-hot-rod-deluxe-iid-198256948

I'll keep it in mind!