Amp suggestions

Stubbs

Hey guys ?

My Marshall MG15 is slowly on its way out and I'm in need of a new amp with some effects. At the moment, I'm considering the Cube 80 - I play Metallica, AC/DC, Nirvana, RHCP and sometimes some Led Zep and Three Days Grace. Getting into Judas Priest as well.

I played a friend's Cube 40 and I was very impressed: the bass, effects and especially the clean channel. I wasn't too impressed with the metal presets though, which is obviously an important feature.

I reckon I'm ready for a new amp and I started working over weekends to save money to buy one. In a few months time I would like to play at a local bar with some friends, and I'm going to start going for singing lessons.

I don't want a "practice amp", I want something that can handle itself which is suitable for small gigs. I can buy a Boss DS-2 for about R450 from a friend, if that will improve the gain sound on the Roland (I am planning on trying out the Cube 40 with the DS2). I'm leaning toward the 80 rather than the 40 because of the extra volume, the external speaker out jack and the presence control know. But is it worth it?

Any suggestions appreciated ?

free2rhyme

Congratulations on taking the next step ?

Most importantly, it boils down to how much you are willing to spend

The cube is a great amp for varied tones as is the fender mustang with fx

The 80w is loud enough for those occasional bar jams. Back in the day I used the 60w and it was ample for indoor gigs.
I think the rectifier setting is only on the 80w and 40w which is what I used for high gain on the cube.

In the same price range as the cube, also check out the peavey valveking 112, its also a great little amp with the benefit of being full valve.
Has great cleans and distortion channels. Its a 40w valve but I can guarantee u its louder than the cube80

A lot of people are also rating the vox valvetronix but i didn't like the high gain settings that much

Also check out the line 6 spider amps, they in my opinion have the best out of the price range modellers

Stubbs

I would need to go try out a whole bunch of amps, but I'm just trying to get an idea of some generally good amps. At the bar I can hook the amp up to their sound system, but as far as I know, the sound will be muted on the Cube 40 (but not on the 80).

free2rhyme

If you mean plugging into the extension cab, I think it mutes the internal speaker when u plug it in.

It did on my 60w and on the 80w , im not sure about the newer 80w X though

Try some out, also check forums and gumtree for some second hand jems too

makepeace

Have a look at a 15W to 30W all valve amp, and you won't want to look at anything else ?

MikeM

+1 to Jono. Tube amps are so cheap nowadays, don't waste money on something else. Just find one that suits you.

Gearhead

+1 once more, electric guitars were designed to sound good with tube amps ?

DonovanB

I don't think you can go wrong with a cube. Once you start gigging regularly it does make life super easy to carry around a smallish amp that packs a punch.

Also, valve amps do sound cool, but once you start trying to get your own tone the cheapies can be limiting. Ask anyone how well a cub handles high gain...

Stubbs

On Roland's site it says the speaker out won't mute the sound on the 80 watt, but I think on the "line out" it does mute it.

I was impressed with the Cube 40, but I might need to get a pedal for it.. Aren't tube amps a bit of maintenance though?

Another thing is price. The Cube 80 goes for R3800, but in the states it goes for about R2700. I wonder how much it would cost to import it.

Squonk

Check the classifieds. You can get some good bargains

DonovanB

Stubbs wrote:I wonder how much it would cost to import it.

R901....

+1 to the classifieds. I just sold my Cube 80X for R2500. Get the foot switches and you're sorted.

The thing with the cube, and the same with multifx as well, is that they allow you to find a sound you want and like. Then once you know what you want, you find the boutique pedals and tube amps to suit your tastes.

if you like metal, a Bassman wouldn't suit you, the same as if you're into blues the AFD won't work as well. go basic at first, then get complicated later on once you know what you want.

nick

Get a small valve amp rather, save you selling the cube in the not too distant future when you want to move to the next level.

greetings

Small valve amp.

Wizard

This could work nicely:
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=559

AlanRatcliffe

Stubbs wrote: On Roland's site it says the speaker out won't mute the sound on the 80 watt, but I think on the "line out" it does mute it.

Line outs do not mute the main speaker. A tech should be able to rig the extension jack to mute the built in speaker. But why? Generally more speakers are better.

Aren't tube amps a bit of maintenance though?

Yup. Also most are a bit more delicate than solid-state. Easier to fix though. If you want an amp to handle a variety of volume levels, the solid-state amps like the Cubes (or the Fender Mustangs) make sense. Valve amps are at their best when running at the volumes they were made for - there is a bit of range, but not enough to turn a club or stage amp into a bedroom practice amp. Sure, you can turn down any master volume amp, but they don't sound the same, and you lose the whole raison d' etre for having a valve amp in the first place.

Another thing is price. The Cube 80 goes for R3800, but in the states it goes for about R2700. I wonder how much it would cost to import it.

Add shipping (a couple of hundred dollars), 14% VAT and other fees, and then consider the US amps run on 110V (so you need to buy a stepdown transformer) and suddenly you realise the local price ain't that bad...

Wizard wrote: This could work nicely:
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds;sa=view;id=559

Not for small stage or club...

epictring

small valve amp (15-30watt).

I was in your shoes a while ago, if I could go back and save some $$$ I'd buy valve from day 1 - worth it.

Check out the Peavey Valveking. But try a large variety before buying to get what YOU like most.

psyx

How much do the valvekings retail for?

AndyD

I cant sing the Peavey Valve kings Praises enough. I bought it From a forum member as a an alternative to carrying my bassman around to gigs. That little amp gets gigged at least 5 times a week and never misses a beat. I Hve even played at the Waterfront amphiteatre with it ( miked of Course ) and it was brilliant. Gives me a fenderish clean and takes pedals very well. The gain channel takes some getting used to as well but can be very usefull. As with all gear one must look after it and with valve amps the upkeep is more, but well worth it in the end. My valveking is stock with no mods and is great. A year of gigging with it and I should probably look at changing the valves( who knows how long they have been in there), but thats it as far as upkeep goes. Great Amp!

Dingwall

epictring wrote:

Check out the Peavey Valveking. But try a large variety before buying to get what YOU like most.

+1. Very impressed with my mate's VK. Excellent value for money.

Gearhead

I frankly don't understand your post, AndyD. First you say that valve upkeep is more but then you add that you should probably change valves after gigging them for a year?
I'd say keep a set of spare valves just in case and get another 10 years of life out of your current set. Saves upkeep ?