SvR65 wrote
Buy what makes you happy, albeit oriental in origin, or local boutique. That is my 2C for the day...
+1 on that.
Happy with tone = More time spent playing guitar instead of talking about it.
With regards to the mass produced oriental amp vs. the boutique amp debate, you really do get what you pay for.
Specifically on the Ibanez TSA 15, what i've discovered playing it stock-standard is that:
1. The TS side of the amp really is sub-standard. It does not clean up at all.
2. The clean side is nice but only adds a very light amount of crunch at full tilt.
3. The clean side has good punch on the 15w setting.
4. It gets quite dark on the half-power setting
Another thing i've learned is that you do need to roll the valves in the TSA to find what you're looking for.
Why go through all that trouble when you can:
1. Get a 2 knob amp (thanks EZ!) that sounds good regardless of where its set.
2. Develop a relationship with the builder and learn a thing or ten.
3. Have some level of exclusivity
4. Dare i say, even have the amp customised to suit your need.
My last 2c...Mass produced amps try to be all things to all people, while a boutique amp caters to people looking to find a tone and develop a voice.
If you can find a sound on an oriental amp that makes you happy, then more power to you.
