Big-G
So, a few days back, I sold my AC15 to a guy who begged me to sell it to him, and I've been looking at what to replace it with, and have a good few options. I would like all you good folks inputs on the choices, so that perhaps I can get a good balance of opinions/experiences, so the amps I'm looking at are pretty much in the same price range, give or take a little, so here's my list.....
Ibanez TSA15H + matching cab - So far this seems my favourite, and most likely to be 'the one', but I just want to be sure. I like the two channel with switching option which gives more flexibility.
Fender Blues Junior - Little more than the TSA, but on a half price special, so thats the only thing bringing it into contention. Limited flexibility though perhaps?
Fender Vibra Champ XD - fair bit cheaper then the TSA, as thats also on half price special. Again though, limited flexibility perhaps?
Laney Cub 10 - Small but perfectly formed. Great options, and cheap, but will it cut it tonally?
Peavey Classic 50 2x12" - a used one is available which falls into my price range. Weight and controllable volume are my main concerns here?
The other option for a fair bit more than the TSA is the Avid Eleven rack. I love the look and potential flexibility of these units, but I just fear that whilst it can do 'everything', it can only do each thing to a lower standard compared to having one good tube amp that does that one thing really well? Having all the effects available on tap is what is bringing this into contention, as then I wouldn't have to add any of them later, which effectively increases the costs of the amp route.
So, I think that's pretty much my current choices. Anything else I should consider? Opinions on the above?
Regards
G!
vic
Big G wrote:
So, a few days back, I sold my AC15 to a guy who begged me to sell it to him, and I've been looking at what to replace it with, and have a good few options. I would like all you good folks inputs on the choices, so that perhaps I can get a good balance of opinions/experiences, so the amps I'm looking at are pretty much in the same price range, give or take a little, so here's my list.....
Ibanez TSA15H + matching cab - So far this seems my favourite, and most likely to be 'the one', but I just want to be sure. I like the two channel with switching option which gives more flexibility.
Fender Blues Junior - Little more than the TSA, but on a half price special, so thats the only thing bringing it into contention. Limited flexibility though perhaps?
Fender Vibra Champ XD - fair bit cheaper then the TSA, as thats also on half price special. Again though, limited flexibility perhaps?
Laney Cub 10 - Small but perfectly formed. Great options, and cheap, but will it cut it tonally?
Peavey Classic 50 2x12" - a used one is available which falls into my price range. Weight and controllable volume are my main concerns here?
The other option for a fair bit more than the TSA is the Avid Eleven rack. I love the look and potential flexibility of these units, but I just fear that whilst it can do 'everything', it can only do each thing to a lower standard compared to having one good tube amp that does that one thing really well? Having all the effects available on tap is what is bringing this into contention, as then I wouldn't have to add any of them later, which effectively increases the costs of the amp route.
So, I think that's pretty much my current choices. Anything else I should consider? Opinions on the above?
Regards
G!
I never thought I would say this.....consider a Roland Cube 80 (R4500 after discount) and get an extension cab with it (max 8 ohms) for room filling tones.
This rig will also serve your archtop very well indeed.
Big-G
Thanks Vic, may give it a try out?
I should have also have mentioned that I am aiming for that slightly breaking up cleanish sound, rather than full on beef, but want to have an amp that can handle pedals well too. Into rich full sounds, rather than brittle trebbley tinney sounds. Having said that, still want to have good clarity, and note separation though.
Also, this will mostly be used for recording at home, rather than in a live situation, but will occasionally see the light of, er, day/night/gigging where required, so it has to cut it for both applications. That means it still needs to sound good a lower volume too.
Oh, and the other option I was considering was the Vox Lil' Night train. Only 2w, but packs one heck of a punch tonally! The problem with that route is that I'd need to find a decent matching cab, which just adds to the costs, and probably makes it uneconomical?
Thanks for any further advice given here forward.
Regards
G!
Tokai-SA
You sold your AC15 to a guy because he begged you to sell it to him? ?
If you liked the amp why did you sell it?
Big-G
I dunno? He must have caught me at a moment of weakness? I did love that amp, but I guess I just wasn't putting it through its paces enough since I was barely able to crank it.
I guess that's the main reason why I sold it? Just not getting its inner umph out, so looking at something that can give the same tonal sounds, but at lower volumes.
Cheers
G!
StefStoep
I have a Fender Blues Jnr, and i'm very happy with it. It has an awesome tone, IMO. You can control when the cleans start breaking up real easy as it has a volume and a master. It takes pedals really well. It is small in size but is still loud enough if you need to play with a band. Since it is so small I leave it in my living room to sit and jam there. I must add that i have the limited edition that has a different speaker that the standard version. I love this amp as it is everything i want and need.
A friend of mine has a TSA, he likes the amp but unfortunately i can't same the same about the TSA. It just sounds a bit bland to me, it is kinda middle of the road for me, it doesn't have anything that gets me excited. It doesn't sound like a fender or a vox or a marshall or anything that makes me think, "that is some awesome tone!" but maybe it's just me!!!
If you have the time, maybe see if you can go and test them, maybe have somebody play through them and then you can really just sit and listen to what you like and don't like.
Remember, an amp that works for your needs and wants doesn't necessarily mean it will work for me.
TomCat
For me the choice would be the Blues Junior or the Cub 10.
The Cub 10 will likely be the closest to what the Vox gave you but at lower volume. You can always do a speaker mod on it later if you wish.
Perhaps also look at the Cub 12.
vic
Big G wrote:
Thanks Vic, may give it a try out?
I should have also have mentioned that I am aiming for that slightly breaking up cleanish sound, rather than full on beef, but want to have an amp that can handle pedals well too. Into rich full sounds, rather than brittle trebbley tinney sounds. Having said that, still want to have good clarity, and note separation though.
Also, this will mostly be used for recording at home, rather than in a live situation, but will occasionally see the light of, er, day/night/gigging where required, so it has to cut it for both applications. That means it still needs to sound good a lower volume too.
Oh, and the other option I was considering was the Vox Lil' Night train. Only 2w, but packs one heck of a punch tonally! The problem with that route is that I'd need to find a decent matching cab, which just adds to the costs, and probably makes it uneconomical?
Thanks for any further advice given here forward.
Regards
G!
Big G....your requirements mentioned are all locked up in the Cube and it's loooud as well. How can you even consider the Night train if you wanna play live...? I never was a fan of solid state but I was converted big time after hearing the Cube 80 with its quality 12" and Fx.
Plus it simulates an AC30, a Tweed and Blackface and other amps fairly accurately...it has delay and reverb...and both can be used at the same time.
Big-G
Mario...
I absolutely love the look of the AC4's, and had seriously been considering the one on the tree at present, but I just remember my experience when I bought the AC15 that the AC4's lack of a gain control was somewhat limiting, and left me feeling a little unsure I'd be able to tweak to get the desired level of grit on the sound. Aesthetically though, it's one mighty pretty amp, and if I had the option of owning a second amp, I'd have one in a shot for 'that tone' that it does so well!
That's where the lil' nighttrain stood out, as it was seriously versatile, but the nighttrain cab was seriously lacking, so if I went down that route, I'd have to add a seriously nice cab! And the Nighttrain 15 is even more versatile, but again, the cost just makes it to prohibitive! I had considered utilising a 10" combo cab that I had from a bass amp that broke, and just getting the nighttrain 15 head to run through it, but the speaker fitted is a coaxial and is 8 Ohm, so I don't know how well this would work? Maybe I'll take the cab along and give it a try?
Regards
G!
---mario---
? ac4tvh second ha... damn, cape town.
Hmm, if you're not keen on a cube maybe the orange micro terror? Should leave enough budget for an awesome cab and then you can get your Lil' night train a bit later on?
AlanRatcliffe
Id probably look at the Blues Junior first...
kayDUB
Honestly I would've kept the AC15 - it has a master control after all.
Other than that I'd have to second the blue's junior, not sure stylistically for you, but would be a good clean base to work from with some pedals.
RJN
I would also look at a Blues Junior. Although I wouldv'e kept the AC15 as i love the AC15c1 , fantastic amps.
domhatch
+1. more than enough for a small gig, and mic it up for a little more. awesome tones - try it, you'll be surprised.
wirt
Sorry lads, but I purchased that Laney Cub12R about 2 weeks ago. I think the seller forgot to remove the add...
Tokai-SA
Big G wrote:
The other option for a fair bit more than the TSA is the Avid Eleven rack. I love the look and potential flexibility of these units, but I just fear that whilst it can do 'everything', it can only do each thing to a lower standard compared to having one good tube amp that does that one thing really well? Having all the effects available on tap is what is bringing this into contention, as then I wouldn't have to add any of them later, which effectively increases the costs of the amp route.
I bet you the 11R produces better DI recordings than what you'll produce micing a $2000 vintage or boutique tube amp.
IceCreamMan
Tokai SA wrote:
You sold your AC15 to a guy because he begged you to sell it to him? ?
If you liked the amp why did you sell it?
ja, major fail ?
I think after an AC 15 the TS15 , the cube , the Laney will just not do it ....the blues jnr is prolly the best "like" the AC15 out of the lot you mention...
vibra champ is nice too but not in the AC15 league of nice....
best is to beg the ou to buy it back
