Reinhard wrote: Maybe we should take this slowly. Before taking bundle deals and bargains that don't get you where you want to be tone wise.

1. What sounds do you want? Super clean, mild dirt, heavy dirt, all rounder?

2. Do you want valve or solid state?

3. How much power do you need?

4. Do you want a combo, head, or either?

5. Speaker size? 10's are OK if you have more than one, otherwise 1x12 or 2x12?

6. What can you get in your budget that ticks most of the boxes.

So see which of these amps tick most of the boxes.

Ok, lets try and answer them.....

1- I'm looking mostly for a cleaner to slightly crunchy sound, not super heavy stuff.

2- Don't mind if its Valve or SS, as long as it sounds good, but I do like Valve!

3- don't need much power, as its mostly for recording at home, and when used on stage would be mic'ed.

4- Not worried, but combo's do tend to work out cheaper, and cost is a big factor here.

5- Would prefer 12's, find 10's too compressed and boxy mostly. 2x12" would be best though. Really opens up the sound.

6- This is the big question I'm trying to work out. Its seems I'm having to compromise one way or the other, but I'm still hunting. Either they are costing too much, or they are too small and boxy for my liking! In the case of the heads I've looked at, they would take up most of my budget alone, never mind a cab. But in the long run, I think they'd be a better option even if I have to stretch my budget a bit further as and when I can?

Cheers
G!

Primarily for studio? Then I'd say go back to the idea of the Eleven Rack (you can try the Eleven TDM plugin to get an idea) or a POD HD. Live I presume you'll be playing more bass than guitar anyway and live guitar needs will be minimal and a DI solution will suit (and scale well). It's still nice to have a small but decent amp for jamming though...

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Primarily for studio? Then I'd say go back to the idea of the Eleven Rack (you can try the Eleven TDM plugin to get an idea) or a POD HD. Live I presume you'll be playing more bass than guitar anyway and live guitar needs will be minimal and a DI solution will suit (and scale well). It's still nice to have a small but decent amp for jamming though...

Yer, the Eleven rack is still on my list, but I just can't quite get my money to stretch that far. Its a lot of money all at once, and I've also had some not so good comments made about them, which has left me a little unsure that for the money it will answer my needs? If I'd managed to sell the PRS, then I'd probably go ahead and get it, but as with most things at the moment, its just sitting there, not getting sold.

I'll keep on searching, and perhaps I'll get a buyer for the PRS to assist my funding soon? I may just put it off until I've moved house, and see where I stand then?

Regards
G!

My only complaint with the Eleven Rack has been the lack of a software editor for those of us who don't use ProTools. Some dislike that it only has a relatively small number of amp models, speaker models and effects. It is definitely better on the clean to bluesy crunch stuff than the high gain tho - not that that matters much to you or I (and that's something well covered by the Line 6 stuff).

And of course it's going to come off second best when compared to a Kemper or AxeFX - completely different price/quality range. Consider it the entry level of the pro modelling gear.

So maybe, if you can't quite stretch to the Eleven, keep an eye out for a POD HD...

The Mustangs you looked at are also still an option for a combo amp - while they are sonically a bit lacking in comparison to a lot of modelling gear, they are very usable for stage/jamming. I'd probably prefer to have something like Guitar Rig or Amplitude on hand for recording though - especially with a decent interface with proper instrument inputs (or a nice instrument DI), they are hard to beat anywhere near the price.

Hey Big G. If I may ask, how much was the Mustang V head going for? And any idea of the pricing on the Mustang III and IV?

For the Mustang V (version 1), the in store price was R5k, but there's the usual discount to come off that, which is why I was considering it. The matching 4x12" stereo cab is also another R5k, which is why I was not able to afford both.

The Mustang III I'm a bit confused about, as I spotted it online for R4300, but I'm sure it was something like R5700 in a well known store, and that was apparently reduced at 50% off!

The v.2's are coming out soon though, and apparently they are only bringing in the Mustang III's (v.2) in stock, and the IV and V will only be available through special order!

Regards
G!

Big G wrote: For the Mustang V (version 1), the in store price was R5k, but there's the usual discount to come off that, which is why I was considering it. The matching 4x12" stereo cab is also another R5k, which is why I was not able to afford both.

The Mustang III I'm a bit confused about, as I spotted it online for R4300, but I'm sure it was something like R5700 in a well known store, and that was apparently reduced at 50% off!

The v.2's are coming out soon though, and apparently they are only bringing in the Mustang III's (v.2) in stock, and the IV and V will only be available through special order!

Regards
G!

Cool. Thanks!

Big G wrote: 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.

A bit late in the discussion, but I thought I should just point out...a little known fact, but there are actually two versions of the AC4. The AC4TV is the one you've tried with volume, tone and attenuator controls (which they also make a head of) and is white. The lesser spotted model, the AC4C1, is blue in colour and has an extra preamp tube, gain and master volume controls and a two band EQ, but no attenuator. I'm not implying you should buy either of these - that wouldn't be allowed of course. Just FYI...

As for your needs, failing a small valve amp, I would suggest something DSP based along the lines of what Alan has been suggesting for the sake of versatility. I would go with software rather than a hardware unit though if it's only going to be used in the studio - assuming you have a good DI and audio interface. The money you save could be put towards a good amp later on for live playing.

Or you could ask for your AC15 back... ?

Mr T wrote:

Or you could ask for your AC15 back... ?

This would have been my input too...answering the "what would you do?" question ?

Yer, as the guy took her away, I almost ran and begged him to give it back, but I'm a man of my word, and when i agree to something, I try and see it through!

As I mentioned earlier, I think the only reason I agreed to sell him it was that he caught me at a moment of weakness, and with me looking to move house, I was looking at ways of reducing the stack of equipment in the one room, which in all honesty was starting to take over the room.

On a normal day, I wouldn't even have considered it! But I guess one mans loss is another mans gain! I hope he treats her well, and gets the full usage out of her that she deserves!

Regards
G!

Gareth - I'm selling my Peavey Classic 30 if you'd like to come try it out at some stage.
Looking for about R4500 for it.

Have it on Gumtree for R4800 with cover and spare tubes.

http://www.gumtree.co.za/cp-musical-instruments-in-blouberg/peavey-classic-30-tube-amp-486533731

Just gonna chuck my two cents in here as well: about two weeks ago I picked up a Peavey Classic 30 (first tube amp), absolutely awesome! It is PLENTY loud, will easily keep a drummer in his place. Takes pedals well, excellent 'jack of all trades' amp.

I did try one of the new Valvetronix amps at Marshall Music in Cape Town - very very nice amp; good bottom end and some great clean and driven sounds from that thing! If not, Roland Cube FTW ?

Thanks for the replies guys, but I'm now sorted with my VHT Special 12/20, so for the moment, not in need (although always interested in Vox).

I had looked at the Peavey Classics a few times, as there have been a few up for grabs of late. None seemed to quite fit my budget or 'condition' requirements at the time though.

Regards
G!