JoeyBones
I figured we should discuss this topic. What do you guys think are the best amps for Blues, Rock, Country, Metal ... or the best overall amp and why.
dirkv
well i am extremely happy with my CRATE GT1200H amp system, it is full, has a nice delay setting on it and works well with my BOSS GT8.
i do really like the MESA BOOGIE Triple Rectifier, just like Mark Tremonti uses in Alterbridge.
JoeyBones
I haven't heard your amp yet. How does your solid state compare to Julian's all tube DSL? There's a lot of guys that'll debate that solid state is cheaper but lacks warmth or that Tube amps are too expensive and the difference between the 2 is not that noticeable.
I'm no expert on the subject, but Il ove my Ashdown.
dirkv
there is a difference between Tubes and Solid state but i am very happy with the Solid State. i think my amp is one of the best values for money. it is warm but not like that of a full tube.
i think if you are playing a Multi-Effects through it, a solid state is ideal but with single stomp boxes; a tube would be the best plan.
but thats my uneducated opinion ?
cain
OK lets start a full listing :
Rock = Marshall ( JCM800, JCM900, DSL AND TSL ), Peavey ( Classic 30/50 ), Bogner, Carvin, Mesa boogie ( Lonestar )
Metal = Peavey (5505, 6505), Mesa boogie ( Dual/Tripple recifier ), Laney ( Almost all of them except lionheart ), Marshal ( JCM800 and DSL ), Diezel ( All ), Krank ( All especially krankenstein ), Crate ( The ones with valves ), Bogner amps, Carvin
Blues = Fender ( Blues deluxe, Twin reverb, Bassman , De ville ), Peavey ( Classic 30/50 ), Marshall ( JCM800 / JCM900 ), Orange ( Rockverb ), Bogner, Carvin, Mesa boogie ( Lonestar )
Country = Fender ( Blues deluxe, Twin reverb, Bassman , De ville ), Peavey ( Classic 30/50 ), Mesa boogie ( Lonestar )
JoeyBones
Talking about Bogner, checkout the new Line6 spider amps designed by bogner.
http://line6.com/spidervalve/index.html .
Looks like the best of both worlds.
On Jazz amps, the Roland JC-120 is great. I love my AC30 for the classic brit sound. Anyone want to sponsor me a set of blue alnicos }?) ???
cain
The spider valve sure looks awesome, the thing i dont like is that they added amp sounds to it. I would like an amp like that, to be just kept clean, then they add a line6 MM4 and DL4 to it with midi support. That would be a sweet amp.
NorioDS
I've got an Ibanez TB225 and it's quite warm and unpredictable at times. I haven't decided if I like that yet ?
My little Roland 30 is good. Very predictable and the rectifier setting gives me just the type of distortion I like.
Thing is, I need cash so I can experiment with some pedals on the TB225 otherwise I'm just going to sell it because I think it's beyond me ?
JoeyBones
I wanna try out the spider. I like the fact that you can use the FBV floor controller with it and have multiple presets. I think this would work well for a gigging artist who has a set playlist with pre-determined tempos and doesn't want to be adjusting settings on pedals between every song.
cain
The issue is that this amp is gonna cost round about 25k or more. Have you seen the line6 Vetta II ? An amp like that with a bogner designed power amp would be much more usefull.
Garth-S
You guys should check out the Peavey Valveking 112. In terms of affordable full valve combo's, this is by far the best and most versatile. I got mine for R5500 from a local music shop and am more than impressed with it. It has a cool "texture" knob that changes the amp between class A and class A/B, by using more of the pre-amp valves or power valves. Check out the article -
http://www.peavey.com/assets//literature/reviews/00575640_4.pdf
JoeyBones
Francis Viviers wrote
The issue is that this amp is gonna cost round about 25k or more. Have you seen the line6 Vetta II ? An amp like that with a bogner designed power amp would be much more useful.
I think this is meant to be more of a recording solution, but I won't be surprised if they start releasing more models with this configuration. You can get great tones at low volumes with modelling.
I'm gonna try to go to Marshall Music in Woodmead tomorrow to checkout the 112 and the 212.
cain
Erm i dont think marshall music has the spidervalve yet, it released in december in the states, chances that they will have one is almost non existent or do you know something i dont ?
JoeyBones
I spoke a guy named Brent. I hope he realized that I was talking about the valve and not the solid state spider. I'll have to call him and double check.
AlanRatcliffe
I have inside word on some new Peavey solid state stuff that's apparently amazing. I have to say, I started on Peavey (Studio Pro 110), and regretted it immensely - harsh distortion and flat cleans, very fatiguing on the ear after a while. But ever since the Classic 30, they really seem to have upped their game. I'm waiting to see a Windsor Studio locally. That's my idea of fun.
Generally I like the Fender Deluxe amps and love AC 30s (the real ones at least). I've never liked Marshall - the pushed upper mids are a bit too harsh for me - although, I heard one JCM800 combo that was wonderful. I've always had a problem with carrying real valve amps though, and many of the good ones have to be LOUD before they give up the goods, so they have rarely been practical for me.
I'm really optimistic about modelling stuff. The tone is there for recording, even if the feel is not quite there for live performance yet. However, it's a young technology and getting better all the time, so in a few years...
kayDUB
My buddy just got a Peavey Valveking. funny story, his vox AD50 (? - the valvestate one) was at vox for repairs for many months, then he got it back and the problem was still there! So they gave him a valveking, apparently vox and peavey have the same distributor is SA or something.
Anyway, the valveking does seem like a nice amp.
Anyone checked out the new mesa range? seems pretty cool, four channels with different voicings. all valve and expensive!
think its like 15 000 for the smallest combo... 20W maybe. heavey.
If I had the cash for a new amp it would be prob be between the Classic 30, Fender Deluxe, AC30, AC15.
JoeyBones
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
love AC 30s (the real ones at least).
Yah, I missed a 64' AC30 for R3000 a couple of years ago. I haven't been able to find an old one for anywhere near that price again. There's quite a few in the states and the UK, but shipping them is a costly affair, if you can get the dealers to ship.
I agree on the modeling stuff though. Digital is here to stay and since I'm an IT guy, I'm quiet happy that technology is catching up.
I guess every amp has it's place, you just gotta do your homework before you go out and buy. Only advice I can give anyone is try as many amps/guitars/effects as you can before you buy. If you can't play that well, get a friend that can to go along with you. I almost sold my Ashdown because I didn't know how to set it up correctly. Thanks to my him, I've got a great combination of guitars / amps.
AlanRatcliffe
If I had the cash for a new amp it would be prob be between the Classic 30, Fender Deluxe, AC30, AC15.
We have the same taste in amps although, as I've mentioned before, I'm using Guitar Rig exclusively these days.
JoeyBones
I went to Marshall Music in Woodmead on Saturday to try out the Spider Valve.
I have to say, I expected more. It's a good amp but not a great one. From what I could see it has all the effects and amp modelling of the original spider, but it seems as though the amp modelling is dulling the clean sound and thining out the overdriven sounds. It doesn't come close enough to true tube tone for my liking. I guess it is relatively new teritory so we'll have to wait and see what come next.
After trying the different amp settings and effects, I feel that for +- R10K, I'd stick with a similiarly priced valve amp.
On the plus side, we tried the best souding combo amp I have ever heard. It's a 50W Orange 2x12 combo. It's one of the hand made ones from the UK. I was absolutely blown away by the sound quality both clean and overdriven (We only tried it using the drive channel on the amp). On the down side, it does cost R32K (+-R20K with the discount).
I also tried a Hughes and Ketner 2x12 combo, which was musch warmer sounding than the Spider, but just didn't match up to the Orange.
I feel like selling both my amps and a kidney to finace one of those Orange Combo's :'(
cain
LOL that's what i told you, they should not add amp models over the tube amplifier. Rather just delay and chorus and that. Yeah i know those orange amps are nice, thats why i LOVE my orange amp so much ?
