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Author Topic: Suggestion for a good amp  (Read 33072 times)

johannes.maas

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Suggestion for a good amp
« on: January 28, 2012, 09:10:36 AM »
Hi,

I need your suggestions....

I want to buy a combo tube amp. It should have a good and loud clean tone without getting dirty - I want to use my Boss ME70 for effects and distortion - so the amp should sound good with an FX Board -  best would be with a fx loop (send / return).

Also there should be a good sounding crunch / gain channel.

It should be loud enough to play while practising with a drummer / bass player and it should also be possible to play at home via the clean channel without getting angry neighbours.

Sound: I need a good variety of possible sounds - Blues / Rock possibly most important - heavier stuff should be possible too.

Suggestions?

IM4Tone

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2012, 11:19:00 AM »
WOW, there are soooo many good ones out there and you didn't give any price restrictions:

1)For the best cleans, it's hard to beat Fender: Blues Deluxe Reissue (Clean is not quite as pristine as other Fenders and the "drive" doesn't have a lot of crunch @ lower volume unless you put an inexpensive volume box in the loop), Deluxe VM (w/ lots of OD/crunch...it's hybrid) or Supersonic 22 (I'm having GAS for either this one or the Bandmaster VM which is the head version of the Deluxe VM).

2)Other good choices: Peavey Delta Blues or the Classic 30, Blackstar HT 20 or HT40 (the "drive" channel may give more distortion than you care for, but a single tube change of the preamp tube to a 12AY7 for the drive channel gives lower useable gain and still retains loads of hi-gain; the clean is quite clean, but not as pristine as Fender's).

3)If you have an opportunity to try out an Ibanez TSA, it may fit the bill depending on just how loud your drummer plays. It is 15 watts, but is quite loud IMO, has a loop, and a built in TS9 circuit that acts as the dirty channel. Also has a boost function. If you like it, be sure to get the optional footswitch (chnl and boost). The clean is very clean, and the Dirty is an actual TS9 circuit. I find it loud enough to suit me, but I have the Head version driving a 2X12 cab. When others play so loud that it isn't enough, I would just as soon not play as it's hard on one's hearing.

Sounds are very personal choices, so if possible, go to somewhere like a Guitar Center and test drive all you can with a guitar that is similar to the one you use. By all means, let us know of your choice.

johannes.maas

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2012, 11:26:33 AM »
Yeah damnit... forgot to mention the price restriction...

600 euros roundabout - must be like 800$ - should be the maximum price...

IM4Tone

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2012, 01:41:16 PM »
Yeah damnit... forgot to mention the price restriction...

600 euros roundabout - must be like 800$ - should be the maximum price...
Of those I mentioned, only the Supersonic 22 exceeds your budget. That is price in the USA.

reb

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2012, 02:25:39 PM »
i have a blues jr. nos. i think you would like one, but...you need to take your ears and your favorite instrument and play one. once you have an amp, if you don't like it or need it later, they're a devil to get rid of and get 50% of your money back in a lot of cases.

this was recorded to one of robert's backing tracks with a squier strat into my blues jr., using a zoom h1 recorder in a living room-but, i really think you have to play one to decide:

http://www.box.com/s/l031lzcenhtp2yer5h93
« Last Edit: January 28, 2012, 02:27:11 PM by reb »

IM4Tone

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2012, 03:30:16 PM »
i have a blues jr. nos. i think you would like one, but...you need to take your ears and your favorite instrument and play one. once you have an amp, if you don't like it or need it later, they're a devil to get rid of and get 50% of your money back in a lot of cases.
I have a Blues jr. also, but it doesn't meet the OP's criteria....it's only one channel.

johannes.maas

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2012, 09:02:29 AM »
Ijust read a review about the peavey bandit 112

Sounds like a good deal, although its a transistor and no tube amp

zagatron1

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2012, 01:45:52 PM »
Check out the line-up from Laney Amps, like maybe the Cub 12R for example. Also you'll find that the LC or VC series of amps might have what you're looking for. They're pretty affordable, all tube and they have an effects loop. They have decent cleans, work well with pedals too. Take a look.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-LAN-CUB12R-LIST
« Last Edit: January 29, 2012, 01:51:14 PM by zagatron1 »

johannes.maas

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2012, 02:11:36 PM »
Will that one be loud enough? As it just has 15 Watts?

zagatron1

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2012, 02:58:03 PM »
Well, I hope you didn't just stop at that particular amp. They have others with more wattage, I was just trying to point you in that direction. If it's more wattage you want, then check this- http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-LAN-LC30112-LIST  You have to browse a little. Maybe this will do the trick- http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-LAN-LC50112-LIST
« Last Edit: January 29, 2012, 03:00:22 PM by zagatron1 »

IM4Tone

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2012, 03:26:17 PM »
Will that one be loud enough? As it just has 15 Watts?
If a 15 watt tube amp isn't enough for band practice, your drummer is playing way too loud >:( And if you get a higher wattage tube amp, either your neighbors will be angry, or you won't care for the tone at the very low volumes.

I'm not sure that your "spec." is possible, depending on your definition of loud and proximity to neighbors ???

johannes.maas

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2012, 05:14:31 AM »
Yap, I may either need 2 tube amps (smaller and larger one) or should stick toma hybrid or normal transistor combo.

Question: Is it not possible to play at home with a larger tube amp in acceptale volume if I use a fx board for distortion and use the clean channel of the amp?

Acceptable volume means not too low volumes - we have a house so no one ist living directly in the next room.

Klaus

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2012, 06:23:12 AM »
Hi Johannes

I have wanted to write this a couple of time but have stopped because you are writing about Tube amps.

But now you are asking a specific question which make my suggestion ok. But first to your question  :)
Quote
Is it not possible to play at home with a larger tube amp in acceptale volume if I use a fx board for distortion and use the clean channel of the amp

Yes it is possible, but then the hole (nearly) idea with the tube amp are gone because then it is your pedal board that make the overdrive and not the amp. Tube amp sounds best (if you want some overdrive) if you crank them up so you get the overdrive from the amp instead of you pedal board.

Im also into Tube amps but have the same problem with the volume, so I bought a Line 6 Spider Jam for practising at home but kept my Fender Tube Amp for Gigs. I can highly recomend that Line 6 (check it out on the Net) and you get so much more than just an amp - built in Jam tracks in very high quality - a lot of Drum tracks and 100 of sounds and you can record directly in to the amp and play along withe the recording, great for practising and the amp sound good.
Im living in New zealand so I only now the price her, but I think it would fit into your budget - check it out.
« Last Edit: January 30, 2012, 06:24:44 AM by Klaus »

zagatron1

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2012, 09:17:19 AM »
A tube amp with a built-in attenuator doesn't hurt either.

johannes.maas

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Re: Suggestion for a good amp
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2012, 11:53:36 AM »
this little baby sounds quite interesting to me

Ibanez TSA15H Tube Screamer AMP

they have an offer including a 80 watt 12' cabinet for 400 euros here in Germany...

offer:
 http://www.thomann.de/de/ibanez_tsa15h_bundle.htm

review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDquVJZKRGI&feature=youtube_gdata_player