#1930671 - 04/22/08 09:45 AM
what are some of the most reliable amp brands
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nauc
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id like to get a combo amp ($500 or less) someday and want to know who are the Honda and Toyotas of guitar amps. basically i want to try and get something that will last dam near forever. dont want to keep dumping money into it over and over again but realise nothing lasts forever.
i play mainly rock/metal and some blues
i asked over at the UG forum, Peavey came up the most. what do yall think
thanks
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#1930680 - 04/22/08 09:56 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: nauc]
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splitting hare
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Fenders and Peaveys have never let me down.
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#1930688 - 04/22/08 10:12 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: splitting hare]
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nauc
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thinking about somethin like this...
Peavey ValveKing 112 Combo Amp Features:
50W all-tube power
Texture variable Class A/B simulation control
2 footswitchable channels
(w/optional footswitch)EQ and volume for each channel
Footswitchable gain/volume boost on lead channel
12" ValveKing speaker
Reverb with level control
Buffered effects loop
Resonance and presence controls
External speaker jack
2 - 6L6GC power amp tubes
3 - 12AX7 preamp tubes
4, 8, or 16 ohms
21-2/5"W x 18-1/4"H x 10-1/4"D
44-1/2 lbs.
Edited by nauc (04/22/08 10:13 AM)
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#1930702 - 04/22/08 10:58 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: rickygclef]
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Mudcat
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Fender & Peavey.
Next question?  
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#1930703 - 04/22/08 10:59 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: rickygclef]
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nauc
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not yet.. got my eye on this too
Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 G-400 Electric Guitar Features:
Double-cutaway solid mahogany body
Slim-taper set mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
22 frets
Alnico Classic Plus bridge humbucker
Alnico Classic neck humbucker
2 volume, 2 tone controls
3-way pickup selector
Grover tuners
24.75" scale
1.68" nut width
Chrome hardware
i used to own a Gibson SG Standard, that will have to do me until i can afford another one
Edited by nauc (04/22/08 11:00 AM)
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#1930713 - 04/22/08 11:19 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: nauc]
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rickygclef
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Yes tube amps twice as loud as solid state amps of the same wattage.
That 50 watt tube is going to be really loud.
For example A Fender Deluxe (original and 65 reissue) is 22 watts tube and plenty loud for most gigs IMO. I use a 15 watt Fender Blues Junior for most gigs without a mic and it is plenty loud, believe me.
Find out what it is you like, want and really need. 
(and what you can afford. Take a look at thread about boutique amps)
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#1930729 - 04/22/08 12:09 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: rickygclef]
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Dr. Ellwood
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Fender,Marshall,Peavey,Traynor
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#1930748 - 04/22/08 12:48 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Dr. Ellwood]
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Xplorer
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I've never had a problem with Roland. I find Crate solidstate amps to be able to take a beating too. These are the Crysler and GM of amps though.
I have had issues with Peavy speakers craping out. I can't be the only one in this forum who has had a Peavy combo amp let me down... come on I know some of you guys have stories.
I've had issues with Marshall as well. More so with the electronics and components. Oh, Crate reverb units are garbage.
Get a Fender or Peavy and ya, it will drive like a Toyota and have good resell like a Toyota. Sometimes an old Impala will just keep starting everytime you turn the key and will get you from point A to point B reliably.
Whats the price on a decent Fender or Peavy combo? Can you get a "Toyota" for under $500?
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#1930750 - 04/22/08 12:50 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Xplorer]
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Omaha
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+1 on the Peavey. Dead nuts reliable.
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#1930751 - 04/22/08 12:56 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Dr. Ellwood]
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Greg B.
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I'd agree with all of the above brands as being reliable, but you also want to make sure how you treat it. Even the most reliable and solidly built amps won't take kindly to having a drink spilled on them, being dropped, knocked over, etc. I'm not saying to never leave the house without being in a well padded case, but treat it as best as you can and it will last for quite a long time. I've got a Peavey Classic 30 that I've had since the first year they came out, '93 or '94, I think. Its not perfect, and I've hauled it around its fair share, but I'm always careful with it and it looks great for being almost 15 years old. I fully expect to have it for at the very least 15 more years, probably alot longer. Good luck.
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#1930780 - 04/22/08 02:19 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Greg B.]
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nauc
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I'd agree with all of the above brands as being reliable, but you also want to make sure how you treat it. Even the most reliable and solidly built amps won't take kindly to having a drink spilled on them, being dropped, knocked over, etc. I'm not saying to never leave the house without being in a well padded case, but treat it as best as you can and it will last for quite a long time. I've got a Peavey Classic 30 that I've had since the first year they came out, '93 or '94, I think. Its not perfect, and I've hauled it around its fair share, but I'm always careful with it and it looks great for being almost 15 years old. I fully expect to have it for at the very least 15 more years, probably alot longer. Good luck.
i take really really good care of my things. never once left my Gibson SG sitting out.. always put in back in its case and locked it when i was done playing it. even the case doesnt have a scratch on it
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#1930782 - 04/22/08 02:23 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Greg B.]
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soggybomb
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i have played the valveking and it is an excellent combo. also recommended is the carvin nomad amp. it falls in your price bracket, and it is build with solid poplar instead of particleboard. great warm tone from both amps.
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#1930786 - 04/22/08 02:28 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: rickygclef]
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GeoffB
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Yes tube amps twice as loud as solid state amps of the same wattage.
Not actually true, although many believe it is.
A Watt is a Watt is a Watt.
An SS amp at 30W clean should be as loud as a valve amp at 30W clean, all other things being equal.
The salient point is, though, that at 30W clean the SS amp may have the vol dial at 10, whereas the valve amp may only be at 4, or 6.
This is because the wattage of a valve amp is measured at (I think, correct me if I'm wrong) 5% harmonic distortion max. This still leaves plenty of overdriven volume to come, so a 30W valve amp may actually produce upwards of 50-60 watts full on, but in distortion/overdrive.
Geoff
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#1930813 - 04/22/08 03:15 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: GeoffB]
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polyrhythm
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I've played the same amp since I started about 15 years ago. I know they aren't a favorite out there, but they are Crate's (with Celestions). My first amp, a 15W or so, is still going strong as my practice amp. However the gigging amp I have has seen better days. It still works, but the channel selector button and the chorus button are going bonkers this past year or two. Aside from that, it's still great and it's definitely taken a beating. It's fallen over, had crap spilled on it (not in it mind you), and has been pushed to it's max back in high school (during my death metal years).
It's been reliable for well over a decade, and while I'm looking for a new amp, I'm not looking to replace it completely. I'll probably go with a power amp and continue to use the speakers/cabinets, bypassing the troubled buttons I have. I have been eyeing a Fender combo though...
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#1930957 - 04/22/08 10:43 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: polyrhythm]
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Bluesape
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My main amp is 55 years old, a point to point Gibson now residing in a cab where a P.O.S. SS Fender used to waste space. It has had a lot of use, most of it not gentle, and shows no signs of fatigue. It has no reverb, just 2 discrete channels with volume, treble, and bass knobs. One channel is clearly the hotter of the 2. It has a single 12 from the SS amp. It is very simple and solid. IMHO, this is the recipe for longevity.
As an analogy, I absolutely ADORED my gadget-laden BMW 635, but features that simpler cars just don't have eventually malfunctioned: seat heaters, power seats, windows, data computer, driver's door lock de-icer, an exhaust system worthy of a stealth plane, etc., etc. My Cavalier is an austere penalty box by comparison, but has had very little go wrong in over 300,000 km (187,000 miles). Not that it's better in any way, just simpler. With the fancy rides, higher maintenance costs are to be expected, same as overly complex amps.
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#1931393 - 04/23/08 05:46 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Bluesape]
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myles_rose
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It depends on whether you are taking reliable on tour or not. Many of the amps that are considered great don't hold up being moved on long term touring.
Some top notch ones are ....
Dr. Z
Rivera
65 Amps
Valvetrain Amps
Victoria Amps
There are many more I did not mention.
And to Bluesape .... I had an 89 635CSi that I loved but after the brake booster or whatever (looked like a black bomb from a cartoon) and the suspension systems started to go I sold the car before it got too pricy.
But for the years I had it I loved it.
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#1931489 - 04/23/08 09:41 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: myles_rose]
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Bluesape
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Mine's an '85 CSI - still got it, in storage, but it'll take way more than it's worth to put it right.
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#1931534 - 04/24/08 02:14 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Bluesape]
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Kramer Ferrington III.
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Bah... "reliable"... I'd say most amps these days are "reliable" assuming you just play them and don't do silly things like drop them or take them in the shower with you. I've never had an amp actually break down on me, no matter what the brand. I've had Peavey, Gibson, Roland, Fender, Vox (Valvetronix), Dean Markley and Hughes & Kettner amps.
I've had tubes get old and need replacing and I've blown fuses but that was about it. Tubes need replacing every so often and fuses are really cheap anyway.
Now, the sound is a different matter.
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#1931587 - 04/24/08 05:55 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Kramer Ferrington III.]
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miroslav
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Now, the sound is a different matter.
Yup.
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#1933312 - 04/27/08 06:53 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Xplorer]
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koolkid
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tube amps by there nature will not even last a year usually without a blown tube or transformer problem,,etc etc..if your a beginner // on a budget//need something that wont fry on every other gig.. stick with solid state..i see hundreds of guys who want ""tone tone tone"" and blow up there amps every weekend,the only tone i hear are their complaints!!!lol... an amp is only good if it works and can travel well,if youre not a millionaire rockstar who has a crew to fix their tube amps do yourself a favor....
Edited by koolkid (04/27/08 06:53 PM)
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#1933324 - 04/27/08 07:18 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: koolkid]
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Dr. Ellwood
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Hay right on Koolkid!! those nasty tube amps are nasty!!! stick with those solid state goodies!!! no worries then!!!
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#1933335 - 04/27/08 07:39 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: koolkid]
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miroslav
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tube amps by there nature will not even last a year usually without a blown tube or transformer problem,,etc etc....
I gotta' ask...where/how did you come to this conclusion...?
Sorry...but that's just very far from the reality.
Tubes do NOT normally blow after a year...and transformers generally can last for 20-30...+ years without going bad, and then most times, only if the amp is mistreated.
Sure...you can get a lemon or the occasional bad parts…but well-built tube amps will actually outlast solid state ones...which can easily fry a transistor any one of the MANY solid-state components found on a PCB.
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1933340 - 04/27/08 07:53 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: koolkid]
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mdrs
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Yea, I'd NEVER own a tube amp. They always break down, and never last.
 
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#1933344 - 04/27/08 07:59 PM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: mdrs]
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Dr. Ellwood
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Well hell yes!!! those tube amps blow up every weekend!! hay but that way you have something to do during the week rebuilding them!!
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Moderator: myles_rose, A String, Bluesape
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LMAO!!
never saw so much luck!!!
