amp recommendations

[Derrick1642607670]

try vox ac15 fender hotrod deluxe fender blues junior epiphone blues custom or look into some traynor or laney stuff, I cant remember the name of this amp that I played on but I know it was a traynor and the overdrive channel was called a "ninja boost" anyways I thought it was a nice amp.

[rw2003]

Here's another JCM800 Combo.. slightly different amp... this is the dual channel model. Some say it has too many knobs... Maybe, but you can get both channels to sound pretty nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marshall-JCM-800-Lead-Series-combo-amp-model-4020_W0QQitemZ150120768896QQihZ005QQcategoryZ38075QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://i7.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/9d/e8/72a2_2.JPG

 

 

[Stotnova]

Amp recommendation has everything to do with what you intend to use it for. If you're thinking club gigs, the other guitar player in my band just bought a Nomad from Carvin. 50 watts, and get this: 9 tubes! Warm, sweet, all the headroom. Can you tell I'm jealous? Carvin is factory only, so check the website.

[MILLO]

Again, here are my suggestions:

 

Tubes: used Marshall, Fender combos. If you want to buy new, then Fender, Peavey, and Carvin combos.

 

Solid State: Tech 21 Trademark 60

 

Modeling: Yamaha DG 80 or 100

[GovernorSilver]

Avoid the Vox AC-30 Reissue if at all possible.

 

Our lead guitarist had one and it broke down 3 times. When it did work, it made his fuzz/distortion sound (all from pedals - but that's his thing) muddier than it needed to be.

 

He replaced the Vox AC-30 Reissue with a used Fender Twin Reverb which was probably made in the 80s. These silverface Twins are not wanted in the vintage collector's market and are therefore still affordable to normal musicians (not rich lawyer/doctor/financial market collector types). He is MUCH happier with the Twin and so is the rest of the band - we can actually HEAR the chords he plays now, even with the fuzz/distortion pedals engaged!

 

Most serious guitarists end up with separate amps for clean and lead sounds, btw, so you may have to budget accordingly. Check out the Amptone website for more information. 30W-50W is generally recommended for a distortion/overdrive oriented tube amp for use with a loud drummer. More than that and you can't get the power tubes to saturate, less than that and you may have trouble getting loud enough unless you mic the amp into a more powerful amplification system.

[tomtele]

I'll keep all these things in mind, and try out the amps listed when I have the chance. The carvin nomad sounds pretty good from the site, don't know where I could actually try one. The price is pretty awesome too.

 

Another thing I forgot to mention was the tone I'm aiming for, which is a classic rock-ish tone. 60s- early 70s era...I guess. And again thanks, the posts are very helpful. Haven't been able to narrow it down much yet.

[Greg B.]

Tom, I have the Peavey Classic 30 and run it thru a Peavey 4X10 cabinet. It will nail the classic rock tone perfectly. Think "Song Remains the Same" Page tones with humbuckers, or The Cult "Electric" with single coils. For the price (new or used), you can't go wrong. It is very pedal friendly, sounds great with or without plugging into a cabinet, and will, as stated before, keep up with a full band in a live situation.

 

There are alot of great suggestions from everyone else, so as several others have said, play everything that you can, then make a decision based on what you have actually played and heard. You'll know when you find the right one. Good luck in your search. Rock on!

 

BTW, welcome to the forum, there are ALOT of very knowledgeable and helpful people here, and I don't think you'll find a better forum of any kind. Stick around, you'll like it here.

 

[Quixotica]

I tried out the Traynor YCT40WR last weekend aand I was impressed. It has a great vintage sound and it overdrives really nicely. The WR (wine red) version that I played includes a Celestion Vintag 30 and might sound diferent from the standard version.

 

Another tube amp you might consider is the Kustom 36 Coupe. I tried it out a couple of months ago and I thought it sounded really cool. It might be a little closer to that Marshall sound than the Traynor is.

[Strategery]

I've got a new Carvin Nomad with a Vintage 30 Celestion and it ROCKS!

I did change out the tubes to JJ's Blues for $80 bucks.

 

It is SOLID and LOUD, not to mention....easy as hell to take to a gig.

I paid $499 new but I think they're $549 now.

 

You can also get the 2-12 version called the Belair for around $600 or $650.

 

Randy

[blitzkrieg bop]

I'd like to chime in here as well....I agree with the majority to GET A TUBE AMP!!!!!!!! I am new to the all tube world (Epi Valve Junior) and even that little amp is a world of difference. I have a Marshall Valvestate 8040 (40 watt) hybrid, and it's not horrible, but comes no where near a tube amp. I haven't touched it since I got my EPi, actually, I haven't played through that amp in a while because it just isn't giving me the tones I want. I will be selling it shortly.

 

Anyway...GET AN ALL TUBE AMP, especially if you have $800 to spend. There are a ton of great tube amps in that range. Also, you said you are looking for a practice, jam, small gig amp, I would HIGHLY recommend the Epi Valve junior. I got the combo for $100, the head goes for about $90 (at least locally). You can get this amp and still have $700 left to spend on another awesome tube amp with more power. If you really want the Marshall crunch, then get a Marshall Tube amp. You may be able to find some used ones in that range. I feel anything Solid state will dissapoint. I don't think I will touch one again.

 

One more thing...remember that Tube amps are actually louder than SS of the same wattage; a 40 watt tube amp will sound louder than a 40 watt SS. The Valve Junior is rated at 5 watts, but let me tell you, it gets LOUD!!! You can easily play a small club with this amp if you crank it up (depending on how loud the band is too, and playing clean you may have to mic).

[b3_john]

Another tube amp you might consider is the Kustom 36 Coupe. I tried it out a couple of months ago and I thought it sounded really cool. It might be a little closer to that Marshall sound than the Traynor is.

Do they still make Kustom amps? Do they still come with all the brightly colored padded exteriors?

 

John

[tomtele]

I've got a new Carvin Nomad with a Vintage 30 Celestion and it ROCKS!

I did change out the tubes to JJ's Blues for $80 bucks.

 

It is SOLID and LOUD, not to mention....easy as hell to take to a gig.

I paid $499 new but I think they're $549 now.

 

You can also get the 2-12 version called the Belair for around $600 or $650.

 

Randy

 

According to the website it's still $499. I'm really thinking about either the nomad or peavey classic. Randy, were you able to try one out before buying? And what type of music do play? thanks

[rw2003]

Another tube amp you might consider is the Kustom 36 Coupe. I tried it out a couple of months ago and I thought it sounded really cool. It might be a little closer to that Marshall sound than the Traynor is.

Do they still make Kustom amps? Do they still come with all the brightly colored padded exteriors?

 

John

 

Yes!

http://www.kustom.com/images/KUSTOM36Coupe-REDbig.jpg

 

http://www.kustom.com/amps/guitar/coupe/36coupecombo.asp

[Strategery]

http://www.carvinworld.com/images/product/NOMAD1.jpg

 

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=NOMAD&CID=GA

 

You can order it and pay for it, then as with Musician's Friend, you have about 30 days to send it back for a full refund with the exception of S&H I believe.

 

They really pack their gear WELL!!

You don't have to worry about it arriving damaged unless something weird happens with UPS. :grin:

 

Go to the BOTTOM of the window of the Carvin link I supplied above, and click on HEAR-IT.

Go in there and click on the different sound bytes they provided and you'll get a good BALL PARK idea.

Use headphones...it'll help....or good speakers.

 

Personally, I really like mine.

The tweed is beautiful and has a quality look and feel.

For an extra $50-$100 bucks, you can get the 2-12 Belair.

Also, these amps have PLENTY of gain. It's stops short of metal like a Fender does.

For me, that's just right.

I LOVE...the chicken head knobs!

You can see your settings from far away, unlike normal round knobs. :grin:

 

Oh yeah, I play Classic Rock, Country, Blues, 80's & 90's music, etc.

Anything from SRV to Floyd to Police to U2 to AC/DC to any country or Blues.

 

I got it as a 2nd amp just in case my Fender 4-10 broke down in a club and also to go gig or jam without having to carry the big one.

But to be honest...that little Carvin Nomad 1-12 WAILS and really holds it's own!

It's no wimp for sure.

 

I'd be happy to use that Carvin as a main amp in a club.

If the club was too big, I'd simply mic it. No problem.

But...you should have NO problem with that amp and it sounds great.

The price is fantastic for an American made/all tube amp!

 

If you try it, you will NOT regret it.

I say that and I'm a strict Fender amp fan.

The Carvin has great cleans and very good gains!

 

Randy

[rw2003]

How about this one???

 

Epi So-Cal 50. Its $500 for the head. Claims to be 25/50watt switchable and all tube circuitry.

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-So-Cal-50-Watt-Amp-Head?sku=480289

 

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/4/4/9/408449.jpg

[Strategery]

Haven't seen that one before. Looks cool.

 

Is there a combo version?

 

Randy

[Hardtail]

http://www.carvinworld.com/images/product/NOMAD1.jpg

 

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=NOMAD&CID=GA

 

You can order it and pay for it, then as with Musician's Friend, you have about 30 days to send it back for a full refund with the exception of S&H I believe.

 

They really pack their gear WELL!!

You don't have to worry about it arriving damaged unless something weird happens with UPS. :grin:

 

Go to the BOTTOM of the window of the Carvin link I supplied above, and click on HEAR-IT.

Go in there and click on the different sound bytes they provided and you'll get a good BALL PARK idea.

Use headphones...it'll help....or good speakers.

 

Personally, I really like mine.

The tweed is beautiful and has a quality look and feel.

For an extra $50-$100 bucks, you can get the 2-12 Belair.

Also, these amps have PLENTY of gain. It's stops short of metal like a Fender does.

For me, that's just right.

I LOVE...the chicken head knobs!

You can see your settings from far away, unlike normal round knobs. :grin:

 

Oh yeah, I play Classic Rock, Country, Blues, 80's & 90's music, etc.

Anything from SRV to Floyd to Police to U2 to AC/DC to any country or Blues.

 

I got it as a 2nd amp just in case my Fender 4-10 broke down in a club and also to go gig or jam without having to carry the big one.

But to be honest...that little Carvin Nomad 1-12 WAILS and really holds it's own!

It's no wimp for sure.

 

I'd be happy to use that Carvin as a main amp in a club.

If the club was too big, I'd simply mic it. No problem.

But...you should have NO problem with that amp and it sounds great.

The price is fantastic for an American made/all tube amp!

 

If you try it, you will NOT regret it.

I say that and I'm a strict Fender amp fan.

The Carvin has great cleans and very good gains!

 

Randy

 

One of these days, I'm going to get something "Carvin" but haven't yet.

 

[b3_john]

$305 for that Marshall??? I would like to see what it eventually ends up going for... Hmmmmmm.....

 

Yeah... there's lots of room left for those bids to rise. My guess is $1000 or so.

Currently at $900 with almost two days left...

 

John

[MILLO]

One of these days, I'm going to get something "Carvin" but haven't yet.

 

This guy said at the Carvin forum he made these recordings w/ a Carvin Legacy. Check out the tune "SNF": www.myspace.com/palmermusic

 

I own a Legacy head and it's a VERY dark amp, but smooth nonetheless. Last distortion nice tones I've gotten from it have had some sizzle, but acceptable sizze, w/ the treble knob cranked to about 8 and the presence knob around 3. Cleans are pretty friggin' awesome.