Marshall AVT50

[phaeton]

Hey guys (and gals or `other' where appropriate)..

 

Long time no post, yeah i know.. Don't worry, i'll understand if you're all "phae-who???"...

 

Here's my question...

 

I'm in the market for a new amp. My Peavey is a hunk of shit and it's at a point where plugging into it makes me want to *stop* playing, instead of the opposite.

 

I've got a friend that's been pestering me for about 2 years to start a band. He's gotten to a useable level on the bass and I'm about to give in. But if i do (and for the sake of humanity) the Peavey Pacer '75 has got to go.

 

So i go looking for combo amps. I go *specifically* looking for (at least pre-amp) tube amps that are used. Wuddyaknow all they have used is a mountain of Solid-State Peaveys from 1977-1990...

 

int reaction = blearggh();

 

But in the *new* section, there is this cute lil Marshall AVT50. I found the closest equivalent to my RG470 (It's Fixed BTW!! It Really Works Now!!) and plug in.

 

Holyfsckingshiite this thing is a GEM!! Only at really low volumes (in distortion mode) would it get that crusty solid-state grit on the top of the tone, but that was WELL below resonable practice volume. Otherwise, this amp sounded ridiculously good. The price (new) didn't seem to awful outrageous for a hybrid amp either: $479.00, but i've not done any serious amp shopping so i'm not sure.

 

I really like the sound of this amp, but i'm also concerned about the power. I'm sure 50W is more than adequate for practice, but i'm afraid that on a stage it might be right at that brink. Small venues it might be just great, but more than 100 clothed bodies in the place, or if the drummer is a wailer it might just dissapear in the background.

Asking everyone to strip nekkid as part of the cover charge isn't so bad an idea, but i don't think it'll go over too well.

 

Sure it can be miked and P.A'd, but i don't own a P.A... I'd rather not buy one (just to boost my amp?) and i don't want to have to rely on the shaky proposition of "will there be someone's P.A. that i can use at the next gig?"

 

i didn't actually turn the amp up all the way to see how loud it is, and if i did i still wouldn't be able to estimate it's output vs. drumset/bass/other instruments that weren't there. The Marshall Marketing Fluff says that it'll be fine onstage, but i'm always skeptical of Marketing Fluff.

 

Anyone know what the gigability of this amp might be?

 

I realise there's the AVT100 with 100W, but it also adds a pile of FX that i don't need/want/want to pay extra for. It's an extra $350-$400 too.

 

Also, i really would rather buy something used. I'm a cheapskate, and i don't mind paying the money for a valueable product, but i'll happily let someone else take the depreciation hit first.

 

I've scoured this forum for references to this amp, and others seem to agree it's a decent unit. I can't seem to find out how old this model of amp is, though. I don't know what my chances are finding one used.

 

Or, can anyone suggest an older model Marshall that is fairly comparable to the sound/features of this amp, but with 100W and (maybe a half-power switch like the fenders and boogies do)? Something that might be easy to find used and affordable, with at least a tubed preamp (and possibly an FX loop (for the rare instances of Tremelo, phaser and volume/Whacka-Pedal from the Boss ME-30).

 

I haven't looked at Mesa Boogie combos yet. And maybe it's premature, but i've really fallen in love/lust with the AVT50.

 

Any suggestions/help/snide remarks would be appreciated.

==============

 

#include

[Sylver]

Do yourself a favor and listen to it loud. It might not have that smae sweet sound. If you still like it, I think that 50watts, even ss, will be enough to gig with unless you are going with only stage volume. Compare it side by side cranked with a Fender Hot Rod or Blues Deluxe, you may be surprised at the difference.

[Arjay]

I own a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (40w tube 1 x 12) which is also a gem. They can often be found used for 395 -- 425 bills.

 

For low-level practicing, I bought an AVT20, the 20 watt amp in Marshall's Valvestate 2000 series. It is an extraordinarily fine sounding small combo, and the drive channel set about a third to halfway is loud enough to compete with a drum kit.

 

I am seriously considering getting myself an AVT50 just to have another amp that's fully gig-able. I've test-played one, and 50 Marshall solid-state watts make for an amp that is plenty loud for smaller clubs where the only thing going through the PA is vocals. In larger rooms, it'll be miked, but so would be a half-stack. You'll hear yourself with the AVT50, believe me.

 

Good luck!

[phaeton]

Sylver-

 

"do yourself a favour and listen to it loud"..

 

Does this mean that you've heard this amp loud and it was less than impressive, or is it an educated guess based on its architecture?

 

and does "stage volume" mean all amplifiers standing on thier own (not miked && P.A.'d)?

 

Arjay-

 

"larger clubs it would be miked, but so would a half-stack.."

 

The last time i gigged was around '93-'94, in places like Phoenix Arizona and up and down I-5 along the left coast. At that time, it was fully expected that when you showed up to a gig you were 100% self-contained. You had all your own amps, mikes, p.a. monitors.... everything. `House P.A./mixer' was completely unheard of.

 

In the last few years i've gone to see some local bands in the Chicagoland/Wisconsin area. I worked with the bassist of one of these bands, and he'd often invite me along in the band's step van. I don't know if it's the times, the geography or even just coincidence, but every show of thiers ive been to, the venue had thier own mikes, p.a., mixer and sound guy. Everything gets miked, even the drums. In fact, in most the bands i've seen round these parts, the vocalist doesn't even own a microphone(!) he just shows up and does his thing.

(insert sentence starting with "well, back in MY day....")

 

It's actually neat having a sound guy run the mix, but i don't know if it's the exception now, or the norm. I'd just hate to get swamped and left in the dust at ever other gig.

 

Everyone-

 

This might be a dumb question, but i've validly pondered this: Solid-State Watts and Tube Watts are different? I realise there's a whole lot more to the equation, but still.

 

Thanks for the help so far

[doc taz]

I don't want to add to the confusion, but after reading the latest GP with Lifeson (rush) on the cover, I wanna check out the Peavey XXL series.

 

I didn't like their earlier versions on the TransTube series.

 

As for the AVT50, if you really like it, I'd say go for it. If you do choose an all-tube model as some have suggested, then you may want something no more than 50 watts. Besides, you'll get miked anyway, and it'll sound better at lower volumes. Just my $0.02

[Sylver]

Originally posted by phaeton:

Sylver-

 

"do yourself a favour and listen to it loud"..

 

Does this mean that you've heard this amp loud and it was less than impressive, or is it an educated guess based on its architecture?

 

I've only played one at low volumes, yes it sounded good, but I've heard that the tone doesn't hold up at higher volumes. Well, some people say that at least. Check out some reviews at Hamomony Central.

 

and does "stage volume" mean all amplifiers standing on thier own (not miked && P.A.'d)?

 

Yes.