Bonedog Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 So, I have been giving some thought as of late to the idea of buying 1 more guitar amp and having it be the amp that I keep and use for a long time. Basically I've thought about what I'm looking for and have sorta narrowed it down to 2...they are the Badcat HotCat 30 or a Budda Superdrive 30 (maybe a used stringmaster if I can get my hands on one). Basically I'm looking for a simple 1 channel amp with one set of controls. I'd like for that channel to go from clean (more like slightly broken up) to a fairly decent amount of gain. I'm not looking for a distortion or saturation type of sound but more of a heavy overdrive. For example, one of the best sounds I've gotten so far has been from my Mesa Tremoverb on the clean channel with the gain @ 3:00 and the master at about 3-4. I have a Hot Rod Deluxe that I use on the dirty channel and the drive at about 10:30. If you are familiar with either amp then that's the amount of dirt that I'm after. Also, I guess I'm looking at sort of a vox meets marshall kinda thing. All that being said, I have a bit of a problem. The problem is that I live in an area where these amps are not sold. It's quite a trek for me to go somewhere where I could audition both (i.e. half way across the country). So, I'm wondering if anyone here can give me their thoughts on one versus the other (Budda vs. Badcat) or just on either of the amplifiers by themselves? I certainly won't base my decisions solely on what you guys say but it would sure help me lean in one direction versus the other. Thanks in advance for your replies! Scott http://www.gearboxmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterMan Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Originally posted by Bonedog: So, I have been giving some thought as of late to the idea of buying 1 more guitar amp and having it be the amp that I keep and use for a long time. Basically I've thought about what I'm looking for and have sorta narrowed it down to 2...they are the Badcat HotCat 30 or a Budda Superdrive 30 (maybe a used stringmaster if I can get my hands on one). Basically I'm looking for a simple 1 channel amp with one set of controls. I'd like for that channel to go from clean (more like slightly broken up) to a fairly decent amount of gain. I'm not looking for a distortion or saturation type of sound but more of a heavy overdrive. For example, one of the best sounds I've gotten so far has been from my Mesa Tremoverb on the clean channel with the gain @ 3:00 and the master at about 3-4. I have a Hot Rod Deluxe that I use on the dirty channel and the drive at about 10:30. If you are familiar with either amp then that's the amount of dirt that I'm after. Also, I guess I'm looking at sort of a vox meets marshall kinda thing. All that being said, I have a bit of a problem. The problem is that I live in an area where these amps are not sold. It's quite a trek for me to go somewhere where I could audition both (i.e. half way across the country). So, I'm wondering if anyone here can give me their thoughts on one versus the other (Budda vs. Badcat) or just on either of the amplifiers by themselves? I certainly won't base my decisions solely on what you guys say but it would sure help me lean in one direction versus the other. Thanks in advance for your replies! ScottCan't speak to those amps, but given your description of what you are looking for, you might want to check out the Dr. Z Maz or Maz Jr. Myles' praise of these amps and their versatility got me to check into them and I can't say enough about the tone of my Maz 18 Jr. Stunningly beautiful overdrive. Vox/Marshall cross is what prompted me to suggest this amp. Sorry if I've added to the confusion, but I do think they're absolutely worth considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipotle Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 I would look into the Trainwreck style amplifiers. These amps should be able to do clean to high gain and everything imbetween with your guitar's volume knob. They sound like a cross between an AC-30 and a JTM45 but with substantially more gain. Callaham makes an amp that you can order with either EL-34's or EL-84's for around $1500. There's also the two rock ruby or Alessandro which you could maybe get used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 dr z's are about 17 weeks out if you order one now i just went through the same decision making process and ended up buying an old Budda Stringmaster for 1k on eBay. it's en route as i type. Budda makes great amps, and you can find them used more easily than a matchless or bad cat. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonedog Posted June 1, 2004 Author Share Posted June 1, 2004 Originally posted by FunkJazz: dr z's are about 17 weeks out if you order one now i just went through the same decision making process and ended up buying an old Budda Stringmaster for 1k on eBay. it's en route as i type. Budda makes great amps, and you can find them used more easily than a matchless or bad cat. good luck.Bastard! I was looking at that completed auction last night and thinking that I shoulda been checking ebay a little more frequently. So you're the guy.... Congrats! Let me know how it is when you get it will ya? Anyone else? Thanks, Scott http://www.gearboxmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werewolf by Night Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Y'know, you probably couldn't go wrong with any of the above if you tried! The other guys are right about the availability and good deals on some used amps; however, there's something to be said for the satisfaction and security (read: nothing fishy and warranty/customer service & support) to be had when buying a brand new amp. Whichever you can get your hands on the quickest due to price and availability, go with that! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Originally posted by Bonedog: Bastard! I was looking at that completed auction last night and thinking that I shoulda been checking ebay a little more frequently. So you're the guy.... Congrats! Let me know how it is when you get it will ya?LOL yep, i use the same screen name on eBay. i will let you know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipotle Posted June 2, 2004 Share Posted June 2, 2004 Check out this link http://www.palmerdirect.com/consign.html They've got a Budda Stringmaster head for $775. So, are these a dumble style amp on four EL-84's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonedog Posted June 2, 2004 Author Share Posted June 2, 2004 Originally posted by Chipotle: Check out this link http://www.palmerdirect.com/consign.html They've got a Budda Stringmaster head for $775. So, are these a dumble style amp on four EL-84's?Yikes thanks for the link! That's a great price. I have 2 problems. The first is that I don't have the cash right now and I was leaning more towards a combo...me thinks my days of lugging around a stack are over. I'll keep an eye on it though and who knows, I might just be going back to stack land afterall. Thank You, Scott http://www.gearboxmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonedog Posted June 2, 2004 Author Share Posted June 2, 2004 Oh yeah, As far as the Dumble comparison I'd say no not really, they both have too much of "their own bag" for that. Certainly a fine piece though. Scott http://www.gearboxmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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