Talk me off a ledge...

[Radiohead625]

So I'm thinking about trading my Wampler 65' for a 1st or 2nd addition Catalinbread DLS(not the MK2). I know they are two different animals and it might be because I've got a Vox ac15, but I'm not that in love with the Wampler. I mean its alright.

[jrmy]

So I'm thinking about trading my Wampler 65' for a 1st or 2nd addition Catalinbread DLS(not the MK2). I know they are two different animals and it might be because I've got a Vox ac15, but I'm not that in love with the Wampler. I mean its alright.

What's the "but" at the end of the story! What do you wish the '65 did better? And what do you hope to get from the DLS (if it's not precisely the same thing as what you want from the '65)?

[Holy Schnikes]

Right, what are you after exactly? Maybe time to reassess the AC15??

I'm not sold on any amp-in-a-box pedals really, think it's wise to start with an amp tone your happy with, then add pedals that bond well with it or drive it into a better version of itself. You currently run a Vox, aren't happy with a cranked Fender pedal, now considering a 70's era Marshall pedal? That's all over the spectrum, need to figure out what you're after or get a nice high headroom clean pedal platform amp, then add different flavors of dirt to that shit. Maybe.

[futuresailors]

DLS is nice. Kinda liked it more than my Rat actually.
But I'm running it through a JC120, so yeah. Amp t0an.

[Radiohead625]

I kind of like my ac-15, but i've always wanted to build a pedal rig. I think that's my problem lol. Guess I should think about adding another amp for pedals first like a princeton reverb. I love the Catalinbread demo through the princeton.

[madmax1012]

the AC-15 is a half decent pedal amp. Your only issue is whether or not it's got the headroom you need. The vox sounds awesome when pushed, but I ended up selling mine because I needed more headroom. I'm sure the catalinbread sounds great through the vox, but you owe it to yourself to try a treble booster through any vox amp.

[goroth]

What are you running now madmax? I've always liked ac tones but not the headroom thing.

[Rob Fossil]

I got a good deal on a used H&K Duel Statesman (1x12, 20 Watts, Poweramp 2x EL84, Preamp 2x 12AX7) a couple of months ago and had to reevaluate my dirt pedals. Had to flip my beloved Tone Reaper because it just didn't jibe with the amp. You need to experiment and find what sounds best with your core tone.

[madmax1012]

What are you running now madmax? I've always liked ac tones but not the headroom thing.

well, another problem with the AC is the weight. I broke my leg about a year and a half ago, and lugging that thing was really difficult. that being said, there's really no shortage of vox-styled amps out there. I'm currently running a vox pathfinder because I'm moving around a lot and don't really have the space for a bigger amp. If I end up going AC again, I've got a few personal favorites. I think Matchless amps are probably the cream of the crop, but I think they're seriously overpriced. If you're looking to keep it cheap, I'd try out the Egnater Rebel. It has the option to switch between 6l6 and EL84. Another amp that does that is the Divided by 13 JRT. I had the opportunity to buy a TopHat a few years ago for a great price, but I passed on that. It was a great amp tho. But like I said, there's no shortage of Vox inspired amps. The Morgan AC20 also looks pretty awesome too. I really like what I've heard from clips of that thing, and you can probably get one used for a decent price.

Another option is to get a amp with a ton of headroom and run an AC style pedal, which would get you you close. But there's a ton of those out lately, like the Catalinbread Galileo (if you want a treble booster too), the Menatone Top Boost in a Can, and the Xotic AC Booster all look pretty sweet and would get you close.

All that being said, my next amp is probably going to be a Fender, unless I decide to go all out and get the Divided by 13

[goroth]

Thanks dude.

[madmax1012]

anytime! I've also heard really good things about the Dr. Z Carmen Ghia. Saw one on craigslist a few months ago for under a thousand

[goroth]

Under a thousand on Craigslist means around half a million in Sweden...

[Holy Schnikes]

Under a thousand on Craigslist means around half a million in Sweden...

Actually that's not funny, feel bad for you.

[goroth]

Thanks for the sympathy
On the plus side, the gear prices help keep my GAS somewhat in check.

...

somewhat.

[madmax1012]

that's terrible I'm sorry to hear that man!