Having amp troubles

[Roseweave]

Since I got the Lunchbox, I've been using it a heck of a lot more than my AD30VT.

I'm having a lot of issues with the AD30VT. While it has some great sounds, it sounds naff at low volumes. I did a Speaker swap which cleared up some of the models a bit, but made others overly fizzy. I swapped back in the old speaker, and it works better at low volumes, but it has that muffly quality.

Also I find it doesn't take pedals very well. For example with the Tweed model which is in theory voiced the best for it, once the gain goes over a certain level that sounds takes over what's going into it. It turns everything into a fizzy mess.

I'm thinking of selling it and getting something else. I'd like something cheap that's a good platform for pedals, whether it's SS Tube or another Modeler.

Having built in Reverb would be nice, it's one thing I'd like the Lunchbox to have, and if the speaker can be detatched and plugged into the LB that'd be great too.

There's an AD5 online for under €200 at the moment, but I don't know about that. 5 Watts is still loud for a tube amp and it doesn't have reverb on it. There's the AC4, which doesn't have reverb either but has more stuff on it. Problem is it's also smaller(8 inch). I really need something that can deliver a decent level of bass response. Getting a Bass amp altogether might be an idea if it takes guitar well as well as pedals.

I was thinking maybe of getting a cheap cab for the lunchbox, and a Tonelab ST to replace all the modelling shit on the AD. But that would mean I'd be taking up 4 plugs instead of 2(1 for the Cab and modeler)... I don't really have that many plugs.

[SirBlend12]

The AC4 head and cab might be a good call. For verbs, you could just run a pedal. To me, modeling amp verb never sounds that great anyway. And, if you build pedals at all, there are some pretty simple schems out there for spring reverb that might only cost $40-ish to build (spring tanks aren't cheap, but count for the main part of the cost).

I'm actually about to swap my AD30 for the AC4 head/cab on Friday. I regret even getting it in the first place, to be honest. I've never gotten anything but hollow crap out of it.

Also, if you do go by the way of a bass cab or a whole bass amp, you'll definitely get good sound out of it. Just stick to 10 or 12 inch speakers. 15s in some bass amps/cabs will not deliver too well. They tend to be too muddy or too mid-y (really, really mid-y, to the point of a muddy pocket radio).

If you dig on really, really good sounding cleans and light drive (I know, I know... external dirt and fuzz go well with it), I'd say go Axe-> Verb-> AC4 =

[Roseweave]

Definitely keep me informed on this. I'd like to hear how the 4 takes fuzz in particular, since Voxes often don't all that well. I'll be using it for mainly fuzz and my Dirty Bomb. I like Vox dirt so I imagine I'll use the amp's dirt too, probably with an LPB-1.

The problem with the AD30 is the shitty power amp at the last end. The modeling is fine, and you can swap out the speaker, but the general consensus seems to be that the whole "Power level" thing is what kills the tone(which is why it sounds better cranked, thus defeating the point of a modeler).

[my bloody television]

I know your general feelings toward fender amps and "tone quests " or whatever, but have you maybe thought about a silverface fender champ? it's the same wattage, maybe a bit more, than an AC4 but it'll definitely be cleaner and take fuzzes a little better. They can usually be had on ebay for under $200.

just a thought

[modernage]

I would also recommend checking out a Fender Blues Jr. You'll get some great Fender cleans that will lay a nice foundation to stack a bunch of effects on top of. It has a reverb tank, and a 12" speaker. I don't know about your location, but I have found some great deals for one in my neck of the woods. I just bought one for $265, and I'm thinking about picking up another one that I found for $250.

They're great little amps!

[Roseweave]

I actually love the sound of Fender amps. The Lunchbox in of itself is quite Fendery though, as is the Dirty Bomb's lower gain settings. Vox might be better since it's the one kind of sound I won't have covered with pedals. Dirty Bomb is a nice splurge of Fender and JCM on the lower gain side, and Mesa and Randall tones on the higher gain, I might get a Crunch Box or the like at some point too. I actually use a lot of more "Traditionalistic" tones myself, I just use them alongisde Devis and stuff, so I need an amp that can handle both. The Lunchbox is pretty good but I'd like some variety in tone.


Keep in mind that I really can't turn up an amp very loud here. That's why the AC4 appeals - it has a built in attenuator. Not many amps have that for that price.

The only problem with the AC4 is that I'm not sure if I can use the speaker with my lunchbox. I could get the combo, but I don't really have room for a 12" speaker. It's not that big a deal, I'll get to use it through cabs if I play live anyway.

[Nychthemeron]

I own a stock Blues Jr and really like the variety of sounds I can get out of it. I might eventually get the BillM mods down the road since they make it sound way better. That being said, I tried out an AC4 in store and was blown away by the cleans and overdrive. I tried a few pedals with it like a Mastotron and a few Muffs, and it handled them pretty well IMO. Very cool amp for very little price if you ask me.

[metalmariachi]

The AC-4 112 cab is 16 ohms, I’d email Ken at ZT and ask if you can safely run the Lunchbox into a 16 ohm load.

The AC-4 should fit your other needs.

MM

[Roseweave]

I'm unsure about the whole thing now. I noted that you could detach the speaker on the Orange AD5 was was hoping the Vox equivalent would be the same. Getting the head/combo version of the Vox would take up a hell of a lot more space and be more expensive. I might just get the 8 inch version of the Vox and spend the €50 I'll save on getting an unloaded cab, shove my Eminence Copperhead into it.

It says "8 Ohm MINIMUM" on the back of the Lunchbox.

[metalmariachi]

That’s why my suggestion, it may be ok at 16 ohms.
But I don’t know for sure.

MM

[Roseweave]

The AC4 head and cab might be a good call. For verbs, you could just run a pedal. To me, modeling amp verb never sounds that great anyway. And, if you build pedals at all, there are some pretty simple schems out there for spring reverb that might only cost $40-ish to build (spring tanks aren't cheap, but count for the main part of the cost).

I'm actually about to swap my AD30 for the AC4 head/cab on Friday. I regret even getting it in the first place, to be honest. I've never gotten anything but hollow crap out of it.

Also, if you do go by the way of a bass cab or a whole bass amp, you'll definitely get good sound out of it. Just stick to 10 or 12 inch speakers. 15s in some bass amps/cabs will not deliver too well. They tend to be too muddy or too mid-y (really, really mid-y, to the point of a muddy pocket radio).

If you dig on really, really good sounding cleans and light drive (I know, I know... external dirt and fuzz go well with it), I'd say go Axe-> Verb-> AC4 =

Did you pick up the AC4 yet? How does it go? Still not so sure about it -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtv9UBHY ... re=related

This demo makes me want to get the newer Valvetronix more! It really is handy having in built Verb/Delay. The AC4 is a beautiful amp though.

[SirBlend12]

I'll probably do it tomorrow. I forgot how much crap I have to get done today lol. I'll try and get a demo recorded pretty quick once I have it. I have a feeling you'll be pleased

[Roseweave]

So did you get around to it???

[Roseweave]

I really can't decide what to do I'm actually starting to get upset about this... fucking aspergers.