thread wherein ILF picks my new amp.

[TweedBassman]

yo.

here's the scoop... i need a new amplifier for my electric guitars. I've done a ton of research but i think there may be something out there that I'm missing so i ask for all of your ever-wise knowledge and biased opinions.

Here's what i need:

budget: $400-$700 range. prefer new as I'm sick of vintage problems/other people's problems. would consider a total refurb vintage unit though.

layout: prefer a head but 1x12 combo is OK. If a combo MUST have 12" speaker (or two). I have a metric buttload of various 12" speakers of all types so i'm not worried about swapping speakers (actually looking forward to it).

specs: low wattage (15-50 watts), CLEAN headroom or at least no crazy breakup too early, simple controls (volume, simple EQ, gain maybe, NO DSP or effects except maybe trem or reverb). simple and clean. MUST 'TAKE' PEDALS WELL FOR OBVIIOUS REEASONNS.

the usual suspects: Fender blues junior, Vox AC15, Orange OR15, egnator tweaker.

overall i want a deluxe reverb reissue head that's not 1k+. what am i missing? halp.

[TweedBassman]

p.s. i looked at skully's Verellen but in all the videos i see, it breaks up a little too early. like, 9 o'clock.

[skullservant]

Yeah, the Spaldo breaks up before noon. It does take pedals well though, and is incredibly loud before breakup

[backwardsvoyager]

Peavey Classic 30?
It has a few knobs but nothing unnecessary IMO. Pretty loud, could grab a head or 1x12 combo for under 700 easily.

[doommeow]

Traynor. Can get them all day long in your price range. Exponentially more headroom than any of the amps you mentioned, not to mention better sounding better made and more fun to play. More likely to hold resale value. Easy to fix workhorses.

[Chankgeez]

yo.


the usual suspects: Fender blues junior.

First amp I thought of upon hearing your description.

[Gone Fission]

I'd look into the Egnater Tweaker and Ibanez Tubescreamer amp. The later ignoring the built-in overdrive is supposed to have a good Fendery clean base tone. Either is available as combo or as mini stack with a single 12 inch speaker.

[TweedBassman]

Traynor. Can get them all day long in your price range. Exponentially more headroom than any of the amps you mentioned, not to mention better sounding better made and more fun to play. More likely to hold resale value. Easy to fix workhorses.

true story: my main amp is a 1970's traynor ygm3. it is AMAZINNG... when it works. it needs all new caps, possibly some tube sockets and a few resistors, and some tubes. i have to get something pretty quick or i would consider overhauling her. at some point i will though. you're spot on, it just has a case of the vintage amp syndrome right now.

also it would be nice, for pedal demos, to have an amp that everyone recognizes. that makes me lean towards the blues junior.

[doommeow]

The blues junior is just so meh. I've had 3 of them now, all purchased on short money for the sole purpose of flipping. At best they sound generic and lifeless.

If you have to settle for modern mass production fender, I'd at least step up to the hot rod deluxe or deville. Still have to invest the time / money in putting in proper volume pots, but a much better clean base sound to work with, especially if demos is your purpose.

[doommeow]

Traynor. Can get them all day long in your price range. Exponentially more headroom than any of the amps you mentioned, not to mention better sounding better made and more fun to play. More likely to hold resale value. Easy to fix workhorses.

true story: my main amp is a 1970's traynor ygm3. it is AMAZINNG... when it works. it needs all new caps, possibly some tube sockets and a few resistors, and some tubes. i have to get something pretty quick or i would consider overhauling her. at some point i will though. you're spot on, it just has a case of the vintage amp syndrome right now.

also it would be nice, for pedal demos, to have an amp that everyone recognizes. that makes me lean towards the blues junior.

And even if you didn't want to risk buying another vintage Traynor, what about the reissues?

They are more expensive that the old ones but can still be had in your budget.

[TweedBassman]

The blues junior is just so meh. I've had 3 of them now, all purchased on short money for the sole purpose of flipping. At best they sound generic and lifeless.
.

.

this is a major concern. hm.

maybe splurge on an AC15 C2 2x12? the thought of a lower power AC 30 is pants-wetting, plus i do have various speakers to swap in including a celestion blue.

[OddKnowledge]

the ac15c2 is still just about the size and weight of an ac30 (like 11 lbs lighter). if going that route, you'd might as well go all the way so you have more clean headroom. the ac15c1 sounded great, but it broke up a little too early for me to gig with. the classic 30 or classic 50 could get you there too.

[frigid midget]

The blues junior is just so meh. I've had 3 of them now, all purchased on short money for the sole purpose of flipping. At best they sound generic and lifeless.
.

.

this is a major concern. hm.

maybe splurge on an AC15 C2 2x12? the thought of a lower power AC 30 is pants-wetting, plus i do have various speakers to swap in including a celestion blue.

Ok, this is where I feel like I have to shime in:)

I used to have an AC-30 C2X, which was everything I needed in a second/backup/recording amp, except it was a liiiittle too powerfull for home volumes. A bit too big and heavy too actually, but ya can't have everything, right?

Anyway, I decided an AC15 wouldn't cut it for loud rehearsels, I'd have to crank the fucker constantly and push power tubes to the point where an AC15 doesn't sound too juicy anymore.

Ended up with the -inbetween- option: AC15C2. I was sorta picky and specific when I was amp shopping I guess. I looked around for other 2x12" combos that have the right wattage for a wide range of tasks/situations. Afaik of there's no other amps out there with those specs, at least not at that price point. Especially not if you prefer to avoid generic one trick ponies that are designed to sound like a M*rshall or something.

Can't say enough good things about the AC15C2. Does what I hoped it would. Loud rehearsels, home noodle'ing. If I had the time and equipement I bet I could record a clip that would make you wet yer pants. An attenuator of some sort woumd make sense for home recording though, there's no way you'll get to the sweet spot on the master volume without bugging your neighbours. It obviously shines at slightly crunchy stuff, but it can get heavy as fuck too, takes pedals like a champ. I guess that typical vox voicing may be a required taste though. I personally love it. More character, depth, whatever, than say a deluxe reverb. I love fenders too, but they can be sorta blend, clean, saltless. I know, I suck at describing sounds

Some people complaint it gets shrill and ice picky with some single coil guitars, but impo if you can't tame the highs with the 'tone cut' control, or maybe your guitar's tone control, you're in desperate need of some new pickups. It'll always be a rather bright sounding amp, but so far I can't say there's anything over-the-top about it, and I only play fenders (jazzmaster/tele/strat)

Also, I'm usually not a fan of (fender) spring reverb. Too plungy/surfy for my taste. Didn't know this, but as it turns out, the vox's reverb is more 'airy' and subtle in the ploooooowung departement, almost like a plate reverb even. A lot more useable for non-surf/rockabily players.

Yeah, it's as big and heavy as an AC30, that's sorta the only possible downside I can think of. I personally kinda like having the aesthetics of a real AC30 and getting the more convenient wattage. Yeah, it's not a true 2ch amp, but when an amp takes pedals this good, and you're already rocking a shit load of peds, who needs an onboard dirt channel anyway?

Damn, long post, srry. Good luck with yer amp search.

[rfurtkamp]

In the price range/spec list provided, Hot Rod Deluxe. Used all day long in your price range (even new is achievable). Transferrable warranty, and a ton out there and they don't break much except with end user error or abuse.

Clean headroom for days, the drive channel may or not do anything for you, verb is typical nice Fender.

If you're in a larger area and don't mind the weight, can often find Hot Rod Deville 2x12s in the $500 range as well, or if you're patient, a Twin Reverb reissue. The big amps don't sell fast and are at a huge discount used.

[wafl]

http://www.long-mcquade.com/14007/Guita ... bo_Amp.htm
I don't know if you're in canada but yorkville owns long and mcquade and traynor. I think this is the amp you want.
Personally I hate the deville because its got a really weird clean tone. Really mushy, maybe i just couldn't dial it in but I really don't recommend them.