Page 1 of 3
Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:08 pm
by hazelwould
Would you rather have a decent amp, and nice/more pedals, or the other way around?
I'm at the point where I'm considering selling a chunk of my pedals to get a nicer amp.
Is amp with nice gain really worth it? Or is a good clean base with pedals just as good?
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:17 pm
by skullservant
Nice amp, fewer pedals. Pedals are cheaper, you can always pick up more, more easily down the road.
I've got a Verellen that is COMPLETELY clean, and a Sovtek that can be clean or dirty. Honestly, I think if you go the route of an amp that can get dirty I'd look into one that has an FX loop, if you want to use amp dirt and delays/verbs
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:19 pm
by Casavettes
Better amp fewer pedals.
At least at first...
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:28 pm
by Ancient Astronaught
Better amp, less pedals. And clean base tone in the amp.
If you send high quality pedals into a shitty cheap amp, it still sounds cheap and shitty. If you have a nice amp though the tone of the pedals comes through much better and gives you more control over making them sound better.
As far as amp dirt vs pedal dirt. If you go for an amp for its dirt you better be in love with that tone because you can't really change it. But if you go for a clean amp with dirt pedals you can swap them out if you get tired of them or if you want a different dirt tone.
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:41 pm
by hazelwould
I should reiterate... I've got a great sounding amp. It's just 100 watts more than I need at the moment. And the only time I ever really enjoy playing it is when it's rattling the house. Which causes problems. :/
It is unwise to put cart before horse...
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:45 pm
by rustywire
Once I found my amp it made the pedal hunt much more fun and interesting.
The amplifier is a cornerstone of your amplified sound, so it makes sense to find an amp that sounds and responds in your preferred way without the use of pedals. Both clean and driven.
From there you seek and use pedals to further season that foundation to taste and expand its horizons.
It sure beats using pedals in an attempt to compensate for a mediocre amp's shortcomings.
Switching amps after you've already amassed a bunch of pedals has the predictable outcome of a pedal sell-off, regardless of their quality...as they no longer provide their compensating function and now clash or become superfluous with the new platform.
Once you've found "your amp" it's a lot easier to find "your pedals"
Re: It is unwise to put cart before horse...
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:47 pm
by D.o.S.
rustywire wrote:Once you've found "your amp" it's a lot easier to find "your pedals"
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:49 pm
by Ancient Astronaught
hazelwould wrote:I should reiterate... I've got a great sounding amp. It's just 100 watts more than I need at the moment. And the only time I ever really enjoy playing it is when it's rattling the house. Which causes problems. :/
Ahhhhh I'm picking up what your putting down. I know that feel all too well. That's why I went out and recently bought two low power <50 watt amps. With a new baby on the way and my main amp shaking the foundation on 1, I needed something that could attain bedroom levels while retaining my usual tone.
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:55 pm
by DarkAxel
I mean given the fact i need to be mobile, my amp is great... works great with pedals and plays well, loud and clean
if i were more mobile, i'd probably go with a head version and 2x12 cab... and if i had more money, Fender head and 2x12 cab
but i'm pretty happy
and i'll be even more after i change the dead tubes tomorrow
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:55 pm
by DADGBD
Casavettes wrote:Better amp fewer pedals.
At least at first...
Hahahahahaha, THIS. ^^^
Edit:
I hear you, on having a house-shaker though...
I use a Bassman, with my band and have a Musicmaster Bass at home.
Even the Musicmaster (really) is too loud for use at home.
It's more practical, and sounds better on it's own... but I have to admit that I don't enjoy pedals as much through it; as I do the bassman.
It is good though, to have two different reference points for when I'm unsure on whether or not I like a pedal...
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:57 pm
by Holy Schnikes
My gear hierarchy goes AMP > PEDALS > GUITAR
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:59 pm
by Ancient Astronaught
Holy Schnikes wrote:My gear hierarchy goes AMP > PEDALS > GUITAR
As does mine. $4k+ in amps plus $3k in cabs
around $2500 in pedals
and the two guitars im using right now together cost $300
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:59 pm
by hazelwould
Ancient Astronaught wrote:hazelwould wrote:I should reiterate... I've got a great sounding amp. It's just 100 watts more than I need at the moment. And the only time I ever really enjoy playing it is when it's rattling the house. Which causes problems. :/
Ahhhhh I'm picking up what your putting down. I know that feel all too well. That's why I went out and recently bought two low power <50 watt amps. With a new baby on the way and my main amp shaking the foundation on 1, I needed something that could attain bedroom levels while retaining my usual tone.
What are you using?
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:00 pm
by Ancient Astronaught
hazelwould wrote:What are you using?
Big wattage = Dunwich Custom (200w) + Peavey VB-2 (225w)
Low wattage = Verellen Custom (30-45w class A) + Hiwatt Lead 50 (50w)
Re: Nice/More Pedals vs. Nice Amp
Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:03 pm
by Holy Schnikes
Ancient Astronaught wrote:hazelwould wrote:What are you using?
Big wattage = Dunwich Custom (200w) + Peavey VB-2 (225w)
Low wattage = Verellen Custom (30-45w class A) + Hiwatt Lead 50 (50w)
Ooohh, I didn't know you were rocking a Hiwatt 50 now days too.
I've been longing pretty hard for one of those. You love it? Loud as fuck??