Need a new amp! - Page 2

ThunderForge · March 14th, 2008

OK, I am frustrated as all heck. My amp sounds like arse at any volume above 3 or 4. I've tried everything and it boils down to cheap speakers in a cheap particle board 2x12 cab (Ibanez TBX150R). I never had this problem with my line6. I only got rid of it because I wanted an amp with no built in effects or modeling. I like to use pedals. So here's the question. I want the best possible 2x12 combo or half stack for $1000k or less. I just want to have good tone and be able to keep up with a drummer and the rest of the band. Any help would be awesome!

BTW: I play mostly metal with very heavy distortion. So I only really care about the quality of the clean channel.

Noodler · #16 March 18th, 2008

You've got to be kidding me. A Deluxe Reverb or Bassman for under $1K? Over here they're more than $3K:

Arties Music - retailler of electric, bass, acoustic, classical guitars, drums, keyboards, brass and woodwind, stringed instruments, recording equipment and more!

I had to let a Tonemaster combo go (ie not buy it) from ebay for $1300 the other day, and that broke my heart.

To the OP, Roland reckon their JC-120 (which is solid state) is designed to give the ultimate clean signal and is specifically designed for taking pedals. ie that is what it's purpose is. Unsure on price in US though.

Stratrat · #17 March 18th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodler

You've got to be kidding me. A Deluxe Reverb or Bassman for under $1K? Over here they're more than $3K:

Arties Music - retailler of electric, bass, acoustic, classical guitars, drums, keyboards, brass and woodwind, stringed instruments, recording equipment and more!.....

Holy Moley

...I paid US$849 for my Deluxe Reverb (brand-new) about a year ago!

Now I understand why I see Aussies on the Dr. Z board buying his amps - assuming the $USD / $AUD exchange rate is favorable right now (which it appears to be), you can buy almost any of Dr. Z's amps (all hand-built and much higher quality than any current mass-produced amp) for less than the cost of a Deluxe Reverb over there! (Don't know how much $$$ comes into the picture for duties/taxes, though).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodler

To the OP, Roland reckon their JC-120 (which is solid state) is designed to give the ultimate clean signal and is specifically designed for taking pedals. ie that is what it's purpose is. Unsure on price in US though.

The JC-120 runs around US$900. There are a lot of great tube amps that can be had for that price over here.

fly135 · #18 March 18th, 2008

Those prices are insane. I just looked an the AU is real close to a USD.

Stratrat · #19 March 18th, 2008

I checked an online currency converter right after posting that.....looks like US$1.00 = AU$1.079 right now. Pretty close indeed!

ThunderForge · #20 March 18th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormcrow66

2 words for you friend,

VOX AC15

Check one out - see for yourself. You won't believe your ears.

Way too small. I'm trying to keep up with a band in practice and live situations. Thx though.

stormcrow66 · #21 March 26th, 2008

Sure about that (AC15 too small)? Don't let the 15watts fool you - these units can be VERY loud - easily loud enough for any practice session and most gigs. If you're playing in a large venue, then you'll mic your amps to the house PA anyway. I wouldn't pass it over until you've had a look - you'll be surprised.

Stratrat · #22 March 26th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderForge

Thanks for the link Fly! I had been considering a Bugera, but was unsure of the quality.

A little reading turned up the fact that Bugera is manufactured by Behringer.....FWIW. Everybody has their own opinions about Behringer's stuff, so I'll just leave it at that.

I agree with what Stormcrow said about the AC-15, though.....don't underestimate a good 15-20 watt tube amp until you've tried it. You may be surprised.

If you really want/need monster loudness, I'll point right back at the Fender Twin Reverb again. More volume on tap than most people will ever need.

Noodler · #23 March 28th, 2008

Yeah Behringer make really cheap stompboxes...or as my wife calls them "affordable for everybody." And they have been known to flirt with patent law. However, I picked up a magazine recently about audio technology and apparently when it comes to very expensive professional studio gear, they have the goods bigtime. ie they're not really a bargain basement company.

I feel a need to defend Behringer because to be honest, after I paid $300 for a Boss pedal, I was a bit disappointed that it was actually made in Taiwan. It's a bit misleading to me to have a website BOSS U.S. (ie USA), which gives an impression of American, and therefore more expensive gear. I say good on Behringer for making more affordable gear for amateur players who don't need die-cast metal casings for the world-tour of their bedroom, and who are basically honest (eg green casing, called "tube overdrive", hmm. $280 in metal casing vs $50 in plastic).

BTW, does an AC15 sound much different than an AC30?

ThunderForge · #24 March 30th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stratrat

If you really want/need monster loudness, I'll point right back at the Fender Twin Reverb again. More volume on tap than most people will ever need.

The twin goes for like $1300+ though.

Stratrat · #25 March 31st, 2008

If you look around you can pick up a used one in the $700-$800 range. When I returned my first Deluxe Reverb to GC (reverb didn't work), they had a used Twin sitting on the floor in very good condition for $700. I briefly debated exchanging my Deluxe and buying the Twin, but I knew it was WAY more amp than I needed - both in wattage/volume and size/weight. Somebody got a good deal on that amp.

doug russell · #26 April 5th, 2008

I'm going to sound a bit bias, but I have a Fender Hotrod Deluxe. It has enough power to gig at any level, the tone is awesome and it really moves the air around. I push my fatstrat through a Zoom 9.2tt through it, and I woud'nt use anything else.

Noodler · #27 April 5th, 2008

Do you see the Hotrod as a blank canvas? Would you still like the tone on it's own, and if so, what would you like about it?

doug russell · #28 April 5th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noodler

Do you see the Hotrod as a blank canvas? Would you still like the tone on it's own, and if so, what would you like about it?

Kirk L bought a Hotrod a couple of years ago and posted a soundclip of it. I loved the tone and the clarity. I then had a good scout around checking out Peavey's, Marshall, Orange and to be fair they all appealed to me. But then I decided to take my American fatstrat to some of the stores and actually road test them, the Hotrod's warm bluesy tone with the right settings on the drive channel blew me away. I very often use the Hotrod without the effects board, but when I'm gigging the diversity of songs we do; commands a range of patches. But if it was left to me I would be happy to just play through the Hotrod. Although I bigging up the Hotrod, amp choice is a very personal thing.

Noodler · #29 April 5th, 2008

Can I have link to said demo? They seem a bit devoid of character. I am looking for an amp in that price range, but I'm looking at a Tweed Blues Jnr or Hughes & Kettner Statesman. Not good for the OP though.

doug russell · #30 April 7th, 2008

If I remember correctly Kirk posted the soundclip on the wholenote site. I think it was about two and half years ago. I know it was a couple of months before I bought my Hotrod,and I've had mine for 2 years now. I reckon if Kirk is reading this, he would put a clip of him playing the Hotrod. I can't play nowhere near the standard of Kirk, but I will do my best to do a clip of me playing at band practice this week. Lets hope Kirk will oblige. Believe me the Hotrod has loads of character.