[ThunderForge]

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.

[windsong]

Originally Posted by ThunderForge

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.

ThunderForge
Don't know if you are into Vox, but they put out a Valvetronix one
It's a AD50VT-XL it come with 2x12" VOX Oringinal Speakers, here in Japan they retail for ￥６３000 which is about $630 bucks. You might check it out and see if you like it. They seem to be popular with the younger generation here, I think the price has to do a lot with it. Of course you probably could take the speakers out and put in some Vintage 30 12's Celestions and I'm sure you'll be any way good luck with your find

[ThunderForge]

Thanks for trying, but that amp has modeling and built in effects. I don't want any of that. Just a good ole clean amp.

[Stratrat]

If you want "clean" and "loud", find yourself a used Fender Twin Reverb. You won't find a cleaner amp, and it's loud enough to peel paint off the walls. The biggest rap on the Twin is that if you're trying to get natural tube saturation/breakup without using pedals, you'll have to use a volume level that will rearrange chromosomes in anything smaller than a full-on arena.

Another option might be something like the Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 or 5:50, or the Mesa Stiletto Ace. They seem to be popular with hard-rockers / metal'ers, and you probably wouldn't even need pedals to play that kind of stuff.

[windsong]

Originally Posted by ThunderForge

Thanks for trying, but that amp has modeling and built in effects. I don't want any of that. Just a good ole clean amp.

ThunderForge If possible let me know what you do come up with. It seems these days all amps come with all sorts of goodies. I'm looking for a new amp but just a practice amp and I found the Fender Frontman 25R to be of interest to me and also the speaker
does worry me some in that one too.

[Stratrat]

Windsong - as a practice amp, I think the Vox Valvetronix ADxxVT series and the Roland Cube series are hard to beat. Sure they have modeling and fx, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.....and both have a good base tone to work with.

If you want something ultra-simple with no fx, modeling or fancy stuff, look at the Epiphone Valve Jr. No modeling, no fx, just one knob - volume. That's it. Doesn't get much simpler than that!

[fly135]

These guys are getting the buzz about being a Peavey 5150 clone and sounding good....

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...m_medium=feed&
Bugera 6262-212 Tube Guitar Amplifier Combo at AmericanMusical.com

[Stratrat]

Nice find, Fly...hadn't seen that one yet. A 120-watt 2x12 - eek!

[windsong]

Originally Posted by Stratrat

Windsong - as a practice amp, I think the Vox Valvetronix ADxxVT series and the Roland Cube series are hard to beat. Sure they have modeling and fx, but that doesn't mean you have to use them.....and both have a good base tone to work with.

If you want something ultra-simple with no fx, modeling or fancy stuff, look at the Epiphone Valve Jr. No modeling, no fx, just one knob - volume. That's it. Doesn't get much simpler than that!

Thanks stratrat
I found the fender frontman 25R in the music store for ￥23000 ($230) and I thought it was a pretty good deal. I have a Marshall Lead 20, but it's needs to be junked, I wanted to keep the G12 Vintage 30 speaker thats in it and try to see if it would fit in that amp. I made a post about it earlier on a thread. Dont know if its works out, do you?

[fly135]

Originally Posted by Stratrat

Nice find, Fly...hadn't seen that one yet. A 120-watt 2x12 - eek!

Yeah, that should keep him from getting lost in the mix!

[Stratrat]

Originally Posted by fly135

Yeah, that should keep him from getting lost in the mix!

I should certainly hope so....if not, one would be in for some serious and permanent hearing damage! A 120-watt tube amp pushing 2x12's definitely falls in the category of "heavy artillery".



Windsong - I can't say for sure since I'm not familiar with either of those amps - but generally speaking, if the Frontman's cabinet houses a 12" speaker, you should be able to swap them out as long as the ohm ratings are the same.

[SlickCat]

I think Fly found the buy of the year....cant beat that for price and power!
I was thinking more of a Fender reissue Bassman or
65 deluxe reverb for a little less volume and lots of "Tone"

[Stratrat]

Good suggestions there too, SlickCat. I've never played a Bassman, but I own a Deluxe Reverb (reissue, not the original). Very nice cleans, although you start to get just a little breakup/"hair" at around 5 or 6 on the dial - but that's already pretty loud!

The Deluxe Reverb was my #1 amp until it was knocked off the throne rudely and permanently by my Dr. Z.

[ThunderForge]

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

[stormcrow66]

2 words for you friend,

VOX AC15

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