Which guitar amp do you have?
Discussion
TL;DR - best valve amp under £1000 ish
After many years with my faithful Line 6 Spider II 75, I have decided that it is time to move on to something a bit better.
My problem is, I am having serious trouble narrowing down which amplifier I should go for. Living up in the north of Scotland I am not exactly spoiled for choice so I can't just pop into the local guitar shop and try whatever I fancy. I will have to make a trip further south (probably a week on Monday) and I would like a list of things to try by then.
Anyway, I have around £1000 to spend and I would like a valve amp with enough grunt to handle gigs with a drummer. Nothing massive, just pubs etc. I would also like it to be useable at lower volumes. I play pretty much anything from country to rock, but nothing massively high gain. A good clean tone with a bit of crunch would be nice, and a good overdrive is essential. Think AC/DC, Led Zep, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dire Straits, and maybe a little Joe Satriani.
My main guitar is an American Standard Strat with a Seymour Duncan JB junior in the bridge, and an American Standard Telecaster. I also have an Epiphone Les Paul with 57 Classics, but that may be sold soon. That, however, is a different story.
Current considerations are the Fender SuperSonic 22, Hot Rod Deluxe, Blackstar HT-60, and the Marshall Vintage Modern Combo. Possibly an AC30 too.
Thanks for reading, I would be interested in your experiences!
After many years with my faithful Line 6 Spider II 75, I have decided that it is time to move on to something a bit better.
My problem is, I am having serious trouble narrowing down which amplifier I should go for. Living up in the north of Scotland I am not exactly spoiled for choice so I can't just pop into the local guitar shop and try whatever I fancy. I will have to make a trip further south (probably a week on Monday) and I would like a list of things to try by then.
Anyway, I have around £1000 to spend and I would like a valve amp with enough grunt to handle gigs with a drummer. Nothing massive, just pubs etc. I would also like it to be useable at lower volumes. I play pretty much anything from country to rock, but nothing massively high gain. A good clean tone with a bit of crunch would be nice, and a good overdrive is essential. Think AC/DC, Led Zep, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dire Straits, and maybe a little Joe Satriani.
My main guitar is an American Standard Strat with a Seymour Duncan JB junior in the bridge, and an American Standard Telecaster. I also have an Epiphone Les Paul with 57 Classics, but that may be sold soon. That, however, is a different story.
Current considerations are the Fender SuperSonic 22, Hot Rod Deluxe, Blackstar HT-60, and the Marshall Vintage Modern Combo. Possibly an AC30 too.
Thanks for reading, I would be interested in your experiences!
Edited by BorkFactor on Tuesday 21st May 11:18
I would definitely try an AC30.
I would also take into consideration how easy it is to service your purchase, do you have someone local who can install and bias valves etc? It's no use having a sweet valve amp if you have to drive 200 miles every time it needs looking at.
I understand however that some newer designs aren't so demanding and can adjust themselves when valves are changed. Sorry I can't advise here as my amp is over 40 years old. The extra hassle is well worth it for tone and response, even though mine seems to weigh a bit more each time I lug it into my car.
I would also take into consideration how easy it is to service your purchase, do you have someone local who can install and bias valves etc? It's no use having a sweet valve amp if you have to drive 200 miles every time it needs looking at.
I understand however that some newer designs aren't so demanding and can adjust themselves when valves are changed. Sorry I can't advise here as my amp is over 40 years old. The extra hassle is well worth it for tone and response, even though mine seems to weigh a bit more each time I lug it into my car.
I hadn't considered servicing, my local guitar tech is excellent so I will have to find out if he does amps too. Do they need looking at often?
I will have a go with an AC30, as a matter of fact my Dad has an aincent AC30 head from the 60s I think, but I imagine the newer ones will sound a bit different. Great clean tone, but I haven't used it for years.
As for drive, is it worth considering a lower gain amp with something like a Tube Screamer?
Will check out the DSLs as well. Cheers
I will have a go with an AC30, as a matter of fact my Dad has an aincent AC30 head from the 60s I think, but I imagine the newer ones will sound a bit different. Great clean tone, but I haven't used it for years.
As for drive, is it worth considering a lower gain amp with something like a Tube Screamer?
Will check out the DSLs as well. Cheers
I would try out the Orange AD30 (head) too in the the same vein as the Vox AC30 but more thick/creamy crunch. Dual channels too.
Got to play/try the Vox AC30 (the Hand wired one) last weekend. What a beautiful sounding amp once you've bypassed the MV! Was really impressed with it. I'd look at the Head/Cab route if weight is a consideration.
There is a guy who makes stunning handwired amps round your way:
http://www.flynnamps.co.uk/284.html
^That's his AC15 inspired amp, I think. Bit over the budget!
His Tweed Deluxe clone is much closer to budget but depends on your requirements really. I happily gig a Tweed Deluxe clone (w/ a reasonably heavy drummer).
Got to play/try the Vox AC30 (the Hand wired one) last weekend. What a beautiful sounding amp once you've bypassed the MV! Was really impressed with it. I'd look at the Head/Cab route if weight is a consideration.
There is a guy who makes stunning handwired amps round your way:
http://www.flynnamps.co.uk/284.html
^That's his AC15 inspired amp, I think. Bit over the budget!
His Tweed Deluxe clone is much closer to budget but depends on your requirements really. I happily gig a Tweed Deluxe clone (w/ a reasonably heavy drummer).
BorkFactor said:
I hadn't considered servicing, my local guitar tech is excellent so I will have to find out if he does amps too. Do they need looking at often?
I will have a go with an AC30, as a matter of fact my Dad has an aincent AC30 head from the 60s I think, but I imagine the newer ones will sound a bit different. Great clean tone, but I haven't used it for years.
As for drive, is it worth considering a lower gain amp with something like a Tube Screamer?
Will check out the DSLs as well. Cheers
Servicing depends on how you use the amp. My Marshall rarely gets pushed hard (100W 4x12 in a small room...) so has needed revalving twice in nearly 20 years, and the bias is easy to set yourself with a multimeter. My Laney Cub on the other hand runs flat out most of the time through a built in attenuator so needs revalving after 18 months.I will have a go with an AC30, as a matter of fact my Dad has an aincent AC30 head from the 60s I think, but I imagine the newer ones will sound a bit different. Great clean tone, but I haven't used it for years.
As for drive, is it worth considering a lower gain amp with something like a Tube Screamer?
Will check out the DSLs as well. Cheers
For adding OD to a lower gain amp, have a look at the BYOC TriBoost kit, works really well with the Laney or my Fender Pro Junior. Still not a patch on real valve gain though, more to add an extra shove for solos on a single channel amp.
Marshall DSL 201 - had it for 10 years, the only way to get it singing nicely at sociable volumes is to drive it with the Master volume and control it with the Channel vol. Sounds good though.
Going on the 'Bay soon because I bought a Line 6 Spider IV (75w) at Christmas. Nothing like the tonal quality of the Marshall but much more versatile, has a jam function sounds good at very low volumes. Lots of good patches too. Perfect for a casual strummer like me!
I've also got an ancient Roland DAC-10 practice amp kicking around somewhere...
Going on the 'Bay soon because I bought a Line 6 Spider IV (75w) at Christmas. Nothing like the tonal quality of the Marshall but much more versatile, has a jam function sounds good at very low volumes. Lots of good patches too. Perfect for a casual strummer like me!
I've also got an ancient Roland DAC-10 practice amp kicking around somewhere...
ENGL Thunder 50 sat atop a 4x10 extension cab.
These are great amps, very workmanlike & you get the impression that if you slung it off a tower block it'd work just fine when you plugged it in. They are unbelievably robust & well made. They're handmade in Germany, probably from recycled Tiger tanks. The tone is fantastic & regards volume it'll move your organs around. It's certainly not lacking in bottom end. The overdrive channel is great too, truth is they're a very versatile tool & not at all fancy.
Mine is currently gathering a layer of decorative dust & will find it's way onto eBay very soon.
These are great amps, very workmanlike & you get the impression that if you slung it off a tower block it'd work just fine when you plugged it in. They are unbelievably robust & well made. They're handmade in Germany, probably from recycled Tiger tanks. The tone is fantastic & regards volume it'll move your organs around. It's certainly not lacking in bottom end. The overdrive channel is great too, truth is they're a very versatile tool & not at all fancy.
Mine is currently gathering a layer of decorative dust & will find it's way onto eBay very soon.
An original 1964 AC30 
It's a housecat these days.
For gigging, a Fender Frontman 212r. Tonally it's not great but it is powerful for any venue I'm likely to come up against & versatile too. Two channel, over drive, reverb & a footswitch. A decent work horse I'm happy to throw in & out of the van.
It's a housecat these days.For gigging, a Fender Frontman 212r. Tonally it's not great but it is powerful for any venue I'm likely to come up against & versatile too. Two channel, over drive, reverb & a footswitch. A decent work horse I'm happy to throw in & out of the van.
It's out on long-term loan at the minute, but my gigging amp is a Hot Rod Deluxe, and to be honest it's probably too loud for what you want. It needs to be run quite hot to get good tone and dynamics out of it, and that would be far too loud for a pub. It's rated at 45 watts.
IMO You'd be better off going for something in the 15 watt range and pushing it harder.
IMO You'd be better off going for something in the 15 watt range and pushing it harder.
JCM 900 dual reverb 100w head, 4x12 angled cab.
Bought many years ago and with hindsight out of pure vanity because I wanted a half stack.
Totally impractical, too loud, too big, never gets used.
Would I sell it. Nah, it's just too damn cool.
Sorry to hijack but would also like a recommendation for a small Marshall valve combo. I play bluesy rock, Black Crowes kind of thing.
Bought many years ago and with hindsight out of pure vanity because I wanted a half stack.
Totally impractical, too loud, too big, never gets used.
Would I sell it. Nah, it's just too damn cool.
Sorry to hijack but would also like a recommendation for a small Marshall valve combo. I play bluesy rock, Black Crowes kind of thing.
Edited by B17NNS on Tuesday 21st May 22:55
B17NNS said:
JCM 900 dual reverb 100w head, 4x12 angled cab.
Bought many years ago and with hindsight out of pure vanity because I wanted a half stack.
Totally impractical, too loud, too big, never gets used.
Would I sell it. Nah, it's just too damn cool.
Sorry to hijack but would also like a recommendation for a small Marshall valve combo. I play bluesy rock, Black Crowes kind of thing.
Marshall DSL? 20w or 40w versions or, if you want a bit more range there's a TSL (3-channel) range.Bought many years ago and with hindsight out of pure vanity because I wanted a half stack.
Totally impractical, too loud, too big, never gets used.
Would I sell it. Nah, it's just too damn cool.
Sorry to hijack but would also like a recommendation for a small Marshall valve combo. I play bluesy rock, Black Crowes kind of thing.
Edited by B17NNS on Tuesday 21st May 22:55
Animal said:
B17NNS said:
JCM 900 dual reverb 100w head, 4x12 angled cab.
Bought many years ago and with hindsight out of pure vanity because I wanted a half stack.
Totally impractical, too loud, too big, never gets used.
Would I sell it. Nah, it's just too damn cool.
Sorry to hijack but would also like a recommendation for a small Marshall valve combo. I play bluesy rock, Black Crowes kind of thing.
Marshall DSL? 20w or 40w versions or, if you want a bit more range there's a TSL (3-channel) range.Bought many years ago and with hindsight out of pure vanity because I wanted a half stack.
Totally impractical, too loud, too big, never gets used.
Would I sell it. Nah, it's just too damn cool.
Sorry to hijack but would also like a recommendation for a small Marshall valve combo. I play bluesy rock, Black Crowes kind of thing.
Edited by B17NNS on Tuesday 21st May 22:55
Tom_C76 said:
There's a 15W version now if you want really small.
3 channel appeals (clean, crunch and dirty?)Probably home use only but would be nice to be able to take it to a pub if I wanted. Physical size not a massive issue (2 x 12" absolute max though)
Still better to go smaller and drive the valves harder presumably? Haven't bought an amp in ages.
B17NNS said:
Still better to go smaller and drive the valves harder presumably?
Well, that gives a particular tone and response (AC30, Tweed Deluxe, Marshall 1974X, etc).But do you use the Spider's FX? If so, and assuming you will want to use similar FX with your new amp, you probably won't be pushing its power amp section that hard at all. So you'll most likely be looking at an amp with preamp distortion. Like the DSL/TSL/etc.
Only really use a chorus pedal.
Sounds like I need to try a TSL601 or 602 and see how it sounds 'quiet'
100w not much more expensive or bigger though and comes with the virtual power reduction which reduces power to 25w.
Can't seem to find if the 60x has this feature.
Just had a look at the Marshall website. The SL5 looks a nice little amp but just how much Slash tax has been added to the price?
Sounds like I need to try a TSL601 or 602 and see how it sounds 'quiet'
100w not much more expensive or bigger though and comes with the virtual power reduction which reduces power to 25w.
Can't seem to find if the 60x has this feature.
Just had a look at the Marshall website. The SL5 looks a nice little amp but just how much Slash tax has been added to the price?
Edited by B17NNS on Wednesday 22 May 13:09
Great replies, thanks! To be honest I never use any of the FX on my amp. I usually have it on the "green crunch" setting with the gain at around 6. it is a nice sounding amp, but you can't really hear the difference between my guitars like you can on a tube amp.
Hadn't really thought of the DSLs, I think the local guitar shop might have some of them in stock along with quite a few other nice amps so I am going to take a trip down tomorrow:
http://www.rbmusic.co.uk/amplification.asp?id=14
Any opinions on the new Marshall Vintage Moderns / JVMs?
Also with regards to smaller amps and driving them harder, that is something I am considering too. The Fender SuperSonic 22 sort of falls into that category, but will it really be loud enough for gigging with a drummer?
Hadn't really thought of the DSLs, I think the local guitar shop might have some of them in stock along with quite a few other nice amps so I am going to take a trip down tomorrow:
http://www.rbmusic.co.uk/amplification.asp?id=14
Any opinions on the new Marshall Vintage Moderns / JVMs?
Also with regards to smaller amps and driving them harder, that is something I am considering too. The Fender SuperSonic 22 sort of falls into that category, but will it really be loud enough for gigging with a drummer?
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