Downsizing amp for home use only
Discussion
I currently have a Fender Mustang III and whilst it's great for creating various sounds with plenty of features, I'm finding it physically too big and probably too loud. Its barely registering on the volume and I live in a surburban semi.
I like the versatility of a mod amp, but haven't really looked at what's about yet. Any recommendations on something physically smaller which could be driven without being exceptionally loud?
I like the versatility of a mod amp, but haven't really looked at what's about yet. Any recommendations on something physically smaller which could be driven without being exceptionally loud?
If you want to stick with modelling gear, try something like a POD through a set of powered speakers.
Otherwise, get a small valve amp if you actually want to drive it. I've got a Laney Cub 12R which is great at bedroom volumes as it has a built-in attenuator, and I'm getting rid of an Orange Microterror head which is also good at hole levels but will drive a Marshall 4x12 if you start playing out and about. So as not to break the rules PM me if you'd be interested in that one.
Otherwise, get a small valve amp if you actually want to drive it. I've got a Laney Cub 12R which is great at bedroom volumes as it has a built-in attenuator, and I'm getting rid of an Orange Microterror head which is also good at hole levels but will drive a Marshall 4x12 if you start playing out and about. So as not to break the rules PM me if you'd be interested in that one.
I came into this thread to say "Mustang III", but see you already have one. It's not a big amp at all in terms of footprint, but it can do "loud" pretty well. I do agree that the volume knob is not very sensitive, you get nothing, then a quiet sound, then quite a loud sound before the knob turn becomes progressive and linear to the volume level.
However, this is the perfect home amp imo, the models are great quality for what you pay for one. It's solid state, so no worries about having to drive it, it's digitally creating a driven tone (if you ask for drive) at any volume. Rather than swapping amps, I'd recommend trying it with a volume pedal. Set your guitar's volume knob to full, turn the amp master volume up and use the volume pedal to set the volume coming from your guitar, you should get a very sensitive setup where moving the pedal will allow you to easily change the volume in tiny increments.
However, this is the perfect home amp imo, the models are great quality for what you pay for one. It's solid state, so no worries about having to drive it, it's digitally creating a driven tone (if you ask for drive) at any volume. Rather than swapping amps, I'd recommend trying it with a volume pedal. Set your guitar's volume knob to full, turn the amp master volume up and use the volume pedal to set the volume coming from your guitar, you should get a very sensitive setup where moving the pedal will allow you to easily change the volume in tiny increments.
I've been happy with my dinky Yamaha THR10X, it's compact, doesn't sound too bad, and has a good variety of sounds. Valve wise I've a Laney IRT Studio which does the 15Watt/1Watt thing quite nicely. Things are a lot better sounding for the home user these days without having to crank it too much.
I like both valve and solid state / modelling, as long as it sounds good to my ears I'm happy. If you want something nice and portable though, the THR series are nice little bookshelf amps, ours is on a shelf in the lounge.
I like both valve and solid state / modelling, as long as it sounds good to my ears I'm happy. If you want something nice and portable though, the THR series are nice little bookshelf amps, ours is on a shelf in the lounge.
Mastodon2 said:
I came into this thread to say "Mustang III", but see you already have one. It's not a big amp at all in terms of footprint, but it can do "loud" pretty well. I do agree that the volume knob is not very sensitive, you get nothing, then a quiet sound, then quite a loud sound before the knob turn becomes progressive and linear to the volume level.
However, this is the perfect home amp imo, the models are great quality for what you pay for one. It's solid state, so no worries about having to drive it, it's digitally creating a driven tone (if you ask for drive) at any volume. Rather than swapping amps, I'd recommend trying it with a volume pedal. Set your guitar's volume knob to full, turn the amp master volume up and use the volume pedal to set the volume coming from your guitar, you should get a very sensitive setup where moving the pedal will allow you to easily change the volume in tiny increments.
I guess you are aware that the Mustang amps start up every time at the setting the preset was saved at rather than where the knobs might be when you turn it on.However, this is the perfect home amp imo, the models are great quality for what you pay for one. It's solid state, so no worries about having to drive it, it's digitally creating a driven tone (if you ask for drive) at any volume. Rather than swapping amps, I'd recommend trying it with a volume pedal. Set your guitar's volume knob to full, turn the amp master volume up and use the volume pedal to set the volume coming from your guitar, you should get a very sensitive setup where moving the pedal will allow you to easily change the volume in tiny increments.
Plug Fuse in and do a preset that suits your needs, save it at that and you will get what you want each time you turn it on
Well.....there's a variety of replies!
It's not the biggest amp, but I'm probably going to get nothing smaller that sounds as good or as versatile? I do like orange amps and that microterror looks great if a little limiting in that I'll need to buy pedals then!
I spend a lot of time with earphones in. It's better than using software as you can physically turn knobs to tweak which I find more intuitive than adjusting levels on a screen.
Just seen a few videos on the Yamaha THR10c, could be just what I'm looking for!
It's not the biggest amp, but I'm probably going to get nothing smaller that sounds as good or as versatile? I do like orange amps and that microterror looks great if a little limiting in that I'll need to buy pedals then!
I spend a lot of time with earphones in. It's better than using software as you can physically turn knobs to tweak which I find more intuitive than adjusting levels on a screen.
Just seen a few videos on the Yamaha THR10c, could be just what I'm looking for!
I just bought a line 6 amplifi 150 , only £250 or whatever it was, very good for mucking about at home, really handy as it has Bluetooth so it connects to an app via your ipad or phone & then you can play along to backing tracks ( you can mix the volume between the 2 to get the balance right ), great no wires etc. then there is loads of online patches you simply send to the amp from your ipad or whatever & you can edit the patches on the ipad too...very good for messing at home, sounds pretty good , not quite up there with my Matchless , but a good home practise amp...
will be interested to see what the marshall code amps are going to be like
will be interested to see what the marshall code amps are going to be like
simple
Marshall AFD-100 and a 4x12 cab
well... it has a power level control down to 0.1 Watt on it !
mine sounds great even at the minimum level.
Another idea;
something like a Line6 HD500x or Helix, then a valve combo, output from Line6 into Fx return in
I do this with a Laney VC30 2x12 combo - it gets some amazing tones available, with the charater of a valve amp
Marshall AFD-100 and a 4x12 cab
well... it has a power level control down to 0.1 Watt on it !
mine sounds great even at the minimum level.
Another idea;
something like a Line6 HD500x or Helix, then a valve combo, output from Line6 into Fx return in
I do this with a Laney VC30 2x12 combo - it gets some amazing tones available, with the charater of a valve amp
red997 said:
simple
Marshall AFD-100 and a 4x12 cab
well... it has a power level control down to 0.1 Watt on it !
mine sounds great even at the minimum level.
Another idea;
something like a Line6 HD500x or Helix, then a valve combo, output from Line6 into Fx return in
I do this with a Laney VC30 2x12 combo - it gets some amazing tones available, with the charater of a valve amp
Does it really though? The power tubes on a 30W combo won't be colouring the sound very much until you need earplugs in.Marshall AFD-100 and a 4x12 cab
well... it has a power level control down to 0.1 Watt on it !
mine sounds great even at the minimum level.
Another idea;
something like a Line6 HD500x or Helix, then a valve combo, output from Line6 into Fx return in
I do this with a Laney VC30 2x12 combo - it gets some amazing tones available, with the charater of a valve amp
It amazes me that there are not more amps about that combine valves with effects. I have an axe fx , which is great, friedman browneye & matchless DC30. What I would like is this style amp that comes with the effects of say the axe fx built in & ability to store patches. that way the amp manufacturer can get the mix issue & gain etc right , no loops required. H & K triamp is an amazing amp versatility wise, same with the mesa boogie roadking,but still needs outboard effects. It seems if you want effects as part of the package then you have to go solid state amps...surely there is a window for a high quality valve amp like friedman or mesa boogie that has a quality set of effects, like the fractal fx8 or boss setup built in with patch storing etc.....I reckon it will happen pretty soon,fingers crossed
I notice boss have a new valve amp at Namm this year, looks very versatile, but it has no effects built in, why not?..its a boss, they are the effects kings,found that a little odd
I notice boss have a new valve amp at Namm this year, looks very versatile, but it has no effects built in, why not?..its a boss, they are the effects kings,found that a little odd
Well after the seed was sown, I found a used THR10C locally. Went over this evening to see it and was amazed at the quality and tone for its size. A quick negotiation and it was mine. I've spent the evening just flicking between different amps.
Aside from the tone and portability, it's just so easy to get a good sound from it. Plenty loud enough for the home and better than the Mustang through the headphones. I'll use it for another week or so before I decide whether to sell the Mustang and just keep this. In the highly unlikely event that I ever gig, I could just buy something then.
Aside from the tone and portability, it's just so easy to get a good sound from it. Plenty loud enough for the home and better than the Mustang through the headphones. I'll use it for another week or so before I decide whether to sell the Mustang and just keep this. In the highly unlikely event that I ever gig, I could just buy something then.
No I didn't, purely because I wanted something fairly simple.
As it is, I actually think that this Yamaha has better tones than the Mustang. They're certainly easier to achieve. Its ridiculous that something as small as it is should produce such a good sound, but it's using a number of speakers to provide the sound rather than one by itself. I've played it mainly with headphones these last couple of nights while the little one was in bed and it's just lovely. It even improves the input source from the Aux so that my Tablet playing youtube sounds better. Gives it more spatial dynamics.
As it is, I actually think that this Yamaha has better tones than the Mustang. They're certainly easier to achieve. Its ridiculous that something as small as it is should produce such a good sound, but it's using a number of speakers to provide the sound rather than one by itself. I've played it mainly with headphones these last couple of nights while the little one was in bed and it's just lovely. It even improves the input source from the Aux so that my Tablet playing youtube sounds better. Gives it more spatial dynamics.
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