Guitar Players: Amps?

[whoisisthis]

I'm finally evolving past my crusty old Marshall half stack


Can I get some opinions on good, high-end amps or modeling amps?

[goto_L]

Are you looking for a stack or a combo? Also what type of stuff do you play? I play a bit of everything & have spent way too much $$$ on equipment, but I love it. I use a Hughes & Kettner Tri Amp for my stack, as for my small amps, this is my new expensive baby: http://www.badcatamps.com/product2.asp?pid=130&mode=1

It is the best sounding amp I've ever played. The have some tremendous heads also. Think Mesa meets classic old Hiwatt & your getting close. I have basically the same thing with the tri amp though: http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/scripts/products.php?mode=prod&pk_type=customtube&lang=en&id=1

Also still have my shitty little Marshall practice amp I bought in 1981, still the finest overdrive ever, sounds like a buzzsaw, gotta love an 8 inch speaker.

[Chimpo]

I use a Marshall 50 watt JCM900 Hi-gain Dual Reverb with a 4X12 Orange cab.

The 50 watt gives me plenty of power for the gain channel and shows 100 watts isn't needed, plus with the 50 watt, I get a better clean tone at a higher volume than trying to dial down on a 100 watt amp head.

The Orange cab is a '71 rated at 15 ohms. Yes. 15.

Cabs, for the most part... are cabs. But I love my Orange.


If you're looking to get away from a half-stack and go to a combo (plus you mentioned modeling), look into Line6 amps.

As a tube snob, even I own one. They really did a good job with the modeling.

Sometimes I use the Line6 and Marshall/Orange together with a Whirlwind A/B for a really full tone, but it tends to drown out the other guitar player in my band, so I'm still trying to find it's balance.

[whoisisthis]

I've been playing alot of rockabilly and traditional blues lately. So I need tons of reverb.

before I was all about punk and grindcore, but I guess I've mellowed. I just picked up a Gretsch Duo-Jet, and I feel like I'm robbing myself playing it through my dried-out speakers.

So far, I'm considering the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. But I was playing one of the Line6's the other day and now I'm intrigued. Not sure if I could get used to the technology though...it scares me.

I guess that's what I should've asked, which of the higher-end amps, with all the built-in goodies, is most user friendly.

[whoisisthis]

If you're looking to get away from a half-stack and go to a combo (plus you mentioned modeling), look into Line6 amps.

As a tube snob, even I own one. They really did a good job with the modeling..

yeah, that sounds right up my alley. Used to be I wouldn't even look at a solid state. But I gotta look into these some more. Pretty damn spendy though.


thanks

[Chimpo]

My band recently recorded a song where I used the Line6 exclusively, and my tone was drenched in reverb.

And I don't even have a new Line6. I have like, the original Flextone 60 watt, 1x12 combo. It's archaeic compared to the new models.

[goto_L]

If you want lotsa reeeeeeeverb you can't go wrong with a Fender Twin. Simply the finest reverb you will ever find. You can crank the reverb so high you can't even hear the original note. Only problem is you gotta be careful how you drive them. The reverb is pretty hot on most & has a bit of feedback if your not careful. Also the really high end tubes are outrageous for this amp. I have a red face twim from the late 80's that has original tubes in it, so they tend to last very well. However I play it once in a blue moon. A lot of guys seem to hate the red faces, but I really like mine, just not something I use right now, unless I get the urge to play some SRV or Trower stuff.

[goto_L]

the line 6 stuff isn't bad, but like any digital amp, it's a bit sterile. Just too clean for my taste, also repair costs are ridiculous for them. They do make some awesome effects though.

[whoisisthis]

that's another thing I was worried about. Breaking it(the Line 6)

I've only played one in Guitar Center, so it was way too noisy to get a good feel for the tone or warmth, but I can imagine how you're right about the sterility

And yeah, you're absolutely right about the Fender amps. I don't need this much amp at all, since I have no intention on playing w/ a band. But I was playing that Fender Hot Rod...holy mother of god!!! the one with 4x10's....wow! I'm trying to convince myself not to drop that kinda cash on something like this, escpecially after buying this guitar, but I'm losing that battle.

I'm gonna ask around on the modeling amps some more, and try and get some playing time in, where I could actually hear myself play, then make a decision. Thanks for the input guys

[poopiebottoms]

I got a Tech21 Trademark60 amp <http://www.tech21nyc.com/tm60.html#> about 10 years ago. It has great tone and versatility. I've used it for everything from rock to blues to metal. I used it for gigs for many years. The key is it's versatility.
It's an analog, solid-state modeling amp.
Most players scoff at the description, but are blown away when they play through it. I've never felt a need to buy another amp, even when I was working in a music store and got a discount.

[Slow Bollards]

i just fuck around, and zero musical aspirations outside my basement. I use a Fender Blues Jr. Gotta love an all tube "practice" amp. Its clean tone smokes but I can only get a small growl out of it for overdrive. I got the Line6 Podxt just to have all of that modeling and effects in one place.

[BCH]

Got 10 Grand? Then the Road King is the shit. It'll sound like any tube amp ever made.

[whoisisthis]

Got 10 Grand? Then the Road King is the shit. It'll sound like any tube amp ever made.



where can I check it out?

[BCH]

Here.

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Rectifier_Series/roadking/roadking.htm

[Chimpo]

Got 10 Grand? Then the Road King is the shit. It'll sound like any tube amp ever made.


Unfortunately, it'll feel like you're carrying them all too.

Sweet amp, but a heavy fucker.

[APortablePhone]

Here is my axe and amp...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/APortablePhone/B0001CU1AQ.jpg

[BCH]

Unfortunately, it'll feel like you're carrying them all too.

Sweet amp, but a heavy fucker.

True. But there is somthing to be said for suffering for your art.