Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: MartinS on July 30, 2008, 03:58:43 PM
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Hi. I'm looking for a tube amp to replace my Roland JC120.
Ideally, I'd like Rivera Venus 6 - but they're two grand!
I guess I want 30-50 watts.
Good clean headroom.
Rich class-A harmonics.
6v6 tubes like in the Venus 6?
Must have 3-way EQ.
Small form factor - probably a 1x12.
Two channels would be useful but not essential.
I play a Gibson 335.
Any suggestions? I'm looking for a bargain if there is such a thing...
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Laney AOR ProTube 30 Watt combo?
It may not be class A, but it ticks the other boxes, particularly: 6V6... 3 band eq... 1x12... bargain...
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^
I'm not sure about the clean headroom on the AOR, but choosing the right kind of valves should be able to sort that out.
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I'd look at Vox AC30, Laney VC30 or Orange Rocker 30 if you like a darker amp. I didn't like the AOR30 head I had after a while because it was too thin and fizzy.
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What kind of music are you wanting the amp for?
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Thanks guys.
Type of music? Sort of bluesy-indie stuff.
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I'm not sure about the clean headroom on the AOR, but choosing the right kind of valves should be able to sort that out.
indeed, its more of a hard rock amp
(hope you're well by the way gingataff)
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I'm not sure what your budget is but I played through one of these today.
(http://elderly.com/vintage/items/images/130U/130U-8383_front.jpg)
It's a Mesa Boogie Nomad 55.
This amp can do everything from silky smooth cleans, vintage low gain crunch to screaming modern.
It is without a doubt the best combo I have ever played through.
I want one .... :D
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Good clean headroom makes me think of Fender straight away
What about a Deluxe reverb reissue? A really nice Blues / Jazz amp for about £700
Super Reverbs are lovely but probably too big
Blues Deluxe has most of what you ask for.....
Or for 2 channels the Rivera Clubster 25 Doce, 1 fender-ish channel and 1 Marshall gainy channel, about £800
Laney VC30 would need to be 2x12 for clean headroom
I think Class A amps usually go to about 30w. Class A makes me think of less clean headroom to be honest, chimey valve drive at lower levels whereas AB makes me think of smoother, louder cleans.
The matamp Adrian Ingram could be another option, it really depends what levels of breakup/overdrive you require. I think the Clubster would cover most of the requirements.
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Would the Blackstar Artisan be good for this?
Or am I totally off the mark.
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They're EL84 valves, but nice amps all the same...
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If you need good clean headroom and 30-50W, forget about class, which in any case influences tone less than other factors such as biasing system, NFB amount and valve type. In true class A, you'll struggle to get more than 20-30W.
For bluesy indie stuff, you could do worse than a Marshall Bluesbreaker type amp, or even the similar 50W JMP combos, as used by Paul Weller for instance. Marshalls can do superb cleans, despite what many people think. The JTM45/Bluesbreaker in particular is a superb clean sound. A head and cab gives more flexibility and the capacity to change speaker config, important to maximise volume when searching for headroom.
My customers Al and Ivor (see my website) have similar requirements to you and achieve it in different ways. Al uses a Martamp M45 head (JTM Type) with a 4x12, set up clean. Trust me, it's the best clean you've ever heard, as much Fender as Marshall. Ivor has a Matchless DC30 type 1x12 combo, which also does a great clean sound, with that lovely chimey EF86 thing.
Cheers! :)
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Why's nobody on here ever recommend the Fender Twin?
I guess I want 30-50 watts. 40W
Good clean headroom. It's a Twin!
Rich class-A harmonics. Not Class A, but certainly very rich sounding
6v6 tubes like in the Venus 6? 6L6 Valves...Sort of similar
Must have 3-way EQ. Treble, Bass, Presence
Small form factor - probably a 1x12. 2x12, but it'll have a far bigger sound than a 1x12; it's still portable.
Two channels would be useful but not essential. Yep - Normal and Bright.
A '57 Twin reissue would be awesome.
EDIT: Link - http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=8140500000
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Thanks again.
When I say clean, I don't necessarily mean pure clean - what I want is a slight glisten/chime/ring on "clean" chords, and something that responds when I dig in a bit. Does this make sense?
I've been told I need 30-50 watts for live work (by Andy Dokken on eBay), even though every venue I've played in the last year - mainly small rooms above pubs - has miced up the guitar amps.
I want a nice, deep tone, and something that inspires me when playing. So maybe 2x12 would be better? I'm somewhat ignorant when it comes to tube types, I'm afraid.
If you think I could get away with fewer watts, this would give me more options. I wouldn't be averse to buying something and having it modded, either.
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Hiwatt Custom 20 or even better the Hiwatt Studio/Stage
I owned the Studio/Stage head and it is the best amp I've had by far. 20W - 40W switchable, sounded awesome and you can get a combo version.
Amazing cleans (think Gilmour!), and if you crank it, and use the guitar volume, fantastic overdrive. I used it with my BKP Mule loaded Yamaha SG & a Fender USA Strat (Apaches) and it was fantastic.
A good choice for Indie/Blusey stuff IMHO
Also built like flipping tanks!
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From what you've just said, you have a wealth of options and I would test drive all the following:
Blackstar Artisan 30 combo - twin channel, very nice modern amp
Marshall Bluesbreaker combo - a classic, would benefit from a tweak or two from a tech to get it sounding it's best
Fender Bassman reissue - the father of the BluesBreaker and a bit cleaner
Vox AC30 - another classic, lots of variations so you need to try a few (CC, Top Boost etc)
Matchless DC30 (or clone) combo - expensive, but does the 'posh Vox' thing very well
My own rig, which sounds superb clean or with a Tubescreamer up front, would also suit you nicely:
Hand wired Martamp (JT) M45 head and 2x12 cab - how a Marshall JTM45 reissue should sound, but doesn't!
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/13012008018.jpg)
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If you need good clean headroom and 30-50W, forget about class, which in any case influences tone less than other factors such as biasing system, NFB amount and valve type. In true class A, you'll struggle to get more than 20-30W.
agreed. the vast majority of claimed class a amps aren't.
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I'm recomending the big unknown hero.
The Engl Classic Tube. It's alot like a blonde Fender Bassman with a little Marshall JTM thrown in. It's a two mode amp, I wouldn't call it channels cause you can make clean and dirty sound exactly the same. You can dial in the amount of grit and dirt on the clean mode with the gain control. Keep the gain low for clean headroom.
I guess I want 30-50 watts. 50W
Good clean headroom. As much or as little as you want
Rich class-A harmonics. Not Class A either, but very rich sounding, think Gomez El Sodino
6v6 tubes like in the Venus 6? 6L6/5881 Valves
Must have 3-way EQ. Treble, Bass, mids + a bright and deep switch
Small form factor - probably a 1x12. 2x12 or 2X10
Two channels would be useful but not essential. lo gain and hi gain mode
http://www.engl-amps.com/index2.html (http://www.engl-amps.com/index2.html)
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Not so sure about the Marshall Bluesbreaker Reissue, I used to use one at a rehearsal room and it was a dog. It was pretty lifeless, I don't think anything was wrong with it. For the £££ I'd go elsewhere for that amp type.
MartinW, Is your Roadstar 36 not in a similar ball-park to a Bluesbreaker?
I've got my eyes on the Roadstar 18, What are the cleans like? I always think of 18W amps as 60's crunch amps, but want a portable amp with sweet cleans and to mild breakup at resonable volumes.
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Martin's Roadstars are gainy beasts! They sound great when wound up and screaming, but Martin will tell you they don't do a loud clean or loud lightly breaking up. They're mini-Marshalls......
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Just tweaking what TF said slightly, :wink: the 18W Roadstar does a good clean, up to classic rock crunch. Many people say that the clean/just-breaking-up on the 18W type amp is amongst the best they've heard, and they are highly acclaimed as blues amps.
The crunch sounds like a Marshall, as opposed to a Vox, as TF said. For volume, they can keep up with a drummer when cranked, but if you have a loud drummer, they wouldn't be the best choice for clean headroom, especially if your clean needs to be properly clean.
The 36W (being more harmonically complex) appears to break up sooner, but is capable of giving a good semi-clean chime at band volumes as well. This is a loud amp. When cranked above 5 it roars and gives a proper rock sound - again, Marshall like.
Both of them have Hi/lo inputs, and the Lo inputs give more headroom, and both can be tweaked to give more or less gain. Both can be fitted with master volumes, Power Scaling or both. Not the first choice for Fender-like, clean shimmer, but they can do chimey, ringing chords and picked arpeggios, then full on power chords just by varying your attack.
There's some good clips here:
http://www.ampmaker.com/ak03x.asp (http://www.ampmaker.com/ak03x.asp)
Cheers! :)
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Sorry Martin - I should just keep my mouth shut shouldn't I? :oops:
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Don't you dare....my sales would plummet! :)
To be fair, neither of us are over inclined to explore the cleaner qualities of any amp that comes our way! :twisted:
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Just tweaking what TF said slightly, :wink: the 18W Roadstar does a good clean, up to classic rock crunch. Many people say that the clean/just-breaking-up on the 18W type amp is amongst the best they've heard, and they are highly acclaimed as blues amps.
The crunch sounds like a Marshall, as opposed to a Vox, as TF said. For volume, they can keep up with a drummer when cranked, but if you have a loud drummer, they wouldn't be the best choice for clean headroom, especially if your clean needs to be properly clean.
+1 My Roadstar cleans up well with the volume controls.
Great for Billy Gibbons sort of tones.
I keep meaning to post a proper clip.
Will have a go over the next few days.
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Don't you dare....my sales would plummet! :)
:lol:
To be fair, neither of us are over inclined to explore the cleaner qualities of any amp that comes our way! :twisted:
That is a very fair point, although I got a great Black Crowes 'just dirty' tone through the M45 earlier...
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I sure like the look of that Hiwatt Studio/Stage. Not too many knobs, 2x12, relatively compact. TUBES! (Forgive me - I've never had a tube amp.)
But they're all so bleeding expensive! Ho hum.
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I sure like the look of that Hiwatt Studio/Stage. Not too many knobs, 2x12, relatively compact. TUBES! (Forgive me - I've never had a tube amp.)
But they're all so bleeding expensive! Ho hum.
It always surprises me how much people are willing to spend on a guitar, then skimp on the amp. As the amp is AT LEAST 50% of your instrument (and some would argue more) then you should budget accordingley.
A Squier Strat played through a great amp would sound great.
A Custom Shop Fender played through a cr@p amp would sound cr@p.
None of the amps mentioned are expensive. Remember, Valves not toobs! :x :lol:
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Yeah never skimp on an amp..have only done it a couple of times, always regretted it.
When you get a great amp, speakers, a great guitar and great pickups you can't beat it....oh yeah anyone giving away great talent at a price..I'd be in the market for that
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OK. Maybe I should sell my 335, get a cheaper guitar and a VALVE amp!
Someone has recommended the Laney Lionheart L20 head and matching 2x12 cab. Anyone have experience of these? Good, rich cleans? Loud enough for gigging?
Cheers.
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I'd suggest Cornford Roadhouse.
Or, buy a Fender Twin or Hotrod Deluxe and use a tubescreamer for the bluesy rock moments.
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OK. Maybe I should sell my 335, get a cheaper guitar and a VALVE amp!
Someone has recommended the Laney Lionheart L20 head and matching 2x12 cab. Anyone have experience of these? Good, rich cleans? Loud enough for gigging?
Cheers.
Don't sell your 335, keep it and save for a nice amp! I've tried the 5W Laney Lionheart and have a VC30. I should imagine 20W will be enough for gigging, especially through a 2x12 cabinet, but if you want really loud cleans it probably won't be for you. The Laney's seem to ease into chime and crunch at about half volume with HB's. They are really nice amps but at nearly £900 for head and cab it gives you a lot of options.
I've got a thing about Fender Super Reverbs at the moment. I played one with a Tele the other day and it sounded HUGE!
Clean but fat, warm but defined. Too big for me though :lol:
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Don't sell your 335, keep it and save for a nice amp!
I agree with that! Selling your 335 to get a cheaper guitar would be cutting off your nose to spite your face. Unless you're not happy with the 335?
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They are really nice amps but at nearly £900 for head and cab it gives you a lot of options.
agreed. I really don't understand why they didn't release a 20 watt 1x12 combo (at not much more than the price of the 5 watter, of course!). as it is, they're very nice, but a bit expensive. you're not too far off e.g. cornfords (and other boutique stuff) at that kind of money, to be honest...
i agree about not selling the 335 either. :)