Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Spitfire on March 07, 2009, 10:07:45 AM

Title: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Spitfire on March 07, 2009, 10:07:45 AM
Im just wanting to see how the forum goes on this, id expect it to be very valve heavy as the whole point of this forum is for people who spend more for a premium product to improve tone.

EDIT, i have noticed i put Hybrud.. :p oops
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Twinfan on March 07, 2009, 10:14:00 AM
Did you have to ask what I would vote?  ;)
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: donovan.x on March 07, 2009, 10:19:35 AM
My amp life cycle has been thus; Solidstate(Marshall 80/80 and such) Valve (Fender DeVille, Marshall DSL50, etc.) Amp moddeling software and computer based stuff and now back to valve.
I think if your circumstances allow for it then you just cant beat it for tone.

I spent the whole time when using Line 6 stuff with the thought of getting a 'real' amp again and it was a thought that never went away and now http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=16353.0 I am happy again, I dont think I will stop using the moddeling software though as when it comes to recording it can be very useful.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Stevepage on March 07, 2009, 11:09:10 AM
Just using a Line 6 Pod XT Live.

Did use valve amps for years untill recently.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: ailean on March 07, 2009, 11:09:25 AM
My first 2 amps were a MicroCube (still got it) and a Peavey Rage 258 (or something like that).

I remember getting my first valve amp home (Peavey Valveking 112) and trying it out. It was definately a WOW! moment. I just didn't get to hear the definition in the shop, so it was such a nice surprise to hear it at home.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: ToneMonkey on March 07, 2009, 11:17:48 AM
Vox Valvetronix.  There just isn't space for anything bigger in my house.  Does everything I need for front room twiddling.

Infact it takes up too much room and I've been thinking about trading it for a nice little 5W or under tube amp.  Might consider building one if I can find a kit cheap enough.  I'm seriously considering slimming down the axe collection to one acoustic and my Eggle (and one future project - which I'll have to sell the Eggle to fund)
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: shaman on March 07, 2009, 01:13:20 PM
valve man all the way-one of my amps has 6 power tubes!(Boogie Coliseum-a John Sykes fave...)man, I hate retubing that beast!
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Fourth Feline on March 07, 2009, 01:43:20 PM
I own and enjoy both - depending largely on the type of music being presented - and of course portability if that is an issue.

However, just now for straight Jazz , It is a solid state AAD Cub 100 - who's warmth and general tone sounds anything but flat, not only due to ( what must be ) an almost occult choice of circuitry and speakers , but also because that includes a subtle  'soft clipping' feature. Someone else on this forum has a Phil Jones 'Briefcase' amp for his Bass guitar - and seems equally impressed with the Phil Jones / AAD series.

In the same vein,  the Roland Cube 60 is a very popular / affordable Jazz amp.  Here the priorities are not only getting intrinsicly warm yet precise tone - but also portability with a surprising amount of volume ( with tone ) on tap if needed.  I gather the AER amps, Henrickson, Clark and JazzKat series are popular, as always where the ubiquitous Polytone,  Roland JC120 - and now rare Gibson 'Lab' series.

For other styles, the valve amps have been the default workhorses for me so far - and if you would have told me a year ago that I would start to prefer the attributes of certain solid state amps - I probably would have doubted that it could ever have been the case.

Horses for courses, but solid state has really proved worthy of respect in recent times - especially when you can get a decent amount of volume / gorgeous tone out of something less than the size of your usuall home P.C. File server ( including speakers ).

Forgive the repeating of a previously stated fact, but when I saw a video of Joe Pass using the front of house P.A. in a small theatre as his sole amplifier ( no amp modelling, speaker simulation  or effects pedals between )   - the penny dropped for me .

The does not preclude the desirable attributes of valve amps, it just makes the whole situation less 'black and white'.

 
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: MDV on March 07, 2009, 01:44:41 PM
All 3, but my main amp is valve.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Catalyst77 on March 07, 2009, 02:27:02 PM
Sweet Sweet Valve :)
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: yellowv on March 07, 2009, 02:48:52 PM
Valve. I run a Carvin Legacy. Although a lot of my distorted sounds come from running a Rocktron mAXE SS preamp through the Carvin tube poweramp. Also I will use a GT-8 into the head as well for distortion and effects. So I use both valve and SS really. Although I would like to get a Peavey Rockmaster preamp so I can keep my brutal distortion all tube.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Oli on March 07, 2009, 03:27:21 PM
All valve in the Klipp/superlead, and mostly valve in the ADA MP1 (there's a solid-state buffer just after the input).
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: AdamB on March 07, 2009, 06:19:58 PM
Valve!

Egnater Mod 50
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: _tom_ on March 07, 2009, 06:21:54 PM
Valve of course :) I have a solid state amp and amplitube 2, but neither get as much use as the valve amps except when I'm at uni. However next year I should be bringing my HT5 and a 1x12 to uni (provided I like the HT5) so hopefully no more modelling for me!
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Twaddlefish on March 07, 2009, 06:31:10 PM
(http://www.kitson.fsworld.co.uk/pa60.JPG)

One of those, except it's 100W full valve, handwired with a Hammond Spring Reverb in, made in the late 60s into a Slash signature 4x12. Less than 400 pounds for both, including repairs to the head.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: d1dsj on March 07, 2009, 07:19:27 PM
I voted valve, however... my gigging back up is a Crate powerblock (don't laugh). With a good drive pedal this little amp really is pretty darn good!

Bass and electro I get studio quality sounds from a Phil Jones Briefcase which is also S.S.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Simon D on March 07, 2009, 08:03:05 PM
I use valve and hybrid - A Mesa Express 5:50 head and 2x12 cab, and for jam sessions/home practice I have a Laney TF300 combo.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: ChunkyMunky on March 07, 2009, 08:09:33 PM
Valve! I do like to mess about with my GT8 occasionaly though.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: sgmypod on March 07, 2009, 08:16:47 PM
powerblocks are great little amps...keep meaning to get one as back up..but then keep buying more valve amps as projects and backups
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: marantz1300 on March 07, 2009, 08:26:11 PM
All valve.Scala ,Mesa and Hiwatt. I like the look of that Carlsbro too.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: PhilKing on March 07, 2009, 08:41:37 PM
For guitar it is all valve, Ceriatone JTM45/18 & Overtone Special, John McIntyre Bluesmaker, Stereo 205, SP3, Prince o'Wails & Lexicon 284, Fender Princeton Reverb, Princeton II and Deluxe Reverb, Vox Berkely, Marshall Silver Jubilee and I just got a Hughes and Kettner Metal Shredder.  For Bass I have a valve preamp and SS stereo power amp.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: dave_mc on March 07, 2009, 10:04:34 PM
valve :)
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: MrBump on March 07, 2009, 10:09:16 PM
Valve.

There's just something "right" about them.

The sheer volume of 4 EL34s...  The brightness of 6V6s...  valve amps to me are more alive, more human, have more personality.  That means that they can be frustrating too, but that's just a part of what makes them great.

Mark.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Adam.M on March 08, 2009, 12:58:15 AM
Valve and VST stuff

Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp into a Marshall 9200... a total of 9 preamp tubes and 8 6L6's involved

Lovely
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Pierre on March 08, 2009, 01:07:36 AM
My AOR is technically a valve amp though there are a couple of opamps in there, for the reverb, loop (I think) and boost circuits.
My future LH50 MkII head I should get on Wednesday is all valve, 5881s.

The TT50 was all valve too though with some opamsp too. The VC15 was all valve. My first amp was a Peavey Envoy 110 though, SS.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: marantz1300 on March 08, 2009, 10:34:57 AM
Valve and VST stuff

Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp into a Marshall 9200... a total of 9 preamp tubes and 8 6L6's involved

Lovely
I know its early days.How are you getting on with your new amps ?Which cab? Post pics. 8)
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: broken cord on March 10, 2009, 02:23:41 AM
65 Amps London 18 - Valve
Koch Studiotone - Valve
Peavy Royal 8 -  Valve
Emery Sound Micro Baby - Valve

I guess that about sums it up for me.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Copperhead on March 10, 2009, 02:27:38 AM
Tube! :D

Krank Revolution Series One
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Johnny Mac on March 10, 2009, 06:18:45 AM
 :lol: Koch Powertone II
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: blue on March 10, 2009, 01:16:03 PM
i use them all. got a Pod Xt pro, which i use through a set of studio monitors.  a Laney TF400 hybrid amp, lighter to take to a jam session and it sounds quite good, especially for high gain sounds.  then all valve, i have a Genz Benz El Diablo, which is a good modern high gain amp, a (made by Matamp) 15 watt single channel amp which just sounds glorious cranked and with a treble booster, and  a Z-Vex Nano head, which is good but i haven't plugged it in recently. i also use my little sister's Micro-Cube and i quite like it.

overall, given the choice, i prefer the valve amps, but the others are all good.  very usable, and sometimes excellent, sounds can be got from them all.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on March 10, 2009, 05:59:56 PM
Valve!

Orange TT and Fender Champion 600.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Dmoney on March 10, 2009, 08:52:38 PM
EL34 Mesa Dual Rec
KT88 JCM 800 2205
EL34 Soldano Avenger (in the near future!)

i like tubes.
ive always been tempted to try either the randall T2 or V2 hybrids though.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: lefty356 on March 17, 2009, 07:53:57 AM
I have made some mighty big leaps in terms of amps. I have only been playing for a year , so here is my path. First was a Line6 pocket pod , 3 months later a Marshall MG15 ( still use for those late at night jams ) , but most recently , and after a 7 month hands on test of almost every amp I could find ( including Dr Z's , every  Marshall conceivable , Orange , Hughes and Kettner ,  Vox , Krank , and some vintage goodies and limited issues ,  the list goes on and on ) , I bought a Boogie Stiletto Duece Stage 2 ( EL34's all the way across ) .. 50 / 100w , and a Boogie 2 x 12 rectifier cab. The amp is AWESOME !! I have had life long Marshall homers just drool over the versatility of it. It can cop any sound I want , and the ability to " brown " it out by using the Spongy setting is a major plus ! I have found that my pedals are just collecting dust at the moment. Plug in , dial up , and play ... Boogie makes it that simple !
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Gooby on March 17, 2009, 10:10:56 AM
Diezel Einstein - ECC83 Preamp (12AX7), EL34's in power section

http://www.diezel.co.uk/einsteinh.htm

Martin
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: bobthemerciful on March 17, 2009, 11:59:30 AM
Laney TT50H. Or, if I really want to frighten small animals and children I get my AOR100 out  :D
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: darkbluemurder on March 17, 2009, 01:30:07 PM
For live gigs I currently use my self-modded Fender Deluxe Reverb II combo. Speaker is the Eminence Wizard. Clean channel is Fender Blackface. Dirty channel is very "inspired" by Carvin Legacy.

My backup amp is a Fender Concert head from the same area, also heavily modified. I will soon convert the lead channel also to Carvin Legacy specs.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: phlip on March 17, 2009, 04:54:01 PM
Pod X3 and Valve and sometimes the POD X3 as a pre to the Valve AMP.
I guess I use the POD X3 more as i play in the little Spare room a lot and even the 5 Watter in there is too loud for the small space.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: Fourth Feline on March 17, 2009, 07:03:33 PM
I have made some mighty big leaps in terms of amps. I have only been playing for a year , so here is my path. First was a Line6 pocket pod , 3 months later a Marshall MG15 ( still use for those late at night jams ) , but most recently , and after a 7 month hands on test of almost every amp I could find ( including Dr Z's , every  Marshall conceivable , Orange , Hughes and Kettner ,  Vox , Krank , and some vintage goodies and limited issues ,  the list goes on and on ) , I bought a Boogie Stiletto Duece Stage 2 ( EL34's all the way across ) .. 50 / 100w , and a Boogie 2 x 12 rectifier cab. The amp is AWESOME !! I have had life long Marshall homers just drool over the versatility of it. It can cop any sound I want , and the ability to " brown " it out by using the Spongy setting is a major plus ! I have found that my pedals are just collecting dust at the moment. Plug in , dial up , and play ... Boogie makes it that simple !

An excellent choice for ' great tone on a budget ' ...  :lol:

Welcome to the forum Lefty, ( great guitar in the avatar you have there ! ).  :)
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: HTH AMPS on March 17, 2009, 09:36:15 PM
Valve amps are my weapon of choice - I like them so much I tought myself how to build and modify them about 10 years ago and haven't looked back since. 

It's even more fun building/designing your own - my current amp is a cross between an AC30/4 (pentode) preamp and a plexi preamp run into a Fender output stage.  It uses an EF184 in the first preamp stage, then an ECC83 to drive the tone section, another ECC83 as the phase inverter and finally a pair of cathode biased 6V6s.  Sounds awesome, but it's like nothing else I've ever seen on the market and all the better for it.

Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: viking on March 18, 2009, 06:25:10 PM
Valve amps are my weapon of choice - I like them so much I tought myself how to build and modify them about 10 years ago and haven't looked back since. 

It's even more fun building/designing your own - my current amp is a cross between an AC30/4 (pentode) preamp and a plexi preamp run into a Fender output stage.  It uses an EF184 in the first preamp stage, then an ECC83 to drive the tone section, another ECC83 as the phase inverter and finally a pair of cathode biased 6V6s.  Sounds awesome, but it's like nothing else I've ever seen on the market and all the better for it.


  Sounds real nice!Could you post a vid or a clip? (ok..even a pic would help... :))
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: indysmith on March 18, 2009, 06:29:05 PM
nothing does valves like valves do valves.
Title: Re: What type of amp do you use?
Post by: viking on March 19, 2009, 12:25:23 AM
I forgot to say it!Valves.M&B Nomad55 with KT77's (sometimes,like today :),Yellow Jackets EL84's or 6L6's).Valves amps can be frustrating,at times,but the rewards are greater.Much more lively,there is a real interaction between the amp-the guitar-you...Magical,sometimes  :D