Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: charlie1234 on July 31, 2007, 02:47:58 PM
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Right. I've just moved up to London and have a budget of around £1000 to spend on an amp for the (small) bedroom.
I have had a Mesa Boogie DC10 combo for a few years. A awesome amplifier, but inappropriate for me because it was simply too loud. I never really had it above 2/10 on the master so never hit the tube 'sweet spot'. Also it had the wrong type of distortion for me. I am a big fan of Slash's tone - that kind of fuzzy Marshall EL34 crunch - so the Mesa's 6L6 type distortion was a little smooth.
A Marshall combo would therefore seem the choice, but this is inappropriate because the smallest one would be 50w which I think would be too loud. Also, Marshall's build quality is not the best.
So can anyone suggest any alternatives? At the moment, Cornford, Rivera and THD seem to be the thing I'm looking for. I want enough volume to be able to keep up with the band in our medium sized practice room, but not too much so the sound is poor at bedroom levels. I think about 20-40 watts may be about right.
I have room for nothing larger than a 2x12, so could always go for a head and 2x12 cab, but the smaller the better really.
Can anyone suggest any models/other amp-makers that could give the sound I described above? Maybe the Cornford Hurricane or Rivera Chubster 45? Has anyone got my type of tone out of these?
Many thanks for any suggestions,
Charlie
EDIT: BTW, I have an LP standard with Mule neck, Crawler bridge.
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Bad Cat and Dr Z are also worth a look - no personal experience with this type of amplifier though so I can't be very useful i'm afraid...
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I'm sure Matamp would do something for you.
Also, there's plenty of room for an Attenuator in £1000.
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Splawn Competition if you run it in triode.
Fargen Mini Plex
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I'm sure Matamp would do something for you.
Not really. Matamp don't do Marshall clones, period.
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ah! what about Roccaforte - they sound right up your alley!
http://www.roccaforteamps.com/Levant_Club_18.htm
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I should mention that I am in South West UK! Hence the US manufacturers are a bit out of my grasp unless they have UK dealerships!
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Splawn ships to the UK, and the amps are voltage-switchable! :)
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how about a Cornell? FANTASTIC amps.
http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_plexi.htm#Cornell-Plexi%2018/20%20Combo
There's the 18/20 plexi combo there, which is 18 watts and switchable to 5 for bedroom practice 8)
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If you're after top notch gained up plexi tones at low volume, the Suhr Badger might be the best choice, also at 1700$ it should roundabout fit the bill of 1,000 GBP.
http://www.suhrguitars.com/badger.aspx
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Well i do not know if any of you heard o this amp from Malaysia. It has a whole line of clone. Do check it out. TGP hs a no of raves about this company.
http://ceriatone.com/
You can choose 2 DIY 2.
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I must admit to being an ignoramus as regards amps, but what about the EL84-equipped Mesa Express 5:25 with the option to switch from 25W in Class A/B mode to 5W in Class A mode? Available as head or combo. Sounds like a great little bedroom amp:
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Express/Express.htm
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Wow. Didn't know there were so many 'less well known' manufacturers around!
I really appreciate all the recommendations but I would ideally like to buy the amp from somewhere relatively near me in the UK. Firstly so I can try before I buy, secondly so I have some where to go if the thing buggers up...
For the same reason, I think it would be better for me (as a relatively unexperimental amp-person) to go for the better known brands (but avoiding a new Mesa - been there done that).
Has anyone actually tried or owns anything that might suit my current tastes (Marshall JCM 800/Guns N' Roses -type sound but from a smaller amp?
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The Ceriatone amps linked above are the best option price wise. You want a mini Plexi, and they are it.
If you MUST have something with warranty etc (and pay twice the price of the amp for it) then you'll want a Marshall 1974X handwired reissue combo:
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/marshall-1974x/13285
(http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/prodimages/2006-Marshall-1974X-Handwired-18watt-combo%20s.jpg)
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this is pretty much useless because he doesnt ship outside of the USA anymore, but... see if you can find any Bumbox amps out there.
Specifically a Lead One, they're 1watt jcm800 clones. Thats right, 1 watt.
http://www.sombrabella.com/bumbox/
Twilight Odyssey is also right about the Fargen miniplex, im just looking at them now and they look HOT.
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Denis Cornell amps
http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_plexi.htm
(http://www.dc-developments.com/images/cornell_plexi1820combo.jpg)
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I was blissfully unaware of the existence of Cornell Plexis until this afternoon. Now I want to drop a grand on one...
#$%!ing BKP forum giving me amp GAS! :lol:
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Cornell looks absolutely perfect except I need... reverb. Sorry.
Would a Cornford Hurricane give me some Guns n Roses tones?
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I was blissfully unaware of the existence of Cornell Plexis until this afternoon. Now I want to drop a grand on one...
#$%!ing BKP forum giving me amp GAS! :lol:
No way, you're from UK and didn't know them? Have you realised that there is a new 7W version of the Plexi?
GAS^10
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You say 20watt but shoot for 18 watt, MAGIC number.
I cannot begin to list the players who have recorded classic albums with an 18 watt amp.
You have to register but 18watt.com has WEALTH of info. Can build your own or buy one VERY cheap imo.
Also, 18 watts is LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, to NOT lose tone whilst pleasing neighbors think of power scaling!
Mojave have the Coyote which is uber cool 15 watter but costly which they say has power dampening. I am not 100% sure but am thinking thats their word for power scaling.
London Power has trademarked a box for power scaling (as refered to on Suhr's site in conjunction with the Badger, which btw is not all ptp "point to point" but some circuit board, not that it matters really).
And, power scaling is nothing like attenuation btw.
Dr.Z
Mojave
Reinhardt
65 Amps
Top Hat
the list goes on and on and on. And these are just the booteeky ones.
Also, maybe consider EL84's as they are in alot of 18 watters and give a real nice 'crunch' for that wattage/tone.
I could write enuff to send ya to sleep but am sure you will find a wealth of knowledge and help with a lil time.
Good luck :)
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Cornell looks absolutely perfect except I need... reverb. Sorry.
Would a Cornford Hurricane give me some Guns n Roses tones?
surely nobody really needs reverb :wink:
I wouldnt overlook something that good because it lacked one feature that you can get other ways
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No way, you're from UK and didn't know them? Have you realised that there is a new 7W version of the Plexi?
I knew about Cornell amps, but not the Plexi range. But it's true, I'm much more ignorant about amps and outboard gear than I am about guitars. I can go in a shop and try a guitar out quietly, but to properly test an amp I'd have to subject everyone in the shop to my sh!tty playing. And I'm too self-conscious to do that. They should have more soundproof rooms in music shops.
Yes, I did read about the Plexi 7 and I want one badly! But I wonder if it's worth £650...? The 18/20 is probably better value.
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Dakine's absolutely right - you're going to need an attenuator, power scaling, or maybe a really good master volume. What a lot of guitarists don't realise is that wattage is not a linear measure of volume. All other things being equal, a 20 watt amp is nearly as loud as a 50 watt amp.
There's a good explanation here:
http://www.amptone.com/g112.htm
My Minimat is 2 watts nominal (8 watts at full distortion) and through a 1x12 it is LOUD. Loud enough for the neighbours to be complaining in seconds if I cranked everything to full. The thing that makes the Minimat usable as a bedroom amp (unless you're only playing clean) is the built-in attenuator.
Matamp do a sort-of Marshall - the King Street. It's not a clone, but is designed for that classic British rock sound. It doesn't have an attenuator, but they could add one if you wanted it.
The Cornell Plexis do look nice, too.
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I read that 100w is only 3db louder than 50w.
It's like a car with 100bhp isn't twice as fast as one with 50bhp.
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I'm sure Matamp would do something for you.
Not really. Matamp don't do Marshall clones, period.
Thats not quite right.
Matamp do an EL34 amp called the King Street, it is their take on vintage Marshall and it is fantastic. I am a huge Marshall fan, but was in the exactly the same predicament you are in. Now I am a huge Matamp fan. I would recommend contacting matamp london , so you can try one if you want. They will fit an attenuator for you too. http://www.matamplondon.co.uk
Edit: I have just re-read your post and I STRONGLY recommend you try one.
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I'm sure Matamp would do something for you.
Not really. Matamp don't do Marshall clones, period.
Thats not quite right.
Matamp do a EL34 amp called the King Street, ... I have just re-read your post and I STRONGLY recommend you try one.
That's very interesting. Thank you for clearing that up!
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Remember that IF volume is an issue (say at home when not gigging) then in many circumstances Master Volume (if desiring same overdrive tone at lower volume) and certainly not Attenuation are a fix.
This is a good read to explain some about 'Power Scaling' circuits (known as dampening elsewhere etc.) and how they can even be retro-fitted;
http://www.londonpower.com/pscaling.htm
Also, tube type plays a part in volume (as does single ended circuit design). Recently a friend put his all tube cathode biased EL34 50w up against a single ended 11watt EL84 and the 50w was blown away both tone (subjective) and volume/size of sound wise.
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http://www.matamplondon.co.uk.
I've never played any matamp's other than the minimat, so I don't know much about them - but ALL the clips on that site sounded absolutely awful to me! do they sound like that for real?
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I don't know if this thread has helped Charlie 1234 decide on his amp, but it's been very interesting and informative for me. Thanks guys! :D
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how about an AC15 - you should pick one up on ebay for around £600, they have both trem and reverb too.
if you MUST have reverb, give Cornell a call - they're custom amps anyway, just say you want 'amp x' with reverb (simple).
:twisted:
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Everyone, many thanks. Will be getting in touch with Matamp and Cornell amps and will post my results/conclusions!
In the meantime, if anyone is interested in my Mesa Boogie DC-10 (100w combo 1996 - incredible sound but rather loud...), let me know.
C.
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here's a tasty used Cornell 20w 1/2 stack, bargain price... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cornell-Plexi-18-20-amplifier-1x12-speaker-cabinet_W0QQitemZ260144563641QQihZ016QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
:twisted:
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http://www.matamplondon.co.uk.
I've never played any matamp's other than the minimat, so I don't know much about them - but ALL the clips on that site sounded absolutely awful to me! do they sound like that for real?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I prefer these clips.
http://p203.ezboard.com/fofficialmatampownersclubfrm20.showMessage?topicID=30.topic
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Ted those clips don't sound very good, in fact on the clean clip the guys guitar is out of tune!
It really amazes me why amp makers don't get some amazing guitarist in to record a demo to show how good it can sound.
That lead 1 by Bumbox sounds awesome to me! I'm very tempted as I need a practise amp like that. How come theyre not famous at all?
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Ted those clips don't sound very good, in fact on the clean clip the guys guitar is out of tune!
It really amazes me why amp makers don't get some amazing guitarist in to record a demo to show how good it can sound.
That lead 1 by Bumbox sounds awesome to me! I'm very tempted as I need a practise amp like that. How come theyre not famous at all?
I think those clips sound very good, given the fact its just some guy on a forum who's taken his spare time to record and post clips. I thought it was a very good review for a forum posting too. :D
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Ted those clips don't sound very good, in fact on the clean clip the guys guitar is out of tune!
It really amazes me why amp makers don't get some amazing guitarist in to record a demo to show how good it can sound.
That lead 1 by Bumbox sounds awesome to me! I'm very tempted as I need a practise amp like that. How come theyre not famous at all?
+1, those clips sound awful to me, horrible tone and I hope thats not what they actually sound like!
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Ted those clips don't sound very good, in fact on the clean clip the guys guitar is out of tune!
It really amazes me why amp makers don't get some amazing guitarist in to record a demo to show how good it can sound.
That lead 1 by Bumbox sounds awesome to me! I'm very tempted as I need a practise amp like that. How come theyre not famous at all?
+1, those clips sound awful to me, horrible tone and I hope thats not what they actually sound like!
Each to their own. :P
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Check out the Cornford Hurricane, fantastic amp and i highly recommend it.
ive been using the Cornford MK50 for about a year now and never even thought about another amp (now that is saying something im never satisfied!!!!)
I tried the Hurricane a few weeks ago wth my PRS and i was blown away with it, if i needed a 20watt amp that would be my first choice.
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hmmm i can see that matamps have a very unique voice, and i think i could learn to like it... but at the moment all the clips i've heard of them are not very good.
I want to play one...
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tried marshall jmp 18w with greenback 2x12 this weeknd in the shop, it was awesome. liked it a lot with treble booster on top!
Check out the Cornford Hurricane, fantastic amp and i highly recommend it.
ive been using the Cornford MK50 for about a year now and never even thought about another amp (now that is saying something im never satisfied!!!!)
I tried the Hurricane a few weeks ago wth my PRS and i was blown away with it, if i needed a 20watt amp that would be my first choice.
just wondering.. what's cornford MK50 like? any sound samples? :wink:
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You want boutique, check out Komet amps
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
I prefer these clips.
http://p203.ezboard.com/fofficialmatampownersclubfrm20.showMessage?topicID=30.topic (http://p203.ezboard.com/fofficialmatampownersclubfrm20.showMessage?topicID=30.topic)
this guy pretty much summed up the sound of that matamp
"It sounds much like a detuned chainsaw"
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hmmm i can see that matamps have a very unique voice, and i think i could learn to like it... but at the moment all the clips i've heard of them are not very good.
I want to play one...
After having owned a Matamp OR100 a loooooong time ago I was seriously considering buying one last year but was put off by the clips. There's no doubt that Matamps are built exceptionally well and are great for Stoner/Doom but I was looking for a good rock (plus occasional metal) amp. After reading some good reviews I thought I would test the water with a Minimat (6V6) for recording/home use. Was very disappointed - thought the built in boost sounded terrible (looks like this has been replaced with a valve boost in the Minimat 2) and the amp relied too heavily on pedals to get a good sound. I think I would probably have been happy with a King Street or 1224 but was not going to take the risk (factory too far away for visit) without hearing some good clips.
But as Ted rightly said "each to his own" - some might find the clips to be their ideal sound. I have a Cornford Hurricane (agree with FiXXXer) and settled for a Hellcat Combo instead of the Matamp. Won't do the Stoner/Doom thing particularly well (could add a DAM pedal I suppose if I wanted that sound) but I'm delighted with both of them....but as Ted says .... each to his own.