What to Buy

[Guitarzan]

I am in the market for a new amp.  The old one just sucks. So far I have narrowed it down to:
1. Laney HCM65R
2. Marshall MG100DFX
3. or a Marshall MG50DFX

Does anybody have any of these amps? Are there any other amps within $500?

[HJM]

I wouldn't go with the Laney transistor.

I use a Marshall MG15DFX when I'm out teaching - it's pretty good, a bit honky sounding but not bad. One or two of my pupils have the 100w DFX, they sound very good if you play with the EQ for a while and keep the gain lowish.

My problem with them is that they can sound great at home, but turn into wasps in jamjars when you turn them up. They aren't gig amps. Another problem with the 100w is the fan is very noisy after a few months.

How about a Line6?? The Line 6 stuff is great if you're not sure what type of tone you like - they're all there for you to try - when you find one you like start saving for the real amp!! Although they can have similar problems live.

Can you pick up a second hand valve amp for $500?? Some of Laney valve amps can be found I'm sure, look for teh GH series heads. JCM900s, not the best I know (but better than the MG IMHO), but you should be able to get one??

[The amazing Phil]

My Laney LC-15 is all valve and cost less than £200, that can't come up as more than $500 on the other side of the pond.

As for the Marshall MG series... I wouldn't use them, but that's me.

[HJM]

Just to clarify...I wouldn't use an MG clean or crunch, they need a fair amount of dirt to sound OK!

[indysmith]

GET A VALVE AMP. whatever you do, don't get the MG series - i did, and i regretted it for ages, and all other transistor amps around that price are even worse. go for a jcm900, or a little valve laney, or a vox valvetronix(hybrid, but lovely), or even one of those little class-a Epiphone amps yu have over there. they actually have a great sound at a great price!

[Ratrod]

GET A VALVE AMP. whatever you do, don't get the MG series - i did, and i regretted it for ages, and all other transistor amps around that price are even worse. go for a jcm900, or a little valve laney, or a vox valvetronix(hybrid, but lovely), or even one of those little class-a Epiphone amps yu have over there. they actually have a great sound at a great price!

A small valve amp with an extra speaker cabinet and a good stomp box can bring the roof down. :twisted:

[R/2e]

Epiphone are doing a range of cheap valve amps. I haven't tried one yet, but the guy in my local music shop thinks they're great. They do a simple 5 watt job with just an on/off switch, jack socket and volume control. How cool is that!

[willo]

Epiphone are doing a range of cheap valve amps. I haven't tried one yet, but the guy in my local music shop thinks they're great. They do a simple 5 watt job with just an on/off switch, jack socket and volume control. How cool is that!

these?



They look kinda cool. Any idea on price?

[jt]

:D Hi willo get a valve amp have a look round there are plenty out there & most shops will have a good selection + look out for second hand valve amps. theres no point in having spent a small fortune on a descent guitar & a great set of P/U`s only to F**k it up by playing the whole thing through a Tranny amp [ Nasty] i can however agree that the Line 6 stuff is useable.

 :D  8)

[crispsandwich]

I would go with the valve amp reccomendations. Try the Vox Valvetronix too. I have a Vox Tonelab (basically just the Valvetronix processor) and if the amps sound as good, they're incredible for the price. I just stuck a high gain JJ valve in it and it smokes (not literally :P).

[big steve]

i wouldn't touch the mg100dfx with a shitty stick, and i used to own one. cheap line6s aren't much better. go for a laney lc15 or lc30, or, if you're in the states, i've heard the peavey classic 30 and traynor ycv40 are good amps, and fairly cheap.