Author Topic: Small valve amp. Opinions please. (Read 12173 times)

dave_mc · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:01:15 PM »

yeah, i thougt the VK sounded nicer with single coils to be honest.

i'd have thought the dsl (and tsl) would be too modern for rock and blues, but obviously preference and all that.

i'd definitely try the classic 30 and laney vc30 (maybe even the lionheart if you're willing to stretch that far) for rock and blues...i'd say they're much nicer than the jcm2000's for more vintage tones...

Scotty477 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:08:54 PM »

The VK would have sounded nice with a Strat I think. I'm pretty sure the Emeralds won't go with the thick crunch it has but I'm salivating at the thought of the DSL with the Emeralds.

The DSL was brighter but when I say Blues, I really mean Rock Blues - Gary Moore style etc. I can see how my just stating Blues may have been misleading.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2008, 08:22:52 PM »

I've got an Epi Valve Junior head on the way and a Mercury Magnetics transformer upgrade - gonna be interesting to see how much I can squeeze out of this circuit.

8)

Philly Q · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2008, 08:54:30 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

Quote from: Philly Q
I haven't tried one, but I really like the look of the Koch Studiotone (mostly on aesthetics, I must admit).

you like the aesthetics of a koch? :oops:

Yeah, I know, not my usual exquisite good taste.

I just like the Studiotone head because it's so tiny and relatively simple (but still with quite comprehensive features). I really dislike big amps. Good things come in small packages....

.... as I keep trying to convince myself. :|

fps_dean · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2008, 02:24:33 AM »

I like the Classic 30 or Classic 50s quite a bit, and the Fender Blues Jr isn't bad either, or the Deluxe or Deville depending on what size you want.

New Laneys sound good from soundclips and are a favorite here but I haven't played a newer Laney (not much of a fan of the older ones), so I can't say.

Scotty477 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2008, 09:05:25 AM »

The Classic 30 and hopefully a Laney 30 is on the menu today.

The Cornford Harlequin gets quite extraordinary praise on the net, so I'd love to track one down - just to hear it.

Twinfan · « **Reply #21 on:** January 22, 2008, 09:38:39 AM »

Cornfords have that modern, compressed, saturated sound. I've played thorugh a Hellcat so that's my point of reference. If you like that tone, they do it very well.

Personally I prefer the big, open, 'early Marshall' tone so they do nothing for me!

Henk · « **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2008, 10:15:02 AM »

Quote from: Twinfan

Personally I prefer the big, open, 'early Marshall' tone so they do nothing for me!

:lol: 8)

Wise words....

Scotty477 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2008, 10:21:44 AM »

Hmmm. I may struggle with the Cornford then.

I'm looking for a growly, open tone with plenty of midrange punch. I'm pretty certain the Emeralds will give a lighter sounding amp plenty of bottom end, which is why I'm looking forward to getting my LP through a Marshall DSL 401.

In my head, at least, the Emeralds and the DSL make a good combo. I'll find out later today :D

DeanS · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2008, 11:48:33 AM »

The Cornford Harlequin is a great 'blank canvas' of an amp and is easily capable of 'open, big sounding grind' as well as it does modern more compressed tones. The only aspect I didn't like about mine was the V30 speaker and so changed it out for a GM20 greenback.

Depending on your set up, guitar/pickups and not forgetting yer fingers it'll do Marshall-esque thro to smooth Soldano tones.

At the end of the day try as many amps in your price range and judge for yourself. Here's two clips that both use the Harly- one fairly competent player and one very good player.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=i1TH2VW4Ddc

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7bf2gMyubD4

sgmypod · « **Reply #25 on:** January 22, 2008, 12:03:36 PM »

mmm kinda liked the first one

badgermark · « **Reply #26 on:** January 22, 2008, 12:30:23 PM »

Seriously check out the Tiny Terror. I'm gigging it tonight (barfly- 8pm plug plug) with some BKP and I'm super duper excited. Gives a great growl, and the cleans are nice. Shut up all you TT clean haters. It's awesome.

Henk · « **Reply #27 on:** January 22, 2008, 01:05:09 PM »

I liked the Harlequin tone in the first clip, however i dont believe this amp can be versatile enough for my needs.

Probably any amp that gets sold will sound good at some setting, but if your not into a 1-tone kind of deal i think considering something more versatile, like the DSL combo, would be alot smarter. And by the way that Harlequin tone is HUGE for such a small amp, but fairly standard on my JCM.

Replacing the speaker on a DSL combo should be taken into account IMO, the stock one is pretty cheap IMO.

Twinfan · « **Reply #28 on:** January 22, 2008, 01:05:15 PM »

Quote from: badgermark

Shut up all you TT clean haters. It's awesome.

Try and get a loud clean - no chance! ;)

badgermark · « **Reply #29 on:** January 22, 2008, 01:11:06 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

Quote from: badgermark
Shut up all you TT clean haters. It's awesome.

Try and get a loud clean - no chance! ;)

I found having the master up at full and the gain at 4ish gives a great clean tone :P and it can be heard over our drummer. Suck it . :P