Help me choose an amp?

[Ted 'N' Leo]

Vox Ac30C1? Apparently a real improvement over the custom classic series.

Fikealox, if you're in Australia, you could go with Devries Custom Guitars right?

Comes complete with Dog Hair insulated pickup surrounds!

[Fikealox]

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all your input and I'm slowly but diligently researching your suggestions.

Fikealox, if you're in Australia, you could go with Devries Custom Guitars right?

Haha, he's been suspiciously quiet lately. I wouldn't be surprised if he's working on a new line.

Hey you could also add to your list Ulbrick, Aussie amps that sound great and are well made.

It's funny you should mention them, actually, because it was a Firebottle 5W demo that got me started with all of this. Unfortunately, I've been told the Firebottle might not do what I want, and the rest of their line is out of my price-range:( Ulbrick has stopped production of amps, btw!

I've found it really hard to judge amps from their demo videos tonight; it seems that all of these sort of amps are demoed with bright, bitey, jangly tones - so the breakup is a crisp "rasp", when I'd much prefer a rumbly "growl".I realise in a lot of cases it'd be possible to EQ to my preference, but it makes it really hard for me to get anything useful from the clips.

[dave_mc]

i don't think devries makes amps... :lol:

[Fikealox]

We can only hope! I know he was making "guitar cabs" with PA speakers at one stage, haha.  :?

[dave_mc]

oh dear...

[Fikealox]

I've decided what I want 8) All your help was invaluable, it would've taken me so much longer to find out what good options were and see if they might suit my tastes if I hadn't had suggestions. I'm definitely going to grab a Suhr Badger combo; I just have to decide whether I want the 18W EL84 version or the 38W EL34 version.

[hunter]

I've decided what I want 8) All your help was invaluable, it would've taken me so much longer to find out what good options were and see if they might suit my tastes if I hadn't had suggestions. I'm definitely going to grab a Suhr Badger combo; I just have to decide whether I want the 18W EL84 version or the 38W EL34 version.

You want the EL34.

[Mr. Air]

Oh man. Now I got the hots for one of them Jet City amps.

I also got the hots for a Suhr Badger, but it's well out of my price range (actually everything is out of my price range at the moment  )

[Fikealox]

You want the EL34.

Any particular reason, dude? What're the main tonal differences?

[hunter]

You want the EL34.

Any particular reason, dude? What're the main tonal differences?

When you're on a bigger stage you have more headroom and more ooomph.

I once had a Budda Superdrive with EL84s, and it gave a great sizzle crunch, but not the one that hits you in the chest.

I just prefer a bit more headroom and more transformer iron with my amps.

[Fikealox]

Thanks man, I'm definitely going to take your advice on that 8) It's got a solid state rectifier as opposed to a 5Y3 in the 18W, too, which I think I'll prefer; and a standby switch which will mean not having to constantly move the powerscaling control. I'm sort of undecided on combo vs head and cab now, though :?

[kevinr]

Yeah, go for a little more head room!

[Keven]

EL34's here too. i like my el84 recorded tones... but for just plain playing i'll take the EL34's anytime of the day. they crunch easier and feel more dependable. can get a little bit darker too for the heavy moments

[d1dsj]

Hey you could also add to your list Ulbrick, Aussie amps that sound great and are well made.

Heard great things about those amps from a Pro guitarist on the S.D forum. 

[Fikealox]

Haha, me too, actually! Wah Wah's a great guy, and an amazing player. The tones he got out of his Ulbricks . It really sucks that they're out of production now. I hope they'll claw their way back.