Clean and low gain amps that excel with singlecoils?

[kahawe]

I think I am very well set in the crunch and higain territory (Diezel ) but every time I plugin my two Strats with an MM and an IT set, something is missing... and when I plug these two into a blackface-style model or an AC30 model, it feels like home-coming! These amps make singlecoils shine just the right way for my ears! I like the "jangle", low gain "purrrrr" and chimey tone.

That's why I am looking for some very well made, boutique-y amps that can offer THE best blackface and/or AC30 style tone! Cleans and low gain is more than enough.

What are your favorites? Got recommendations I absolutely have to check out? Looking for amps that are worthy of BK pups here!

[Twinfan]

Blackface style: no-one beats the Fender Custom Shop

AC30 style: 65 Amps do some superb Vox-y Marshall-y models e.g. the London, L'il Elvis, Marquee Club etc.

[darkbluemurder]

Blackface style: get a used silver face Fender. They can be easily blackfaced by any competent technician.

AC30 style: many options here. Dr. Z MAZ/MAZ Jr., Matchless DC-30 or Lightning or Dr. Z Stangray come to mind.

However, it will be very difficult to find an amp that does both exactly. Apart from the different preamps the blackface and AC30 power amps are vastly different - different output tubes (6V6/6L6 in the blackface, EL84/6BQ5 in the AC30), different way of biasing the output tubes (fixed bias in the blackface and cathode bias in the AC30) and different power amp feedback circuits (there is much negative feedback in the blackface and none in the AC30).

Cheers Stephan

[Telerocker]

I would also look at Victoria, and especially the Victorilux with 6L6-tubes. Although they appears to be tweeds, they have the BF-tone on board too. My Redplate Blackverb Duo 50 does a tremendous good BF-tone too. Other brands to be looked at: of course Fender, Swart, Carol Ann, Marble, Valvetech, Jackson Ampworks. Two Rock etc.

[Andrew W]

I'd say (but then I would as I've owned a couple) that Denis Cornell's amps are very much worth the price of admission. I have a Romany Plus and used to have a Plexi 7. They are first rate pieces of kit.

http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_romany_plus_combo.htm

http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_legacy30_head.htm