Author Topic: Saving up for a new tube amplifier. (Read 4851 times)

Jinskee · « **on:** December 27, 2006, 02:55:24 AM »

Hey guys, I've just sent my guitar into the tech room for the pup switch up with the mules 8) .

Now, I always wanted a tube amp that could really compliment my playing and my pups....that's sort of the reason why I chose to get my pups first, then the amp (since I had EMG's and I didn't want an amp that only suited highly distorted playing ex. Mesa Boogies).

I'm saving up some money for next year to spend so...here are the details of what I'm interested in.

Price: 500-1000 estimation US Dollars
Music: Classic rock, hard rock, blues
Gigging: small gigs to medium gigs (200-300,400 peope?)

I've heard some things from Tom about the Mules hitting their full potential with Laney amps, I think?

Thank you for your help! :o

Tricalibur · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2006, 04:14:24 AM »

Gh50L or GH100L would be the obvious choice. But Id buy used if I were you and maybe save a few bucks.

Jinskee · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2006, 06:34:16 AM »

I've been looking into those amps, cheers!

Another question...if I get a half stack...the only difference that is from a combo are the wattage power, yes?

Tricalibur · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2006, 07:14:56 AM »

well you have to understand that heads and combos dont have set wattages or anything like that. Some are 30 watts, some are 100 watts. It all just depends on what you buy. But if you were going to get a GH series Laney youd have to choose between 50 and 100 watts. Of course if thats just too much or If you dont wnat to buy and extension cab (because you would need one with a head) theres alwqays the VC and LC? combos which are usualy around 15-30 watts and generaly have either one or two 12" drivers(speakers) attached. Escuse me if you already knew all this and I just misanalyzed your question. Hope that helps tho :twisted:

38thBeatle · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2006, 07:45:51 AM »

For the size gigs you are playing, I would say you'd need a 50w amp (and I don't know how much you know but a 100w amp is not twice as loud as a 50w amp btw). Certainly Laney amps deliver a lot for the money and as far as I can vouch ( I have a VC30 combo btw), they are reasonably dependable. I cannot imagine my VC30 being ploud enough in standard form for one of your gigs-I would have to mic it up or at the very least , add an adittional speaker cabinet. I think, for your money, you are lookingat used and that is really a question of seeing what is around-but with a certain celebration having occurred, many people will perhaps have got new amps and will want to dispose of their old one so who knows, you might be in the right place at the right time.There is a wealth of amp knowledge on the forum so seek opinions as an when you come up with something.

Jinskee · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2006, 08:59:36 AM »

Great stuff guys, Thanks for the help.

Yeah, I've been looking into several amps.

I've asked Dave and a few other people on here about what they like.

I'm basicaly looking into Marshalls, Laney's, Boogies, this el-diablo figure... o.o, etc..

Definatly, I'm going to try out some of the amps at the store after I get my guitar back from the mule change up. :twisted:

Cheers!

*EDIT*

:lol:

I know a few things about amps, but more knowledge is for the better! So keep em' comming :).

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2006, 12:25:31 PM »

Whilst Laney has become "flavour of the month" amongst some of the guys on here - do still look at Marshall, Carvin, Peavey and Traynor.

If you dig back far enough on his forum you will see the amp flavour of the month change depending on who has just bought what and who else is curious as a result. It was Engl for a while and Matamp before that.

I am very open minded but still love my Marshall, although I have many rack preamps too which I still adore.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2006, 12:34:56 PM »

Jonathan ( Feline) is absolutely right -Laney are good for the money but then again so are many other amp manufacturers-keep your eyes and mind open and see whay comes around.I bought mine simply because the price I paid for it made it such a bargain.The amp is fine but is not perfect and could be improved with mods which I am not in a position to do at present. I had a mind to get a 30w (or thereabouts) tube combo and was looking at Fenders, Peaveys and many others-not specifically a Laney-it just happned that way.Also, you get what you pay for too generally though if you shop around and watch for opportunities can you can sometimes get, what is known as "a result". I was lucky with the Laney as I was with my Tele which I bought from a complete idiot for "peanuts".

_tom_ · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2006, 12:41:59 PM »

Well I definitely wouldnt say Mules are only good through a Laney or anything, but its the best gear combination I've had so far :) They sound great through my Fender HRDx but that amp doesnt do anything more than blues without the help of pedals. Btw the HRDx is 40w all valve and is bloody loud, I was on volume 1-2 ish at my first gig which filled the room no problem, I actually had to have my hotplate on about -4 db because it was still a bit too loud even on that.

Its best to try out as many different amps as you can, I couldnt do this easily as most shops around here only seem to stock low-end Marshall, line 6 etc. so I just took the plunge and got a GH50L based on Twinfans recommendation and I'm really happy with it for blues, hard rock and metal (doesnt do really pristine cleans though but thats what my Fender is for).

Also, I hear Peavey Classic 30s are really good but I've never played one so I cant comment on them..

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2006, 02:09:44 PM »

As you seem to be in the USA - your options and choices will be a bit different to what is available here.

You may indeed find more Fender, Peavey, Traynor , Carvin around and there are some bargains to be had.

UK brands may seem very expensive in USA

Boogie have made plenty of lower gain amps so dont count them out

The Boogie DC5 or DC10 may suit your needs very well
Peavey Triumph was a good ap in its day (1988) so may well be cheap now

dave_mc · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2006, 06:06:00 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

Whilst Laney has become "flavour of the month" amongst some of the guys on here - do still look at Marshall, Carvin, Peavey and Traynor.

If you dig back far enough on his forum you will see the amp flavour of the month change depending on who has just bought what and who else is curious as a result. It was Engl for a while and Matamp before that.

I am very open minded but still love my Marshall, although I have many rack preamps too which I still adore.

+1, I came in here to suggest traynor. In the USA, Laney aren't as good value as they are over here, for obvious reasons. Traynor (and peavey etc.) are much better value though. I'd look into the ycv40 (or 80 if you need the extra volume/headroom), or ycv50blue if you want a more british tone.

Flavour of the month happens on most forums. There are always a few guys who are deemed the "knowledgeable" ones, and what they like, becomes flavour of the month. I don't know how to fight it, but I agree that it's a bit retarded. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what everyone else likes, it matters what's best for you.

:drink:

EDIT: I didn't see your post above before I posted this one, jonathan. +1 as well. Many of the amps which I say suck, I mean for the price we get charged over here (like Mesa or Peavey). In the USA, they're obviously a much more attractive proposition.

maliciousteve · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2006, 06:11:57 PM »

I hear Mesa's are alot cheaper in the USA. So i'd suggest saving up and look for a used Mesa Heartbreaker or the DC's like Jonathan mentioned. Laneys seem to be alot more expensive in the US, however you have alot more options open to you. You also have alot more shops so you can find good used stuff easier :D

Canadian Steve · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2006, 07:02:03 PM »

I would recommend the Traynor as well. I just sold mine a few weeks ago, the only reason because it was too powerful for my needs and I couldn't crank it in the house. The tone and construction was excellent. It's worthwhile investing in some good tubes as well (I went with Sovtek LPS + JJ's).

Tricalibur · « **Reply #13 on:** December 27, 2006, 07:13:24 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

Whilst Laney has become "flavour of the month" amongst some of the guys on here - do still look at Marshall, Carvin, Peavey and Traynor.

If you dig back far enough on his forum you will see the amp flavour of the month change depending on who has just bought what and who else is curious as a result. It was Engl for a while and Matamp before that.

I am very open minded but still love my Marshall, although I have many rack preamps too which I still adore.

hehe. Id forgotten about the ENGL craze. :D

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #14 on:** December 27, 2006, 08:47:38 PM »

what type of player are you? - are you the kind of guy that needs 3 switchable channels or are you at home with a dirty channel and your guitar's volume knob for clean passages?

I'd say you can't go wrong with a JMP-era Marshall head (2204 model) - they clean up nicely and respond very well to OD pedals if you need more gain.

:twisted:

Author Topic: Saving up for a new tube amplifier. (Read 4851 times)

maliciousteve