Author Topic: 20W boutique amp for Marshall sounds - recommendations? (Read 18941 times)

charlie1234 · « **on:** July 31, 2007, 02:47:58 PM »

Right. I've just moved up to London and have a budget of around £1000 to spend on an amp for the (small) bedroom.

I have had a Mesa Boogie DC10 combo for a few years. A awesome amplifier, but inappropriate for me because it was simply too loud. I never really had it above 2/10 on the master so never hit the tube 'sweet spot'. Also it had the wrong type of distortion for me. I am a big fan of Slash's tone - that kind of fuzzy Marshall EL34 crunch - so the Mesa's 6L6 type distortion was a little smooth.

A Marshall combo would therefore seem the choice, but this is inappropriate because the smallest one would be 50w which I think would be too loud. Also, Marshall's build quality is not the best.

So can anyone suggest any alternatives? At the moment, Cornford, Rivera and THD seem to be the thing I'm looking for. I want enough volume to be able to keep up with the band in our medium sized practice room, but not too much so the sound is poor at bedroom levels. I think about 20-40 watts may be about right.

I have room for nothing larger than a 2x12, so could always go for a head and 2x12 cab, but the smaller the better really.

Can anyone suggest any models/other amp-makers that could give the sound I described above? Maybe the Cornford Hurricane or Rivera Chubster 45? Has anyone got my type of tone out of these?

Many thanks for any suggestions,

Charlie

EDIT: BTW, I have an LP standard with Mule neck, Crawler bridge.

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2007, 02:50:56 PM »

Bad Cat and Dr Z are also worth a look - no personal experience with this type of amplifier though so I can't be very useful i'm afraid...

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2007, 02:52:10 PM »

I'm sure Matamp would do something for you.

Also, there's plenty of room for an Attenuator in £1000.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2007, 02:54:33 PM »

Splawn Competition if you run it in triode.

Fargen Mini Plex

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2007, 02:55:09 PM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

I'm sure Matamp would do something for you.

Not really. Matamp don't do Marshall clones, period.

indysmith · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2007, 02:56:43 PM »

ah! what about Roccaforte - they sound right up your alley!
http://www.roccaforteamps.com/Levant_Club_18.htm

charlie1234 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:06:11 PM »

I should mention that I am in South West UK! Hence the US manufacturers are a bit out of my grasp unless they have UK dealerships!

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:09:10 PM »

Splawn ships to the UK, and the amps are voltage-switchable! :)

indysmith · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:14:11 PM »

how about a Cornell? FANTASTIC amps.
http://www.dc-developments.com/cornell_plexi.htm#Cornell-Plexi%2018/20%20Combo
There's the 18/20 plexi combo there, which is 18 watts and switchable to 5 for bedroom practice 8)

hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:11:17 PM »

If you're after top notch gained up plexi tones at low volume, the Suhr Badger might be the best choice, also at 1700$ it should roundabout fit the bill of 1,000 GBP.

http://www.suhrguitars.com/badger.aspx

Dane · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:19:47 PM »

Well i do not know if any of you heard o this amp from Malaysia. It has a whole line of clone. Do check it out. TGP hs a no of raves about this company.

http://ceriatone.com/

You can choose 2 DIY 2.

Philly Q · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:51:54 PM »

I must admit to being an ignoramus as regards amps, but what about the EL84-equipped Mesa Express 5:25 with the option to switch from 25W in Class A/B mode to 5W in Class A mode? Available as head or combo. Sounds like a great little bedroom amp:

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Express/Express.htm

charlie1234 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2007, 06:21:06 PM »

Wow. Didn't know there were so many 'less well known' manufacturers around!

I really appreciate all the recommendations but I would ideally like to buy the amp from somewhere relatively near me in the UK. Firstly so I can try before I buy, secondly so I have some where to go if the thing buggers up...

For the same reason, I think it would be better for me (as a relatively unexperimental amp-person) to go for the better known brands (but avoiding a new Mesa - been there done that).

Has anyone actually tried or owns anything that might suit my current tastes (Marshall JCM 800/Guns N' Roses -type sound but from a smaller amp?

Twinfan · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2007, 06:33:05 PM »

The Ceriatone amps linked above are the best option price wise. You want a mini Plexi, and they are it.

If you MUST have something with warranty etc (and pay twice the price of the amp for it) then you'll want a Marshall 1974X handwired reissue combo:

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/marshall-1974x/13285

the_bleeding · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:06:20 PM »

this is pretty much useless because he doesnt ship outside of the USA anymore, but... see if you can find any Bumbox amps out there.
Specifically a Lead One, they're 1watt jcm800 clones. Thats right, 1 watt.
http://www.sombrabella.com/bumbox/

Twilight Odyssey is also right about the Fargen miniplex, im just looking at them now and they look HOT.

Author Topic: 20W boutique amp for Marshall sounds - recommendations? (Read 18941 times)

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey