Author Topic: Amp Challenge (Read 2587 times)

Simon D · « **on:** September 30, 2007, 08:50:56 PM »

Sorry for yet another amp thread, but I'm hoping this one might prove a bit of a challenge!

I'm after a new one, but my criteria is a pain in the arse. I need all-tube, at least three channels (with independent EQ), built-in reverb, ideally two master volumes, and a good degree of versatility - I play everything from blues and Eagles-ish country to metal, and most points in between - all for less than £650 (head only). I'm planning to run whatever I end up with through a 2x12 cab with V30s.

I thought I wanted a Marshall JVM, and was prepared to spend the extra, until I tried one last week. It's excellent, but I can't help but feel that for mostly bedroom/rehearsal room playing, it's overkill. It's a pro level amp, and I'm not currently in a band, but do jam with mates pretty regularly, and hope to get a band togeether once I have a job with more sociable hours.

I think I need something a little less powerful - 50 to 60 watts, or something more powerful which has a power reduction switch on it.
I'm currently considering a Laney TT50 head, a Marshall TSL60 and Blackstar Series One 200 (which can be lowered to 20W).

Does anyone have any experience with any of the amps mentioned? Also, I'd more than open to other suggestions of things I may have overlooked. I'm not looking tfor something with a ton of onboard effects either - I don't have the patience to sit for hours programming things

.
Like I said, any advice or ideas welcome.
Cheers, Si

MDV · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2007, 09:21:03 PM »

Well I have a TSL602 and it CAN do pretty much anything you want with reasonable authority sometimes, but its a bit or a jack of all trades, master of none.

I also have a screamer, which has a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it sound (very open, middy and clear) but is much more convincing at everything bar your classic (probably recorded on a plexi or JCM800) marshall sounds. Could very well be a candidate for you. Very hard to get a thick, darker tone out of it though (needs an EQ)

hunter · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2007, 09:24:18 PM »

Used Boogie Mk IV would be matching your criteria pretty well I think.

jt · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2007, 10:02:53 PM »

:D if your looking for something for practice & you need a combination of sounds & flavours why not look at getting one of the amp modellers. Line 6 etc. They make 20, 30, watt amps- combos- but it`ll give you time to experiment with different sounds. Then when you`ve narrowed down your sound you`ll be able to get a tube amp that`ll be more of what your after.

just a thought...........

:D 8)

Simon D · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2007, 10:06:35 PM »

Quote from: jt

:D if your looking for something for practice & you need a combination of sounds & flavours why not look at getting one of the amp modellers. Line 6 etc. They make 20, 30, watt amps- combos- but it`ll give you time to experiment with different sounds. Then when you`ve narrowed down your sound you`ll be able to get a tube amp that`ll be more of what your after.

just a thought...........

:D 8)

I had considered the new Line6 all valve amp, but I've already got a Boss GT6, so something else which does modelling would be a but redundant. Plus, I don't really use much in the way of FX anymore - bit of chorus and compression here and there, but that's about it. I'm going for the 'keep it simple' approach!

kevincurtis · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2007, 08:41:00 AM »

Hi Fella - a 3 channel independant Eq valve amp takes you into serious money territory...do you realy need 3 channels with independant EQ? if you were to play live what would you play? would it really be a diverse set that needed such variation? Personally I would decide what I want for my main sound and then find something that would be sufficient in the other departments, unfortunately there is always a compromise to be made somewhere :(

dave_mc · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2007, 11:43:17 AM »

i'd say the laney tt sounds good for what you want, but i don't see how if a 100 watt jvm is overkill, a 50 watt isn't. it's not like you can crank a 50 watter at home if you can't crank a 100 watter...

LazyNinja · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2007, 12:06:37 PM »

Yeah I agree with Dave_mc. 100W isn't that different to 50W volume wise. I mean 5W valve amp is still too loud to crank it at home. Also, what kind of all-valve, 3-channel with independent EQ with a built in reverb amp isn't a pro level kit?

Some amps I can think of in your price range:
Laney TT50H/TT100H
Marshall TSL100
Marshall 6100LM
Marshall JVM
Hughes & Kettner Triamp (used)

sorry I can't think of many I never needed more than 2 channels.

If you want a Laney TT50, you're in luck :) :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laney-TT50H-Valve-amplifier-head-el34-marshall-mesa_W0QQitemZ300156607707QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2007, 06:58:20 PM »

Overkill? There's no such word in my book! My Koch is 120w and I play with that in my bedroom!

(Sorry couldn't resist another one! :lol:)

It makes no difference in terms of watts if the amp can sound well at low volumes. IMO the differences in this respect are bigger headroom, clean at loud volumes.

Plus like Kevin pointed out 3 channels with their own EQ is big money. A shared EQ on the gain channels is a lot cheaper.
If that's your budget then it might be an idea to buy a used amp.

Simon D · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2007, 08:44:24 PM »

Cheers for the replies guys. All fair and good points made above. I guess in some respects I've been spoilt somewhat by my current amp - Laney TF 300 - whic sounds very good given that it only cost £250 new 8 years ago!

The point about not being able to crank a 50w amp at home is, I now realise, completely correct - having tried out a 50w amp today, just to get some idea. I think I may be being slightly too ambitious with my requirements.

One thing I did find with the JVM when I tried it was that it was quite trebley/midrangey - not a whole lot of bass.
I didn't have a huge amount of time to fiddle about when I tested it, plus I was using a Jackson with a Duncan JB in the bridge, which is reported to be a trebley pickup.

I was just wondering if this is characteristic of modern Marshalls, or if it's simply a case of adjusting them to get a good low end kick?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2007, 09:05:51 PM »

Quote from: Simon D

One thing I did find with the JVM when I tried it was that it was quite trebley/midrangey - not a whole lot of bass.

I was just wondering if this is characteristic of modern Marshalls, or if it's simply a case of adjusting them to get a good low end kick?

How loud did you have it? - Marshalls always have to be cranked fairly loud to get the best from them.

:twisted:

dave_mc · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2007, 09:37:44 PM »

Quote from: Johnny Mac

Overkill? There's no such word in my book! My Koch is 120w and I play with that in my bedroom!

(Sorry couldn't resist another one! :lol:)

It makes no difference in terms of watts if the amp can sound well at low volumes. IMO the differences in this respect are bigger headroom, clean at loud volumes.

Plus like Kevin pointed out 3 channels with their own EQ is big money. A shared EQ on the gain channels is a lot cheaper.
If that's your budget then it might be an idea to buy a used amp.

haha, nice joke there. again. :lol:

but yeah, i agree. i run a 100 or 120 watt (stupid back of amp and manual disagree, lol) engl at home, and while there's no denying it sounds better wound up, it sounds better at low volumes for the music at which it's aimed (i.e. hard rock and metal) than an amp which is a lower wattage, but not aimed as much at that style of music.

As usual, that made more sense in my head. hopefully you can understand what i mean- basically don't buy a less suited amp because it's a lower wattage. some people seem to think a vintage-voiced tube amp automatically turns into a metal monster if you can crank it, and that's basically wrong.

:drink:

EDIT: how about a koch studiotone? i'm not sure it has all the features you need, but i think it has most of them. it'd be cool if you don't like as big kochs.

Sorry.

Simon D · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2007, 10:05:24 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

Quote from: Simon D

One thing I did find with the JVM when I tried it was that it was quite trebley/midrangey - not a whole lot of bass.

I was just wondering if this is characteristic of modern Marshalls, or if it's simply a case of adjusting them to get a good low end kick?

How loud did you have it? - Marshalls always have to be cranked fairly loud to get the best from them.

:twisted:

I had it reasonably loud - way too loud to be sitting four feet in front of, as I was, because the shop only had a short lead! But certainly not gig or even rehearsal room volume.

Dave, I know what you mean about a lower wattage amp not turning into a metal monster when cranked - a friend of my father's has a Mesa Boogie Lonestar - stunning 30w Class A amp, but vintage voiced to the last.

bobthemerciful · « **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2007, 09:32:08 AM »

A TT should do everything you require. Very happy with mine :D

dave_mc · « **Reply #14 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:51:40 PM »

cheers, simon, best of luck!