Help with Amp Selection

[Lazarus1140]

I probably have ten questions but I'll start with one.

Can you suggest an amp (head/combo/whatever) in the 25 - 40 Watt range that is Class A/B, tube rectified, has respectable medium hall non-mic'd clean headroom, and Fenderish shimmery highs with a bit more mids?

[FuseG4]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

I haven't played in any "medium halls" so I'm not sure how to gauge the volume vs headroom, but... DRRI
the amp has clean headroom up to roughly 5 on the volume, which is loud. On 6 when it starts to break up, it's not agressive-sounding breakup.
Deluxe Reverb and a british-type speaker swap exactly equals Fenderish Shimmery Highs with a Bit More Mids. G12H30s, V30s, and Greenbacks all seem to do well in that amp.

I must say that after making the switch to tube rectified, I haven't noticed much difference. Just sayin. I now think it's weird when people specify that they want tube rectification as a feature. What? You mean you WANT to always worry about the crappy Sovtek 5AR4 blowing and taking half you amp with it?

speaking of british speakers in DRRIs, my Greenback clone just got here ^_^

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

I must say that after making the switch to tube rectified, I haven't noticed much difference. Just sayin. I now think it's weird when people specify that they want tube rectification as a feature. What? You mean you WANT to always worry about the crappy Sovtek 5AR4 blowing and taking half you amp with it?

speaking of british speakers in DRRIs, my Greenback clone just got here ^_^

Thanks for the input and congrats on the NSD!

My current amp is solid state rectified and I am just thinking I might like a little more sag as opposed to the quick response. I don't play anything particularly fast or metalish so if there might be a perceptable difference I would like to exerience it.

Regarding 6V6 amps, I have read a few things online that suggest that 6V6 powered amps + tube rectification = flabby low end. I would imagine that there are other factors involved, but is anyone aware of any truth in this?
If it does make a difference would it be the same with a quad of 6V6s?

Right now I'm kinda wishing I still had that Bandmaster that wasn't quite loud enough for me back in the sixties.

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

Right now I'm kinda wishing I still had that Bandmaster that wasn't quite loud enough for me back in the sixties.

Well, that's kind of exactly what I was thinking--something along the lines of a BF BandMaster, Tremolux, Vibrolux Reverb or Pro Reverb; but be prepared to open your wallet for these vintage amps. The Fender 75s of the 1980's have some cool features, and are bargain priced, but SS rectified. (And the LEAD channel DOES NOT sing like a Mesa Boogie!)

A tweed Bassman, properly set up, could also get you there. The Fender reissues allow you to swap in either tube or SS rectifiers. They take pedals very well. Take a look at some of the Tweed offerings by THD, Victoria, Kendrick, et.al.--you might find something you like there.

Though Mesa makes some great amps, I hesitate to recomend any of them for you. All of the ones they make in this power range use EL84s, and your need for "Fenderish Shimmering Highs" says 6L6 to me. But the DC-3, Maverick, F-30, TA-30, Nomad 45 and the Express 5:25 are all pretty good amps in that power range, but they have EL84s. EL84s are an acquired taste after years of playing on 6L6s.

The Simul-Class Mark IIIs are great gigging amps, and you can find great deals on used ones. They have more power than you probably need, but the Simul-Class circuitry allows you to drop down to 15 watts Class A for a smokin' lead tone. You'll want one with the Graphic EQ, and I prefer the EVM speaker in these combos. The Mesa Theile cab with the EVM underneath will add a lot of bottom end and make most guys with Marshall half-stacks wonder what wrong with their amps. The Mark III or the Mark IV combos with a Theile cab is still my favorite my favorite gigging amp, even in small rooms.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Bill

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

It does help BB, but I failed to mention I really like simplicity ... even to the point of preferring a single channel amp. If it has MV I would want that to be defeatable.

I have tried several Mesa Boogies and although there is much to like they are not quite what I'm looking for. I loved the Burn on the Express 5:25 but have limited use for it.

I wouldn't completely rule out EL84s for an amp I might eventually purchase, but this next one will probably have to be powered with 6L6s, KT-66s, possibly 6V6s, 5881s or maybe even EL34s (if shimmer is possible with any of those). I've never owned an EL34 amp.

I don't doubt Kendricks are great but I don't want to cash in my 401k to buy an amp.

Thanks for your response and the THD tip!

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

You should give the Egnater Tweaker 40 a try. It's got a sound that reminds me of a tube rectified amp, has tons of versatility, and only costs $600.

It's worth a test drive, since they just shipped them out to all the GC's.

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

Regarding 6V6 amps, I have read a few things online that suggest that blah blah blah blah

I stopped reading here. Go play these amps if you haven't already, and form your opinions then.

[FuseG4]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

The other thing which isn't exactly fender-ish, but is still a gorgeous shimmery clean with plenty of mids, is 30W, and can be tube rectified if you find the older model is...
an AC30.

I took the DRRI over the AC30 but damm I like both amps a lot. Both have shimmer in spades.

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

To be perfectly honest, I think the power section matters, but it's not the primary driver in the sound of the circuit. Neither is tube type, except as it affects headroom. I don't think EL34s are what you're looking for, but don't take my word for it.

As I recall, you want a versatile pedal platform, don't you? I would think Fender, and I would also think head, since the speaker(s) will give you a little more leeway with fine-tuning the sound. I'd be checking Craigslist daily for a Bassman head.

[JeffB]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

Budda makes a couple that should fit your needs- with various power tubes, including El84s, and 6V6s.

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

As I recall, you want a versatile pedal platform, don't you? I would think Fender, and I would also think head, since the speaker(s) will give you a little more leeway with fine-tuning the sound. I'd be checking Craigslist daily for a Bassman head.

It needs to take pedals well, but a big part of my desire for a different amp is to purify the signal chain and eliminate about half the pedals I use. I would like to pare down to a single OD, one fuzz, a tuner, a tremolo and a delay.

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

I'd be checking Craigslist daily for a Bassman head.

As a bassman head owner - couldn't agree more.

I'd also +1 an AC30.

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

Early Silverface Pro Reverb...just have a mid control added to the back or use an eq of some kind or get a late 60's Bandmaster Reverb head and then convert that into a combo...1x12, 2x12, 1x10, 2x10, 3x10, 4x10, 1x15...whatever you want and you're good to go.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

Budda makes a couple that should fit your needs- with various power tubes, including El84s, and 6V6s.

Exactly what I thought after reading the OP.

Budda Superdrive 30
Komet Songwriter 30
EAST Amplification Club 18
Dr Z Maz 18
Sommatone amps

... and the list goes on and on!

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Help with Amp Selection

It needs to take pedals well, but a big part of my desire for a different amp is to purify the signal chain and eliminate about half the pedals I use. I would like to pare down to a single OD, one fuzz, a tuner, a tremolo and a delay.

Okay. So you need a beautiful clean sound, then delay to make it more spacious? It looks like all the dirt is coming from pedals. Is that safe to say? By the way, with a delay like yours, getting rid of any more of them shouldn't be too much of a chore. Is reverb a necessity?

Also, is the Tele doing most of the driving?