I may need a gigging amp...

[St_Genesius]

I'm not opposed to running my modeller into the PA, but if there's a smallish combo out there that will fit this particular bill, let me know.

What I need it to do:

Small-Medium club volume
Three piece rockabilly combo
Looking for a sound that resides somewhere between '59 Bassman and mid-60s Blackface Twin. Something that could pull off both would be great.


Those are the only requirements, really, but if it's possible, I'd prefer to keep the cost around $500.

[Rich_S]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

Used silverface Bassman head with homemade (or Avatar) cabinet. Mod head to taste. (Edit: no reverb though - sounds like you might want it.)

Also, check the latest Guitar Player's review of club combos - they liked several of them, in all price ranges.

Thirdly, Peavy Classic 30 or 50?

[kmcguitars]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

A Hot Rod Deluxe might fit the bill? I just picked one up used for $350. It's now my main gigger. It has great cleans and decent verb. I just put a 12AU7
in V2 and it helped smooth out the O.D. channel. But I do prefer to use pedals for O.D. with this amp.

[St_Genesius]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

I don't know much about the old Silverfaces, modded or unmodded. Tell me more.

I'll see if I can dig up that GP article. Perhaps its online.

My first reaction to both the Peavey 30 (haven't ever played a 50) and the HR Deluxe is that both may have a tendency to sound more bluesy than I'm looking for. Not to say they couldn't be goaded into working, but I really like there's a certain crispness that I look for that I've never heard in those amps. Perhaps I've just EQ'd them wrong, though. I'll have to go sit down with both of them again.

[Curly]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

I agree with both those choices.

the SF heads are one of the good deals on a hand wired head, but you can expect a little tech fee to get one up to snuff

I haven't played the HRDs that much, but I always thought that was one of the most portable gigging packages that Fender makes.

[Hot _Grits]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

Fender custom vibrolux reverb. 40w, 2x10, with reverb and tremolo.

Almost the EXACT mid point between a tweed bassman and a blackface twin.

Caveat: this amp is designed to overdrive fairly early. If you need more clean headroom, theres a small, inexpensive mod that can be done to boost the headroom. I made my mod switchable so I can have either.

Check out TGWIF's vibrolux post for his impressions...

For cheaper, I'd thoroughly recommend the Peavey Delta Blues 2x10. Awesome amp for the dough.

[mnbaseball91]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

Traynor YCV40, either the 112 or the 210

[St_Genesius]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

I've never played a Traynor. I wonder if there are any dealers in town.

[HamerPlyr]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

Yeah, I've heard great things about the Traynors, though I've never played through one.

[St_Genesius]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

I checked; the nearest dealer is 90 minutes away. Perhaps one weekend I'll drive over to jackson and try one out.

[Rich_S]

Re: I may need a gigging amp...

Based purely on looks alone, Here's your amp, baby. You know you want it.