Best amp for covers band

[frostopsy]

Re: Best amp for covers band

I think you should get a line 6 amp and call it a day. I've seen a couple wedding bands and the guitar players seem to like those things. I think they at good for trying to copy someone else's sound, and I don't think you can beat the versatility.


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[frostopsy]

Best amp for covers band

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[DESERTRAT1]

Re: Best amp for covers band

Mesa Express 550 +

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Best amp for covers band

Are you dead set on a tube amp? For a cover band situation, I think you could do well with this into this.

Yeah, if the money falling out of your pocket doesn't get completely blown away by the wind.

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Best amp for covers band

I own 8 amps and have owned nearly a dozen others. I have played in cover bands for 50 years. The one amp (from a lot of personal experience) that really can do everything you will ever want to do, and can do it alone, without any pedals, is the Line 6 Flextone 3. They are really cheap used...cheaper than you'd pay for a couple pedals alone. Here's one example...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Line-6-Flext...EAAOSwoydWsRVT.

Now, here's where I'm coming from. I hate almost all modeling amps, Vox, Line 6 (especially the Spiders), Peavey, Marshall, etc. They all sound like cheap crap. (I haven't tried the Line 6 DT series however). But this Flextone is really amazing. With a "Shortboard" to program it, the possibilities are endless. You can get it in a 1x12 75 watt or 2x12 150 watt stereo.

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Best amp for covers band

For me there are two schools of thought to consider.

First option...

You play in a cover TRIBUTE band. You need to emulate EXACT tones of that band, and play the songs note-for-note. Recently saw one of the Beatle Tribute acts. They tour nationally. They do the same set of songs every night. They have a backline of VOX AC-100 amps for decoration. All the parts are played through modelers, and then direct to FOH and monitors. "George" had a Gretsch, Ric12, RW Tele, etc. "John" had his Ric, a J-160E, Casino, etc. Tones were very good and captured the recorded tones. Great show, a real nostalgia trip for me. Obviously in this case, using using a modelling amp, pedalboard, or preamp like the Fractal or Kemper is the way to go. Welcome to programming.


Second option...

You play in a weekend warrior pub band or do wedding gigs and the like. You want to capture the flavor of the song, but you might not being doing exact recorded versions. You may be doing your own arrangements, or might not have the time, energy, skill or desire to do exact copies. You may be on a limited budget. You like great tones, but basically understand that most people in the bar are not agents or audiophiles, and "close" is good enough. You've got some good pedals, but you'd rather play than spend your time twisting knobs.

I'm definitely in this latter camp, and I think this is one of the reasons I chose Mesa 20+ years ago. I like that the amps are versatile, and can produce a wide range of tones. While the market for the Rectifier Series is pretty specific, the Marks, Nomads, Dual Calibers, Express, TAs are more versatile and can handle many different styles and various guitars. But, in this situation, the style of music and the size of the venue are factors to consider. I like the dynamics of a big amp, but for most clubs these days, 35-50 watts are enough...a little more perhaps if you playing a lot of super-clean rhythm guitar parts. It might be a BF Fender or Hot Rod, a Line 6, a Peavey Classic, a modeller or a pawn shop prize. Above all...choose something that you have confidence in and that inspires you. For me, that's my Mesa amps.

You may find yourself somewhere in between these scenarios. You may find that using a Boss GT-100 into a Fender Bassman is all you need, or maybe into a PA power speaker from the likes of JBL Eon or QSC. Some guys use multi-amp set-ups. You just have to find your way.

I think it is critical to have a fundamental understanding of your philosophy and your musical goals and how they relate to these scenarios. And there's always the size of your wallet to consider.

Today's guitarist, playing a variety of styles in differently-sized venues in bands with a variety of instrumentation is probably going to need a stable of professional quality, reliable, and well-maintained amps. Until you reach a level of fame where you wear sunglasses 24/7 and a funny hat, have a signature Les Paul-through-Marshall tone and only play arena-sized gigs, it's a fact of life.

Good luck!

Bill

[NecroPolo]

Re: Best amp for covers band

Now, here's where I'm coming from. I hate almost all modeling amps, Vox, Line 6 (especially the Spiders), Peavey, Marshall, etc. They all sound like cheap crap. (I haven't tried the Line 6 DT series however). But this Flextone is really amazing. With a "Shortboard" to program it, the possibilities are endless. You can get it in a 1x12 75 watt or 2x12 150 watt stereo.

There's no shame in this, being a guitarist in the analogue realm and using the personally most suitable digital gear for its functionality and flexibility. I think this advice contains wisdom and the best and most compact solution for the OP's question.

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Best amp for covers band

Thanks for the replies so far everyone, keep 'em coming!

Definitely option 2 Bill! The goal here is to entertain punters in pubs who are very merry and probably won't care about "tones" or being spot-on. Of course we'll learn the arrangement and try to match closely the solos and stuff like that, but I'm very much a plug-in-and-play guy and I think this lineup will be as well!