Am I in need of a new amp?

[Svs696]

So I posted a thread 1-2 weeks ago about my Guitar Club situation. Problem solved, but I need to obtain a versatile tone that will allow me to play SRV, Heart Barracuda and Led Zeppelin's Rock and Roll. I'm also playing the lead to Wanted Dead or Alive and Don't Stop Believing. I was practicing yesterday and I knew that the Crunch channel on my little 15 watt Spider was not going to cut it. Any suggestions on the new amp? It's gotta be around $600, bedroom, practice and shows and I want to be able to play classic rock, blues, and some metal. (not the heavy HEAVY drop B tuning metal)

 

[lex666]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

Easy.

Vox VT 30

I have the 15 watt version. All of the amp models sound pretty good and you have the added bonus of presets, on board fx, and adding a footswitch.

 

[Mattr4president]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-JET-JCA2112RC-LIST

I've heard a lot of good things about these amps and I've been looking at this as a possible replacement to my peavey express. I'm no tube snob but here is a great buy and you'll grow into an amp like this. I wish they had amps this good at this price when i was your age (wow never thought i'd say that).


*edit* Also think about how much you can save for extra gear. you have $300 bucks to use for pedals, cases, etc. and if you wanna play a club throw a 1x12 ext cab under it. if i were your age i would go this way.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

I agree with the VT and Jet City. The VT will be more versatile but the Jet City you could play at clubs with if you ever felt the need.

I'll also throw out the Pro Junior as they are great little blues and classic rock amps. Not metal, you would need a pedal for that...

 

[tonefreak1527]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

For 600 get a use fender hot rod dlx

 

[sbecker67]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

For your age and needs the Vox Valvetronix is a good choice. I also have the 15 watt version and it's great for bedroom playing and also carries enough punch for when you get to together with friends. It's also fairly cheap.

The Hot Rod Deluxe is the better option given that it's a tube amp, has great cleans and will accomodate any pedal you put in front; but you will need pedals for your dirt. It's also a bit too loud for your typical bedroom volumes. Used they run around $400 which leaves a nice chunk left over for some good pedals.

For $600.00 there are a lot of options, new and used, in both tube and SS amps.

 

[Tom Huff]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

For $400 plus shipping you could have my Marshall JCM602 2x12 60 watt combo with clean and dirt channel. I'm pretty sure all your basses would be covered with that.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

Take my advice, don't just buy something for your bedroom if you plan on sticking with music and playing in bands down the road. Also 15-30 watt ss amps will not get heard over the drummer for rehearsal. Invest in the future. Get a used tube amp. I've seen Peavey XXX and 5150, Marshall JCMS, Marshall JTM60s, all in your price range. Do the right thing. Get An amp that you can use down the road. What's the point of spending $600 only to invest another $600 2 years later when your playing more shows and finding out your equipment is subpar.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

I would take that forum bro up on that amp.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

I agree with those that reccomend going beyond a bedroom/practice amp. Time to go tube.

 

[tonefreak1527]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

i would take that forum bro up on that amp.

+1

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

You can get a Valve King or any number of other 1x12 20-50 watt tube amps that fit your range well, and have enough power for the stage.

 

[cronnin]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

It's gotta be around $600, bedroom, practice and shows and I want to be able to play classic rock, blues, and some metal. (not the heavy HEAVY drop B tuning metal)

It's hard to fulfill all these requests, disregarding the price.

-maybe Vox Valvetronix VT30 is OK for you? http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-Valvetronix-VT30-30W-1x10-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=483552

-no bedroom levels and no metal but much better feel from tube amp :JetCity http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...CA2112RC-20W-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=583601

-a bit more gain from Peavey Valveking, but still no metal: Peavey Valveking 112 http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-ValveKing-112-Combo-Amp?sku=481442

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

If you are asking "do I need a new amp" you have already answered your question. YES!

Buy Tom's JCM 600.

 

[cronnin]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

Well, if it's not too loud for him it seems like an OK price.
But it would be a problem to get a good tone if he's living in apartment.

 

[Svs696]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

So VT30 for the bedroom and versatality (spelling error =p)
The Jet City for gigs and the "better tube feel"
And the Peavey Valveking for more power

Is the VT30 not enough for the stage? Most of our shows are going to take place in the commons and the main auditorium, take 5-7 average size classrooms and put them all together. A friend recommended the Valveking a while back, I played it at my local GC and I went "Bleh!"
Now I read that he VT30 comes with 2-3 12AX7s, does this contribute to the overall volume of the amp or do the tubes just make the tone 'better'?
Now for the Jet City, "much better tube feel" What do you mean by that? (this is addressed to cronnin)

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

That marshall 600 will do most of the sounds you are after with the exception of the SRV sound.
Thing is, for gigs its not really important to nail every tone like carbon copy. All you need is a clean, crunch and lead sounds. The rest is in your fingers.
However...that amp may be a bit excessive for beroom pracice. Ive been playin mashall amps for years and they generally sound pretty bad until you wind them up a bit.
You might also want to have a look at a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe....pretty much the "standard" tube amp these days. good sounding, versatile, cheap and easy to modify if you need it.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

If you want the VOX, just go for the larger VT 50 or VT100. There is one that has a 2x12 which will be loud, but all models have an output knob that will give you bedroom volume with driven amp tones. There is a newer VOX VT+ series just out too.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

Search for a used Bogner Alchemist combo. It's not much different than a $2300 Shiva. It can be dialed down for highgain bedroom leads, all the midgain tones, and the clean channel has an amazing amount of range.

Turn it up in a band situation, and you'll really hear some beautiful tone.

 

[Tom Huff]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

I would take that forum bro up on that amp.

+1

If you are asking "do I need a new amp" you have already answered your question. YES!

Buy Tom's JCM 600.

That marshall 600 will do most of the sounds you are after with the exception of the SRV sound.
Thing is, for gigs its not really important to nail every tone like carbon copy. All you need is a clean, crunch and lead sounds. The rest is in your fingers.
However...that amp may be a bit excessive for beroom pracice. Ive been playin mashall amps for years and they generally sound pretty bad until you wind them up a bit.
You might also want to have a look at a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe....pretty much the "standard" tube amp these days. good sounding, versatile, cheap and easy to modify if you need it.

I agree with everything these guys are saying. :approve: :lmao:

I would add that because this model is master volume you can get decent tone for bedroom practice. You're going to find yourself wanting to crank it when you can though. It gets pretty glorious.