Am I in need of a new amp?

[Lake Placid Blues]

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.
.....

You can probably get passable club gig SRV by goosing the clean ch with a tube screamer.

 

[Stef]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

Vox ac15 blue alnico

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

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)

For what you need, a 50 watt Vox Valvetronix should do the trick and keep you well within your budget.

Yeah, a full-on tube amp would be nice, but in the meantime the Vox can get you pretty damn close. It also allows you to sort of try out different amp styles (based in the amp models) so that you can determine what you like.

For the here-and-now, I'd go with this:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vox-Valvetronix-VT50-50W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-105186217-i1444499.gc

Then you still have about $200 left to put towards any other guitar-related gear you might want

 

[marvar]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

If I had the 400 I'd buy that JCM602-
I have one already, and wouldn't mind having a second one.
If you do get it, you will probably want to change the speakers, unless that has already been done.

 

[cronnin]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

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.

I don't think VT30 will do that.

I was considering general idea where you would be miced , using your amp as a monitor.
It's always better to have your sound coming from three sides, it's more consistent and homogenus throughout the area music spreads.
If you're using just your amp, it may be better to have 50W of solid state power.

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'?

Vox Valvetronix have SS power amp, small tubes are there just to enhance dynamics and have different frequency response.
Those are not power amp tubes in there, and they don't give you more volume.
I am not even sure there are actually 2 tubes, but it's of no importance.

Now for the Jet City, "much better tube feel" What do you mean by that? (this is addressed to cronnin)

Maybe I didn't make myslef clear when I said: "but much better feel from tube amp". Someone may have understood that different -like JetCity is trying to replicate the feel of a tube amp. But NO.
I meant that one generally has much better feel with tube amps. They are more responsive, have livelier sound, and have more volume dynamics.

And JetCity JCA2112 IS a full-tube amp. This amp has a three preamp tubes which are used to colour the clean tones and give you pure tube distortion on your crunch channel. Then you have two big tubes in power amp stage, that actually make your sound. In the end "all Jet City combos include real, tube-driven spring reverb"!

When I think better, go with JetCity. It's a steal for $300.
No metal sounds from it, but it's much better deal.
Other option Vox VT50. That's my opinion about new amps.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

If you have to ask the question, then you've already answered it.

You need a new amp.

The Vox VT series amps are good, with lots of variety. The power control lets you take the VT100 (100 watts when you need the power for performing) down to as low as 1 watt for the bedroom in an apartment at 3:00 am with your windows open and fussy neighbors.

I've got one if you are interested. Essentially brand new, never gigged. Played less than a dozen times in my bedroom only. I've got 4 other amps that I use, don't need this one. PM me if interested.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

The best part about the Vox VTs is that the 12AX7 is used in an actual power circuit that is then fed into a dummy speaker load, and shipped out to the SS amplifier. So in essence, you get the response of a full tube amp, without having to cook 2 or 4 power tubes.

I still say that a real tube amp will sound better and feel better to play. Lots of folks like to slam the Valve King cause it's a Peavey, but it is more than capable of doing the styles you listed.

 

[Ball&Chain]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

600 bucks will get you quite alot and will definitely get you more than a 30 watt valvtronix.

Tube $599
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Blackstar-Venue-Series-HT-Studio-20-20W-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=423766

Modeling $499
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-Valvetronix-VT100-100W-2x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=424009

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Am I in need of a new amp?

If I had my heart set on spending 600 bucks, there's no doubt in my mind I'd own one of these. Then I'd wait a couple minutes and buy a set of EL34's for it. Then I'd buy a new pair of pants, because I'd have just ruined the ones I had on.

By the way, I recommend going the route of buying a 2x12 cabinet and a head. You'll probably get tired of the head, and you may even get tired of the speakers, but you probably won't get tired of the cabinet. At least that's been my experience. I kind of wish I had never bought my first two combo amps.