Amp head solely for clean?

J

juliusxxrock

New member
Heya

I'm looking to buy an amp that I want to use solely for clean tones.
I own a JCM 800 2204 and I'm thinking about buying an amp switcher and switch between my JCM and a clean head.

I play a lot of punk rock but I need the clean to add some versatility to my music. I need a clean tone that works with both ska/reggae and just some nice strumming. I won't go with the solution to play in the low input and use pedals for distortion, because come on, Marshall didn't become giants because of their clean tone :)

Ignore budget for now, but I'm not looking to spend a lot on this head, since it doesn't have to be fancy at all.

Any ideas?
Rock on
 
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Re: Amp head solely for clean?

Anything by Fender or if price really isn't an issue a Ceriatone Steel String Slinger 100watt head.
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

This may seem funny, but on a 'budget' (kinda) . . . i really like the WARM full sounding clean tones of the Bugera 1960.

SERIOUSLY !

No Joke !
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

I'm not exactly an amp guru, so I don't know much about brands and what they're generally good for, except Marshall - crunch/dirty, fender - clean etc.
I watched a video with the bugera 1960 infinitum, and it had some sweet cleans. It has a good price too!

What good budget fender amps, preferably heads, are there?
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

That hot rod is probably out of my price range, since I'd have to buy an amp switcher that works with 1 cab too (tonebone radial bonehead). My budget would probably be around the bugera 1960 infinitum, preferably lower (new or used, doesn't matter :D)

Remember, it doesn't have to be a super duper clean since my band only plays 2 songs so far that requires a better clean. Basically all it has to be is clean at louder volumes, have some punch to it and headroom is always nice.
I'm totally new to cleans since I've never felt like I needed it, but now, all of a sudden, I do, so please bare with me xD

EDIT: I'm playing through a 2x12 V30's cab btw if it helps
 
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Re: Amp head solely for clean?

Roland JC. Good enough for Bradley of Sublime.

off u see did MRSAge, I m on tapa talk and auto correct is hating on me
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

Why not use a clean tube preamp and the effects return of the Marshall? Then all you need is a simpler loop switcher and one cabinet, same power section.
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

frankfalbo said:
Why not use a clean tube preamp and the effects return of the Marshall? Then all you need is a simpler loop switcher and one cabinet, same power section.
Click to expand...

An original 2204 wouldn't have a loop. If the amp is a ceriatone, or some other build, this would be a good option. And depending on how advanced of a switcher you went with, you may also be able to remotely switch all of your pedals too.
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

Wouldn't hurt to look at a Sunn of some sort. They're renown for their powah, and with power comes a lot of clean headroom. Sceptres are a tooled Fender circuit and can be found pretty cheap. 50 watts. Model Ts will be hard to acquire.

Peavey Chorus? Music Man amps? The Roland JC120/75/60?

Tube isn't necessarily your friend on this one. If you want glisteningly clean cleans a solid state, non digital amp is going to get you right there.
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

SirJackdeFuzz said:
This may seem funny, but on a 'budget' (kinda) . . . i really like the WARM full sounding clean tones of the Bugera 1960.

SERIOUSLY !

No Joke !
Click to expand...
Believe it or not, the B52 AT100 also has amazing clean tones and are usually pretty cheap. I have the 2x12 combo and I would have given it away if it were not for the clean channel.
 
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Re: Amp head solely for clean?

juliusxxrock said:
I'm not exactly an amp guru, so I don't know much about brands and what they're generally good for, except Marshall - crunch/dirty, fender - clean etc.
I watched a video with the bugera 1960 infinitum, and it had some sweet cleans. It has a good price too!

What good budget fender amps, preferably heads, are there?
Click to expand...


NOT a head, but a used Hot Rod Deluxe/DeVille is still a GREAT buy . . . imho !
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

juliusxxrock said:
That hot rod is probably out of my price range, since I'd have to buy an amp switcher that works with 1 cab too (tonebone radial bonehead). My budget would probably be around the bugera 1960 infinitum, preferably lower (new or used, doesn't matter :D)

Remember, it doesn't have to be a super duper clean since my band only plays 2 songs so far that requires a better clean. Basically all it has to be is clean at louder volumes, have some punch to it and headroom is always nice.
I'm totally new to cleans since I've never felt like I needed it, but now, all of a sudden, I do, so please bare with me xD

EDIT: I'm playing through a 2x12 V30's cab btw if it helps
Click to expand...


Look at the used Bugera 1960's.

The Infinitm is little more.

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=bugera+1960+amp - $420.00 USD

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bugera-1960...719?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258e9e1907 - $285.00 BIN



Like i said, the 'regular' 1960 is usually cheaper than the Infinitum.
And at 150Watts, you know it has HEADroom !
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

The bugera seems like a good choice, since I don't really demand a superb clean tone.
I live in Sweden, so finding "odd" amps used is not always that common, that being said if I don't look at the international market.

Would the bugera be safe to buy without trying it, I mean safe as in it's not likely to fail to meet up with my requirements?

Anything decent will have to do until I get my fender head >:)

:)
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

Well for 3 songs you might be better off plugging into the low input for those two songs. But if you feel you have to have a clean head really consider a Dual Showman reverb. It is essentially a twin in a head. 80 watts clean as he'll and very very loud. You can probably get a silver face ( look for a non master volume model) for about 500. These are absolutely wonderful heads but are very loud and that's why they are so cheap most people can't use them due to the volume they put out
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

You could get a used Music Man 100, or an HD-130 or 150 for not much money at all, and then you wouldn't need a Fender, especially if you're only after clean tones. Music Man was Leo's company after he sold Fender to CBS. Really, GOOD cleans, and they sit in a mix very well. Loud, too.
 
Re: Amp head solely for clean?

A Roland JC-120 head with a Radial Headbone TS will enable you to switch between the JCM800 through the same cab. No need to cart an extra combo amp or cabinet around. That's about as loud and clean as you can get without having to lug a heap of extra weight around. Two authentic classic '80s sounds polar opposite to each other at the click of a footswitch.

If you can track one down, JC-120s heads can be picked up for relatively cheap. The Headbone switchers get a bit pricey though.
 
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