Amplifier Musings

stevie_bees

stevie_bees

Cat In The Hatministrator
There's not an awful lot of point behind this thread other than getting my current thoughts written down really.

I'm not entirely sure what to do about my current amplifier situation. I have a Marshall JTM45 Reissue and a '90's 1936 cabinet which I've fitted with a G12M/G12H speaker pairing. I love the amp and I'm really happy with the tones I get from it and from my current pedalboard setup.

The problem I have is that I now work in Gibraltar, and my family will be moving out here in a couple of months time. Space out here is at a premium so my amp rig might not be ideal, both for gigging/rehearsing or for storing at home.

So what to do?

I could pay to get the amp out here, but as I said it might not be the most practical idea. So maybe I could get a smaller combo for use out here? Do I sell the JTM45 and get something nicely valvey as a replacement? Or do I put the JTM45 in storage in the UK and get a cheaper 'modelling' amp to get me by out here? I would be restricted by my finances if I don't sell the Marshall.

I am rehearsing with a band so there are potential gig opportunities on the horizon with most of them being in fairly small pubs/clubs. However, during the summer there can be opportunities to play larger outdoor gigs too. My pedalboard is already out here so I wouldn't need a 'bells & whistles' amp, just a solid, toneful, single-channel combo.

Decisions, decisions...
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

First of all, I'd say store the beast. There's going to be a day sooner or later where you say "I should have saved it". Maybe sell the cab though? Just keep the head and refit it with a cab when you can get some wiggle room again.

Maybe find a Valvestate combo, or maybe a Blackstar/Vox/etc lunchbox style amp? Orange is always awesome but if you need an effects loop you'll have to get a Dark terror or a Jim Root edition, and those are pretty gainy.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

jon the art guy said:
Maybe find a Valvestate combo, or maybe a Blackstar/Vox/etc lunchbox style amp? Orange is always awesome but if you need an effects loop you'll have to get a Dark terror or a Jim Root edition, and those are pretty gainy.
Click to expand...

The OR15 would be a little more of a classic rock sound, and that has a loop too.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I don't have a loop on the Marshall, so I put all of my FX in the front end so I'm not worried about having an FX loop.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

make sure you know what your requirements are for:

rehearsals = i.e. are you using in-ear monitors? small room? you may just need an amp stand or to "turn down"

gigs = how big is the stage = maybe cant even fit the amp on it. small pub so maybe a 112 combo is all that is needed
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

The room we've been using has equipment in it. But I'm using an old solid state Peavey for rehearsal, but it sounds ok when I run my pedalboard into it. A decent combo would be good. There may be opportunity for some bigger outdoor gigs so I'd like something compact but that can still project on a larger stage.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

For someone used to a JTM45, but looking for something more controllable, the Orange OR15 or any of the Bad Cat Cougar series amps would fit the bill. I'd still keep the JTM45 head though, because it's a keeper.

Another option is to bring your JTM45 halfstack, but replace one of your drive pedals with a true preamp pedal like the Bogner XTC Blue. It'll give you any shade of gain out of a cleanish Marshall. Even turned down, you'll have a cranked sound.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I've got a Blackstar HT-Dual pedal on my board that effectively gives me an extra 2 channels with the JTM45. Really I could just do with a more conveniently-sized, good value JTM45 in a combo.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I used to be eyeing on ebay marshall jcm800 vertical input combo 112 amps for around $900

you can buy a Marshall closed back extension 112 cab for em too!

legendary tone right there
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I'd get a 212 cab and tell everyone else in the family to keep the fu@k away from it. You compromised on a smaller cab. They can compromise by keeping their Dorito shoots shut.

(I'm totally almost kidding. Maybe.)
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

Whatever you do, don't get rid of the head! It's very hard to find an amp that satisfies your tonal obsession. It sounds like you've got it. Don't let it go.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I'd be looking at a Laney VC30 or a Peavey classic 30. They both have good clean channels and would work well with your HT Dual.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I'd build (or get one built) a cabinet to house the JTM chasis and a pair of Celestion 10" Greenbacks in a combo configuration. I'd make the cab as small as possible with a mostly-open back. The 10" GBs are light and they sound great, I have a pair.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I've been looking at the 2x10 version of the VC30, and I've also thought about maybe getting a kit to build myself.
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

amp heads are pretty small, just stack it sideways in a corner and put some coffee coasters on it :)

I hoard gear in the smallest and cheapest of apartments and just pile my speaker farm up high, not that many earthquakes in Tejas
 
Re: Amplifier Musings

I thought about the Orange too, but a good bit beyond my budget. If I go the small combo route I'll be looking for something that can give a nice 'on the edge' of breakup tone that I can goose with my pedals and responds to my guitar's volume.
 
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