Battle of the Solid States

[jon the art guy]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

Got back from playing a Mustang 4 at GC and was surpeised at the ability to decimate the signal by setting it to the Orange amp sim and the BMP stompbox. Master on 2 and was feeling it.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

If you can score a late-90s Fender Princeton 65 with the witch-hat knobs, that'll give you a decent sound; works for me.

Swap the factory speaker for something better (I scored a Celestion), and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

Forgot about those Frontman and Princeton amps from Fender. Also the R.A.D. amp.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

I can remember when Russia was a solid state.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

Anyway, it's all about your settings and playing man. After two decades of tube amp and spine torture I started using solid state AMT preamps with a pocket sized Magnum power amp around 2010 and I'm really happy with it.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

werd Necro - learn how to PLAY the AMP!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

Anyway, it's all about your settings and playing man. After two decades of tube amp and spine torture I started using solid state AMT preamps with a pocket sized Magnum power amp around 2010 and I'm really happy with it.

were you the one that went into a studio and did the marshall/AMT test and ended up going with the AMT setup? I need to find that thread again, that was a cool read.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

I swear by my Marshall Valvestate AVT150 combo. Replaced the tube almost a year ago as the original ECC83 burned out, can't stop playing it. It always has sounded so good, to me anyways.

I'm going to second the AVT. Anything pre-chinese made. Not just because of where its made, but they did make changes and I find AVT2000 and before are better sounding, and more reliable. Still have my AVT20 combo for at home. Used to use a 150h WAY back in the day before I discovered the power of the tube, but for SS/ hybrid it did a fine job for being heard.

As much as I like the mustang for at home use due to its extreme flexibility, I've jammed with a Mustang V at my friends house on multiple occasions, does not seem to like the band setting.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

Randall for SS....love my T2HL.

 

[Diego]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

Roland Cube 60. The speaker is meh but it rocks with an extension cabinet. Or, I imagine, with a speaker swap.

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

I really do not know too much about SS Amps.....but I have always thought the Tech 21 were a pretty good sounding product.
good luck

OR perhaps the new Roland Blues Cube in 80 or 60 watt...pricey, but the demos sound great!

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

If you can score a late-90s Fender Princeton 65 with the witch-hat knobs, that'll give you a decent sound; works for me.

Swap the factory speaker for something better (I scored a Celestion), and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

AMAZING cleans!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

I used to have a Ross 80 watt SS combo with a single 12" that was VERY loud for it's size. I miss that amp.

 

[Drewsky7170]

I used to use a few different Marshall 2nd-gen Valvestate amps as my main rigs. I had a VS100R head and a VS265R combo at one point. They can be made to sound pretty decent if you dial them in carefully.

I must agree with you, B2D. I have an AVT150 combo that sounds absolutely INCREDIBLE! As with any amp, salt and pepper to taste. I have the presence turned back to around 5ish, depending on if I'm using my Tele or Les Paul. Can't stop raving about it. I've also used the all solid state MG100DFX at one point and that was very comparable to my AVT. Do some research with your ears and hands, and you'll definitely find something you'll like.

EDIT: Oops, I forgot I replied earlier. My bad.

 

[Securb]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

Randall for SS....love my T2HL.

Love my Randall Commander IV. I also have a Fender M80 Pro that is 80's metal heaven with great spring reverb.

 

[R_Adkins80]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

I ran a Supreme 160 head into two 4x12 cabs for YEARS. It is just a Bandit in head form with double the wattage. I used an eq and a gate in the loop. Covered all my needs for the heavies!

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

I sold a Bandit 112S to ranger1bn75inf several years ago. Sometimes I wish I had kept it. That amp was a tone beast.

It weighed too much, though. I used the money to help fund the purchase of the Celtic Franklin.

i vote Bandit.

 

[trevorus]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

The Sunn Beta wins all.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

If you can score a late-90s Fender Princeton 65 with the witch-hat knobs, that'll give you a decent sound; works for me.

Swap the factory speaker for something better (I scored a Celestion), and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Forgot about those Frontman and Princeton amps from Fender. Also the R.A.D. amp.

AMAZING cleans!

The cleans are very sparkly, and my Princeton 65 is a loud beast.
I dimed it once, in a big hard-surface ballroom full of half stacks, bass amps, PA columns and mic'ed drum kits.
It cut through the echoing mush, and told everyone I was in da house! The OD channel is no joke.
I've beat it all to hell, and it just looks at me and says, "what else ya got"?

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: Battle of the Solid States

I swear I responded to this thread... Anyway. I bought a Mustang II because it sounded good jamming with some buddies of mine. It gets loud, but it sounded really flat when I used it with a band (my old blues band wasn't very loud). I also bought a Tech 21 Power Engine thinking it also sounded good on Sweetwater's demos. Again, used it with a different, much louder band, couldn't cut through the mix as loud as it can get. Finally, I bought a used USA made Peavey Bandit II 112 Transtube Red Stripe series. That amp (rated at 80 watts), does sound good with a band, does stay loud, and can keep up with other tube amp guitarists. For the money ($100!), the used Bandit is the BEST solid state amp you can get for playing with a band. With its features being effects loop, preamp in/out, foot switchable, USA made Accutronics full size Reverb, five different amp settings (vintage/modern clean, and three gain channel types), this amp really can do it all while giving you great tones at high volumes.