Best Amp For Jams

[OlinMusic]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

I have thought of going back to a Blues Junior
I played the HRD for too many years, don't wanna go back - unless it's a modded one.

The Celtics are intriguing. I do like the Marshalls, but they break up too soon. I think a channel switcher might be smarter.

Now, MARK SERIES MESAS? Are you Crazy? Those things WEIGH A TON! OUCH!
How about the DC-5? It's light, no? I liked the studio 22, but the tone didn't wow me over a Blues Junior.

Hmm My Friend's Crate V32 sounded pretty nice. That might be a good ticket for the price.

 

[Stratman]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Celtic Franklin

I said that about 4 months ago.

Excellent amp for bar gigging.


PS: This is not a shameless plug, I have not connection with Celtic Amplifiers, except for owning an Edana and having played a Franklin.

I'm sure that Jeremy and Evans agrees with this assessment

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

I like my 40 watt wine red Traynor for jams . . . it's pretty portable, and definately loud enough

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

The Celtics are intriguing. I do like the Marshalls, but they break up too soon..

Just for the record, think Matchless Lightning when you think Celtic Franklin. Not much Marshall in there.

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Easy, all of your reasons you just listed are *exactly* why I bought a Fender Blues Jr. It's everything you said. Small, 1x12, portable, light, just disconnect the speaker if you wanna hook it to a cab, great sounding and flexible (I used mine for jazz band!) ...it's everything you need and you can snag a used one for a miraculously low price.

Agreed. +1,000,000

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

I like my 40 watt wine red Traynor for jams . . . it's pretty portable, and definately loud enough

For an affordable 1-12 combo, the Traynor would be a good choice.
For a primary 1-12 that cost the bucks.....Bogner Shiva 1-12 EL-34 Reverb.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Lots of good choices really. I'm partial to Marshall of course...

But I think a Rivera Chubster fits the bill for versatility (I hate peds for the most part so no fender amps + a marshall like pedal for me).. the Chubster is plenty Marshall enough..Plenty fender enough all in one small fairly portable /not terribly heavy package...Tweed to blackface to Plexi to modded 800 type tones. And it's not terribly expensive.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

For an affordable 1-12 combo, the Traynor would be a good choice.
For a primary 1-12 that cost the bucks.....Bogner Shiva 1-12 EL-34 Reverb.

THe thing about jams...

...last one I was at I watched a guy knock over a beer onto a Crate Vintage Club 30 that the owner thought had been packed up and stashed out of the way.

Lierally, an entire pint glass of fluid drained off of the countertop and into the top of this amp.

The owner was across the room and by the time he got back over to his amp the guy was walking away. By the time I could point him out to the owner the guy was out the door.

I have to believe that anything I would take to a jam I'd be willing to subject to that sort of treatment. The Blues Jr's at a whopping $400 for a used one, modded, re-tubed and with a new speaker hurts SO much less than something like a Shiva.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Deluxe Reverb! Best small club amp ever! Beautiful cleans and they take pedals well.

 

[esandes]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

nothing more than a 2x12 cabinet w/ a head or a 1x12 or 2x12 combo.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

The Blues Jr's at a whopping $400 for a used one, modded, re-tubed and with a new speaker hurts SO much less than something like a Shiva.

Speaking of "Shiva" and "hurt", it's not the most spine-friendly amp on the face of the planet. :alcoholic

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Yeah, I have been thinking Fender Deluxe Reverb RI, but I know I would end up changing speakers etc etc. The Mesa Subways intrigue me, but I was never totally set on the tone. It IS warmer than the Blues Jr and VERY light - pretty looking too. If I did a blues Jr it would be the Relic Tweed again.

I have a Shiva 2x12, and it's heavy. Frankly the shape of the 1x12, makes it like lifting a rock. For some reason I have an easier time lifting my 2x12 than I did the Shiva 1x12 or the Mesa mark 2b that I had - so those amps are NOT what I had in mind. the have great tone and volume but the can be hell to move.

In LA there are situations where you have parking troubles, or places wih stairs - so lightweight and portable is an issue. I always have one of those luggage dolly's, but stairs are another story.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Engl Screamer 50 with a Z-5 footswitch. Lots of tones, everything footswitchable, not too big, heavy and loud and not ultra expensive.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Here's my real answer. Use anything you want. Just have a friend/roadie who's smart enough to take care of your gear, but dumb enough to move it for free!
hahahaha

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Yeah, I have been thinking Fender Deluxe Reverb RI, but I know I would end up changing speakers etc etc. The Mesa Subways intrigue me, but I was never totally set on the tone. It IS warmer than the Blues Jr and VERY light - pretty looking too. If I did a blues Jr it would be the Relic Tweed again.

My only argument against the DRRI is that it is a larger amp physically.

I was dead-set on getting tweed until a regular one dropped into my lap for stupid money and then it ceased to matter much to me.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Traynor has me intrigued because I love the YBA's.

Hmmm Celtic, interesting.

Isn't the ENGL physically heavy?

I like the Chubster for jams, not a bad idea at that! I would never use it as my main amp, not that I could see. Riveras take on Marshall is somewhat Fender-y, just as Bogners take on Fender is somewhat Marshall-y.

Here's my real answer. Use anything you want. Just have a friend/roadie who's smart enough to take care of your gear, but dumb enough to move it for free!
hahahaha

I think this is the definitive answer.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

So you want to run in, set up quick and start jamming... perhaps you just wanna show up to an open mic and play a little electric at the cafe - which amp do you bring? MOST LIKELY a combo. 1x12? Something light, toneful, tasty, with enough volume. Perhaps a speaker out so you can use a cab if it's there???? hmmmmmm Without breaking the bank I would hope. Ideas?

Hmm. Honestly, with my ME-50, it would be the lowest wattage Roland Keyboard Amp because mine simulates an amp on the Line Out / Headphones jack. I've tried it before and it honestly sounded great.

But if it was for ultra-portability, one of those all-tube little Vox's or even one of the Gibson gold amps (albeit they're too expensive) would work.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Best Amp For Jams

Hmmm Celtic, interesting.

One thing for sure. You'd be only one of two guys in CA with one! Image, man, image! Very elite company, you and Mr. Skopp!


Haha! <Sales mode=OFF>