Best amp for my money?

Re: Best amp for my money?

Best amp for $ is the one that you really want. Don't settle for less than the tone in your head or you will constantly be searching for something better.

I prefer head/cab because combos are heavy. REALLY HEAVY.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

I prefer head and cabinet because they're two independent pieces. If you don't like one, you can change it. If you don't like the amp part of a combo, you've got to get rid of the whole thing.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

Head + cab.

Alchemist head = great tone!!! But it's a very powerful 40 watts. I love to play LOUD, but never get the chance to put the volume past 3. At 4 it will leave a hole the size of a basketball through your gut.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

I prefer head and cabinet because they're two independent pieces. If you don't like one, you can change it. If you don't like the amp part of a combo, you've got to get rid of the whole thing.

This is solid advice. If you know what you want and you find a combo that does it, great. If you're just figuring things out or simply like experimentation and variety, separates make a lot of sense. It's great to be able to swap heads and cabs around. You'll learn more about a head by playing it through different cabs, and vice verse. You have to be careful, though, not to skimp on either piece the first time out. Get a head and a cab that work well together and make some tones you know you like. Then go crazy if you want to.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

I am thinking something along the line of a jet city cab and a used bogner alchemist head. Thoughts?

Something like that could take you pretty far.
Leave some money for new speakers though, they're passable but not top-shelf in the JC.

My recommendation, unless you're playing giant gigs, get the best 2x12 you can get your hands on, if you were considering a 4x12. 412s are retarded to have to lug around, and aren't much louder than a comparable 212.

If you find a used alchemist 2x12 cab, those are pretty cool. They come with 2 speakers that I really, really like, the greenback and the g12H.

if you haven't already, check out avatarspeakers.com. They'll make you something that'll last and sound fantastic. Great prices too.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

The Alchemist has enough variations on it's tone, that if you can't find some sounds you like in there, I'd be amazed.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

The Alchemist has enough variations on it's tone, that if you can't find some sounds you like in there, I'd be amazed.

Yeh, me too.

It has wonderful cleans. The gain channel has way more than I ever need. I usually only run the gain on 6 with the bright switch on. My favorite is the crunch setting on the clean channel. This is really a great sound.

I run mine on the 40 watt setting because I like the harder attack. But the 20 watt setting has a really nice softness and sag to it that is very bluesy.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

Then I will shoot for buying a bogner alchemist 2x12 cab and a head. I am extremely grateful that you guys opened my eyes on what really is a good amp, and what my priorities should look like. The rock gods look with favor upon you, forum brothers! (i just had to say that, lol)
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

Less than $400? Buy a Line 6 Spider. Yes, it's digital. Yes, it's solid state. It sounds decent and noone in the audience is gonna be able to tell the difference.
 
Re: Best amp for my money?

get a tweaker. Thank me later. I don't care what you compare it to, that is one helluva amp.
I personally despise on board effects, so my choosing an amp always ends with a small tube amp that I keep cranked. Just get a mustang stack by fender and jam out. Plus the software
for pluggin in on your computer is damn cool. The stack will fit any gig. You've only been playing for a year so don't plunk down too much, as your taste may change. Save big gear for when you can easily afford it and have the chops to match.
 
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