British or American

JohnnyGuitar

JohnnyGuitar

New member
Inspired by the (amazing) British tone tribute page...
And I know that dividing amps into those two groups is problematic... because Voxes don't sound like Marshalls, and Bassmans don't sound like a Twin Reverb...

But... only for fun:

What do you like better? Is there a dilemma between the two types for you? or do you think that choosing between the two types is not really that essential for getting the tone that you are after?
Of course there is the cool option of a Twin Reverb and a Vox AC30 (or any other combination) in stereo...

So please, give me your thoghts on the subject...
 
Re: British or American

Right down to it!
I like British tones better than American, except for Tweeds and Fuchs and alike amps.
I love the cleans of my British amps, and they take my pedals well.
 
Re: British or American

I'm a British amp guy. Always have been. I just prefer that tone. I do like a good Tweed though but when it comes down to first choice, British all the way.

Now, I do like amps that have a mix of both. The Mission Aurora is a great example of this. It's a Vox, Fender, Marshall, Matchless in one amp. There's a little bit from each of them in it and the sound is very sweet. I still want one.
 
Re: British or American

My overdrive/distortion tones are all about the early "Plexi" Marshall type tones,but I Like more gain and more lows and with an articulate tone...

My clean tones are based around the Fender BF amps....Think Eric Johnson's clean tones and that's what I Like in my clean tones..

I Like a Vox AC 30 tone in that it grinds in a nice smooth way,but the clean tones are lush and nice also..This is the 1 amp that I feel does both tones very well.
 
Re: British or American

STRATDELUXER97 said:
I Like a Vox AC 30 tone in that it grinds in a nice smooth way,but the clean tones are lush and nice also..This is the 1 amp that I feel does both tones very well.
Click to expand...
Big +1. I'd put the AC15 in that category too. The cleans are just beautiful and it overdrives wonderfully. Through a nice OD out front and it's just mean. That is one of the models that Vox nailed to a "T" in the Valvetronix amps, and they better have since it's their own amp to begin with. :13:
 
Re: British or American

ErikH said:
Big +1. I'd put the AC15 in that category too. The cleans are just beautiful and it overdrives wonderfully. Through a nice OD out front and it's just mean. That is one of the models that Vox nailed to a "T" in the Valvetronix amps, and they better have since it's their own amp to begin with. :13:
Click to expand...

One of the reasons the Valvetronix head works so great in my case is that it does a pretty decent job of nailing "all" the tones our band needs....It's not perfect,but it does work!

I use a Vox,early Marshall,and the BF Fender clean presets...Alot of times I just use the BF preset and then use my Plexitone,Jackhammer,etc..to get the early Marshall overdriven/distortion tones...
 
Re: British or American

I like amps with built in Fender spring reverb so I kind of prefer Fender Blackface Amps like the Deluxe Reverb or Vibrolux Reverb but modded like the tone stack in a '59 Bassman, which is the model Marshall used to create the "British" tone of a plexi Marshall.

In other words, I change the stock Fender tone caps (.1 and .047mfd) to a pair of .02 caps for the bass and midrange.

All of my blackface Fenders have been modded like that.

Also, I love built in spring reverb and my favorite British amps (Vox AC-30 and Marshall 1987 50 watter) don't offer that since they're based on the '59 Bassman.

But my Matchless Chieftan does! It has built in reverb, uses EL-34 output tubes and it's the perfect combination of British and American tone. My Chieftan is my favorite unmodded amp that I've ever owned.

I could sell every amp I own except for my DR's and Chieftan and be totally satisfied with my tone.
 
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Re: British or American

Lewguitar said:
I could sell every amp I own except for my DR's and Chieftan and be totally satisfied with my tone.
Click to expand...

Until you give Bruce another idea (or he comes up with a new idea). :D :laugh2:
 
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Re: British or American

STRATDELUXER97 said:
One of the reasons the Valvetronix head works so great in my case is that it does a pretty decent job of nailing "all" the tones our band needs....It's not perfect,but it does work!
Click to expand...
Same with me. Although mine is the model with less than yours has, the "silver" series, the models is does have are the same as what are in what you have. I like that part about it.

STRATDELUXER97 said:
I use a Vox,early Marshall,and the BF Fender clean presets...Alot of times I just use the BF preset and then use my Plexitone,Jackhammer,etc..to get the early Marshall overdriven/distortion tones...
Click to expand...
I use the AC15 on one preset, both for clean and light dirty work. For the cleans I roll back the volume on the guitar. I've always done that and can't get away from it. On the second preset I have the UK 80's (2203) for heavier stuff and on the lead I'll either have the US High Gain (Soldano) or the UK 80's with the volume up a bit louder as a boost channel for leads. I'll use my DIY booster to push it more if I need to.
 
Re: British or American

I like Vox and Marshall. BF Fenders are cool with me too, but if I could only own two amps, It'd be down to an AC30 and a JTM45.
 
Re: British or American

ErikH said:
Until you give Bruce another idea (or he comes up with a new idea). :D :laugh2:
Click to expand...

I'm still waiting on my Mission Aurora! :smack: I'm always the last in line... :laugh2: I want one with EL-84's and blackface Fender reverb. Sort of like my Matchless SC-30 but with reverb like my Chieftan.

Lew
 
Re: British or American

STRATDELUXER97 said:
How are ya my buddy Lew?
Click to expand...

I'm doing well John! Life is good. Good to see you around here again!

Getting ready to record a CD with my songwriting partner Sherrie Scott...best vocalist I've ever worked with.

Lew
 
Re: British or American

Lewguitar said:
I'm still waiting on my Mission Aurora! :smack: I'm always the last in line... :laugh2: I want one with EL-84's and blackface Fender reverb. Sort of like my Matchless SC-30 but with reverb like my Chieftan.

Lew
Click to expand...

Still waiting? Wow. Well, since you've got a couple of different specs requested, that and the fact you're his brother. That explains it. :laugh2: I wish I could've gotten one sooner. When the Marshall power tranny went I needed a quick fix. Thing is, that quick fix is working out better than I expected.
 
Re: British or American

Ya'll know which side I lean to. British all the way. I'm very glad Fender made those early innovations and I'm equally glad that the Brits did their own take off of that platform. If not for that, electric guitar wouldn't be nearly as cool as it is.

If forced to only own two amps, the AC-30 and Edana would be my desert island amps.
 
Re: British or American

I love all of the English distortions and that great almost broken up kind of clean sound that they do so well, but the sparkle and chime of Fender amps is my favourite sound.
 
Re: British or American

i love my american tones. tweeds, browns and blacks.
i havent owned a marshall for a year or two and i dont miss it
 
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