Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
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Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
To be honest, I dunno if I could even bring myself to spend £3000 on an amp. It was hard enough handing over £825 for my Gibson LP, and that's something I've wanted my entire guitar playing life!
My Orange AD30 (£360), Marshall JCM800 Split Channel (£220) and Marshall JTM60 (£175 + an Epi V) cover all the bases I need at the moment, so I have no need or desire to spend anywhere near £3000 for a 'Boo-Teek' amp. Unless someone else is paying ofcourse
To be honest, I dunno if I could even bring myself to spend £3000 on an amp. It was hard enough handing over £825 for my Gibson LP, and that's something I've wanted my entire guitar playing life!
My Orange AD30 (£360), Marshall JCM800 Split Channel (£220) and Marshall JTM60 (£175 + an Epi V) cover all the bases I need at the moment, so I have no need or desire to spend anywhere near £3000 for a 'Boo-Teek' amp. Unless someone else is paying ofcourse
Nightburst
New member
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
Funny how most people are justifying their own less than $3000 gear in this thread.
Fact is a lot of amps do sound great while costing nowhere near 3000. Boutique amps just have that certain mojo and inspiring tone that raises the bar once you own one. Not to mention the vast array of features that 'standard' amps don't have. *edit* Boutique amps aren't for everyone of course!
On a sidenote, I bet the majority of people who voted 'no' are married
Funny how most people are justifying their own less than $3000 gear in this thread
.Fact is a lot of amps do sound great while costing nowhere near 3000. Boutique amps just have that certain mojo and inspiring tone that raises the bar once you own one. Not to mention the vast array of features that 'standard' amps don't have. *edit* Boutique amps aren't for everyone of course!
On a sidenote, I bet the majority of people who voted 'no' are married
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Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
I believe there are a bunch of really good amps for under 3k. With that said I own a DC-30 and a Hot Cat both of which cost little over 3k.
Now let me tell you I've had a bunch of amps and a few minutes ago was playing in my living room through an Ampeg Reverberocket and a silverface champ run in stereo. I love both of these amps and they are both reasonably cheap. I also love Hellhounds and Blues Jr.'s as well.
I spent the money mostly because the DC-30 sounded awesome and was built like a tank. I absolutely did not have to worry about it crapping out on me in the middle of a gig. I thought hard about getting an AC-30 but it just seemed like the VOX's weren't reliable.
Until recently I ran my Reverberocket in stereo with my DC-30. (the reverberocket would mostly be run clean or slightly overdriven with some delay and possibly chorus thrown in. I would mix it's level with the DC-30 with a volume pedal until I would get just the right amount of sparkle.) Trouble is my Reverberocket started having some reliability problems. It's been to the shop several times and kept crapping out. Finally I found another tech that was able to fix it. However, I decided I would like to have another quality point to point amp so I could just keep the Reverberocket at home. I wanted an EL34 amp like my Reverberocket. I ended up buying a Hot Cat and my tone has never been better. Now I'm able to get even more tones as the Hot Cat can out Marshall a Marshall. lol In fact, I think it's really cool to run my Hot Cat dirty and my DC-30 clean!
Anyway, a boutique amp isn't for everyone and there are great alternatives for under a grand. However, boutique amps can benefit a lot of players and can be worth every penny.
With all that said I have become very interested in the Celtic amps that I've read about here, especially their take on the Matchless.
eric
I believe there are a bunch of really good amps for under 3k. With that said I own a DC-30 and a Hot Cat both of which cost little over 3k.
Now let me tell you I've had a bunch of amps and a few minutes ago was playing in my living room through an Ampeg Reverberocket and a silverface champ run in stereo. I love both of these amps and they are both reasonably cheap. I also love Hellhounds and Blues Jr.'s as well.
I spent the money mostly because the DC-30 sounded awesome and was built like a tank. I absolutely did not have to worry about it crapping out on me in the middle of a gig. I thought hard about getting an AC-30 but it just seemed like the VOX's weren't reliable.
Until recently I ran my Reverberocket in stereo with my DC-30. (the reverberocket would mostly be run clean or slightly overdriven with some delay and possibly chorus thrown in. I would mix it's level with the DC-30 with a volume pedal until I would get just the right amount of sparkle.) Trouble is my Reverberocket started having some reliability problems. It's been to the shop several times and kept crapping out. Finally I found another tech that was able to fix it. However, I decided I would like to have another quality point to point amp so I could just keep the Reverberocket at home. I wanted an EL34 amp like my Reverberocket. I ended up buying a Hot Cat and my tone has never been better. Now I'm able to get even more tones as the Hot Cat can out Marshall a Marshall. lol In fact, I think it's really cool to run my Hot Cat dirty and my DC-30 clean!
Anyway, a boutique amp isn't for everyone and there are great alternatives for under a grand. However, boutique amps can benefit a lot of players and can be worth every penny.
With all that said I have become very interested in the Celtic amps that I've read about here, especially their take on the Matchless.
eric
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
Here's something some of you guys could try if you really wanted to. Buy a decent starting amp, save up some money, sell, and upgrade. That's pretty much what I've been doing for the past 9 or so years. I didn't just go from a Crate solid state to a Fargen, I went through a H&K Triamp, and a Bad Cat Hot Cat first
It's probably a blessing for some people to just have experience with cheaper gear because they haven't realized what they're missing. My next amp isn't something uber expensive, but investing $2300 isn't exactly a small amount either If the next amp doesn't cut it (which I don't forsee happening, I'm sick of selling stuff), I'm probably going to say "screw it" and opt for a CAA OD-50 modded to hell.
I'm really interested in Scott_F's stuff because it looks like he's got the whole boutique thing down, but at an extremely reasonable price (he's in the minority along with Valvetech or Mayfly).
Here's something some of you guys could try if you really wanted to. Buy a decent starting amp, save up some money, sell, and upgrade. That's pretty much what I've been doing for the past 9 or so years. I didn't just go from a Crate solid state to a Fargen, I went through a H&K Triamp, and a Bad Cat Hot Cat first
It's probably a blessing for some people to just have experience with cheaper gear because they haven't realized what they're missing. My next amp isn't something uber expensive, but investing $2300 isn't exactly a small amount either
If the next amp doesn't cut it (which I don't forsee happening, I'm sick of selling stuff), I'm probably going to say "screw it" and opt for a CAA OD-50 modded to hell. I'm really interested in Scott_F's stuff because it looks like he's got the whole boutique thing down, but at an extremely reasonable price (he's in the minority along with Valvetech or Mayfly).
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
Yeah, I could justify it. If I wanted it.
At this point in the game, I'm pretty happy with my gear, both of my heads cost me under a grand, however, if I had to replace them, and I found an amp that did what either of those heads do, I'd pay what I had to to get them.
Yeah, I could justify it. If I wanted it.
At this point in the game, I'm pretty happy with my gear, both of my heads cost me under a grand, however, if I had to replace them, and I found an amp that did what either of those heads do, I'd pay what I had to to get them.
D
DeadSkinSlayer3
Guest
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
So Jon... have you finally found what route you're going, ampwise? Tell us!!!
So Jon... have you finally found what route you're going, ampwise? Tell us!!!
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
Another thing to consider is how many amps you may buy in a 10 year period. It would likely add up to over $3000. If you just cut to the chase and fork over the $3000 for a 'be all end all' amp, you'll spend that 10 years enjoying an amp that can't be beat.
Also realize that it's mostly wealthy guys paying full retail for a $3500 amp, so if you're a smart musician, you should be patient and swipe the same thing for $2300 on the used market. If you do it that way, it's a real investment. First, you get to own it and play it; second, you can cash out of it for face value if you no longer need it. Try doing that with a $3000 vacation, car, clothes, or anything else.
Lets imagine that I've spent most of my expendable income on gear since I was 13 yrs old........well, it's actually the truth, but that's beside the point!!!
If I could do it all over again.......lose everything today, then buy what I really need, I'd go straight for what I consider the best for me.
Gibson R9 LP
Fender EJ Strat
Fender Tele
Martin D-28
Bogner Ecstasy w/4-12 and 2-12
and a modeling head for low volume practicing, and a few pedals.......that's it....I'd be happy the rest of my life with those items, and it'd be FAR less money than all the crap I've bought.
Another thing to consider is how many amps you may buy in a 10 year period. It would likely add up to over $3000. If you just cut to the chase and fork over the $3000 for a 'be all end all' amp, you'll spend that 10 years enjoying an amp that can't be beat.
Also realize that it's mostly wealthy guys paying full retail for a $3500 amp, so if you're a smart musician, you should be patient and swipe the same thing for $2300 on the used market. If you do it that way, it's a real investment. First, you get to own it and play it; second, you can cash out of it for face value if you no longer need it. Try doing that with a $3000 vacation, car, clothes, or anything else.
Lets imagine that I've spent most of my expendable income on gear since I was 13 yrs old........well, it's actually the truth, but that's beside the point!!!
If I could do it all over again.......lose everything today, then buy what I really need, I'd go straight for what I consider the best for me.
Gibson R9 LP
Fender EJ Strat
Fender Tele
Martin D-28
Bogner Ecstasy w/4-12 and 2-12
and a modeling head for low volume practicing, and a few pedals.......that's it....I'd be happy the rest of my life with those items, and it'd be FAR less money than all the crap I've bought.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
Yep, GJ brings up a very good point (something I didn't directly mention myself). The key to all the purchases I've made without breaking the bank and getting a decent return is to buy USED.
A lot of people dislike doing it (like my singer/rhythm player in my band), but when it comes around to selling it, you'll be the one that will be sucking up the depreciation of the item, not unlike that of a car. Simply look around and buy from people with good feedback online and plenty of references (don't settle for the guys that are wishy washy with deals "that are too good to be true").
There are so many steals in the market, it's not even funny, the idea is to just be patient, look around at what will suit you best and upgrade into it.
Yep, GJ brings up a very good point (something I didn't directly mention myself). The key to all the purchases I've made without breaking the bank and getting a decent return is to buy USED.
A lot of people dislike doing it (like my singer/rhythm player in my band), but when it comes around to selling it, you'll be the one that will be sucking up the depreciation of the item, not unlike that of a car. Simply look around and buy from people with good feedback online and plenty of references (don't settle for the guys that are wishy washy with deals "that are too good to be true").
There are so many steals in the market, it's not even funny, the idea is to just be patient, look around at what will suit you best and upgrade into it.
shreder75
New member
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
it would have to sound REALLLY good....quite frankly, nothing I've played in that price range has ever sounded like it was worth that much in the first place..sure, some of them sounded good..but did they sound like the holy grail of tone? nope...
I don't think any peice of guitar gear is worth that much..
it would have to sound REALLLY good....quite frankly, nothing I've played in that price range has ever sounded like it was worth that much in the first place..sure, some of them sounded good..but did they sound like the holy grail of tone? nope...
I don't think any peice of guitar gear is worth that much..
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: Can You Justify Spending $3000 on a "Boutique" Amplifier?
Since I tend to gravitate towards vintage gear I'd be more inclined to buy the real deal than some botique recreation of it.
Since I tend to gravitate towards vintage gear I'd be more inclined to buy the real deal than some botique recreation of it.
