Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

M

Mukobi

New member
I'm in the market for a new amp for playing blues and a little classic rock—not looking for a super high gain "modern" metal amp. I think that the Marshall Bluesbreaker just looks and sounds fantastic (and the original JTM45 which is pretty much the same without tremolo), but I only have about $500 to spend (and don't mind buying used).

Do you have any recommended amps that get that sweet Bluesbreaker/JTM45 tone without breaking the bank? So far, I'm considering the 90's JTM series (JTM-30 and 60), the DSL series (mainly DSL 40), the Class 5, or maybe even one of the new Fender Bassbreakers. Are there other series that get that tone well for this budget, possibly from other brands?
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Used Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue for $400-$500 OR used Peavey Delta Blues 115 for around the same price.
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Can I realistically get a Bassman for sub $500 though? Should I be looking for a silverface head?
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Mukobi said:
Can I realistically get a Bassman for sub $500 though? Should I be looking for a silverface head?
Click to expand...

IF, you stretch your budget by 100 Dollars . . .


http://www.ebay.com/itm/70s-Fender-...336677?hash=item1a0a712425:g:bdcAAOSw9N1V05Ws - $600.00 BIN

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Fender...612379?hash=item235f4b189b:g:vIgAAOSwUdlWdxE- - $550.00 BIN

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Late-1970s-...098172?hash=item33ad50fd3c:g:GREAAOSwT5tWPkEg - $600.00 :headbang:
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

I have the marshall DSL401 and it gets there on the "clean" channel with the gain up. It's a much more full and pleasing sound than it's OD modes, although those are great for Slash type tones.
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Accurate Bluesbreaker, JTM45 and Plexi re-issue and clone amplifiers really need to be cranked up loud. There is no other way to cop the sound.
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Mukobi - I'm selling my 1996 JTM-615 on Reverb at the moment... $399 + shipping (continental US only). A lot of tone, for sure - was my main gigging amp for years (until I moved up to my Budda Verbmaster 18). Clean channel is great (and can get to that break-up point very nicely) a dirt channel gain is a little harsh to my ears, but the trick is to leave that reasonably low, crank the volume in that channel and then tame overall volume with the Master - I primarily use that channel as a "one-louder" lead and let the clean channel do all the heavy lifting (with pedals for dirt).

https://reverb.com/item/1355391-marshall-jtm-615-1996-black-tweed


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Vince — I saw your reverb listing earlier, but I was kind of turned off that you are asking $110 for shipping.
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

You might consider a 60-70's Traynor Bassmaster.
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Mukobi said:
Can I realistically get a Bassman for sub $500 though? Should I be looking for a silverface head?
Click to expand...

Yes, we're talking USD here correct? I got mine for $450, and that was a 1977 Silverface. You can probably get them for lower if you're patient and look hard enough. Go for ones like the Bassman 50, Bassman 100, or Bassman 70. Cheapest ones, sound great, and are great modding platforms (can also be easily modded for Blackface specs).

Tweed ones are the ones that plexis are modeled after. However, those are usually more expensive, and the silverfaces are pretty different amps, but you can still get there. Just be sure to really crank the master volume.
 
Last edited:
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

VinceT said:
Mukobi - I'm selling my 1996 JTM-615 on Reverb at the moment... $399 + shipping (continental US only). A lot of tone, for sure - was my main gigging amp for years (until I moved up to my Budda Verbmaster 18). Clean channel is great (and can get to that break-up point very nicely) a dirt channel gain is a little harsh to my ears, but the trick is to leave that reasonably low, crank the volume in that channel and then tame overall volume with the Master - I primarily use that channel as a "one-louder" lead and let the clean channel do all the heavy lifting (with pedals for dirt).

https://reverb.com/item/1355391-marshall-jtm-615-1996-black-tweed


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'm the one who made you the offer plus actual shipping. I know shipping it would be costly but $110 to ship it from CT to NH is a bit steep?
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Sorry, but are you saying you are just using alternate accounts, and you are VinceT? If so, what I was saying was that it probably reasonably costs $30-50 to ship across the US using UPS, plus just a bit more for packing, and you shouldn't charge $110 for shipping.
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Ok - I'm the one selling the JTM-615. Nostalgic Distortion has contacted me through Reverb (I just replied directly there, ND) - bottom line, $110 is what USPS quoted for weight/dimensions for continental US - I'll be able to double check that price when I have destination, it'll only cost as much as it costs!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

You can't do that tone right on the money for $500. But you can get in the ballpark, which in the real gigging/practicing world, is more than good enough. (In the studio, the differences would be more clear.) IMO, you want something that's definitely a 2x12 open-backed combo, middle-wattage (40-60 W or so), and that has quality tone controls (or use a good quality outboard equalizer). You can get close to the tone with or without a master volume, though non-master will be more authentic to the "feel" and "experience" of playing a JTM45 (i.e. if you want crunch, you also must have high volume – you feel the shake when you play, and you learn to use finely controlled dynamics to change your tone as you play).

IMO, you want the Fender Blues Deville 212, used. You'll have to live without tremolo, but for the price, very little will cop a JTM45 better. And it's also versatile enough to let you do other stuff as well – much more versatile than a JTM45 IMHO.
 
Re: Cheaper amps like the Bluesbreaker/JTM45?

Im sorry i don't think any of the amps recommended so far sound like a jtm45/bluesbreaker apart from either the bluesbreaker reissue or the ceriatone jtm clone. There have been some nice sounding amps recommended for sure, but despite the jtm's fender circuit lineage none of them sound or feel much like a jtm. The jtm30 and 60s are nothing like a bluesbreaker despite the jtm name.
Save your money for either a reissue or a nice clone.
Or, don't worry too much about getting the "jtm45" tone and just get the nicest amp you can find within your price range because there are plenty.
It is worth bearing in mind also, that even if you get a real jtm45, getting the classic tones you know from records is not really viable in the majority of current day venues. The amp has to be cranked up and at that point things are getting pretty damn loud...generally too loud for the sound engineer and venue owners, so opportunities to really get the classic sound are rare. Worth bearing in mind, or see if you can score a clone that also has a master volume circuit to tame the beast a little.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Masta' C
Amazing Pedals For Sale!
Replies
2
Views
124
Masta' C
Masta' C
Chris EmCee
Who’s using the HyperSwitch? Yay or nay?
Replies
15
Views
242
jeremy
jeremy
contiContiCONTI
Amps for Bedroom + Small Gigs??
2 3
Replies
43
Views
839
esandes
E
playas
Do Orange amps generally have a very particular voicing?
2
Replies
29
Views
609
El Dunco
El Dunco
ehdwuld
Amp Profiles
Replies
5
Views
120
Mincer
Mincer
Back
Top