Favorite 1-12 combo?

[Matt Blackett]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

I concur with Erik that the Zinky Blue Velvet rules--great sounding dynamic amp (with a great name).
Of amps that I own, I love my Rivera M100--flexible, loud, and road-worthy.
I also really dig my Marshall DSL401--EL84-powered, awesome clean sound and great Marshally overdrive. Not as loud as some amps but it has a really good recording out that I've plugged into the PA for reinforcement. Love it.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

How do you like it? It has 3 channels right? Lot's of features in those amps.
I've only played through it's bigger brother the Multitone head and I think that Koch is right up there along with the big guys.

It has two channels + a boosted second channel. I don't really find it really useable as a three channel amp as the volume difference between the dirt channels is too big. If they had at least independent gain or vol controls it would have been much more useful. Otherwise it's really packed with features like a half power switch and a rhythm/solo volume switch.

I really like the sound. It has a great clean channel that really comes alive with volume, it breaks nicely too. The distortion channel is naturally a bit more compressed and it has great crunch, I also find it to have as much distortion as a sane person would ever need. The amp voicing overall is quite bright, it may sound a bit fizzy in the high end in some more extreme voicings but the upside is that it has great clarity all around. The amp also has a nice spring reverb that I like to use sparingly, the footswitch has a switch for it too.

Overall it's a really great amp. I sometimes wish that it had a little sweeter high end but most of the time I don't mind. I'd like to sometimes try it out with a different speaker or cab, to see how much of my thoughts comes from the amp and how much from the speaker.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

So Jonesy...now that we're at four pages of suggestions have you tried any of these yet?

Whuddrya' thinking?

 

[Lava Man]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

My Mesa Mark IV combo rules! It is the second one I've owned and I used both for main gigging amps - they are just so versatile.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

So Jonesy...now that we're at four pages of suggestions have you tried any of these yet?

Whuddrya' thinking?

I've tried quite a few of the ones mentioned. I'm not running right out to buy anything yet, since my Chieftain 2-12 is an amazing amp when used with different OD pedals.....it's really loud though, and it has it's own sound.

If I buy a 1-12 combo, I'll get the one that's impressed me the most so far, the Bogner Shiva 1-12 EL-34 Reverb. I think Bludave has that one, but not sure.
I know I go on and on about Bogner, but they're all they're cracked up to be.
My main amp is the Ecstasy, so I really just want a scaled down version because it's a volume monster. I want something I can pick up with one hand and use on a small stage. Strats/Teles/LP into EL-34's is my sound.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

My bet is Joneser is getting the Supersonic or a Shiva

I am in the SAME search

MY NUMBER 1 CRITERIA right now is WEIGHT. I want good tone and LIGHTWEIGHT -

I need something to take to small gigs, jams and sit-ins where I can climb 2 flights of stairs with it.

My runners up?

Mesa Subway Blues
Tweed Blues Junior
Deluxe Reverb RI

mayyyyyybe a Zinky Blue Velvet (never played one) ORRRRRR an AMPEG JET ???

So far the Deluxe is #1

I used to gig like mad with a Blues Jr Relic model and a FD2, and I do miss it so.

 

[esandes]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

i love my fender pro reverb. i think a 12" speaker is a must for a combo. you get the wide and deep bass response.

it's the best sounding amp i've ever played on.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

If I buy a 1-12 combo, I'll get the one that's impressed me the most so far, the Bogner Shiva 1-12 EL-34 Reverb. I think Bludave has that one, but not sure.
I know I go on and on about Bogner, but they're all they're cracked up to be.
My main amp is the Ecstasy, so I really just want a scaled down version because it's a volume monster. I want something I can pick up with one hand and use on a small stage. Strats/Teles/LP into EL-34's is my sound.

Right on.

Have you tried any of the Rivera's like a Chubster?

Thoughts on how they compare/contrast to the Bogner?

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

Trace Elliot Velocette. It's small, unassuming, has reverb and does the pentode/triode 6/15 thing. Sounds VERY British.

Got mine for 4 bills on a hot September morning....

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

Yeah, the Trace Velocette and Goldtone 30R are good contenders too. I mostly posted this to see what other forum members own or want. I'm in no rush, since I've got a few amps. The funny thing is that some of my amps are purely luxury items and investments, and I wouldn't leave the house with them. If I go play out, I only show up with cheaper guitars and the Bogner, but it's a loud and heavy beast. I've never taken the Matchless out.....1 scrape and there goes $800 off the resale.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

It's a shame your amp just sits in that ATA flight case only to be pulled out now and then. It deserves to roar!

 

[Dills]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

I use a hughes and kettner 20watt edition tube 20th anniversary
such a nice sounding amp. Would never sell it off fantastic clean sounds and the overdrive channel has lots of gain on tap but is tight and fat without being harsh

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

It's a shame your amp just sits in that ATA flight case only to be pulled out now and then. It deserves to roar!

No, I love the Matchless and play through it about 5 hours a week. It definitely gets used. It's just that I like it best as a pure clean amp that get used mostly with my tele or strat for playing at home. It's just too valuable to risk getting damaged, since it's a flawless 97 Sampson era. Ask my neighbor how loud it gets!

For an amp that gets used with a band, I need something that's more versatile, since I need a better lead channel than just a clean amp with an OD. Sounds dumb, but the Bogner spoiled me. Most of the time, I'm running it into a 2-12 on 1/2 power in Class A mode. That's the only way to knock it down in volume without an attenuator. It's as loud as a Superlead or Hiwatt 100.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Favorite 1-12 combo?

Well, then it sounds like a Bogner 1x12 might be the ticket. My choice is a Bad Cat Cub IIR. I realize it would have to be mic'd in many circumstances, but it has some real oomph, incredibly versatile tone controls, nicely implemented and defeatable master volume, and most importantly -- outstanding tone. It sounds good with every guitar and pedal I've tried so far, including my FD2 and Damage Control Womanizer. With those two pedals and a clean boost, I find no need for channel switching, but then I'm mostly into vintage single channel amps anyway. The only downside is the weight -- it's not light by any means.

If I wanted an even simpler and lighter amp, then I'd vote for a tweed deluxe with a Jensen Neo 12. And for lightweight and more volume, I'd check out the Carr Hammerhead or a Fender Vibrolux or tweed Pro (not necessarily 1x12's, I know). I haven't heard a Hammerhead, but it's intriguing. I had an Orange AD15, and it was nice and beat out the Gibson Goldtone IMHO, but the Cub is better all around.