Help me choose a new amp

[Marinblues]

Requirements:

1) Warm sounding
2) Nice dynamics
3) combo
4) must have reverb
5) send/return
6) has a pre-amp gian section and nice gain sound
7) plays well at low volume
8) wattage: around 30w

thanks

Marin

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Budget?

Sounds a lot like one of Scott's Franklin' Combo's. I think he's working on adding reverb...not sure about the send/return. The new Crate V series is getting a lot of great reviews, I'd like to try those.

If you want to get more expensive, Bogner Shiva combo, Matchless combo's.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Matchless Clubman.

Jeff's working on adding the reverb, but I'm not sure how long that will be, plus the Franklin is not 30 watts yet. Soon, perhaps, soon...

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Budget?

Good point....

Since I live in Europe, US-made amp can cost over a double here (VAT at 20%, import duties, tax and greedy distributors).

Just to give you an idea: I believe that a Mesa Lone Star combo costs (street price) around 1.600$ + tax in the US. It costs 2400 Euro's here (approx. 2880 USD).

I think that would be my limit in terms of budget. I will spend less if I can.

Also, I want to rely on what is available here, which means that a lot of boutique stuff is not ready available (like Scott's Franklin). However, we still have things like Carr, Bogner, Mesa...I've imported guitars from the US and it is already troublesome (and expensive). An amp would be a nightmare.

thanks,

Marin

 

[Rocker35]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Are you getting rid of the Screamer Marin??

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Are you getting rid of the Screamer Marin??

If I would find a worthy replacement, maybe.

 

[Rocker35]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

I would say, if your looking at the top end of the European amp market, I'd plump for one of these.......

Cornford Hellcat. 35w and covers all your bases. At the lower end, I'd go for one of these........

Laney LC30-II. Again, 30w and covers all your needs.

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

thanks. Have you tried the Cornford?

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

I've tried the cornford. It's a gorgeous sounding amp. Built to the highes specs, its had loads of praise fom the guitar press here in the UK.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Unfortunately, when you're a good player with good ears, not many amps will cut it, until you're spending big money........I'm referring to the specs you're looking for.....not amps in general.

Bogner Shiva, Cornford, Soldano Reverb'O'Sonic, Two Rock $$$, Mesa Lonestar Special.

Since you're used to your ENGL, maybe you could change the flavor a bit by plugging it into a sealed back cab, and disabling the combo speaker......and maybe even get a new headbox to put the chassis in.

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Unfortunately, when you're a good player with good ears, not many amps will cut it, until you're spending big money........I'm referring to the specs you're looking for.....not amps in general.

Bogner Shiva, Cornford, Soldano Reverb'O'Sonic, Two Rock $$$, Mesa Lonestar Special.

Since you're used to your ENGL, maybe you could change the flavor a bit by plugging it into a sealed back cab, and disabling the combo speaker......and maybe even get a new headbox to put the chassis in.

Well, I did change the speaker from Celestion to Jensen just recently and it did add a different flavour the amp.

I'm not unhappy with it - just bored. I've had it for almost 5 years now and I've pulled out a lot of sounds from it which weren't bad. I just wanted to move on to something else. I was thinking of something which had more of a throaty overdrive, with strong lower midrange and bass (I don't want to say "voxey"). I was looking at the Lone Star special since it has good reviews and its a 30w (good for recording), but I can't find one to try out.
I was considering a Koch as well. Since it's european, I can get it for a good price here. In particular, the Studiotone looks interesting, but I'm afraid that it might be like and Engl.

M.

 

[RGN]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

VHT Super 30

Trust me... I heard many of your clips and this amp would be perfect.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Lonestar Special is no slouch!

Rivera Chubster 40 may not quite have the voicing you want...but the price and other specs are there.

Tonally, from what you describe, I believe you are looking for a Marshall 18W or clone. Not quite Voxey, not quite Marshally. But kinda like both..if that makes sense :laugh2: I'm sure someone could build ya one with Reverb and a loop.

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

VHT Super 30

Trust me... I heard many of your clips and this amp would be perfect.

thanks. I can't find it on the VHT site. Is it similar to the VHT Pitbull combo?

M.

 

[Stringer]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

I have a Reverb-O-Sonic and love it. Plenty of grind, lush reverb, and very sweet. Not a lot of headroom on the clean channel, but it has a great "modern Blackface" breakup. I see them on eBay for about a grand or less (depending on condition, etc.), but I don't know what shipping and customs would cost you.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

with that kinda budget you could get a combo & an attenuator

you could even swing a DRRI with a new speaker and an attenuator, which is prolly the way i'd go, ebay drri with a g12h30/eminence wizard, mullard or electro harmonix pre's, jj powers

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

Hmm two-channels??
Traynor YCV-50?

 

[tone?]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

My two cents are that you are gonna hear alot of stuff on here and some of it may be good advice, but in the end what you descbied that you are looking for in the beginning is different for you and me.

Just listen to a **** load of amps and choose. and since we are in Europe be patient cause we dont have that many resources.

i mean alot of people swear by Diezels and i cant see why. I tried Engles but didnt like them.
let your ears be the guide for most of the way, but some guys here can really help point you in the right direction as well.

 

[Rocker35]

Re: Help me choose a new amp

I've tried the cornford. It's a gorgeous sounding amp. Built to the highes specs, its had loads of praise fom the guitar press here in the UK.

I second that. I've tried the head and it was just awesome. I was gonna pull the trigger on a Cornford, until I tried the Engl and got such a great deal on it. The Screamer is still a top notch amp:banana: