blueslegend8
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
Two channels is too much for me, all I need is a clean channel and a TS.
Two channels is too much for me, all I need is a clean channel and a TS.
How important is having multiple channels to you?
- Thread starter BlueSky
- Start date
Bludave
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
Over the years I have owned and played through a variety of amps. I like channel switching amps, but I don't absolutley have to have it. I can use a stomp box to do the same thing. I own a Marshall 900 (2 channel), a Bogner Shive (2 channel) 2 SF Fenders, a Super Reverb, and a Deluxe Reverb (vothe single channels), and a Komet 60. All of these amps are great. Certain amps work better with certain guitars and certain amps are suited for a musical style. The Deluxe Reverb is one of the best small single channel amps I have ever used. In certain rooms its not powerful enough. The Bogner because it is channel switching and has a master volume offers a lot more tonal variation and better volume control. The Super Reverb is a real workhorse if you need cleaner than the DR and louder. The Komet is a flat out beast. So depending on what I need I select the amp that is right for the Gig or recording session.
Over the years I have owned and played through a variety of amps. I like channel switching amps, but I don't absolutley have to have it. I can use a stomp box to do the same thing. I own a Marshall 900 (2 channel), a Bogner Shive (2 channel) 2 SF Fenders, a Super Reverb, and a Deluxe Reverb (vothe single channels), and a Komet 60. All of these amps are great. Certain amps work better with certain guitars and certain amps are suited for a musical style. The Deluxe Reverb is one of the best small single channel amps I have ever used. In certain rooms its not powerful enough. The Bogner because it is channel switching and has a master volume offers a lot more tonal variation and better volume control. The Super Reverb is a real workhorse if you need cleaner than the DR and louder. The Komet is a flat out beast. So depending on what I need I select the amp that is right for the Gig or recording session.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
Single channel for me please.
Single channel for me please.
wahwah
GumbyLoveologist
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
I like single channel amps and good OD and distortion pedals that interact well together. I generally use 3 different pedals, set in ascending degrees of gain, from a slight overdrive through to a crunchy distortion. That gives me 8 available gain options, which covers a broad dynamic range.
Cheers.......................wahwah
I like single channel amps and good OD and distortion pedals that interact well together. I generally use 3 different pedals, set in ascending degrees of gain, from a slight overdrive through to a crunchy distortion. That gives me 8 available gain options, which covers a broad dynamic range.
Cheers.......................wahwah
Mr. B
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
I don't think anyone would mind having three channels on an amp if each channel sounded equally good, and thats the catch. More channels + more knobs + more controls + more switches usually = less good allround tone. I think some amps are getting much better in this area though. Some of the Mesa's for instance.
I don't think anyone would mind having three channels on an amp if each channel sounded equally good, and thats the catch. More channels + more knobs + more controls + more switches usually = less good allround tone. I think some amps are getting much better in this area though. Some of the Mesa's for instance.
For leads I can use my bad monkey and for cleans I can roll of the volume a little.
BlueSky
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
I'm pretty happy with my first one channel head right now. It's demands more interaction while playing. Kinda like a stick shift in car terms. Rolling back on the knob has become part of my style now. Pretty cool. For now i've given up on the perfect head ideal.
I'm pretty happy with my first one channel head right now. It's demands more interaction while playing. Kinda like a stick shift in car terms. Rolling back on the knob has become part of my style now. Pretty cool. For now i've given up on the perfect head ideal.
tubeman87
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
I've really been playing the hell out of my lil champ 600 lately and I dont miss any eq knobs what-so-ever much less any second of third channels. I find that having that limited range of things forces you to be creative and search out other avenues for tone shaping. It's really improved on my playing as well, no distortion or tweaking to cover things up....just me and my playing.
I've really been playing the hell out of my lil champ 600 lately and I dont miss any eq knobs what-so-ever much less any second of third channels. I find that having that limited range of things forces you to be creative and search out other avenues for tone shaping. It's really improved on my playing as well, no distortion or tweaking to cover things up....just me and my playing.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
My thoughts exactly...with my rig i CAN, in fact, go from playing heavy stuff like Slayer or Converge and, without touching the amp, use the same tone to play punky rock like Green Day or Nirvana, then by flipping to a single-coil or splitting a humbucker or even just adjusting the volume knob, achieve good clean or mid-gain tones.
I think a lot of people would be surprised just how 'heavy' you can sound without using very much gain at all...but until then, they can keep those TSL heads for themselves...
My thoughts exactly...with my rig i CAN, in fact, go from playing heavy stuff like Slayer or Converge and, without touching the amp, use the same tone to play punky rock like Green Day or Nirvana, then by flipping to a single-coil or splitting a humbucker or even just adjusting the volume knob, achieve good clean or mid-gain tones.
I think a lot of people would be surprised just how 'heavy' you can sound without using very much gain at all...but until then, they can keep those TSL heads for themselves...
beggar_guitar
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
2 channel minimum for me. I've been playing through a Crate Power Block and just using my guitars volume to go from Clean to Crunch. I like having a bit more control than that though.
I prefer 2 channels w/ a lead boost. Much more than that isn't necessary for me, but I could definitely make use of it.
2 channel minimum for me. I've been playing through a Crate Power Block and just using my guitars volume to go from Clean to Crunch. I like having a bit more control than that though.
I prefer 2 channels w/ a lead boost. Much more than that isn't necessary for me, but I could definitely make use of it.
Uk Ant
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
I'm not s huge fan of pedals so two channels was needed. Plus, as I'm the singer as well, I need to be able to switch gain and level quickly while still glued to the mic.
Having said that I don't using one of the channels very much at all, it's mainly the volume boost and the gain boost that get most switching.
Volume boost for solo's is essential as we our rythm guitarist tends to turn up when ya not looking
I'm not s huge fan of pedals so two channels was needed. Plus, as I'm the singer as well, I need to be able to switch gain and level quickly while still glued to the mic.
Having said that I don't using one of the channels very much at all, it's mainly the volume boost and the gain boost that get most switching.
Volume boost for solo's is essential as we our rythm guitarist tends to turn up when ya not looking
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
I echo the sentiments of some of you, I like simple and complex amps, as long as they sound good. If I'm playing blues or blues- rock a single channel, mid-gain amp is good, I like being able to change the tone by digging in a bit more, or rolling off and lightly playing for cleans. If I'm playing any heavier rock styles, at least two channels is good, to go from clean to super saturated (beyond the point where rolling off will give you a good clean tone). I really like the Road King, I think Mesa did an outstanding job with that amp. While one song wil never call for 4 channels, it's great to have 4 sounds dialed in so you can go with whatever strikes your fancy (along with a few fuzzes too
).
By nature, I'm drawn to incredibly complex or brilliantly simple things. I love the Jimmy Page wiring, but I still GAS for a single bucker superstrat with only a volume. Same with amps, I'd love a little Champ oe tweed deluxe to compliment the Road King. Going back to amps being designed well, I haven't played the JVM, but it seems like the simpler Marshall keeps their amps the better. I played a TSL and I thought it sounded terrible... I bet few people would say a Plexi sounds terrible though...
I echo the sentiments of some of you, I like simple and complex amps, as long as they sound good. If I'm playing blues or blues- rock a single channel, mid-gain amp is good, I like being able to change the tone by digging in a bit more, or rolling off and lightly playing for cleans. If I'm playing any heavier rock styles, at least two channels is good, to go from clean to super saturated (beyond the point where rolling off will give you a good clean tone). I really like the Road King, I think Mesa did an outstanding job with that amp. While one song wil never call for 4 channels, it's great to have 4 sounds dialed in so you can go with whatever strikes your fancy (along with a few fuzzes too
). By nature, I'm drawn to incredibly complex or brilliantly simple things. I love the Jimmy Page wiring, but I still GAS for a single bucker superstrat with only a volume. Same with amps, I'd love a little Champ oe tweed deluxe to compliment the Road King. Going back to amps being designed well, I haven't played the JVM, but it seems like the simpler Marshall keeps their amps the better. I played a TSL and I thought it sounded terrible... I bet few people would say a Plexi sounds terrible though...
guitarded
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
Depends on the Amp. I have a Mark IV on which I use all three channels. I also have a JCM 800 which I just play the dirt channel and use the guitar controls to clean up. On one amp it is important ..... On another ti si not.
Depends on the Amp. I have a Mark IV on which I use all three channels. I also have a JCM 800 which I just play the dirt channel and use the guitar controls to clean up. On one amp it is important ..... On another ti si not.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
It's not important to me at all. I think multiple channel amps are for kids who want to sound like a bagful of angry bumble bees.
It's not important to me at all. I think multiple channel amps are for kids who want to sound like a bagful of angry bumble bees.
Kosh Naranek
New member
Re: How important is having multiple channels to you?
For gigging, I need a couple of channels. I don't get overdrive from a pedal. I like the tube distortion on my amp.
If I was in a band where all the guitar parts were distorted, or played jazz with a clean tone all the time, I wouldn't need two channels. For what I currently do, I need at least two. I like that my Genz Benz El Diablo 60 allows me some footswitchable variations on the distortion channel.
For recording, it doesn't make a difference. I'd prefer using one channel high end boutique amps to record.
If I was a big famous guitarist, I'd have a 3 amp rig, with switching to go between a Marshall for crunch, a Fender for clean, and something else for leads. I'd have a bigger stage to put all that stuff on, and a road crew to set all that stuff up too.
For gigging, I need a couple of channels. I don't get overdrive from a pedal. I like the tube distortion on my amp.
If I was in a band where all the guitar parts were distorted, or played jazz with a clean tone all the time, I wouldn't need two channels. For what I currently do, I need at least two. I like that my Genz Benz El Diablo 60 allows me some footswitchable variations on the distortion channel.
For recording, it doesn't make a difference. I'd prefer using one channel high end boutique amps to record.
If I was a big famous guitarist, I'd have a 3 amp rig, with switching to go between a Marshall for crunch, a Fender for clean, and something else for leads. I'd have a bigger stage to put all that stuff on, and a road crew to set all that stuff up too.