How Many Amps Do You Need???????

PUCKBOY99

Irish Flagologist
SO....a while back while searching for an EL84 based combo, I traded a guy an Epi LP for his Laney VC30 1x12. It showed up on my doorstep in not playing condition(no output). I figured maybe it was just a fuse, so I took it to a local tech to give it a good going over.

While it was in the shop, I stumbled upon a local guy selling a Mesa Boogie Blue Angel 4x10 (2 6V6@15w, 4 EL84@30w, combined @ 38w)....I tried it, loved it, bought it.

I figured once I got the Laney back, I could just sell it & recoup a little cash......

I got the Laney back the other day & I love it too!!!!

So now I've got:

'82 Hiwatt DR-504 Custom 50 (EL34)
Mesa Boogie Blue Angel 4x10 (6V6 & EL84)
Laney VC30 1x12 (EL84)
TECH21NYC Trademark 60 (SS)
SansAmp PSA-1 w/TECH21 Power Engine

****The wife wants to know: "How many amps & guitars do you need???" ****




I told her, "I need one amp for each guitar!!!" :beerchug:
 
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Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

Most players only "need" one amp. The catch is finding the right one. ;)

As for what we'd like, it depends on how broad a tonal palette we seek and how many shades we want in that palette. IMO, the same is true of guitars.
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

How many sounds/tones do you need? If you only wanted to osund like a Les Paul through a Marshall...the answer is one guitar and one amp. If you want more tones, you need more gear. :dance:
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

Exactly, if you are still after more sounds then chances are you dont have all the amps you "need" as the guitarist you want to be.

For example though, i now have three amps, and i feel totally content with them in that they cover all the tonal bases excellently...any other amp i buy (which wont be for ages) will be pure endulgence, i dont "need" any more ;)

So unless you are totally satisfied with all the tones you can get from your amps for the things you play...tell the wife you need more :D
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

Is this a trick question?

Currently -

Peavey XXX 2x12 combo
Sovtek MIG 50 head into a 2x12 Bassman bottom w/Greenbacks
Orange AD15/12
Boss Amp Factory
Lace ME-10

On the radar -

Vox Valvetronix 30wt 1x10
POD XT
Marshall JCM800 2205
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

My wife has figured out that my equipment collection is, in effect, a retirement account. She doesn't complain at all when I bring stuff home. The answer to your question is, obviously, "as many as you can have".
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

Wattage said:
Is this a trick question?



YES......IT'S COMPLETELY A RHETORICAL QUESTION.

I guess the sarcasm didn't translate well! :smack: :)
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

I think, and like mentioned on this thread, it depends on the tones you need to give you total satisfaction. Some find all the tone they need in one amp, others need more diverse tones and need 2, 3, 4, etc…… Over the years I had quite a few, and ended up selling most of them except 2 an old Crate G10 and a peavey rage 108 (my first amps).

I always liked Marshall’s plexi tone just never realized it and wanted to copy that sound using distortion pedals, processors and other amps. Reason why I sold most of my gear and bought a 1968 clone. I find most of the tone I like on this amp. Although I still need to cover other tones in my head so I have another on the way. If this amp do the job for me I think I’ll be done for a while. If not then on to the next amp. I still have to work on the cab combination, but that’s just another thing.

About guitars, same thing as for the amps, I had about 4 sold them and I am getting one that hopefully will be like having at least 2 in one.

I think tone quest never ends, I known people that have hold on to their amps for years others that will sell it in a month of getting it. The amp that I’ve owned the longest was a Crate Vintage club 50 with a RP-12. Had it for 6 or 7 years, then learned about forums and about all the boutique amps out there and all went to pieces. Since then it has been catastrophic. :banghead:
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

Versatility is key for me, so I have a little bit of everything:
Guitars made of maple, ash, alder, basswood, etc.
A 50W head, a 100W head, and a rack system.
A 1x12, a 2x12, and two 4x12 cabs.
2 amp modellers and one guitar synth.

I think that's all that I need to create and perform music, but I will never stop collecting!!
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

Being an at home player I currentley have one amp: a Peavey Classic 30. For what I need it suit's me pretty good and now that it's "seasoned to taste" I think it's a great little amp. But I would like to find one more low wattage amp that has more of a clean base to it. Fact is, later today I might go to my local music store to put a Fender Deluxe Reverb RI thru the paces.
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

IMO the answer always is: "not that much more, just one more" and this applies to all gear, of course. In all seriousness though, I think it depends on the individual's taste, preference and needs. For me, since I don't like to fiddle and fart with buttons, pedals, etc, I keep it simple (LP through plexi) and focus on playing. I find this approach especially useful in live settings, as I can usually rely on the minimal gear I have and it reduces the potential of something going wrong.
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

I just ordered the footswitch for it & will probably play around with it for a while, but I really have no "NEED" for it. It's just a pretty nice 1x12......maybe I'll keep it for one of my kids for when they get a little older.

Atleast that'll be an excuse to hang onto it!!! :laugh2:
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

I'm an amp ho when you get right down to it. I"ve got a Tweed Deluxe, a Tweed Super, an Ampeg J12T Jet, a Bad Cat Trem Cat, and a 68 Fender Pro Reverb. I definitely dont' need them all. Biggest problem is that I'm running out of room for them. I've got the Ampeg stashed in my son's room (his mom can't tell the difference between the POS that was in there and this Ampeg)

I took the 5E3 TD to work and it fits in nicely at the office. Rather small and unobtrusive to look at. I'm building that 5F4 Tweed Super and I'm not sure where to put it. I might have to sell one for space reasons. The Pro Revrrb might have to go into the attic or something.
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

I guess that would actually be the "answer" to the question...........


HOW MANY ROOMS DO YOU HAVE???? :laugh2:
 
Re: How Many Amps Do You Need???????

When I get that question asked, I just calmly reply, why do you need so many (purses, shoes, etc...)? ...End of discussion.
 
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