How to find the perfect amp?

[BloodRose]

Ok, simple form: How do you find the right amp?
You cant go by feel and ease of play and all like when picking a guitar..

Long form:
There is a HUGE list of amps Id love to be able to sample as they are all supposed to be good. BUT, not being able to do so,makes it hard to know Im not missing the perfect one...

Ill give the list and if anyone can give details, it'll help as I trust you guys .
First is a newcommer that I have no idea about:
1) Diamond is the brand. Been seeing the adds.
2) One Ive tried is the B52 (ats I think)Like it, but worry about reliability
3)Mesa triple recto
4)Mesa Stiletto
5)Fender Tone Master ( I know G says its great!)
6) Soldano SLO (Ive loved every recording Ive heard of one and have never heard a bad thing about them)
7) Krank -Revolution and Krankenstien
8) Splawn Quick Rod (These are supposed to be great for early EVH)
9)VHT Pittbull
10)Bogner Ecstacy
11) Bogner Ubershall (Ive ruled this out as too much gain/no versatility)
12) 5150 or 6505 ?
13) Of course Ive alway wanted a Marshall too, especially that 30th anniv one they made.
14)Carvin V3 IF it is as good as carvin claims..
15) Ibanez Thermion Ibanez?? hmmm Well, its supposed to be all tube circuit
Thats it for now. I cant find my list.

What I want is: high gain, master volume, real tone and not fuzzy or fizzy, warm clean, and good rock tones too, not just mega gain, reliability.
Thanks for any insight

 

[Usurper666]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

If you want the best tone possible, from my experience a single channel amp with no bells and whistles is the way to go. For a high gain single channel amp with GOOD tone I'd say Soldano Avenger or VHT Deliverance. Neither amp has an effects loop and only one channel so the sound is really pure tube crunch. They are bare bones amps feature wise but you'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding high gain amp.

Cheers,

CJ

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

BloodRose, for what you're describing, I'd seriously consider a Bogner Shiva (and I'm not just recommending it because I own one, you won't see mine up for sale). It has the warm, sweet Marshall plexi cleans and a good medium-high rock and roll tone (think hotrodded JCM-800 with a smoother, sweeter vibe). The master volume is amazing, one of my favorite features of the amp and even thought it's 80w, I can get good tone without having the neighbors call the cops. Bogners are one of the most reliable amps out there and they prove that PCB can be done well.

I've also heard a lot of folks like the Orange Rockerverb 50 (for what you're looking for it sounds like it might fit). Dark, warm cleans and a pretty high gain overdrive channel. Not sure how the master volume is though.

Now, back to the question, how to find the perfect amp?

PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! There is absolutely NO substitute for going into a store and playing an amp you're seriously considering. It's been said to death, but it's true, everybody's taste differs (everybody has their *own* perfect amp). I've lost a good amount of money over the years buying gear without trying it first. I found the Shiva to be the amp for me, but I originally overlooked it because somebody recommended a Bad Cat Hot Cat 30 over it (and after buying the Hot Cat, I found that amp was garbage.... expensive lesson). You know what you're looking for, which is a big plus Lots of folks can't get that far, so you're a step in the right direction :fing2:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

Truth is, you have to go through amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp.....and actually own them for a while until you find one you want to hold onto to and not resell.

You can't find the perfect amp by thinking about it or theorizing about it.

You gotta try it, buy it if you think you love it, own it for a while, keep it or sell it and get another one, until you find the one you want to keep.

That's just the way it goes.

Lew

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

There is no perfect amp....one will always end up with 2-3-4-5 amps at best
And several cabs with different speakers.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

I think a lot of players get caught up looking at ads, reviews, and reputation, and fail to realize that certain amps are made for specific genres. For instance, just because Matchless and Dr. Z are expensive and highly regarded doesn't mean it'll suit the sound you're looking for.

First, determine what kind of guitar player you REALLY are, and choose gear that is likely to be played by pro's in the same exact style as you. That's a good starting point. Dime didn't use Deluxe Reverbs, so there's a good chance that a metal player would rather have a Krank, Diezel, 5150, or Soldano. Danny Gatton didn't use a modded Marshall, so it's a safe bet that country players would fare better with a Fender or Dr. Z.

The main thing is spending a few weekends going on music store tours in a major city. You'll quickly realize what you like and don't like in an amp.

 

[aleclee]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

Truth is, you have to go through amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp.....and actually own them for a while until you find one you want to hold onto to and not resell.

You can't find the perfect amp by thinking about it or theorizing about it.

You gotta try it, buy it if you think you love it, own it for a while, keep it or sell it and get another one, until you find the one you want to keep.

That's just the way it goes.

Lew

So true.

That said, I'd suggest the Rivera Knucklehead, Knucklehead 2, or K-Tre be added to the list of amps to check out.

 

[neosadist]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

There is no perfect amp. You could play them all and still come out without buying any because you didn't find the perfect one.

I'd say just play with the ones you've used, and maybe rent one or two of them and try them in live situations. Other than that, you'll probably never find the "perfect" amp, so you might as well just try them all and then buy the one that, for your available cash, makes you the happiest.

I have a 1972 fender twin reverb and it's still not ever going to be the "perfect" amp for me. It's very close though, and since I don't have the money to just go out and buy something expensive and boutique, etc....

I consider good tone a quest that never ends.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

I had to learn how to mod my own amps in order to "find" the perfect amp.

For me, that'd be the blackface Deluxe Reverb and blackface Vibrolux Reverb...but mine have both been modded and sound as much like a Marshall as they do a 60's Fender amp.

If I need something louder, I have my Matchless Chieftan...that's my other perfect amp.

I like amps with built in reverb and those three I mentioned have excellant tube reverb.

I think once Bruce gets Fender style tube reverb in his Aurora's that he'll have created another "perfect" amp....quite possibly THE perfect amp.

But if my house was burning down and I could only grab one of my amps before losing everything I'd grab my blackface Deluxe Reverb that sounds like a Marshall.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

I would agree with Gearjoneser, but I would add he following counterintuitive ideas...

Your needs will change as your situation and tastes change. You will never know how much you like anything til you gig or tour with it.

Be careful with some people's advice - because i hear people talk a good game and their experience and sound samples lead me to doubt their credibility.

I believe in limiting oneself. If you start this tonequest nonsense, you might evey well spend more time searching, and less time gigging, writing, and playing. I find it hard to believe that (short of being overly picky), one cannot find a decent Marshall or Fender/Vox and a good pedal that can't get you there. Hey, it apparently worked for some guys named Hendrix, Page, Beck, E Johnson uhhhhh something like that.

As far as your list - I would say the Marhsall 6100 (30th Annoversary) is an amazing amp, but it can be a little fuzzy unless you run it in 50w mode and crank a tad. I fear its reliability dut to all the chips in it. The CLEAN is GREAT for a high gain amp. I still prefer a 2203 or a Metal Face with a pedal.

I love the Bogner Ecstasy, but I feel the Shiva covers the sweeter, softer side a little better.

Soldanos are great, but even with Warren Haynes, I prefer it in a multi-amp rig alongside a Marshall - and then you might still need a 3rd amp for cleans.

VHT makes some great amps of high quality, esp for hard rock.
With cleans I do like Fender, Victoria, Dr. Z, and Top Hat.

After all that - dude, just get a Marshall or a Fender and make your life easy... lol

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

After all that - dude, just get a Marshall or a Fender and make your life easy... lol

No kidding....and you'll be able to sell it easier if it's NOT the perfect amp....

 

[shredaholic]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

Sounds like you want a modded Marshall

Why not get a cheap JCM800 on ebay and give Jeff Seal a call?

I had to learn how to mod my own amps in order to "find" the perfect amp.

+100000

That's exactly what I went and did with my Marshall - I tried every single part they'd used in the originals from the varying years, and picked what I liked best and tweaked it so it's just right. I don't think I'll ever find an amp I like more :6:

 

[Christobevii3]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

This bands lead guitarast uses a vht pitbull

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

No kidding....and you'll be able to sell it easier if it's NOT the perfect amp....

I can't tell you the murderous time I have had selling certain amps... hehem and that includes the here and now.

BTW I can't see anything being easier to Mod then a PRO REVERB, Super, 2203, or Plexi - and I don't even know how to do mods... lol

Jeff Seal once highly recommended a 2210 or 2205, saying he could do both clean Fender (not sure which circuit) circuits and a classic Marshall in one amp!

 

[B Bent]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

Truth is, you have to go through amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp after amp.....and actually own them for a while until you find one you want to hold onto to and not resell.

You can't find the perfect amp by thinking about it or theorizing about it.

You gotta try it, buy it if you think you love it, own it for a while, keep it or sell it and get another one, until you find the one you want to keep.

That's just the way it goes.

Lew

ABSOLUTELY true even if you guys ridiculed me for going through so many this year. This is exactly what I did before landing on my Vibrolux~

 

[LesStrat]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

Play. Trust your ears. Play some more.

Seriously. Your tone is more than one piece of equipment. It is the combination of your equipment and YOU.

As Rocket said the other day, when he plays one of Luke's axes, it sounds awful. When Luke plays it, it SINGS.

If one guitar and one amp would work for everyone, we wouldn't have 10 different recommendations in this one thread.

I like the sound of my current rig. But when one of my friends plays through it, it sounds completely different.

Related story: When VH was starting out, they toured behind Ted Nugent. Ted loved EVH's tone, so he asked if he could play through the rig. Ted said, "It still sounded like me."

 

[Stratman]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

Call Scott_F, Curly, or Lew and have them build you one!

 

[DesertRose]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

man ... i really wish there is a perfect amp, everything that you need is in the amp.

 

[cak]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

The guys are right here, you just have to keep trying gear until you find what you are after. I had the same two late Seventies Marshall 50 watt half stacks (one 1987 and one 2204) for 15 years before the devil that is eBay came along and I sold one stack to embark on a never ending voyage of discovery to try and get something better. Since then I have had a Hughes and Kettner Puretone (broke up way to early, no clean volume), Boogie Subway Blues (didn't break up enough), Boogie Studio 22 (Nice clean channel but sucky lead channel), Boogie Caliber 50 head (fried circuit board, still chasing the refund on that one) Line 6 Flextone III (aaargh, don't go there !), Marshall JCM900 combo (went up to 20 but still sucked) before buying another old Marshall head, 100 watt Superlead this time. I had what I wanted all along. Picked up a Peavey Classic 30 along the way which seems good bang for the buck. If you have access to good guitar stores then go in and try stuff out and be a pain in the ass then buy it cheaper on eBay (but budget for new tubes as they always get broke). Good luck.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: How to find the perfect amp?

Call Scott_F, Curly, or Lew and have them build you one!

I don't build 'em but my brother does. He builds some of the finest sounding amps in the world. I say that partially because he's a genius with great ears and partially because he builds them to sound just the way I like my guitars to sound and feel. http://www.missionamps.com