Huge amp dilemma

[BluesGuyJ]

So here's my problem.

I have a Line6 PODxt. It sounds great and I am pretty happy with it. It sounds better than my Roland VGA3 and offers a lot more. So I was thinking about getting one of the Atomic Reactors for it. The only downside I see is that I wouldn't have easy control over the effects parameters unless I baught the damn FBV board.

Another option I am looking at is getting a tube amp (first one). Perhaps use a couple pedals. At most, an OD, distortion, chorus and wah. Perhaps a Fender, Marshall or Mesa.

Which would you guys choose for a gigging setup? PODxt and Atomic amp or just a tube amp and pedals. It'll cost me the same either way just about.

P.S. I play blues, metal, rock and poppy stuff (Mayer, Hootie, Oasis pop stuff).

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

I would go with the tube amp and pedals, but that's just me. My own setup is an 18 Watter clone and half a dozen pedals.

Don't buy more power than you need - 15 to 50 watts tops, unless your idea of "gigging" is playing arenas. A Fender DRRI isn't too expensive, but might not do metal. The blue Traynor is getting some good press these days, and is more versatile. Or, get with Scott_F and buy yourself a Franklin or JTM45.

 

[MrBlik]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

Depends on ultimately what your goal is. I was in the same kinda place you are in just a few months ago. The other guitarist in my band ended up going your route (kinda - the Line-6 Flextone) and got the floorboard. He loves it because when we play covers he can save all kinds of settings and then just "click" go from U2 to Oasis to Modern English to Lit. So if you plan on going the cover song route, the Atomic Reactor with the floorboard may be great for you.

I went the opposite route. I wanted to find **my** sound and ended up going the tube route - a Budda SuperDrive 18. I'll supplement with a couple pedals, two or three, to permit for some additional sound versatility, but my goal wasn't to sound **just like** the covers. My primary goal was to find my sound for the originals we're working on, and then add my own flavor to the covers. Not that you couldn't do that with the pod, but I think a tube amp will help you to find your own vibe better - my own personal opinion.

There's no right or wrong. It just depends on what you want to do with your amp. I'm thrilled with my choice, and the other guitarist is thrilled with his.

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

In the $500US or less price range I would look at the Peavey Classic 30, Peavey Valve King, Peavey Classic 50, Blues Jr, used Carvin x100b, Sovtek(SP) off the top of my head.

A little more Genz Benz El Diablo 60C, Deluxe Reverb Reissue, Twin RI, Mesa Maverick, Tweed Deluxe Clone, Bassman RI off the top of my head.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

I think that the Peavy ValveKing and the Peavy XXX 112 combos are very tempting. I want the high gain as well as the decnt clean, and I enjoy simplicity. I am legally blind so perhaps relying on my PODxt for performance/gigging wouldnt be such a great idea since I cant read the screen at all. With a tube amp I can just feel for the pedals and and that type of thing. I dont need a Jazz type clean so I think that the Peavies would work well for this. The XXX really appeals to me because it offers high quality high gain tones at a relatively low wattage in comparison to other high gain amps. I will never need more than 50 watts. So the XXX 112 60W is a nice option as well as the Valveking. I already have a cool $400 so the Valveking is practically baught. I would have some extra cash for even a pedal. Sounds like I need to go to the music shop this weekend.

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

Tube amp and pedals cannot be beat.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

I've found that the best setup for me is a channel switching tube amp, a few analog pedals like OD's/wah, and Line 6 floor modelers. You can always find a good tube amp and Line 6 blue/green pedals pretty cheap. I think you get fatter tones using modeling pedals with tube amps, than you do with modeling amps.

The Blue modulation modeler allows you to have most classic FX setup on 4 buttons.

 

[MrBlik]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

I am legally blind so perhaps relying on my PODxt for performance/gigging wouldnt be such a great idea since I cant read the screen at all.

Well, don't forget that the Line-6 floorboard lets you save a bunch of settings, so if that's a main consideration for you, that pod/floorboard might actually work out better for you. You can work on saving your settings at home, and when you gig, it's just a tap of the foot to go to the setting you want - no need to read the screen on the pod.

 

[ShredFetus]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

You are most likely going to need to adjust some settings to suit the different space you are in though. A gig will sound alot different to you bedroom! :beerchug:

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Huge amp dilemma

I would go with the tube amp and pedals, but that's just me.

It's not just you...

At least we don't try to hide our natural prejudices towards the loving embrace of hot cooking tubes...

:dance: