Ideas for my first tube amp.
- Thread starter Diego
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FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
The DSL actually has great cleans, especially for a marshall. They just weren't what I wanted at that time (I'm a blackface fan, thus the tweaker with its awesome US mode). Takes pedals ALL DAY and then some. The green crunch channel is wicked with pedals too, but the natural crunch is really sweet.
The DSL actually has great cleans, especially for a marshall. They just weren't what I wanted at that time (I'm a blackface fan, thus the tweaker with its awesome US mode). Takes pedals ALL DAY and then some. The green crunch channel is wicked with pedals too, but the natural crunch is really sweet.
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
I'm going to give a nod to the DSL50, but with some caveats. The DSL50 is basically a 4 channel head depending on how you want to set it up. There's a clean/crunch switch on channel 1 and a Gain 1/2 on the second channel. There are a couple downsides to this. First everything shares the same EQ, but the preamp gain and reverb settings are independent for each channel, as well as the master volume for each channel. Second, I'm not aware of anyway to switch between the channel modes with a footswitch on the fly.
As for the cleans being bad. I don't know where you heard that, I'm actually quite impressed with the clean tones I'm able to get out of mine, it's got an upgrade tranny and had the tubes changed, but even a simple tube change like Jeff said is going to make huge improvements. I get a lot of head room on one mode, not Fender or Vox like cleans, but really good for a Marshall. When I want some grit, I switch it over to the crunch channel.
Here's the only thing I can say that goes against what you're looking for. If you're not looking for loud, don't bother. With the master volume on 4 for the gain channel, even through my little 2x12, you're moving some air. I turn it up any higher and stand in front of it, I can feel my pants legs moving and I have the old man next door at my back door throwing a fit threatening me with the cops.
I'm going to give a nod to the DSL50, but with some caveats. The DSL50 is basically a 4 channel head depending on how you want to set it up. There's a clean/crunch switch on channel 1 and a Gain 1/2 on the second channel. There are a couple downsides to this. First everything shares the same EQ, but the preamp gain and reverb settings are independent for each channel, as well as the master volume for each channel. Second, I'm not aware of anyway to switch between the channel modes with a footswitch on the fly.
As for the cleans being bad. I don't know where you heard that, I'm actually quite impressed with the clean tones I'm able to get out of mine, it's got an upgrade tranny and had the tubes changed, but even a simple tube change like Jeff said is going to make huge improvements. I get a lot of head room on one mode, not Fender or Vox like cleans, but really good for a Marshall. When I want some grit, I switch it over to the crunch channel.
Here's the only thing I can say that goes against what you're looking for. If you're not looking for loud, don't bother. With the master volume on 4 for the gain channel, even through my little 2x12, you're moving some air. I turn it up any higher and stand in front of it, I can feel my pants legs moving and I have the old man next door at my back door throwing a fit threatening me with the cops.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
I turned my DSL50 up to seven on the red channel, through a low efficiency (97dB) 112. My friend said he could hear almost every note, 5 houses down the block. SWEET.
My DSL sounded pretty fizzy below 3 on the master. I couldn't play my amp at night, that's for sure. 2.5 is getting into "loud TV" loud. 4 is loud enough to jam with a drummer, and again, that was with the 112. It's too loud for me and so i got the tweaker.
I usually didn't use it as a channel switcher because when the red channel sounded full enough for me, the green channel sounded too bassy. I dunno, maybe it would've been passable in a band context, but alone, it was kinda frustrating. Rolling off the guitar volume on just the red channel can get you a surprisingly OK "dirty clean" kinda thing. So it's not like it's not a versatile amp.
I turned my DSL50 up to seven on the red channel, through a low efficiency (97dB) 112. My friend said he could hear almost every note, 5 houses down the block. SWEET.
My DSL sounded pretty fizzy below 3 on the master. I couldn't play my amp at night, that's for sure. 2.5 is getting into "loud TV" loud. 4 is loud enough to jam with a drummer, and again, that was with the 112. It's too loud for me and so i got the tweaker.
I usually didn't use it as a channel switcher because when the red channel sounded full enough for me, the green channel sounded too bassy. I dunno, maybe it would've been passable in a band context, but alone, it was kinda frustrating. Rolling off the guitar volume on just the red channel can get you a surprisingly OK "dirty clean" kinda thing. So it's not like it's not a versatile amp.
andrizzle
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
Here ya go man! Get a Rebel 30, I think it'd be just about what you're looking for.
Here ya go man! Get a Rebel 30, I think it'd be just about what you're looking for.
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
Agreed on everything you've said. I don't get a lot of fizz at lower volumes, but that could be the upgraded tranny or tubes that are in it, then again, I never run it under 2 anyway. What's the point of a half stack if you can't piss the neighborhood off!
You hit the nail on the head though. It has a lot of options and really dynamic, but it's not all that versatile. The shared EQ kind of kills that for it. In the mix of a band, you'd probably dial some of the bass out and add some mids, so it would probably be fine on both channels. I'm like you in this sense, I like a nice full, thick sound to play with because I don't have a bass player to fill in the low end.
I can't stay in the room with it running through the Mesa cab and have it more than half way up. It's just too much for my ears to handle in that room. It probably doesn't help that I have both cabs facing a big glass sliding deck door, so it reflects all of the sound right back at me. That's why I listed the volume as a caveat. With a good 4x12 or 2x12, you're going to push volume limits very easily.
Agreed on everything you've said. I don't get a lot of fizz at lower volumes, but that could be the upgraded tranny or tubes that are in it, then again, I never run it under 2 anyway. What's the point of a half stack if you can't piss the neighborhood off!
You hit the nail on the head though. It has a lot of options and really dynamic, but it's not all that versatile. The shared EQ kind of kills that for it. In the mix of a band, you'd probably dial some of the bass out and add some mids, so it would probably be fine on both channels. I'm like you in this sense, I like a nice full, thick sound to play with because I don't have a bass player to fill in the low end.
I can't stay in the room with it running through the Mesa cab and have it more than half way up. It's just too much for my ears to handle in that room. It probably doesn't help that I have both cabs facing a big glass sliding deck door, so it reflects all of the sound right back at me. That's why I listed the volume as a caveat. With a good 4x12 or 2x12, you're going to push volume limits very easily.
mwalluk
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
DUDE. Have you tried the DSL for yourself? When I had mine, I got some decent cleans. Def useable and fairly clean, not Fender, but clean. Throw in some chorus and I got a shimmering clean. Also got killer distortion w/ low levels. It may not be your thing though.
What's your budget?
Look for a used VHT (Fryette) - awesome amp.
Carvin Legacy - Amazing cleans, great smooth distortion.
USED JSX?
What amps can you get?
DUDE. Have you tried the DSL for yourself? When I had mine, I got some decent cleans. Def useable and fairly clean, not Fender, but clean. Throw in some chorus and I got a shimmering clean. Also got killer distortion w/ low levels. It may not be your thing though.
What's your budget?
Look for a used VHT (Fryette) - awesome amp.
Carvin Legacy - Amazing cleans, great smooth distortion.
USED JSX?
What amps can you get?
Diego
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
Hey man, how did you figure that one out? Eres de Chile?
I checked Prosound's site and no mention of Egnater there. Do they do it on orders only?
They do bring the 11R though... :argh: :headbang:
Man this is difficult.
Hey man, how did you figure that one out? Eres de Chile?
I checked Prosound's site and no mention of Egnater there. Do they do it on orders only?
They do bring the 11R though... :argh: :headbang:
Man this is difficult.
SamusChief
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
Nobody seemed to notice when I said...
Carvin V3 Micro
Nobody seemed to notice when I said...
Carvin V3 Micro
Diego
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
I should check the Micro out, haven't listened to it but Carvin is another brand with no dealers here.
So I'd rather go by a route that I'm more positive it won't be a pain in the ass tomorrow.
Gotta say I'm getting amazing british tones out of my Cube now...
Just bought a Marshall Jackhammer for dirt cheap, like $40.
This, the Box of Rock and the Keeley Blues Driver are easily the best distortion pedals I've tried.
I should check the Micro out, haven't listened to it but Carvin is another brand with no dealers here.
So I'd rather go by a route that I'm more positive it won't be a pain in the ass tomorrow.
Gotta say I'm getting amazing british tones out of my Cube now...
Just bought a Marshall Jackhammer for dirt cheap, like $40.
This, the Box of Rock and the Keeley Blues Driver are easily the best distortion pedals I've tried.
IanBallard
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
The 5150 has poor cleans?
Just messin' with ya...
Good luck on your search. There's a lot of great amps out there today and some damn fine ones on the cheap.
The 5150 has poor cleans?
Just messin' with ya...
Good luck on your search. There's a lot of great amps out there today and some damn fine ones on the cheap.
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Diego
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
Thanks man. To be honest I missed the 5150 from a clarification: I've read it has bad cleans.
Isn't the 6505+ supposed to be the same thing anyway? That one, I've played.
I didn't like the cleans at all. Very sterile and flavorless. Sounded like something was scooped somewhere, very cold.
Thanks man. To be honest I missed the 5150 from a clarification: I've read it has bad cleans.
Isn't the 6505+ supposed to be the same thing anyway? That one, I've played.
I didn't like the cleans at all. Very sterile and flavorless. Sounded like something was scooped somewhere, very cold.
Maynardo
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
Si soy de Chile. "prosound.online at gmail" escribeles y te mandaran el catalogo con precios, pero te perdiste la pre venta con descuento.
Hey man, how did you figure that one out? Eres de Chile?
I checked Prosound's site and no mention of Egnater there. Do they do it on orders only?
They do bring the 11R though... :argh: :headbang:
Man this is difficult.
Si soy de Chile. "prosound.online at gmail" escribeles y te mandaran el catalogo con precios, pero te perdiste la pre venta con descuento.
IanBallard
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
The 6505 is the 5150II, which has more gain. But the original 5150 seems to have a little smoother top end and less bass, but it was the 212 combo that I played not the head/cab. At the Peavey dealer here in town, I was able to compare them (the original 5150 combo vs. the 6505) and I liked the 5150 way better for some reason. And I think he may have been using a 12-string or some piezo thingy in that song.
The 6505 is the 5150II, which has more gain. But the original 5150 seems to have a little smoother top end and less bass, but it was the 212 combo that I played not the head/cab. At the Peavey dealer here in town, I was able to compare them (the original 5150 combo vs. the 6505) and I liked the 5150 way better for some reason. And I think he may have been using a 12-string or some piezo thingy in that song.
Diego
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
De todas maneras no tengo un peso ahora, asi que no me perdí de nada en realidad.
Ya les mandé el mail. Gracias compadre!!
---
Ok guys, apparently there is a Egnater dealer here in Chile. This one broadens the possibilities a bit...
De todas maneras no tengo un peso ahora, asi que no me perdí de nada en realidad.
Ya les mandé el mail. Gracias compadre!!
---
Ok guys, apparently there is a Egnater dealer here in Chile. This one broadens the possibilities a bit...
richard parker
New member
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
Your overdrive pedals are going to sound a MILLION times better through a tube amp. Are you getting close to making a choice ?
Your overdrive pedals are going to sound a MILLION times better through a tube amp. Are you getting close to making a choice ?
Re: Ideas for my first tube amp.
I've just started firing up my pedals through my new tweaker. The extra zing I get is like nothing I could imagine though the VT 30. I'm running the new boy as a versatile cleantone amp, as I have about 10 different drive pedals that take me from RHCP type clean boost right through to metal. So far I've only tried the monte allums modded SD1, GGG Bluesbreaker clone and BYOC OD2, but I'm impressed all right. Its been a while since my last Tube amp and all I can say is 'why the hell did I wait so long'!!
I've just started firing up my pedals through my new tweaker. The extra zing I get is like nothing I could imagine though the VT 30. I'm running the new boy as a versatile cleantone amp, as I have about 10 different drive pedals that take me from RHCP type clean boost right through to metal. So far I've only tried the monte allums modded SD1, GGG Bluesbreaker clone and BYOC OD2, but I'm impressed all right. Its been a while since my last Tube amp and all I can say is 'why the hell did I wait so long'!!