In an amp pickle

FretFire

FretFire

SingedFingerologist
Well, I'm thoroughly confused. I have owned a Mesa/Boogie Rectoverb for a while now, and have liked it just fine. My style has evolved from rock to more of a focus on blues/jazz/fusion. I recently got a Zendrive OD pedal, and for the past few weeks have enjoyed the gainy tones I get using it (and using other pedals pushing the Zen) more than I do the gain tones from my amp.

I have been running a Spina DS-1 into the Zen to yield some fantastic gain tones, thick, fluid, and fat without being muddy. The Mesa's gain just sounds so buzzy in comparison, I've only used the clean channel on the amp for over a week now.

I'm considering selling it to go with an amp that might better suit me, but I honestly have NO clue where to start looking. There aren't exactly a lot of music shops around here, and what stores there are pretty much only carry Fender and Marshall amps. I know I prefer 6L6 based amps, and want to stay in the 50-60 watt range MAX, but that's about it...

Any tips on brands/models to start researching?
 
Re: In an amp pickle

if you like your overall setup, why do you need to change it?

there is no law mandating that you use the amp's gain channel ... if you are diggin' your tone (pedals and all) then be happy and play!

cheers
t4d
 
Re: In an amp pickle

FretFire said:
How much (if any) does the F-series have in common with any of the Rectifiers?
Click to expand...
+1 about the f-series.
IMO there not as hi gain, and seem a little more vintagy.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

FretFire said:
How much (if any) does the F-series have in common with any of the Rectifiers?
Click to expand...

More vintage, smoother, more fluid gain structure, no buzzsaw. But gets real wild and nasty if you want it to. It's a 6L6 amp. Also check out the F-30, same features, but 30 watt and EL84.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

tone4days said:
if you like your overall setup, why do you need to change it?

there is no law mandating that you use the amp's gain channel ... if you are diggin' your tone (pedals and all) then be happy and play!

cheers
t4d
Click to expand...


Because I feel the amp is lacking for my style (more geared towards rock and metal IMO), and right now the only saving grace is that the clean channel runs pedals well :laugh2:. As my first post said, I was liking the amp fine until I heard the pedals working together. When I turned them off and switched over to the amp's gain I was disheartened.

I could do the same thing I am now with a Fender head that would have cost me half the $$$...
 
Re: In an amp pickle

FretFire said:
Well, I'm thoroughly confused. I have owned a Mesa/Boogie Rectoverb for a while now, and have liked it just fine. My style has evolved from rock to more of a focus on blues/jazz/fusion. I recently got a Zendrive OD pedal, and for the past few weeks have enjoyed the gainy tones I get using it (and using other pedals pushing the Zen) more than I do the gain tones from my amp.

I have been running a Spina DS-1 into the Zen to yield some fantastic gain tones, thick, fluid, and fat without being muddy. The Mesa's gain just sounds so buzzy in comparison, I've only used the clean channel on the amp for over a week now.

I'm considering selling it to go with an amp that might better suit me, but I honestly have NO clue where to start looking. There aren't exactly a lot of music shops around here, and what stores there are pretty much only carry Fender and Marshall amps. I know I prefer 6L6 based amps, and want to stay in the 50-60 watt range MAX, but that's about it...

Any tips on brands/models to start researching?
Click to expand...

FretFire, I'm in the same dilemma as well with my Mesa/Boogie F-30 and I think I'm going to go back to my roots with a '65 Re-issue Deluxe Reverb. I think I've gotten away from the Boogie type tone and into more of a pushed power amp/Sparkle Drive(TS-808) thing. At least you no you're not alone and I have been playing Boogies for the past 12 years...Joe
 
Re: In an amp pickle

bungalowbill said:
FretFire, I'm in the same dilemma as well with my Mesa/Boogie F-30 and I think I'm going to go back to my roots with a '65 Re-issue Deluxe Reverb. I think I've gotten away from the Boogie type tone and into more of a pushed power amp/Sparkle Drive(TS-808) thing. At least you no you're not alone and I have been playing Boogies for the past 12 years...Joe
Click to expand...


No worries, I know I'm NEVER alone in the never-ending tone search. It's always fun, if not a little frustrating sometimes :).
 
Re: In an amp pickle

The Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville series have great fender cleans and takes pedals well. The gain channel is pretty buzzy to my ears, but for "bang for the buck" factory, the cleans are great. Add pedals, mix to taste.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

Scott_F said:
The Hot Rod Deluxe/Deville series have great fender cleans and takes pedals well. The gain channel is pretty buzzy to my ears, but for "bang for the buck" factory, the cleans are great. Add pedals, mix to taste.
Click to expand...

I'm actually going to run my board through a buddy's HRD this weekend to see how they behave in front of a Fender amp running clean. If I like it, I've been tossing around the idea of getting some sort of Fender head and maybe sending it off to Andy Fuchs to mod once I get the coin saved up. I think something in that vein would really mesh well with me. I've also had something of the Rivera persuasion recommended to me, so I need to dig up some dirt on them as well.

I just hate having this (basically) 4 channel amp sitting here when I'm only using one, I don't know if that makes sense to anyone other than myself though :smack:.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

FretFire said:
I'm actually going to run my board through a buddy's HRD this weekend to see how they behave in front of a Fender amp running clean. If I like it, I've been tossing around the idea of getting some sort of Fender head and maybe sending it off to Andy Fuchs to mod once I get the coin saved up. I think something in that vein would really mesh well with me. I've also had something of the Rivera persuasion recommended to me, so I need to dig up some dirt on them as well.

I just hate having this (basically) 4 channel amp sitting here when I'm only using one, I don't know if that makes sense to anyone other than myself though :smack:.
Click to expand...

Just learn from drew_half_empty. Don't buy an amp you intend to mod. Buy an amp you like off the bat. If later on down the road you can't live without the amp but would like a few tweaks, THAT's the time to get a mod.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

maybe you should just try to find a good fender single channel combo with reverb. The pro tube series fenders can be pricey but they sound good. The custom vibrolux wouldnt be a bad pick either, it doesnt have a negative feedback loop so that means it's easier to drive hard w/ pedals.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

Xeromus said:
Just learn from drew_half_empty. Don't buy an amp you intend to mod. Buy an amp you like off the bat. If later on down the road you can't live without the amp but would like a few tweaks, THAT's the time to get a mod.
Click to expand...


It's more a case of a Fuchs, etc. having THAT tone I hear in my head, but not having 3K+ to spend. Sending an amp in for them to mod is a less expensive alternative. It's not something I'd be able to do right away, so I'd have to be pretty happy with the stock amp first. That shouldn't be too difficult as I'm pretty happy with using a clean as a pedal platform right now, but with that it's a case of knowing there are MUCH better clean amps out there haha.

Why does it have to be so confusing? :laugh2:
 
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Re: In an amp pickle

If you come up to Albuquerque you can give my Rivera M60 a test. Fender cleans, and the dirty channel is not too agressive.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

EL WHOPPO said:
If you come up to Albuquerque you can give my Rivera M60 a test. Fender cleans, and the dirty channel is not too agressive.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the offer bro :). I'm moving up there in August actually.
 
Re: In an amp pickle

of course you know I'm in this same boat as well but I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my rectoverb! I love it and the tones I'm getting out of it lately have been hellacious, but I'm not using the gain channel much either but man that solo function is hella great. If they made a version of this amp with a single clean channel and the solo boost, man I'd be all over it....but as the case may be they don't......ah well...if I could pull a really good dr. z combo, that'd be it...because that IS The tone I want, but can't afford at the moment..
 
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