IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

[GuitarDoc]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

I can't believe you didn't like the clean sound of the Vintage Modern. It takes a bit of dialing-in, but playing with the "Detail" and "Body" controls (Body at 8-9:00 and Detail at about 9-11:00) and turning up the treble, presence and volume and keeping the mids down low (I like the mid control down to about 8:00 with the mid boost button pushed in)gets you some very chimy and full-bodied Fenderish cleans. I wouldn't give up on the VM if you haven't put in some time dialing it in. You already know the the VM crunch sound is to die for.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

Lots of good suggestions here. What amps have you owned/played and either liked or disliked? Are you looking for a combo or a head? If head, do you have a 112, 212 or 412 cab that you are planning on using or do we need to factor in the cost of a cab as well?

I have owned Mesa boogie F-50 all tube combo.
Marshall jvm 205c all tube combo
marshall mg30
and currently a not so great but workable Randall Rg75.

I would like to find a good combo. I realize using heads would open alot more options. But i am fond of combos.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

You might check out a Randall RM-50 combo loaded with the Blackface and Plexi modules. They come up around $600-700 used.

I have indeed looked into the randall because I play thru an Rg75 now. I would love to find a store close to me that has them. I could get a fender module a marshall module and be in business.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

I can't believe you didn't like the clean sound of the Vintage Modern. It takes a bit of dialing-in, but playing with the "Detail" and "Body" controls (Body at 8-9:00 and Detail at about 9-11:00) and turning up the treble, presence and volume and keeping the mids down low (I like the mid control down to about 8:00 with the mid boost button pushed in)gets you some very chimy and full-bodied Fenderish cleans. I wouldn't give up on the VM if you haven't put in some time dialing it in. You already know the the VM crunch sound is to die for.

I dont currently own one. Just checked em out on youtube. If my local shop has one Ill spend time dialing things in. I live in a small town so options are somewhat limited as to what i can get my hands on to test drive. Not to say that i wouldnt drive a distance for a good amp.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

I have indeed looked into the randall because I play thru an Rg75 now. I would love to find a store close to me that has them. I could get a fender module a marshall module and be in business.

I wouldn't recommend the RM series. I've owned 2 (rm100 head and Rm50 combo). It's an awesome concept amp no doubt, but for the price you can get something that excels.

They're good but not great. unless you get a modded module, they will all generally sound the same. They're pretty pricey new $150-300 per module. You might be able to fund a used RM on the market, but it's pretty hard too find one on the cheap (esp with modules included).

 

[everdrone]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

THe Orange THunder 30 new is like 1400.

new it is $889 through the dealer I bought my fuzz pedal through, orange users like this dealer: http://www.humbuckermusic.com/nsear...cker&.autodone=http://www.humbuckermusic.com/

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

They're good but not great. unless you get a modded module, they will all generally sound the same. They're pretty pricey new $150-300 per module. You might be able to fund a used RM on the market, but it's pretty hard too find one on the cheap (esp with modules included).

I have to respectfully disagree. The Blackface module I have sounds nothing like the XTC module I also have unless I dial them radically differently, and then there's still enough difference to hear the fender or marshall influence.

There is enough EQ to be able to shape the sound however is needed. The rest is up to the player...all of this just IMHO, of course.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

I love all the tones available in the VM (mine is the 2266, 50 watt head). I may have to get rid of it though (and maybe another or two)...I've got way too many amps and guitars and I'm not even in a band right now.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

I have to respectfully disagree. The Blackface module I have sounds nothing like the XTC module I also have unless I dial them radically differently, and then there's still enough difference to hear the fender or marshall influence.

There is enough EQ to be able to shape the sound however is needed. The rest is up to the player...all of this just IMHO, of course.

Way to name a "clean" module and a "dirty" model to state your case.

There's not much EQ difference in tone with the "blackface" vs the "clean." Same could be said with Recto vs Treadplate vs Ultra vs SL+ vs XTC, etc. I've owned them all. Granted they all have different gain stages (some more, some less) but generally speaking there's not a drastic difference amongst them. More like subtle difference. Now the modded modules on the other hand have a drastic difference.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

For the OP and his budget of $1k, the RM series isn't worth it for him. Buying new and empty rm100 head costs around $1500-$1600. Buy 4 modules (1 for each of the 3 channels and a spare) that's another grand right there. Tubes aren't the best, so lets upgrade those (10-13 pres and 4 power) and thats another $250-300. In total with taxes, looking at $3k. So $3k on an amp that can do everything good, but not great and doesn't excel in one particular area. How about you give me a Bogner SHiva or Ecstasy, Splawn QR, Fryette UL or Sig-x, Orange Rockerverb, Mesa Mark, etc instead.

Sure he can go the Ebay and new/used are going from $700 - $1600. There's one with 3 modules included starting at $700, $50 for s/h. Being 4 years old, prob still want to change the tubes tho.

That being said, the tone he's going for his clean and dirty sounds, the Randall won't cut it. A Carvin Legacy III would be a better option tone wise and price wise. Moreover, Marshall and Orange would suit his needs better and excel in atleast one aspect that he requires.

 

[ToneScavenger]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

used rivera 2-ch

^ This!!!

Used Rivera K100 Knucklehead. No reverb, 2 channels.

^ ...and this!!!

Obviously, I'm biased... but I was looking exactly for what you are looking for and I found it in my Rivera Knucklehead II... I only paid $650 for it and the quality and sound are terrific! But I do have to accept that they are not for everybody, as some people feel the are harsh and difficult to dial on the EQ... I do agree with the EQ being one of the touchiest, if not the most sensitive out of any amp I've ever owned or played... but that could be a good thing if you learn how to use it :naughty:

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

Way to name a "clean" module and a "dirty" model to state your case.

There's not much EQ difference in tone with the "blackface" vs the "clean." Same could be said with Recto vs Treadplate vs Ultra vs SL+ vs XTC, etc. I've owned them all. Granted they all have different gain stages (some more, some less) but generally speaking there's not a drastic difference amongst them. More like subtle difference. Now the modded modules on the other hand have a drastic difference.

Is that not what he asked for? A good fendery clean and a marshally crunch? of course the high gain models won't sound very different, as they're running through the same tubes/amp/speaker, but the tones he asked for in the OP are there. I'm sorry you couldn't get what you like out of yours, but that in absolutely no way makes it a bad, mediocre, or un-valuable amp.

BTW, the combo I have came to me loaded with two modules and a Celestion G12T75 speaker, for $600...that's considerably under a grand, and it's loud enough for any, and I mean ANY stage.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

Is that not what he asked for? A good fendery clean and a marshally crunch? of course the high gain models won't sound very different, as they're running through the same tubes/amp/speaker, but the tones he asked for in the OP are there. I'm sorry you couldn't get what you like out of yours, but that in absolutely no way makes it a bad, mediocre, or un-valuable amp.

BTW, the combo I have came to me loaded with two modules and a Celestion G12T75 speaker, for $600...that's considerably under a grand, and it's loud enough for any, and I mean ANY stage.

Wow man, just wow. I never said they are bad amps, I said they don't excel in one particular area.

Also, you said "I have to respectfully disagree. The Blackface module I have sounds nothing like the XTC module," to which I stated no #$%@! A dirty module will sound different than the clean. That being said I also stated that their clean modules (clean, tweed, Blackface) tend to sound the same and their dirty modules (sl+, recto, treadplate, xtc, ultra) also tend to sound the same.

I respectfully disagree on the Blackface giving a fender sparkling clean tone. Yes it's modeled after the legendary clean tone, but due to the amps internal schematics, it's not a shimmery clean. It's kind of dull and sterile compared to an actual fender, vox ac. There's no warmth compared to a hiwatt, fryette, etc.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

I'm happy that you like the randall. I think it's innovating and pretty sweet conceptually. I'm glad it suits your needs. Judging by the youtube clips the OP posted, I don't believe that the randall is in his best interest for now or long term. But that's not up to me or you to decide.

The OP is asking for suggestions which is what we're doing. Whether it's good or bad experiences with amps, he should get both sides of it and make an educated judgement himself.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: IN market for a new amp and would like some suggestions.

I'm happy that you like the randall. I think it's innovating and pretty sweet conceptually. I'm glad it suits your needs. Judging by the youtube clips the OP posted, I don't believe that the randall is in his best interest for now or long term. But that's not up to me or you to decide.

The OP is asking for suggestions which is what we're doing. Whether it's good or bad experiences with amps, he should get both sides of it and make an educated judgement himself.

Well, you just seem determined to be right, so we just gonna have to agree to disagree, and let the OP decide. Plenty of warmth and chime in the BF module if you simply turn the knobs. Plenty of Marshall crunch in the Plexi module. Both sounds the OP asked for.....:scratchch