New Amp?

[mattk]

My old crate DX212 is going. Im planning on gettiing a new combo amp and crossing to the tube side. On a budget around $1,000, Im still on the quest for a satisfactory distortion (envying those who arent). I do want a good clean sound also. I do enjoy the smooth sound of mesa boogie distortion (incubus, breaking benjamin users) yet dont have the $. I was looking at Fender Supersonic or Vox classic plus ac50 combo. I do play covers, so a generic distortion would fit me best.
Anyone have suggestions?

 

[Leveller]

Re: New Amp?

Vox Valvetronix! It's a modeller so it's super versatile, and it sounds freaking GOOD and it's not too expensive.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: New Amp?

The fender supersonic is an excellent choice for you. Great cleans on the bassman setting, great low gain/blues tones and gets quite mesa with the gain cranked. The prosonic is also a very Mesa sounding fender, so a s/h one of those may suit.

Perhaps look at a s/h Mesa express or F50 too.

Lower down the price chain perhaps look at a Peavey XXX or it's Bugera clone, the 333.

 

[B Bent]

Re: New Amp?

I love when people say they are on a budget and can't go over $1,000. That makes me happy because there are dozens of wonderful amps that come in WAYYYYY less than a G. I have played the Supersonic alot lately while visiting stores. I must say that I am fairly impressed!

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: New Amp?

My old crate DX212 is going. Im planning on gettiing a new combo amp and crossing to the tube side. On a budget around $1,000, Im still on the quest for a satisfactory distortion (envying those who arent). I do want a good clean sound also. I do enjoy the smooth sound of mesa boogie distortion (incubus, breaking benjamin users) yet dont have the $. I was looking at Fender Supersonic or Vox classic plus ac50 combo. I do play covers, so a generic distortion would fit me best.
Anyone have suggestions?

Don't get the AC50! Clean tones are ok but gainy sounds turn to mush. It's also a monster size amp. The Supersonic is a great amp but all you have for a real clean channel is very thin sounding, lacking low end and no midrange control. They're also not that well made in my opinion. The back of the amp looks like it's made out of cardboard becuase it's so flimsy. Still a great sounding distortion channel.

I guess you're looking to buy new. A Laney LC30 will get you there and for less money than you think. Great sounding cleans and plenty of distortion. Doesn't muddy up or flub out. Very well made. If you're looking to buy used and can get your hands on a Budda Superdrive II 18w then do it. Don't let the 18w fool you. It's as loud as most 50w amps!

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: New Amp?

Don't get the AC50! Clean tones are ok but gainy sounds turn to mush. It's also a monster size amp. The Supersonic is a great amp but all you have for a real clean channel is very thin sounding, lacking low end and no midrange control. They're also not that well made in my opinion. The back of the amp looks like it's made out of cardboard becuase it's so flimsy. Still a great sounding distortion channel.

I guess you're looking to buy new. A Laney LC30 will get you there and for less money than you think. Great sounding cleans and plenty of distortion. Doesn't muddy up or flub out. Very well made. If you're looking to buy used and can get your hands on a Budda Superdrive II 18w then do it. Don't let the 18w fool you. It's as loud as most 50w amps!

Since when is the lack of a midrange control a known contributor to bad clean tone? if so, I guess pretty much every fender made prior to 1965 aside from bassman models had crappy cleans, as well as their current vibrolux, the bogner duende and shiva and a heaping pile of other very expensive amps. In fact, most serious amp guys I know consider the two knob fender tone stack to be the best arrangement fender ever did.

Is it possible you tried the SS on the vibrolux setting -as that is a bit thin and toppy. Bassman setting is where it's at for fatter, more balanced cleans.

I know what you mean about that back panel. I've never flexed the back panel on any of the vintage fenders I've tried, but if my Vic repro cab is anything to go by they were always a bit flimsy. Even my old custom shop vibrolux had a thin back piece. Still, 'that's how we used to do it' is no excuse not to upgrade, though I imagine cab redesigns would have to take place to accommodate a thicker board.

Construction-wise, the SS is as good as the HR deluxe/deville. So the input jacks may go on you eventually and be tricky for a service guy to replace, but apart from that pretty decent for mid-level fender, and certainly superior to the Laney you suggested. Way to go for getting a plug in for your own stock, though! -perhaps you could save typing time by pasting "cheap laneys and Buddas are where it's at for all you 'what amp?' questions" into your signature...

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: New Amp?

My old crate DX212 is going. Im planning on gettiing a new combo amp and crossing to the tube side. On a budget around $1,000, Im still on the quest for a satisfactory distortion (envying those who arent). I do want a good clean sound also. I do enjoy the smooth sound of mesa boogie distortion (incubus, breaking benjamin users) yet dont have the $. I was looking at Fender Supersonic or Vox classic plus ac50 combo. I do play covers, so a generic distortion would fit me best.
Anyone have suggestions?

I've played the SuperSonic, and I like how it sounds, but I think it's above $1000 when not in combo amp form. I'd recommend (if you can afford) to get the head and 2x12" speakers separately, even if you have to buy used. I was VERY tempted to sell my 1972 Fender Twin Reverb to get a SuperSonic.

Still, I've never tried the Vox, so I can't compare the SuperSonic to the Vox.