Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
- Thread starter Guitar Guy
- Start date
Ayrton
New member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
IMO the problem with the Hot Rod is the dirt channel. I have basically stopped using mine because of this.
I have spoken to Jim at Omega amps after hearing great things about his work with modifying Hot Rods, and I will be sending mine to him soon.
http://www.omegaamps.com/
Listen to the sound clips and see if that might be a low cost solution for you.
IMO the problem with the Hot Rod is the dirt channel. I have basically stopped using mine because of this.
I have spoken to Jim at Omega amps after hearing great things about his work with modifying Hot Rods, and I will be sending mine to him soon.
http://www.omegaamps.com/
Listen to the sound clips and see if that might be a low cost solution for you.
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
I owned a HRDX and it is a great amp. It really does need pedals or a processor though, for distortion.
I bought a Mesa Express 5:50 to replace my Twin, and can not say enough good things about it. If you play much at home the 5 watt mode allows you to get all the tone at low levels, and still play loud when you are out. The cleans are every bit as good as a Twin, and I have been playing Fender amps for 46 years. The 5:50 1X12 version is $1,199 ... and that is the price.
The good news for you is that you have a great amp. Unless you want to spend enough to buy a Twin, Super, Bassman LTD, Super-Sonic, or Mesa 5:50, I would just keep what you have
I owned a HRDX and it is a great amp. It really does need pedals or a processor though, for distortion.
I bought a Mesa Express 5:50 to replace my Twin, and can not say enough good things about it. If you play much at home the 5 watt mode allows you to get all the tone at low levels, and still play loud when you are out. The cleans are every bit as good as a Twin, and I have been playing Fender amps for 46 years. The 5:50 1X12 version is $1,199 ... and that is the price.
The good news for you is that you have a great amp. Unless you want to spend enough to buy a Twin, Super, Bassman LTD, Super-Sonic, or Mesa 5:50, I would just keep what you have
Binnerscot
Well-known member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
I would agree that the Express 5:50 seems to fit what the OP is describing. I have played the JSX, Express, and the Legacy. Mesa stuff is the most impressive tonewise (and build also). While the JSX and Legacy are great amps, the Mesa will do the job better and be more flexible (especially in the lower and medium gain areas).
I have played the Genz-Benz El Diablo and did not like the medium or higher gain tones at all, not very defined and just kind of generic sounding.
I would agree that the Express 5:50 seems to fit what the OP is describing. I have played the JSX, Express, and the Legacy. Mesa stuff is the most impressive tonewise (and build also). While the JSX and Legacy are great amps, the Mesa will do the job better and be more flexible (especially in the lower and medium gain areas).
I have played the Genz-Benz El Diablo and did not like the medium or higher gain tones at all, not very defined and just kind of generic sounding.
Guitar Guy
New member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
Oh yeah i forgot to put the el diablo in the poll, it seems like a good amp although i have heard that it isn't very tight.
Also, the other problem with the hot rod is that sometimes i wish it had more clean headroom.
Oh yeah i forgot to put the el diablo in the poll, it seems like a good amp although i have heard that it isn't very tight.
Also, the other problem with the hot rod is that sometimes i wish it had more clean headroom.
Bludave
New member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
Save yourself some time....... save a little more money and buy a used EL34 Bogner Shiva. The cleans in the Shiva are as good as it gets. The drive is also pretty impressive.
If you buy an older model it will require you to make a speicial cable for the effects loop. The way I use mine is I have a Boss DD3 & CE2 running into the loop, I have a modded TS9 running straight in (I use this wil the clean channel only). and I have a wah and my tuner. Pretty much a done deal. Great variety of tones and sounds. I paid 1500 for my Shiva 1 12" combo. The heads will be less.
Save yourself some time....... save a little more money and buy a used EL34 Bogner Shiva. The cleans in the Shiva are as good as it gets. The drive is also pretty impressive.
If you buy an older model it will require you to make a speicial cable for the effects loop. The way I use mine is I have a Boss DD3 & CE2 running into the loop, I have a modded TS9 running straight in (I use this wil the clean channel only). and I have a wah and my tuner. Pretty much a done deal. Great variety of tones and sounds. I paid 1500 for my Shiva 1 12" combo. The heads will be less.
Guitar Guy
New member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
Can you explain more about the older effect loops? Did you pay $1500 used because thats getting a little pricey for me?
Can you explain more about the older effect loops? Did you pay $1500 used because thats getting a little pricey for me?
drpietrzak
New member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
I like the El Diablo of all the channel switchers I have played.
I like the El Diablo of all the channel switchers I have played.
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
I've heard the JSX, and thought it was too buzzy and XXX-y when dirty and too hard sounding when clean.
The Legacy's cleans are nothing special, but the overdrive channel can sound good with the right valves.
I like the Supersonic for everything except very high gain, where it sounds a bit Mark-era boogie to me. However some people really dig that. Great crunch and clean amp.
The Express is a very cool amp, and probably my pick out of the ones you mention. Go for that if you need something straight away.
But I'm also of the opinion that you should save up to the 1500 mark and get something like a used Bogner, or perhaps a used Mesa Roadster.
I've heard the JSX, and thought it was too buzzy and XXX-y when dirty and too hard sounding when clean.
The Legacy's cleans are nothing special, but the overdrive channel can sound good with the right valves.
I like the Supersonic for everything except very high gain, where it sounds a bit Mark-era boogie to me. However some people really dig that. Great crunch and clean amp.
The Express is a very cool amp, and probably my pick out of the ones you mention. Go for that if you need something straight away.
But I'm also of the opinion that you should save up to the 1500 mark and get something like a used Bogner, or perhaps a used Mesa Roadster.
brit84
Active member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
the secret to it is the tube contour knob, it seems to allow you to focus the eq section from lows to highs. you really have to play with this amp for a few hours, much like mesas
the secret to it is the tube contour knob, it seems to allow you to focus the eq section from lows to highs. you really have to play with this amp for a few hours, much like mesas
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
You got mine to sound pretty good.
Actually I've got better, fresher tubes in there now... big improvement.
You got mine to sound pretty good.
Actually I've got better, fresher tubes in there now... big improvement.
Guitar Guy
New member
Re: Possibly looking for a new amp: opinions?
yeah that might be what i should do...i played i the roadster at GC the other day and it was pretty killer.
yeah that might be what i should do...i played i the roadster at GC the other day and it was pretty killer.
