Punk amps for $500?

Owwwccchhh

Owwwccchhh

New member
Hey everybody. I'm getting really into the classic punk (Ramones, Sex pistols, the clash) I know that the Ramones used Marshall and The Sex pistols used twins and the clash used a musician 2x12 combo. These amps are out of my price range however. So I am looking for an amp that could get similar tones to those of those bands. As a hobbiest, I don't need high wattage. I'm playing by myself. I just want better tones than my current Peavy Vyper VIP 2. So would a Vox ac10, Marshall DSL 5, Fender blues Jr, or Fender bassbreaker be best? Or for the money I have should I look elsewhere? Thank you in advance for any response.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

Also usable clean tones would be really nice. And to add on to listed amps, would the Ibanez tube screamer amp be any good?
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

If I did it all over, I'd scrimp and save and buy a used, beat up Marshall. Unfortunately JMPs and JCM800s are way over that price, but the 900s are pretty cheap now. That and a cheaper cabinet with an eye to upgrade speakers with the next cash flow would make a great rig. Boost as necessary with a tube screamer.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

any all tube marshall would be good.
seeing as you aid you dont need a big wattage, big amp, have a look for a used DSL or JCM900 1x12 combo
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

I can definitely do that. They used to used pushed Fenders as well, is that still like a viable option? Considering price and all? Edit: JCM combos I've found are definitely too expensive. So probably DSL combos.
 
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Re: Punk amps for $500?

+1 for used nicer end of Marshall or nicer end of fender

I use a Jet City Jca2212 that I got for $300. Jet city makes some cool budget hotrodded Marshalls.

Definitely covers the ramones well imo
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

TRex said:
+1 for used nicer end of Marshall or nicer end of fender

I use a Jet City Jca2212 that I got for $300. Jet city makes some cool budget hotrodded Marshalls.

Definitely covers the ramones well imo
Click to expand...

I've heard about those jetcity amps. I've never really looked into them, are they worth it?
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

Owwwccchhh said:
I've heard about those jetcity amps. I've never really looked into them, are they worth it?
Click to expand...
In my opinion, I like my Jet city more than marshall DSLs that I have tried in stores.

I do however like a JCM800 or 900 more than the jet city, but those are much larger and louder amps. My uncles JCM800 absolutely rocks!

Go to a store like Guitar center and try them both out. It's up to you man :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
 
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Re: Punk amps for $500?

Blackstar HT or MT series. Budget for upgrading the dogbreath MIC "Celestion" economy loudspeaker.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

Was also looking into one of those (ht-5) I just figured I'd look elsewhere and try to get gear that replicates what the original guys used more.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

There are silverface little Princeton champs. No gain. Just volume, treble, and bass. Could I get one of those for cleans and turn them up and drive them with a tube screamer for punk?
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

Bugera is notorious for bad build quality, right? And the jet city one looks really damn good. But I don't need 50 watts.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

You have cited three different Punk/New Wave bands and three different brands of amplification. In my opinion, this fact alone ought to tell you something. Namely, that there is no definitively "Punk" amplifier out there.

The Fender Champ, Princeton and Deluxe were such simple valve designs that even CBS couldn't screw them up too much. They take pedals well. A well-maintained example ought to be a keeper for life. Pedal-wise, you will probably want something more edgy and aggressive than a Tube Screamer. If you adopt other musical styles, a small Fender amp will adapt with you. Just buy more pedals! ;)

Aceman would probably direct your attention towards the earlier Marshall Valvestate models - before they added a complex multi effects section.

Ultimately, Punk Rock is about attitude not gear.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

Thank you. I have my sights set on that particular little Princeton. (Personally I have an amazing amount of draw towards the silverface amps. I just love the way they look) I think I'll just go with one of them. Of course I love Fender cleans. My only concern is lack of controls, but as you said that can be fixed with pedals. Thank you again! Any suggestions on more edgy drive pedals?
 
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Re: Punk amps for $500?

First of all, for ultra-clean cleans, you will not miss the midrange pot. (Imagine that Fender has preset the Mid control for you at about 4.)

My inclination would be to have both Overdrive and Distortion available. Three-band EQ would help to set a nice crunch sound. Flat out filth would do for lead and aggressive chordal playing.

Money no object, MESA Boogie V-Twin.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

Er, I have assumed that, by Silverface Fender, you mean an original Seventies Made In USA piece.

More recently, Fender did produce the Princeton Recording Amp model. This combines Silverface cosmetics with a PCB rendition of the basic amplifier circuitry plus a compressor and a TS-style overdrive. I cannot remember whether it has a pre-out/post-in Effects loop.
 
Re: Punk amps for $500?

Owwwccchhh said:
Bugera is notorious for bad build quality, right? And the jet city one looks really damn good. But I don't need 50 watts.
Click to expand...
The original non-Infinium amps did have some issues, but those were mostly worked out in the Infinium versions.

This is my 1960 Infinium. Look at the settings and tell me I'm not beating the snot out of it. [emoji14]

d8cb55c2f9a368a5175fe3ef9ee02006.jpg


Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 
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