Quest for a New Amplifier

[george5959]

Recently been getting more into doom/sludge/psych etc... and Im looking to upgrade from my solid state Fender Frontman 25r.

As cool as it would be to get a 100w Matamp, Sunn Model T, Laney AOR 100, or Traynor YSR I simply cant drop over 1k on just a head nor do I have anywhere to crank one of those to really get it to shine. I mostly jam at home and sometimes with another guitarist, bass player, or drummer.

Tonally Im looking for a sound similar to Black Woods (Landscapes album), The Devil and the almighty Blues, The Spacelords (Liquid Sun album), Stoned Jesus (Seven Thunders Roar album), Haunted, Electric Octopus, etc... etc...

Looking at an all tube either combo (at least 1x12 preferably 2x10,2x12, and maybe 4x10 at the max) or head in the range or 15-40 watts preferably toward the lower end of this spectrum but options and opinions are welcome! (Ive had my eye on the Laney Cub 12 15w head). If I were to go with a head what cabs would you recommend (im thinking closed back 1x12,2x12,1x15, or maybe 4x10 at the very max). Ive also heard of bands using old Ampeg SVT Bass cabs and the new 2x10 closed back versions are quite affordable, opinions? A couple of suggestions Ive recieved are fender Hot Rod Deville (going to try this one in person) and Peavy Delta Blues 1x15 (not a big fan of any Peavy Ive played but anyone here have experience with the Delta Blues)

Id prefer to keep the total budget under $800 if possible.

 

[BluesGuyJ2]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

Orange Dark Terror, Dual Terror....

 

[mjsmanahan35]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

https://youtu.be/ldjqvh67lsU

Line 6 Spider IV Solid State vs. Marshall Valvestate 12AX7 tube amplifier.

I prefer the Marshall Valvestate, more dynamics and the sound cuts through the mix.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

 

[frostopsy]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

2x12 Peavey 5150

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

While the 5150 and Tubemeister are both good amps, I wouldn't recommend them for OP's application. 5150, even with its resonance control, is just too tight/modern to get a sludgy/psych tone. The Tubemeister is pretty bright and "precise" (some might say "hi-fi").

OP, will you use pedals for drive? If so, you could just get a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe as a clean pedal platform. I've found I can get pretty darn doomy with a good fuzz into a clean amp.

If you want to get drive from the amp, then Orange is the obvious way to go, though finding a tube combo under $800 might be hard. In the current Orange lineup, only the Rocker 15 fits that bill, and it's just a 10", not what you want. The CR60C might be a candidate for you - it's solid state, but the tones are pure Orange.

Try also the Fender Bassbreaker line - very dark and loose British tones. You can find used 45s in the $800 range.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

What about the Line 6 Spider IV and the Marshall Valvestate?

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

a used Orange OR15H would be good, for a good enough price to leave you $3-400 for a cab

 

[george5959]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

Cleans from the amp, a variety of dirt on the board. As was stated Im not looking for hifi or tight which is why I dont like Peavy or Hughes and kettner (also heard that getting service is a nightmare). The orange line in my honest opinion seems a tad overpriced and in my experience with them is the sound good in a mix but they dont cut through a good ABY second amp but aside from their bigger heads they lack the clarity and punch. pedals can always make it dirtier but a already dirty amp while fun on its own can get rather muddy. Marshall falls into the same category for me their decent stuff pushes the budget and their good stuff is way out, good amps but too cookie cutter for my tastes im looking to develop my tone not just copy someone else. Personal preference is no line 6

Right now Im looking to get some play time in on a Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 with my gear and if thats not my taste possibly try out some orange or laney gear

 

[Diego]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

Funny how I don't know any of the reference bands or albums.
I'll check them out.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

Carvin Nomad

Get one used

You'll love it


Old Carvin Master Tube Series MTS used
Carvin version of a Marshall



Carvin VM series

 

[george5959]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

Funny how I don't know any of the reference bands or albums.
I'll check them out.

You should! hidden gems

 

[george5959]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

Carvin Nomad

Get one used

You'll love it


Old Carvin Master Tube Series MTS used
Carvin version of a Marshall



Carvin VM series

they seem to have a lot of harmonic content, always a plus. The thing that immediately jumps out at me spec wise is they are loaded with tubes 4-5 preamp and 4 power tubes thats a lot for being only 50w in the Nomads case! Im intrigued

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

I've got a mint blue grill Vox Valvetronix 60W head I'm selling for $300...a bargain that will do every tone you've heard on any of your CD's, at bedroom or stage volume.
You really should consider it because it's an awesome modeling head that has better tone than many tube amps.

 

[Diego]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

I'd blindly trust all gear reccomendations by GJ.

In fact, I think you sang the praise on the Egnater Tweaker I bought untested. And man I love that amp.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

they seem to have a lot of harmonic content, always a plus. The thing that immediately jumps out at me spec wise is they are loaded with tubes 4-5 preamp and 4 power tubes thats a lot for being only 50w in the Nomads case! Im intrigued

The V3M has a power switch
50-22-7 I believe
Takes that gigging amp right down to bedroom level

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

I've got a mint blue grill Vox Valvetronix 60W head I'm selling for $300...a bargain that will do every tone you've heard on any of your CD's, at bedroom or stage volume.
You really should consider it because it's an awesome modeling head that has better tone than many tube amps.

The first great Marshall sound I ever got was my SL2HT into one of the old blue Valvetronix 2x12 combos.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

Hey, that black woods sounds pretty cool to me.
I'd say in your case there are plenty of options, we live in a time where there are some really good small low watt tube amps available that sound decent on low volume too. Think of Orange, Jet City, Vox, Blackstar, H&K, Bugera, etc. Yeah they are all far east made import and not USA but thats how the market is right now. I have yet to hear horror stories of this gear blowing up or being bad quality, it sure beats digital or solid state by far IMO.
I'd suggest you go to a big music store where you can demo all the well known brands of small 20W amps and see if there is anything that you like and then see if you can find a good 2nd hand deal online somewhere. You can get a decent tube head and 1x12 or maybe even a 2x12 for a total price under 500 Euro/Dollar. Don't believe me? I just scored a 2nd hand JCA22H 20W amp for 150 Euro and ordered a new Harley benton 2x12 cab with celestion V30 for 222 Euro on Thomann. Absolute steal!
Heck even a fender blues junior is still in your budget range!

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

For me it would be a tossup between the Fender Bassbreaker 15 and the Orange Rocker 15. Hell i have a model T, a Matamp, vintage Oranges and Fenders and still kind of want one of those 15w combos.

The Bassbreaker is like a tiny Marshall with three gain modes, clean, 70s crunchy and modern overdrive. It has nice onboard reverb and a silent recording mode. The Orange doesn't do silent recording but it has a 1w mode, and the Orange overdrive sound is the sound of most stoned doomed bands. You might like it enough to ignore the distortion pedal thread you started :smokin:

I've been chasing those kinds of tones for more than a decade now, so feel free to ask me for specifics.

 

[Dielikeagentlemen]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

I used to play bass in a sludge band. The guitarist used a marshall mode 4 head which kills for sludge. They can be had for around $300 used.

The first album "Romantic Delusions of Hell" features the amp prominently. Listen here: https://dielikegentlemen.bandcamp.com

Hope this helps.

T

 

[george5959]

Re: Quest for a New Amplifier

For me it would be a tossup between the Fender Bassbreaker 15 and the Orange Rocker 15. Hell i have a model T, a Matamp, vintage Oranges and Fenders and still kind of want one of those 15w combos.

The Bassbreaker is like a tiny Marshall with three gain modes, clean, 70s crunchy and modern overdrive. It has nice onboard reverb and a silent recording mode. The Orange doesn't do silent recording but it has a 1w mode, and the Orange overdrive sound is the sound of most stoned doomed bands. You might like it enough to ignore the distortion pedal thread you started

I am going out to a couple shops that are a bit of a drive to get my hands on some orange stuff but my previous experience is yes the overdrive sounds do get very sludgy Im avoiding pigeonholing myself into the norm as I said in the pedal post is I have a general direction but am looking on the versatile side bassbreaker is a suggestion I will look more into, getting my hands on a hot rod deville soon (supposed to be basically a hot rodded bassbreaker) so if that vibes with me Im going that route If not Im going to try orange and keep my eyes open for a bassbreaker to try. Appreciate the suggestions