Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Mononoaware

Mononoaware

Active member
For a while now, I've been running a Zoom G3x into a Pathfinder 15, and for the most part digging it. I like the consistency, portability, and decent number of options afforded by this setup (most of my playing is home practice, recording, and occasionally jamming with a few people in a livingroom-type situation).

I'm thinking about upgrading while staying in the same, er, "territory." Something a little warmer with a bit more power and more modern processing, but can't afford to go balls-out on the price tag. My thinking right now is an upgrade to an amp with a good clean and the ability to take external effects. But if it's also a great all-in-one, I'd ditch the Zoom.

I've got my eye on these options, but would love to hear other suggestions if there's something in this class I've overlooked:

-Cube 40gx (used, but seems to be a good all-in-one, and I like the JC-120 channel)
-Boss Katana 50 (seems good bang for the buck, but I've heard some really fizzy demos, and the clean channel doesn't get much praise)
-Fender Champ X-whatever (clean platform, mainly)
-Micro Cube (would this be a step down? I've heard some very good room-level demos)
-Roland JC-22 (plus external effects; this is at the upper end of what I'd spend)
-Marshall MG30 (mixed reviews?)
-Some other super-simple single channel SS that I don't know about yet

Any advice? Better yet, any personal experience comparing these options?
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

After trying most of these u would go with the katana.

Sent from my SCV33 using Tapatalk
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

any time I recommend a SS amp
I default to Peavey Bandit

I have a Cube 30 its nice and does well
cant keep up with a live drummer

I have a Peavey VIP2
tons of effects and models
blats out with a bass guitar

I have a Laney GC80A
tone monster
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

I am biased but I would say the Roland JC-22. They are great pedal platforms and keep their resale value.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Ignore Bruce - he is on a Roland JC binge/bender. Although,m that's not a bad thing...


Love my Cube 30.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Sometimes I just think "Get a 5150" and be done with it.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Why not a used Cube 60? Those gotta be damn cheap now.
I had one for many years and it was great.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Or a used Marshall VS100 60/100 watts, great reverb and sounds fantastic
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Some consistent love for the Cubes. I tried one a while back, and have to say, I was impressed. Not blown away by any one thing, but just liked the whole package. I'm trying to decipher all the flavors that have been available over the years.

The VS is an interesting recommendation. Don't see people talking about those a lot compared to (just about any other Marshall), but specs used prices look pretty good for a 12" with some wattage... solid clean tones?

And yeah, the "genuine" Rolands are tempting. I will own one at some point. Just not sure if it's in the cards at the moment.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

I just looked at the Marshall Code amps
Jolly's recommendations mean this must sound nice
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

My favorite SS amps are either a Tech 21 Trademark 30 or Trademark 60. Very different amps (not just a power difference) but they sound really really good.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

The Roland Blues Cube Hot, which I have, is a very nice pedal platform. It is part of the current generation of Blues Cubes. It's lightweight, voiced like a Fender, and has a simple set of controls. I like it a lot.

I also have the Boss Katana 50, which is around the same size and weight. The controls are slightly more complex, which I dislike - more blinking lights and digital stuff. It's by no means a Fender Mustang (i.e., no LCD screen and cheesy many-setting knobs), though. I know a lot of people appreciate the tone shaping capabilities using software. As long as you stay out of the high gain settings, the fizz will go away once you break in the speaker (took about 2 weeks for me with daily usage). The clean sound is just an OK pedal platform, but the Crunch setting is a really, really good standalone amp sound, which I can further modify through OD pedals. You can see my in-depth commentary about the Katana 50 here: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?319224-Boss-KATANA-Love

I also have the Tech 21 Trademark 60. It is pretty fully-featured, with separate clean and dirty channels and very handy and usable boost. You could gig with just this amp and no pedals. The clean channel is a good pedal platform, according to many, but I haven't felt the need to test that with mine since, again, the amp stands alone great on its own. The controls are different from other amps and require a slight learning curve (not too bad). The Trademarks are older technology, and while they sound great, I definitely feel the solid state character. To me, the Boss Katana 50 feels more tube amp-like than the Trademark 60, which simultaneously has an immediate attack yet a somewhat primitive attempt at replicating tube amp sag. The 60 is too much amp for home usage, in my opinion - I have to keep the volume at around 7 or 8 o' clock. My understanding is that the 30 is voiced differently (more modern). I briefly had the Trademark 10 (out of production) and do not recommend it, as the small speaker sounds boxy.

If you know and like your Zoom G3X, maybe just keep that and upgrade your amp to a small tube one. The Fender Pro Junior III is the first one that comes to mind, with the Princeton Reverb being another good (and more expensive) candidate.
 
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Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Also, I like the Fender Champ X2 a lot, but, given its tubes, I don't think it's a great candidate for home use - too loud. The clean channel is very good and there are some surprisingly good presets in the dirt offerings. I particularly liked the Marshall one a lot.

The X2 is very fully-featured (has recording capabilities) and, given its small size, would be a nice grab-and-go for small jam situations.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

The Trademarks are interesting recommendations. I tried a 10 many, many years ago, and couldn't get a decent low-volume sound out of it to save my life. It sounds like the 30 and 60 are different beasts, though, so I'll look into it.

I had an earlier incarnation of the X2 for a while, and kind of felt the same way. That's still on the list, but yeah, the best sounds seemed to be at higher-than-bedroom levels.

Keep it coming, guys! This is helpful.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Stay away from the Marshall MG series unless you just want a fuzzy high gain tone.
Try the Marshall Code 25 or 50, depending on your budget. I have the 50 and it's a great amp.

Or the Valvestate series is a great buy if you can find a used one close to you.
I honestly can't see past the Code series now though - they do everything and sound so good! No need for extra pedals or anything.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

170.jpgSeymour Duncan has a solution for folks that need a compact, light clean channel for their use with pedals in bedrooms all the way to stages. It's got a 3 band active EQ, 170 watts, headroom galore and can be placed on your pedalboard. Then use your pedals for your non-clean voicing. http://www.seymourduncan.com/power-amp/powerstage-170
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

Don't just jump on any Valvestate, though.
A friend of mine has an 8040 combo. The gain channel is decent at best, and the cleans are damn awful.

Try before you buy.
 
Re: Seeking Recommendation: Solid State options

I like the Roland for solid state amps/ I have a 40GX (w/ a ragin cajun) and it's a very good sounding amp. If buying today, I'd get the Blues Cube Hot. You'll need to save an extra $100 above your budget figure, but well worth the wait. The Fender Mustangs and Champion series are worth checking out as well.
stratguy23 said:
The Roland Blues Cube Hot, which I have, is a very nice pedal platform. It is part of the current generation of Blues Cubes. It's lightweight, voiced like a Fender, and has a simple set of controls. I like it a lot................
Click to expand...
 
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