So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

[beggar_guitar]

I have been talking about going tube for awhile, but I haven't done it. I find SS and Modelers to be safe. I Know what I am getting. To me Tube amps are so... mysterious??

There are so many tones out there. So many amps that are one trick ponies, and others that do it all. Over the past year and a half I've played AC 15s and 30s, Orange AD30s, several Mesas, 5150s, Classic 30s. High end and entry level... and I can't figure out what I want.

I have a tone... or a set of tones in my head, but I haven't found one amp that hits them all. I can do without high gain out of the box as long as I can get it with a pedal.

I want a sparkly clean tone. I've played some Vox and Fender amps that hit in the ball park. I also want a nice crunch... The AC30 was very close to it, and the Orange AD30 did a great job of nabbing that tone. Not too dirty. All the notes still had their distinction, but it had balls all the same. I'd even say the Mesa DC-2 I played captured parts of the crunch I was looking for.

I am thinking something no more than 30 watts... I want a 2 channel amp, but starting to consider looking into some single channel amps.

There was nothing in there to help you guys really help point me towards anything... but what do you think?

Oh and as far as my budget goes I would like to keep it around $1,000 and I will more than likely try and pick it up used.

 

[brit84]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

a used lany gh or aor series amp would be a good start with great tones. Peavey makes some nice cheap tube amps too.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

a used lany gh or aor series amp would be a good start with great tones. Peavey makes some nice cheap tube amps too.

Tell me about Laney! I've heard good things, but I haven't seen any close by to actually get hands on time with.

I've played some Peavey stuff, and while what I played didn't sound nad by any means... it just wasn't what I was wanting. Now the JSX sounded nice, but that's a bit more power than I need or money would like to spend.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

These are not the best examples but should give you an example. Get an AOR iyou will not spend more than 600, will be able to re-sell with out a loss, GH same thing but more expensive, I personally would prefer VH100 because I already have an AOR ....
AOR50
http://cgi.ebay.com/Laney-AOR-Serie...o-reserve_W0QQitemZ190132086251QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFeVdL3veIQ
this is I bet with bass knob pulled
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8lxy8w6XeU
GH50
http://cgi.ebay.com/Laney-50W-tube-...ryZ10171QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD4VQQcmdZViewItem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwzwNknA-HA&mode=related&search=

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

Ok cool. Thanks for the recommendations. Does either come in a Combo? I did a search of Ebay but didn't see much. I'd like to stick with a combo since I am tired of lugging a head and cab everywhere.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

AORs come in a 30watt combo. GH is still manufactured by Laney but I think some combos of it have been discontinued, check out their website, Laney-posse.co.uk LaneyForum.com

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

What about the Laney LC Series? Are they any good?
Also.. If I drop down to 15 watts. That will still be plenty loud right? I play at home, and at church where I am mic'ed. I also have a Laney 1x12 extension cab I can use too.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

Dont know about the LCs. Yeah, you wont need Laney's AORs or GHs in a church unless you are doing Stryper covers.

 

[TheAbomb12]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

15watts is approx. half as loud as a 100 watt tube amp.


Volume is Logarithmic, ie 50 watts isn't half of 100 watts in terms of volume. 10 watt is half of 100 watts.

So yes; Its plenty loud.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

Dont know about the LCs. Yeah, you wont need Laney's AORs or GHs in a church unless you are doing Stryper covers.

Ha. Yeah I don't see me doing much Stryper. It's mainly gospel choir music.
Also some more contemporary artists... Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Jeff Deyo... That kinda stuff.

 

[blueslegend8]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

Also some more contemporary artists... Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, Jeff Deyo... That kinda stuff.

If you're going for that sound, I don't know why you ruled out the AC30. They are very popular amongst the artists you have just mentioned.

 

[WhammyBar Allstar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

I would go Laney or Vox myself cause I just like British voiced amps. Maybe an Orange tiny terror and a 212vintage cab from Avatar??

But you like really clean cleans so to be practical and staying in combo form, I would probably try and find a used Fender HRD 212 or 112, maybe a blues jr, and then goose it with an MI Audio Crunchbox or Zvex Box of Rock to get into Marshall tones, and then a tube screamer type like a Bad Monkey for some mild dirt or boost.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

check out the Laney LC30-II

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

If I could only own one amp it would be an AC30, if two an AC30 and a Marshall of some sort.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

If you're going for that sound, I don't know why you ruled out the AC30. They are very popular amongst the artists you have just mentioned.

I really do like the AC30. I think it's clean is great, and I love the crunch.
If I were to consider one which model? There is the Custom Classic... Top Boost... Which ones?

Also... Isn't it a one channel amp? I know you can turn Tremolo off w/ the foot switch, but is there any sort of boost?

I haven't totally ruled out the AC30 or AC15...

 

[Hoss]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

believe it or not (with the bands i love) i've never played through an AC-30 or AC-15!??!!?!?

i need to rememdy that someday!

anyways...my Blues Jr gets me the sounds i know you are going for since we play the same stuff...if it only had a tad more clean headroom! maybe a Blues Deluxe would do the trick?!!?! however, with a couple of pedals it can take you alot of place that you want to go...ie...Clint Brown, Hillsong, Tomlin, Camp, & etc.

 

[Curly]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

although I love small amps for my situation at home, I'll just say that for you, I think volume is less of an issue with a 15 watt amp - especially an AC15, which can get pretty darn loud. The more important issue is frequency response - having enough clean headroom with clear highs and full lows.
That's something you will have to decide for your own use.

I also love the tone of an AC30, which is why I got a similar custom amp (mine has a half power switch). Clean crunch is where these amps excel.

Gearjoneser and I heard a demo of one of the first AC30 CCs, and it sounded incredible. The down side is that they are pretty darn heavy.

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

I asked earlier about the Laney LC series, but I was asking about the wrong amps. What are your thoughts on the VC series?

 

[Tor]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

I think one of the guitarists of Hillsong use a combination of an AC-30 and a Mesa Nomad 45. There's a thread dedicated for worship music over at the gear page, you might want to check out that...

(As for the Laney VCs, I have heard they have great cleans, but terrible gain)

 

[beggar_guitar]

Re: So many amps... so many tones... Wanting to go tube. Where do I begin?

I think one of the guitarists of Hillsong use a combination of an AC-30 and a Mesa Nomad 45. There's a thread dedicated for worship music over at the gear page, you might want to check out that...

Thanks for the Tip! I will check it out.

(As for the Laney VCs, I have heard they have great cleans, but terrible gain)

Oh. Can anyone who has played/owned one verify?

I found a VC30 2x12 not too far on Craigslist. It's a 2 hr drive to check it out though.