Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

[Masta' C]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Already tested some cubes.
They don't convince me, neither Fender Mustangs.
But, thank you, anyway.

Just out of curiosity, which Cube(s) did you try? There are a lot of different models out there and the recently discontinued XL series is nicer than any of the Cubes before it. The new GX series changed some of the features, so the XL is still the better "players" amp. Also, the 80XL models are more powerful and, in my opinion, better sounding than the 20 and 40 versions, but is equally as portable. It really has the cleans of a JC120, plays extremely well at both bedroom and gig volume levels, you can stick any pedal you want in front of it with ease and it has 3 channels on tap with top-notch built in modeling effects if you prefer to travel light. Have you had a chance to play the 80-watter?

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Laney Linebacker, or some sort of H|H perhaps?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

I just bumped a thread about Yamaha G100's.

pooh - good call! Other guitar used to have one of those. I'd get one in a heartbeat!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

I had a JC120 for years. It sounds HORRIBLE with pedals!

Comment:

JC120 blasted by tube modifying pedal = crap
JC120 used with pedals where the pedal IS the sound = awesome.

Example - DS-1 into tubes is fantastic. The straight DS-1 sound just loud is not so great.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

I have played the Valvetronix and liked them. I prefer Roland.

Lot's of love here for the Vox though. Can't say no. You should check them out.
I really like my Cube 30, but am not a fan of the bigger ones. Now - the cleans on the Micro OMG! Amazing!!!!! Also haven't played recent ones.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

ZT Lunchbox or Club
Ibanez Wholetone (designed for jazz so not sure how well it would work with pedals)
Or try two EHX 44 Magnums into a stereo cab?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

whatever you go for, a good speaker(s) that complements the sound of the amp will make a huge difference. Most ss amps are built as cheap as possible and speakers are one of the areas that companies can save big dollars when building amps to a price point. As a result, most ss amps have pretty ordinary speakers.

 

[hermetico]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Thanks for all suggestions.
Let we which I end with.

 

[epi]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

I like Peavey XXL...

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Also there's the Orange Crush Pro CR60 and CR120

 

[Mincer]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Tech21 trademark 60 or 120...they sound great with pedals, and they are all analog SS.

 

[Securb]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Comment:

JC120 blasted by tube modifying pedal = crap

I must disagree. I used a Chandler Tube Driver with my JC120 and the tone was fantastic. The band in the rehearsal space next door knocked on my door to see what I was using. They were convinced I went out and bought a new Marshall stack.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

I must disagree. I used a Chandler Tube Driver with my JC120 and the tone was fantastic. The band in the rehearsal space next door knocked on my door to see what I was using. They were convinced I went out and bought a new Marshall stack.

Um - that actually makes my point.

The Chandler actually has a a Tube! That's where the dirt comes from. Thus it sounds good with the JC just giving volume to the sound.

I'm talking about a pedal designed to generally blast a preamp tube into oblivion via mega input gain level. Like a Tube Screamer with level up / gain down.

And I'm not gonna say there are not exceptions. Just that IME, a JC that you try to elm into OD/Dist with a high output box isn't generally (didn't say always) gonna work.

Or am I mistaken? BTW - Chandler was a cool box. You talking rack or stomp? They had both….

 

[dkal24]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Randall made some good SS amps. I bought an RG80 combo back in the 80's and it still gets some use these days. It's a very reliable amp. The only problem I ever had with it was some scratchy pots.

 

[hermetico]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Well, this is crazy but, I've finally ended with no solid state amp.
HA HA HA.

I was greatefuly surprised with Fender Hot Rod III Deville and, that's what came home, finally.
For my pedalboard and #1 guitar (Fender American Deluxe loaded with David Allen Stratcats) was just perfect.
I guess I have some genetical tube disease.
:9:

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

you might still consider Randall, you can pick them up cheap and they are pretty substantial rigs.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Thanks, Aceman.
In principle, I wasn't thinking on a tube-ss hybrid. Tubes need to be driven to sound any good and, for this, I've got my other amps.
But, who knows!.

100W is not a must, just good for what I currently need but, anything over will give more headroom so, no issues.

On that line of hybrids, how do you see the Vox Valvetronic line?.

I personally love the Vox Valvetronic line. Sound outstanding with my Les Paul and even better with my Semi-Hollow Strat. I would recommend them, but I haven't tried them with any pedals...I'm more of a simple clean/crunch guitar player...

 

[Securb]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Randall made some good SS amps. I bought an RG80 combo back in the 80's and it still gets some use these days. It's a very reliable amp. The only problem I ever had with it was some scratchy pots.

Randell makes a great SS amp and they are cheap if you can find them.

 

[Securb]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

Or am I mistaken? BTW - Chandler was a cool box. You talking rack or stomp? They had both….

The rack I still have it. The thing is sweet but most of my rack gear is in the basement collecting dust.

 

[teleblooz]

Re: Solid State Amp around 100W with nice cleans and a good platform for pedals???

The Peavey suggestion is a good one. Lots of options in their lineup. I've had great success with various Bandits, Artist's (although these have a tube power amp) Heritage, Classic's, etc. A real sleeper in the old Peavey line was the Special 130. Sheer power, ear damaging volume, clean head room out the old wazoo and a fabulous platform for pedals. I've had several of these power houses over the years and I'm sure I'll have a few more sometime down the line. These are well built, reliable amps. Of course, all this means squat if it sounds like ****e. The good thing is they don't sound like ****e.....they actually sound pretty darn good. Since they work so well with pedals, it opens up another layer of tone possibilities. Around here, old teal stripes, metal fronts and transtubes are plentiful.....and cheap! I've had two Special 130's, a Bandit, an Envoy, an Express, two Studio Pro's and a backstage in the past two years. The most I paid for one of these was $60.00. I've flipped em all except a teal Envoy. Right now at the local pawn shop they have two Bandits, (an older model for $59 and a TT for $99) a Special 130 ($85) a Teal Express ($79) and a few others. Between craigslist and the pawn shops you can find a good one cheap! One more to consider is a Carvin SX-200. While it actually does have a real nice sounding drive channel, the cleans are exceptional and it too loves pedals. good luck!