Solid-state amp choice!

A

Annihilator

New member
Hi folks,

I’m about to buy the new combo amp. Since I can’t afford tube amp at the moment, I’m forced to consider some other options. I play many styles, from old-school thrash metal, hard rock, to blues/jazz and alternative rock.
I was searching a lot, looking for all kinds and types of amps and brands, and I sticked with these three models, based on their characteristics and reviews, two of them hybrid, one pure solid-state.

Laney LV200
Power RMS: 65 Watts
Inputs: 1x Jack
Channels: 3 (Clean, Drive 1 and Drive 2)
Equalization: Independent Bass, Mid, and Treble for Clean and Drive
Bright Switch: Yes (Clean Channel)
Reverb: Yes, with independent level controls for Clean and Drive
Footswitch: Custom 3-Way (Included)
Speaker connections: 1x Jack (8 Ohms)
FX Loop(s): Yes
Drivers: 1x12" Celestion Super 65
Scoop Switch: 2 (Drive 1 & Drive 2)
Tube Fusion Technology: ECC83 Preamp Valve
Headphone Socket: Yes
Price: 260EUR

Peavey Bandit 112
80 Watts RMS into 8 Ohms
100 Watts RMS into 4 Ohms (w/external speaker)
12 in. Blue Marvel speaker
High and Low Gain inputs
TransTube tube emulation circuitry
Footswitchable Clean and Lead channels
3 band passive EQ on each channel
3 position EQ/Gain Voicing switch on each channel
Reverb with level control
Footswitchable Boost with level control (footswitch optional).
Price: 350 EUR

Roland CUBE-60
60-watt output, compact 12" speaker design
9 COSM guitar amp models, including JC, British Combo, and R-Fire
New Dyna Amp feature enables smooth and expressive tone transitions based on picking dynamics
6 classic built-in effects, including Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, and independent Delay/Reverb
Recording/Phones output, Line out, Tuner out, and Ext Speaker out
Channel switching, delay/reverb, and effect on/off control via optional footswitch
Price: 330EUR


Btw. I saw some guy selling used ’88. Laney Linebacker 50W Reverb, so I’m considering that too:
Laney Linebacker 50W Reverb
Made in England
Year of production: 1988.
Solid-state amp
Accutronix reverb
Celestion 10-50 speaker
Master: Presence, Reverb, Master volume.
Two channels
Channel A : Master A (volume) , Treble, Middle, Bass Pull Boost, Gain Pull Boost.
Channel B: Master B (volume), Treble, Middle, Bass, Gain
Input: Footswitch, Channel A, Channel mix, Channel B (footswitch not included).
Rear panel: FX Loop , D. I. , Speaker, Headphones.
Price: 170 EUR

If anyone has some better option in that price range in mind, please share it. Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

Prepare to be told 17 times that you should just buy a cheap tube amp / keep saving
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

The only SS amp I have is the Roland Cube street.

I like it becuz:

a) can run on batteries

b) has amp modelling

c) some built in fx

d) aux input

e) small enuff to tote around, tuff enuff to take some abuse

f) output speakers are in stereo


Overall this is a fine amp. Not the best, but fine at what it does. On a scale of 1 to 10, ten being perfect, I give this amp a solid "meh".
 
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Re: Solid-state amp choice!

My main amp has been a Cube 60, for years.

If you've got overdrive and distortion pedals that you use, then it wouldn't be a mistake for sure.
The Cube's got a LOT of power for it's size and the clean channel is terrific.
But the distortion models aren't so good (except the 5150 model and the Vox) and the EQ is shared between both channels, and that sucks. And the onboard FX are terrible; the tremolo, reverb and delay are the only ones usable.

Why don't you have one of the new Vox Valvetronix on your list?
The VT80+ is IMO much better than all of those you listed.
Or if you want to go used, one of the old Vox VT50 combos.
I bet it's price is on par with the Cube 60, and it's a better amplifier.
 
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Re: Solid-state amp choice!

I had the cube15x and the speaker kinda sucked. dunno about he 60w.

the Peavey maybe's good. (298 from thomann - 299+ free delivery so you can get some other sh&t as well.)

but god damn it get the f*cking BUGERA 6262-212. it's awesome (5150 clone - not the speaker) and it's like 340.
 
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Re: Solid-state amp choice!

tube isn't the end all be all if you don't play with crunch or intend to slam an amp into overdrive as priority #1. That and I'm not dreading the end of my set because the head and cab are about 25 pounds each as opposed to a 50 lb tube combo amp

The speakers have tons to do with the tone. If your guitar has a full sound via the pickups (plugged direct into a mixer lately?) you should be fine getting a full sound through decent SS amp. Tone and integrity of output is affected by the OT just as much as the tubes.
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

ImmortalSix said:
Prepare to be told 17 times that you should just buy a cheap tube amp / keep saving
Click to expand...

I'll be number one...I used to love solid state amps. Plenty sound good, they are easier maintain, and easier to transport.

BUT for the price range you are looking you could find a quality tube combo amp if you spend some time looking. Marshall dsl 401, MA series, and some fender tube combos can be had in the $300-500 range. I disagree that tubes are only good for overdrive and crunch. They are fantastic at that, but also sound great for cleans. Unless you have a specific reason (other than cost) that you want solid state I would spend the money on a used tube amp.

That said I had a peavey transfer pro for a long time. They're rare, but if you can find one they aren't too expensive now and have lots of power, good clean and dirty sounds, decent tube simulation, and programmable effects. There are also hybrid amps too that do usually sound a little sweeter than a pure solid-state.

I know it's sounds like a soap-box speech (I don't intend it to be) but I've been there and if you can play some, I think you'll be sold by the sound of tubes.

Tim
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

I like a good tube amp but if price is really an issue.

The Valvetronix and Mustang stuff is good. Line 6 isn't that bad.

I personally really love the cube. :D
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

Why don't you just put your location in so we can search Craigslist for you?

People out there are tired of amps a lot better than what you're looking at.
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

For SS I like the old 60 watt Blues Cubes. No amp modeling or effects, just 2 channels, EQ, OD, and reverb. All you really need. Not as fancy, but better tones than the current Cubes.
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

ImmortalSix said:
Prepare to be told 17 times that you should just buy a cheap tube amp / keep saving
Click to expand...

screw that. THe Fender Mustang III in my shop is one of my favorite grab and go, swiss army knife amps I've ever touched. 300 bucks, good speaker, open back cab, great Fender models , good british models. But I"m not much of a high gain american amp model guy so I no basis to compare. I think the Mustang IV is a 2x12 and more power if you need a lot of volume.
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

That Laney you listed has pretty good cleans. Much better than the Bandit. So if you use your pedal for dirt, you might like that Laney.
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

I vote Roland despite what people will say they are great amps you don't HAVE TO HAVE all tube. You'll get some incredible clean tones in the Jazz Chorus mode and in all honesty the COSM models on it sound decent as do the effects. The JC mode takes pedals really well. I'd suggest you find an XL model it has a built in looper.
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

Scott_F said:
screw that. THe Fender Mustang III in my shop is one of my favorite grab and go, swiss army knife amps I've ever touched. 300 bucks, good speaker, open back cab, great Fender models , good british models. But I"m not much of a high gain american amp model guy so I no basis to compare. I think the Mustang IV is a 2x12 and more power if you need a lot of volume.
Click to expand...

I agree the Mustang III is a terrific amp at any pricepoint. Between the Roland and Mustang if it were me.

i didn't care for the valvetronix, peavey, or laney personally but YMMV.
 
Re: Solid-state amp choice!

To get back to your original question:

Out of the amps you've listed I would go for the Laney. I had a Laney s/s amp a few years ago which was really good and totally blew away the original Marshall Valvestate series which were around at the time.

Second choice would be the Bandit.

I would steer clear of the cubes - I have a Microcube that's great for the kitchen but the larger models sound terrible to me.
 
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