Still don't know what amp I want... help?

Rushfan2112

Rushfan2112

New member
I currently play through a Fender Blues Junior. It's pretty good, I could keep it for a while longer, but I'd like a new amp. I'm thinking american voiced, Fendery. I'm not a big fan of Marshalls/British voiced amps, and I'm not looking for that El84 "chime" right now. I'd like something smallish, maybe 15w? Maybe a little bit more? My big tones I like are those in between ones, you don't really know if it's clean or overdriven. That's my favorite. Trem and reverb aren't necessary, but would be welcomed greatly. What am I describing?

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For reference:

- I have a BYOC Delay, Fuzz Face and Triboost.
- My main influences are Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Ryan Adams and bands of that type. Indie and alt. country is my preferred style of music.
- I plan on gigging with this equipment, possibly with another guitarist (using an AC15 and a Fender Pro).
- Clean headroom isn't the most important; I'd like that dirty clean tone I described. I'm not looking for a Twin, but I'm not looking for a Champ either.
- I plan on adding (maybe) a Big Cheese clone, and (fo reals) a Tuna Melt and Verbzilla (if my amp doesn't have verb or trem) to my board.
- I'll save up for something if it's that good (I'm 16 and work at Sbarro. I don't make much) but really, cheap is always good too.

Thanks dudes. I know a lot of you guys are really cool and know your amps, so I'm hoping we can chat about stuff I'd can go try out. I don't want this to turn into "just play what sounds good", as I think we all know that by now. I'd just like a little direction, that's all.

Rob.
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

You are describing a tweed deluxe with a 12AX7 in V1. Check the clones. There are several on Ebay right now that are not too spendy. Perhaps a DRRI would get you there, but it breaks up much later than a Tweed Deluxe.
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

I'm gonna give a big +1 to the Deluxe Reverb suggestions, but I think you should try to swing an early 70's silverface one and have it modded later down the road. (You dont' have to mod it to get great tones, just something for later)
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

drpietrzak said:
You are describing a tweed deluxe with a 12AX7 in V1. Check the clones. There are several on Ebay right now that are not too spendy. Perhaps a DRRI would get you there, but it breaks up much later than a Tweed Deluxe.
Click to expand...

You do want one of those! Huge tone at fairly low volumes. If you want to maintain a little more headroom, go w/ a 12AY7 in the v1 position. Speaker choice is critical here to voice amp to your liking. You can have one custom built by Scott or at least a dozen capable builders for about 8 bills or less.
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

A lot of players swear by the Traynor 40W combo w/6L6's. By your description, I'd look at that one first.
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

Gearjoneser said:
A lot of players swear by the Traynor 40W combo w/6L6's. By your description, I'd look at that one first.
Click to expand...

Might be a little too loud, but I'll definitely check it out!

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I have on my list this, a DRRI and a Tweed Deluxe to try out.
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

If I owned a fender and wanted something more...

My favorite small amp is the tweed deluxe clone. Victoria make a great one, or you could get a kit one for quite a bit less. Also check out the victoria regals. Great sounding amps.

Carr make some fantastic fender-voiced amps, so check them out too. Perhaps there'd be something for you in the Dr Z range as well.

Carr, Victoria and Dr Z are spendy amps, but you'll be getting something far better made than any production-line fender. Check out secondhand prices for a deal...
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

Gearjoneser said:
A lot of players swear by the Traynor 40W combo w/6L6's. By your description, I'd look at that one first.
Click to expand...

Try the red tolexed version if you can find it. I liked it much more than the regular Traynor . . .
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

You may also want to consider a Fender Super Champ. Rivera wasn't messing around when he designed those little suckers. I've got a pair of 'em and they kick like mules for their size, and it is classic blackface Fender tone ala DR. Swapping the original speaker for something hardier is a good idea, as is fitting them with nice old RCA blackplate 12AX7 and 6V6GT's. http://www.superchamp.dk/

Cheers............wahwah
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

Maybe look at the Orange AD30 too, that does great breakup tones.
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

My price range is 1000 and down, really. New guitar comes first, so this purchase will be somewhere down the line.
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

If I were in the market for an amp, I'd probably get a Deluxe Reverb. Maybe a used Blue Angel. If you're going to go tube, you've got to have the tube rectifier...anybody else feel that way? :6:

But then I started feeling like I've become a tube elitist/nerd, and maybe I should just switch to solid state... Ha. :amish:
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

blackflag said:
If I were in the market for an amp, I'd probably get a Deluxe Reverb. Maybe a used Blue Angel. If you're going to go tube, you've got to have the tube rectifier...anybody else feel that way? :6:

But then I started feeling like I've become a tube elitist/nerd, and maybe I should just switch to solid state... Ha. :amish:
Click to expand...

You are correct sir. A tube amp is only half a tube amp w/out the tube rectifier.:bad: Smiley face means nothing, just thought it was cool !
 
Re: Still don't know what amp I want... help?

What about the amp you're using now? I love that thing for barely overdriven clean tones...and you'll get the 'indie small amp' cred.

Or of course...Fender Bassman head. Perfect for anything everywhere at all times.

-X
 
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