Time to look for the lighter amp setup

Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

I looked up the weights of the latest common 1x12 modelling amps. The Mustang III is 36 lbs. The Code 50 (not out yet) is listed at 13 kilos or 28 lbs. Too bad they don't come as a head only, so one can use an extra light weight speaker cab, and one can carry the head and cab in separate. Plye wood for the cab material is always significantly lighter than MDF or particle board too.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

I have the Kotzen Flyrig in front of my Mesa Single Rec (which also goes into an Avatar 2x12 cab). I love the OMG as an OD in front of the amp, through both the clean and dirty channels. I've seen Kotzen say that sometimes he uses the Sansamp with the settings flat so he can utilize the reverb in the Sansamp section (my version of the single rec doesn't have a built in reverb) but that hasn't been to my liking so I still use a reverb pedal. But the Flyrig OMG and Delay sections are great IMO. It's a nice little unit with a lot of tonal variety in there.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

I tried all combinations of amp/modeler/cab and I eventually went to just the modeler. When I brought everything, it was probably a full car-load of stuff. I eventually sold a bunch of stuff due to the weight, forcing me to get a good sound with what I had left. It worked- my sound is better now, and there is a lot less (it can fit in the front seat).
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

Modeling has come a long way in the 10 years since I bought my Vox Valvetronix. I'm looking at moving it and possibly my old Marshall that I've used maybe a dozen times since it's been fixed. It's just sitting in the closet and is pretty hefty itself.
 
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Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

That is the thing about modeling- make sure it is going to be able to get firmware updates. Fractal is good about it, but a lot of companies put the stuff out and never update firmware, so you have to buy something new in a year or so to get the better modeling.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

My spine just gave up around 2010 due to polyarthritis. Lifting + this damn disease took its toll on the long run. Despite the fact that now I'm kind of alright and on the mission of finding a 50W tube amp for stage again (that fortunately someone else will carry from gig to gig, haha) after half a decade after I sold all of my tube amps, my everyday travelling rig looks like that:

AMT + EHX.jpg

This mat has seen somewhere over a hundred concerts with no failures. The AMT preamp is great for what it is and the Magnum is pretty decent for a single guitarist situation. The only downside is that the class-D amp lacks dynamics a little and is sort of sensitive of noise generated by onstage light stuff. Other than that, it works. Sometimes when the control monitors are not adequate it goes into a small open-back cab that has a Celestion G12 Century Vintage speaker, it is lighter than your suitcase. Sometimes when the control monitors are adequate I just plug the CAB SIM out of the AMT preamp into a DI box and go cab-less to the PA.

If you want a compact rig, a Taurus Stomphead is also an option as it's light and sounds cool:



Also, check AMT Stonehead. It's light, 50W and kicks major ass and it's new 100W version is under development:



Yamaha THR100H range, if you don't have an aversion of (good) powered modelers that are as light as a laptop:

 
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Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

Selling one Vox amp and possibly picking up another. A friend of mine (our own JeffB) told me about the new AV series. Impressive, and light weight. This I like. The 30 watt comes in at 26lbs. and shares the same features as the 60 watt version. Other than the power, the only other difference is 1x10 vs 1x12. Since there is a speaker out, I can use my 2x12 when needed. This could work. I'm planning on setting my amp more out front and to the side / corner at gigs facing me as a monitor and letting the PA handle the work. I won't need to turn up as loud either.

So it looks like it's going to come down to the Quilter vs. the Vox AV30.
 
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Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

I'd thought about mentioning the AMT Stonehead but I don't know how those 50 watts compare to the EHX Magnum, regarding headroom and dynamics.

What about the Blackstar ID100 TVP head? Just 26 pounds and 100 watts.
https://www.blackstaramps.com/products/id100-tvp

Gearjoneser approved, as well. :D
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

FWIW- I am considering replacing my DSL with a full size Blackstar ID series. I have the little core 10 as a practice amp, and I have more fun with it than the Marshall even on the days no-one is around and I can crank the DSL.It is just a killer sounding little circuit. The ID10 takes all my pedals out front well , and cleans up really well for a cheap practice amp. I just set it for lower gain on crunch and have at it. Its kind of like a cross between a 2204 and a DR103. Crunchy but clear.

So yeah, I would consider the ID amps too. There are so many choices out there today, that if I were you, I would take your time and wade through several amps to see.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

Wow. Those ID amps are loaded with features. More than I would ever use. Heck, there are models in the AD50VT that I never touched and effects that never got used. The appeal to me on it was the ease of use, simple features and it sounds good too. If there is too much programming to do, then I spend more time tweaking and fiddling than playing. The familiarity with Vox products is nice too and seeing how simple the new AV series amps are to operate, massive appeal. We'll see. The AD50VT is officially gone. Thankfully I have a Marshall MG30CFX to play through for right now.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

The IDs are easy to get a good sound of. No worse than the valvetronix of any generation and easier than some models on the vox that dont ever sound right. You can run it like a 1 channel tube amp with stompers on the floor in manual mode , run a bunch of pre-sets, and you can tweak it like crazy with software if you prefer that approach. Its not like a line 6 or a Boogie.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

Diego said:
I'd thought about mentioning the AMT Stonehead but I don't know how those 50 watts compare to the EHX Magnum, regarding headroom and dynamics.
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The Stonehead is more open sounding and louder + it has more headroom and dynamics = colder, more precise. The Magnum is darker, has a slight compression that eats dynamics a little = warmer, softer. Its behaviour reminds me of my ancient Selmer Treble'n'Bass head to the level that I don't think an A/B test would make a huge difference.

JeffB said:
I have the little core 10 as a practice amp, and I have more fun with it than the Marshall (...) Crunchy but clear.
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I hear ya. I've been abusing a 20watter IDcore for a couple of months and I tend to think now I play comparably more than before. This tiny amp is quite inspiring and amazing for what it is.
 
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Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

not to sway to OT land, (and, cant really offer anything helpful, but Ive got a glass back and hope to learn from this) but some questions.. First. out of curiousity, what Marshall amp you running? (you said you werent ready to get rid of the marshall yet..)

next, The quilters pretty good?? They are ss right?? Ive seen ads for them. Figured it was a diff co take on the crate powerblock.

Those flyboards good?? seen those advertise too. they claim its all you need to gig. I assume its ONLY if you are running into a place that supplies house system to run into. Did I read somewhere in this thread that the plexi tone is good on it?

I LOVE the brutality of a a 4x12 or 2,(or 10) but do to storage/space restraints and back issues, my avatar 2x12 is the only one seeing any time.

Also, am I reading right that they are producing versions of speakers that are supposed to be classic sounding BUT have the neo mag? (i saw creamback mentioned) I think thats all I got.. for now..

Good luck with the back Bro! No fun!! 3surgeries here thus far..
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

BloodRose said:
not to sway to OT land, (and, cant really offer anything helpful, but Ive got a glass back and hope to learn from this) but some questions.. First. out of curiousity, what Marshall amp you running? (you said you werent ready to get rid of the marshall yet..)
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I have a Marshall MG30CFX combo in addition to the JCM 900 MkIII 2100 head. The 900 doesn't get used much. If we are playing an outdoor festival, then yes, but otherwise it's the smaller amps.

next, The quilters pretty good?? They are ss right?? Ive seen ads for them. Figured it was a diff co take on the crate powerblock.
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Quilters are SS. IMO, they are miles above the Powerblock. Way more headroom, really good tone, more tonal options than what the Crate had. Not even in the same class, TBH. Same idea (lightweight, class D amplification), but better.

Those flyboards good?? seen those advertise too. they claim its all you need to gig. I assume its ONLY if you are running into a place that supplies house system to run into. Did I read somewhere in this thread that the plexi tone is good on it?
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I haven't tried the Fly Rig boards yet. I do like what I have heard in the demo's. Tomorrow I'm going to check out a Vox AV60 and if I like it, I may have the shop order me in an AV30. It's a lot lighter of an amp and plenty for what I need.

I LOVE the brutality of a a 4x12 or 2,(or 10) but do to storage/space restraints and back issues, my avatar 2x12 is the only one seeing any time.
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I got rid of my 4x12 years ago and have the 2x12 and combo(s).

Also, am I reading right that they are producing versions of speakers that are supposed to be classic sounding BUT have the neo mag? (i saw creamback mentioned) I think thats all I got.. for now..
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Yes, something I wasn't aware of. The neo mag is a lot lighter. Have read some good and not so good reviews on them. Eminence makes one too.

Good luck with the back Bro! No fun!! 3surgeries here thus far..
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No surgeries for me. Just aggrivated muscles every once in a while from being stupid years ago. I should've moved that baby gate instead of stepping over it. Most of the time I'm OK. Going lighter rig just makes sense anymore.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

The FlyRigs are great. The amp is modeled after a Fender, the distortion is like a Marshall with some thump. Great reverb, a boost and analog-sounding delay. And it is tiny! Perfect if there is a backline (go into the effects loop of the amp) or a PA with your own monitor mix. I can do a whole gig with one.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

Hughes&Kettner Grandmeister 36. 17lb. Valve head with some digital effects, 4 channels and boost, power-scalable.

In you already have a cab, it may be worth a look, if you have the budget for it.
 
Re: Time to look for the lighter amp setup

JeffB said:
The issue has been solved :D
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Yes it has.

I went to the shop and played an AV60 with a few guitars that are as close to one of mine as possible. OK, not completely but that EVH Bumble Bee is sure nice. :D

While I dig the Quilter, the AV series is just more practical for what I need. It is all analog (other than the effects) and the power amp has switches to make it have more sag or tighten it up. There's also a bright and fat switch for the preamp. The amp voicings are really nice. Great sounding cleans and nice and big sounding overdriven and high gain sounds. It does get hissy in the high gain voicings with the gain dialed up a bit but the way I look at it, that's part of adding more gain. Even the AD50VT I just sold did that. Nothing a gate can't remedy in the loop if I need to add one in. 2 channels, footswitchable, FX loop, external speaker out, good tones, and light weight. I went with the AV30. Should have it at the shop in a few days. They had just ordered a couple with one already sold. Now both are sold.
 
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