What should I do? (amp shopping)

flank

flank

New member
hey guys...... i have around $1500-1600 to spend on an amp, and although i like my twin, its not exactly what im looking for (i never bought it in the first place), so im looking for a new amp

i have decided that i dont want/need a stack or halfstack, and i dont particularly like a large amount of bass (which is why i dont like 4x12s), though i do like the perception of a deep bass sound (woody), not actually pushing alot of volume and bass frequency

so, im probably going to go with either 2x12 combo, or head + 2x12 cab. I am very interested in getting an Avatar 2x12 with some good celestion speakers.

I think im definately leaning towards the head + 2x12 option, does anybody have experience with avatar cabs or use a 2x12 cab with a head? how is it?
 
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Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

i know a lot of people who use 2x12 cabs with heads, they work and sound great just like a 2x12 combo would, im not sure about that particular cab your talking about, giving an answer to this would depend greatly on the type of amp/head your going to be using with the cab and the type of music you plan to be playing
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

im into vintage sound, not high gain, i will be using a fuzz pedal for gain sounds........probably 50 watt amp head, being played pretty loud....... i probably want the cab to be open back (or semi open "oval") because i like the openness of open back cabs....i like a good clean sound, being warm and woody, and like i said, i dont like alot of bass
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

maybe an open back 2x10? not very common but ud surely get more highs than lows, though an open back 2x12 will get you there, as will a closed back with the right Eq (in my opinion), as for what speakers are best i couldent know but a 2x12 with a 50w head ( i assume valves/tubes) would be easily loud enough for anything.
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

well, i dont want alot of highs, i just dont like when there is too much bass and it makes the sound muddy......i just want a deep sound from perception, i like the nice woody bass tone, but i dont actually want to be pushing alot of air in the bass in frequencies, i guess you could say i dont want to "feel" the bass like i did from the 4x12 cab

ill be using my strat btw, with vintage singles
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

I like the idea of Fatty's Orange amp, and also maybe look into the Dr. Z website and see if anything excites you.
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

Avatar makes a nice 2x12. If you tell Dave the sound you're after, he'll make a good speaker recommendation.
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

I'm kinda with The Joneser on this one ...
but there are so many great amps out there, it's hard to just start pulling names out of the air

I think you've got to get out there and play a few amps. A lot of times, that will change your perception of what you want, and narrow things down.

I went to look at a bunch of Victorias once. I was pretty interested in the 35 3x10, but the amp that impressed me was a Double Deluxe, an amp I didn't know anything about till I went looking.
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

i want something that gives me pretty good clean headroom, and something that is warm and organic, with smooth overdrive i suppose, nothing really crunchy with uneven break up

i just like warmness and sounds that are not real "hard" and pushed sounding, more open and oganic.......i guess that leaves open alot of options.........though i probably want a 50 watt tube head, something vintage based if not actually vintage
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

I often bring this name up, but for someone on a reasonable budget, I cannot recommend enough the Rivera line of amps. Don't let the fact that it has a circuit board in it mess with your head like it did mine.

It'll do vintage fender blackface and tweed, plus it'll get into Marshall Plexi territory and then Plexi on steroids. All in one head.

Rivera Knucklehead 55 is what I had. If I did it again, I'd spend a bit more and probably get the KH55 with Reverb. It is the best Swiss Army knife amp I've ever touched and then sold it like an idiot.

With a nice quality 2x12 open back cab, you will come in under that 1500 if you buy the head used. Riveras pop up on Ebay all the time. Hard to go wrong. You ought to try to find a dealer in your area and play one.
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

Have you tried the Hot rod series? Delux/Deville. I played thru a HR delux
today, And was Blown away by the cleans. The Verb goes into D!ck Dale
territory. And I think you can run it at a 4 ohm load. So you can sit it
on top of a 2x12 cab.
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

Scott_F said:
I often bring this name up, but for someone on a reasonable budget, I cannot recommend enough the Rivera line of amps. Don't let the fact that it has a circuit board in it mess with your head like it did mine.

It'll do vintage fender blackface and tweed, plus it'll get into Marshall Plexi territory and then Plexi on steroids. All in one head.

Rivera Knucklehead 55 is what I had. If I did it again, I'd spend a bit more and probably get the KH55 with Reverb. It is the best Swiss Army knife amp I've ever touched and then sold it like an idiot.

With a nice quality 2x12 open back cab, you will come in under that 1500 if you buy the head used. Riveras pop up on Ebay all the time. Hard to go wrong. You ought to try to find a dealer in your area and play one.
Click to expand...
LOL...i was gonna recomend the Rivera's as well...one of those will definetily be my next amp...and i haven't even tried the famous Knucklehead yet...i gotta feeling that the only problem i'm gonna have on my next amp is which Rivera to buy...haha...in the review of the Fandango (they call it the "Twin Killer!)...i didn't give it enough credit...it was an awesome, awesome amp...and if you're wanting the sounds that you've described...it will get you those and more (from plexi to blackface)...now i haven't had the privilege to play on alot of the other amps that have been suggested so i really can't compare...but i do know quality when i see it and when i hear it!

i also agree with avatar and Dave who works there...super informative and helpful person...so he could definitely steer you in the right direction with the speakers for the sound you want...if you go that route...i believe the Fandango comes in a head as well... fandango
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

mrid said:
I'm selling my Shiva... :wink:
Click to expand...
I'll give ya 5 bucks?

I use a head and 2x12 and its great.You can (if u want) get a big sound with little effort for transporting it.
 
Re: What should I do? (amp shopping)

can i recommend the Ampeg Reverbrocket Head? my old singer used to have the 2x12 combo and it had vintage written all over it. sounded very nice. put that on top of the avatar 2x12 and you will have one nice setup.
 
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