What's a good modeling amp?

[bigheadood]

I'm looking for a small modeling amp for practice/home recording, 30-50 watts, maybe a 10" or 12" speaker. I've tried the line6 spider2 30 and the peavey 110 EFX. Either would do the trick, but in my town, there is not much to choose from. I would have to go to musiciansfriend. Are there any amps I might be missing that would be better than these two?
Any input would be appreciated
Nick

 

[Anthem]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

I have a Tech 21 Trademark 60....it's far and away the best modeller I've tried. It's all analog and simple to use....gets loud as hell too! Great reverb!

 

[nooklear]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

http://www.tech21nyc.com/guitar_intro.html

Tech 21's....I havent had the chance to play one...but have only heard good things.

 

[Anthem]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

BTW, the Tech 21 products are the only ones I've tried that get anywhere near true tube tone. Line 6 sounds very digital, but some people dig that.

 

[tone4days]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

i think there was a very nice review of the rocktron replitone recently (use the search function) ... another option ... i also bet you could pick up a used yamaha DG for very small coin ... if you dont need to jam with other guys with it, consider the DG-stomp ... amazing for recording and headphone practice

good luck
t4d

 

[JeffB]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Hesitant to rcommend them due to the reliability issues I and a friend of mine have experienced, but for low cost, the VOX VT amps are hard to beat (15/30/50 watt versions).

If I had to do it again, I'd have bought a Behringer V-tone 2x12 combo. Doesn't give you as many amp types or programability, but does the "BIG THREE" amps extremely well.

Spiders are def not my cup of tea. Flextones are pretty good (but considerably more expensive)

The Alesis soundclips on the MF site sound quite good too. They are super inexpensive, but I've never tried one.

EDIT: the Behringer V-tone is basically a ripoff of the TECH21 stuff and sounds exactly the same..jes built alot cheaper than the Tech21's, so def check the T21's out if ya can afford them

 

[Dills]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Vox Valvetronix ad30vt or 50vt. The best Ive heard yet, not over priced and are great tone monsters, have a search on the forums for valvetronix there are dozens of positive reviews

 

[Ocifer]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Check out Vox Valvetronix. They're my favourite modelers out now.

Here's a thread I posted yesterday.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=33960

I will update it with some personal recordings SOON.

 

[bigheadood]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

I tried a vox ad60vt which was good, but too big. I've read bad reviews of the 15 and 30 watt valvetronix, they fall apart. Anyone know anything about the trademark 10?

 

[kherman]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

I'm very happy with my L6 Flex III XL.

I've posted this many times, but here it is again.
http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000046117_000023267.mp3
It's a backing track I solo'd over.
I did the harmony parts and the solos.
I used the Flex III and my Diodati.

Kent

 

[Ocifer]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Kherman, killer guitar!!!

To the threadstarter, I'd just like to give a word of warning from personal experience with Line 6 amps. They can sound quite good, and the Line 6 technology is getting better, but if you want to use it live, you may have problems. Playing these at a loud volume will make them sound really 'tinny' and sterile.

 

[skynyrdlover1]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

i have a vox ad50vt and a epiphone les paul with a set of seth lovers.I don't think theres anything any better than what I have,I absoultly love it!!!!

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

May I suggest a Behringer V-ampire? Dunno about the quality of the speaker, etc but the V-amp circuitry is pretty good IMO and it's the right size for your needs. I don't have one, I've got a V-amp 2 plugged into the input of a Fender Princeton 650, which I suppose is a DIY louder version of a V-ampire. And the Fender has a celestion in it Seriously, give the V-ampire some thought, you can use it for recording and there's an awful lot in it for the money.

 

[kherman]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Kherman, killer guitar!!!

To the threadstarter, I'd just like to give a word of warning from personal experience with Line 6 amps. They can sound quite good, and the Line 6 technology is getting better, but if you want to use it live, you may have problems. Playing these at a loud volume will make them sound really 'tinny' and sterile.

Thanks, Ocifer.

I have to say I do think you can get ome great tones at band volumes.
I haven't used mine for live apps yet.
But, one of the main reasons I went with the Flex III was because of a friend that used a flex II then later a podxt. He got killer tones when they played live. Very Ty Tabor (kings X) in style. I was impressed. Especsially since i heard the same things as you.
I've heard other get great success live. Mainly they say is to take the time and set up live patches. Too many set up bedroom patches then expect it to sound great when cranked. One thing for people to remember is the power section of the L6 amps is just that . Power. It just raises your level, unlike a tube power amp that colors your tone as it's cranked louder.
I've been messing with my tones at high levels and have been very pleased. But, yes i do need to try them in a band situation now.
Another litte trick guys are doing is putting a Presonus tube preamp in the effects loop to add that tube warmth back. Basically simulating the tube pre section of a tube power amp. Vox already has this idea built into the valvetronics. Many bass amps have been using this idea for decades. A tube pre section with a solid state power section.

Another thing I should point out, and this is for any modeling amp.
Read how the modeling amps controls mimic the amp its modeling at the time.
Too many guys just treat modeling amps as regular amps and crank everything to 11. Then bitch when their tone sucks.
Modeling amps are a totally different monster people. Read the manual.
They are a computer. Thus, need tweaking time. I just wish I could figure out how to download and play Asteriods on it for between sets. :laugh2:

Kent

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Valvetronics by far over the Tech 21. I've spent extensive time with the Trademark 120 and it has nothing on either the AD60 or 120 of which I own one and have access to the other. The Vox's tones are better, it's much more versital and cheaper on the used market. I don't know what the reliability issues on the smaller models are so I can't comment on that.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Valvetronics by far over the Tech 21. I've spent extensive time with the Trademark 120 and it has nothing on either the AD60 or 120 of which I own one and have access to the other. The Vox's tones are better, it's much more versital and cheaper on the used market. I don't know what the reliability issues on the smaller models are so I can't comment on that.

Another bigtime plug for the Valvetronix Vox amp! I Love my 120 watt VTH head..

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

May I suggest a Behringer V-ampire? Dunno about the quality of the speaker, etc but the V-amp circuitry is pretty good IMO and it's the right size for your needs. I don't have one, I've got a V-amp 2 plugged into the input of a Fender Princeton 650, which I suppose is a DIY louder version of a V-ampire. And the Fender has a celestion in it Seriously, give the V-ampire some thought, you can use it for recording and there's an awful lot in it for the money.

+1 i have one (v-ampire combo) and its great. i can get like all the sounds (well, most) i need. i dont like the line 6 spider, but they make a tiny practice amp version of that.

 

[sac]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Here's another vote for the vox ad30 or 50. I had the 50 for 3 months with no problems, before trading it in for the 60 watt head and cabinet and all I can say about the 60 is WOW! Don't even say line 6 or LOL Behringer in the same breath. Talk about reliability issues.

 

[Hellion]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

I have had no problems with my Spider 112 model. It's great for smaller venues.

 

[bigheadood]

Re: What's a good modeling amp?

Unfortunately, no one around here sells Vox. I can't really try them out. I tried out the spider2. I liked the amp models, but the effects suck. Has anyone tried both spiders and ad15,30 or 50 valvetronix? how do they compare?

Thanks for the help, everyone.
Nick