What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

[marty_the_westie]

Other than buying a Marshall Duel Super 100W head which has the classic crunch setting built right in, which by the way is the exact tone I'm looking to get close to, what's the best way to achieve the closest tone, yet stay within the relm of a 30-50W combo amp, mostly for home use. I'm figuring an all tube combo, and I already have a Tube Screamer. The tone I'm looking for, think early Frehley, Deep Purple, early Zep. Basically 70's classic rock/metal. Any thoughts?

 

[JeffB]

Re: What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

Find a 1987X reissue and grab a 1x12/2x12 cab. It's based on a 1972 circuit and it will SCREAM. Or purr, or do a heck of a cool Marshall clean. When I had my Heritage w/ 59's I never had been closer to those great 70's LP/Marshall sounds...page, gibbons, kossoff, etc. And goosed with a Tubescreamer it was 80's metal meltdown (LOL..sounds like one of those cheesy compilation CDs).

Word of warning though..they NEED to be cranked, and they are LOUD. Buy a hotplate/power brake.

IMO, as much as Marshall would like you to think the newer amps can get that sound, they really cannot..at least without being modded. Non MV amps have a character all their own.

And I'm not saying this because mine is for sale, LOL. It's the truth. The TSL/DSLs cannot do it. The 900's couldn't. The JTM/JCM 600s could not, nor could the 800s or JMP MV amps. Sure they can do a good classic type crunch, but it's not "right".I've played through older (late 60s/early 70s) non MV 50's and 100s and they all have THAT sound (to a certain extent, they all varied a little sound-wise).

For other brands I'd look into maybe a Peavey Classic 30/50 with some mods (new tubes, speakers), or a Traynor.

 

[DirrtyCraig]

Re: What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

My buddy John plays in a Zep tribute (www.physicalgraffiti.us) and has one of those JTM45's reissues, 30 watts I think and it sounds awesome for that stuff. We did a gig together a while back and I was really impressed with that thing.

That 1987X would sound killer too. Maybe a bit more head than you need though.... how much you selling that for Jeff? PM me.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

An late 60s early 70s Traynor Bassmate combo or head at 20 watts ( LOUD!!) will put you in 70s rock heaven. It is a spectacular sounding amp that is still affordable. Pretty easy to find still. It is much better sounding than the old Guitarmate amp they made. These are handwired loaded with mustards and cheaper than any PV or Crate offering that sound decent but not great.

 

[xerxes]

Re: What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

i get a sound pretty close using my classic 30. deffinately try it.

 

[BornToShred]

Re: What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

You can do this on pretty much any tube amp. Go easy on the preamp gain, crank the master to get some power amp and speaker distortion (A lower powered amp is good for doing this without going deaf) and beat the **** out of that guitar. A tight, aggressive picking touch is essential to getting that Jimmy Page tone.

 

[jeremy]

Re: What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

the jtm45 is 45w. its basically a bassman circut, great amps!

 

[Brow]

Re: What's the best way to get early-mid 70's classic crunch.

My orange AD30 with volume at about 5+ and with gain anywhere aboue 4 has a great Classic Rock 'Crunch' to it. The combo's are s'pposed to be great too.

Craig