What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

[Inkstained]

I'm looking at an Egnater Tweaker 112 15-watter combo. I play blues, classic rock, some jazz, with Fenders and Gibsons.

The middle-class white boy trilogy -- SRV, Hendrix, Clapton -- rules my world, for better or worse. I don't gig. I play in a basement in our own single-family home, and I'm lucky enough to be able to crank it up a bit. I'd like to keep my next amp under $1,000, but I also feel drawn to the new Fender 68 Custom Deluxe non-reissue on offer, which pretty much hits $1K.

Tell me what's wrong with the Egnater. And if you like it: Tell me what's right.

And, yeah, if you want to berate me over the whole SRV-Hendrix-Clapton thing, fine, but let's not get mired in that. I'm asking about an amp, and there's no accounting for taste, I'm told.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

You mean the Tweaker? Isn't that supposed to be an uber-versatile amp?

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I would go for the Tweaker 40. It takes a cool amp and adds some (IMO) much needed headroom and an even more much needed second channel. IIRC it's not that much more expensive either.

Egnaters are awesome. I've got a USA made Plexi+800 clone coming next week.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

You mean the Tweaker? Isn't that supposed to be an uber-versatile amp?

Damn. One edit, coming up.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I would go for the Tweaker 40. It takes a cool amp and adds some (IMO) much needed headroom and an even more much needed second channel. IIRC it's not that much more expensive either.

Egnaters are awesome. I've got a USA made Plexi+800 clone coming next week.

Thanks. I guess my concern is, in an SDUGF forum search, I read users who say they're "lifeless." I don't like "lifeless." I like complex, rich, full-of-life.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

Thanks. I guess my concern is, in an SDUGF forum search, I read users who say they're "lifeless." I don't like "lifeless." I like complex, rich, full-of-life.

I've played the Tweaker 40 and 88 extensively and IMO they're anything but lifeless. If you know how to dial in an amp and how to play your guitar better than an amateur, you shouldn't have any problem getting kickass tones from any of the Tweakers.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I've played the Tweaker 40 and 88 extensively and IMO they're anything but lifeless. If you know how to dial in an amp and how to play your guitar better than an amateur, you shouldn't have any problem getting kickass tones from any of the Tweakers.

Cool. Thank you.

 

[Diego]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I've got a 15. These things are MADE for old school rock sounds.
Lifeless? Nonsense. It's warm and smooth and loves to have it's power tubes pushed.
Get one (or a 40) and I assure you, you'll love it.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

My only problem with the Tweaker is that it's good at a few sounds instead of being awesome at one.

That is a con for me... I collect amps with cool unique voices. If you want one box with a variety of tones, it could be a huge plus.

I'd rather have the Fender and some pedals tho...

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

Thanks. I guess my concern is, in an SDUGF forum search, I read users who say they're "lifeless." I don't like "lifeless." I like complex, rich, full-of-life.

Then stay away from the Tourmaster. Those were pretty bland amps all the way around. Then again, I've never tried the Tweaker series and people rave about those so I'm sure they're a vast improvement. If you're within a decent range of a dealer, I'd check them out first hand to see if they fit your style.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

The Tweaker is a really good platform for pedals. I don't think it's necessarily for the high gain shred type of person, but it can definitely get some useable tones. Very bare bones type of amp.

I will say, the Armageddon is exceptional. I've gotten some Boogie-esque type of tones out of it. The Vengeance isn't bad either, just needs an OD thrown in front of it i you want to put it in that high gain territory.

Haven't tried the Rebel yet, but I've heard mixed things about them. I heard they're really good, and then I've heard that they're not so great, so who knows.

 

[JeffB]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

The tweaker are not bad. As mentioned, ok at a few sounds instead of really good at one. I have thought about picking up a 15 and stuffing it with el34s.

But the Renegade and Rebel are definitely in the lifeless camp, AFAIC.

for the sounds you are looking for, the 68 CDR is a far better amp. That amp is killer on its own, and with smart pedal choices you can get old school marshall hendrix and cream sounds.

 

[guitarded]

I regularly gig with the 40 and get compliments all the time on my tone. It is easy to dial and gets along with most speakers. Also light and easy to carry. I also have the 15 and gigged with it once. It worked fine I needed the 40 to have a boosted lead channel plus it has a little something extra over the 15 that is hard to describe.

 

[rumy22]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

Egnater is not lifeless, but it lacks a knockout sound, like a Fender with cleans or Marshall with crunch or Vox with distorted chime. Egnaters do not make any one sound great but do not make a bad sound either. Basically, they are a decent foundation for tone but will need the help of pedals.

 

[everdrone]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I only need one awesome sound so not interested

but that 40 is light and cheap and versatile, so if thats what you need listen to all the youtube clips you can and try one if possible. buy it and return it if it is not up to par

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

For the music you listed, a Tweaker 15 would be great. I don't have any experience with the 40 or 88, but the demos I've heard sounded nice.

 

[dystrust]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I bought a Tweaker 15 head for $269 I think a couple of years ago. I like how it does several tones pretty well from Fender clean, to Vox chime, to Marshall crunch. It won't do super high gain without a pedal, but it sounds like you don't need that. Only a single channel which may be a drawback. I mainly use mine as a writing / recording rig to get tones my other amps won't do. I also like that being a head I can have both open and closed-back cabinets.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I had a Tweaker 15 that was a great amp (wish I still had it).

I've currently got a Rebel 20 that's a backup to my Ceriatone plexis, as well as my daily practice amp. I played on it for a few hours last night and enjoyed the experience (as I always do). Though I should mention that I run the Rebel with a bit of "hair" and then use my Carl Martin Plexitone (V1) pedal to get the crunch and solo tones out of it (and turn it into a 3-channel amp). Like the Tweaker, it's plenty loud running into my 4X12s. But does not compare to the bigger amps for girth and grunt. At any rate, this amp has backed-up or played practice amp to some really great tube heads (Marshall2203X, Marshall DSL50, Marshall 6100, Engl Powerball II, Straub one-off, and Ceriatone JTM and RP36) over the past few years that I've had it and has done well enough to still be with me.

 

[Echoes14]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I don't gig. I play in a basement in our own single-family home, and I'm lucky enough to be able to crank it up a bit.

I think a lot of people missed this part of your post. Everyone loves the sound of tube amps when you can really push the tubes; you know, get them running on the edge of breakup, then slam it with a line booster or Tube Screamer, and off you go into rock nirvana. In your setting, you're not going to be able to push the tubes and get THAT classic tone. I just sold my Bugera V22 looking to downsize a bit, and I play with a band and loud drummer. Well, I ended up with a Vox AC15C1. At practice last night, the master volume never made it past 9 o'clock with the top boost channel at 11 o'clock, and the normal channel at the same position. :doh: Long story short, 15 watt amps are LOUD. I played a custom-built 10-watt amp (2 12ax7's and 1 6V6 for power) at our last gig, and it was more than enough to keep up.

If you're willing to go without an effects loop (I'm having to learn to live without one, as every amp I've owned before had one), I'd look to amps like the VHT Special 6, Ampeg GVT5, or the Vox Little Night Train, then try a 1x12 cab. Those amps allow you to get into the tubes at a more reasonable volume than 15-watters.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: What's the SDUGF consensus on Egnater amps?

I think a lot of people missed this part of your post. Everyone loves the sound of tube amps when you can really push the tubes; you know, get them running on the edge of breakup, then slam it with a line booster or Tube Screamer, and off you go into rock nirvana. In your setting, you're not going to be able to push the tubes and get THAT classic tone. I just sold my Bugera V22 looking to downsize a bit, and I play with a band and loud drummer. Well, I ended up with a Vox AC15C1. At practice last night, the master volume never made it past 9 o'clock with the top boost channel at 11 o'clock, and the normal channel at the same position. :doh: Long story short, 15 watt amps are LOUD. I played a custom-built 10-watt amp (2 12ax7's and 1 6V6 for power) at our last gig, and it was more than enough to keep up.

If you're willing to go without an effects loop (I'm having to learn to live without one, as every amp I've owned before had one), I'd look to amps like the VHT Special 6, Ampeg GVT5, or the Vox Little Night Train, then try a 1x12 cab. Those amps allow you to get into the tubes at a more reasonable volume than 15-watters.

Yeah, no argument.

I'm familiar with the power of 15-watters. I have a first-gen Blues Jr. and a Princeton Recording Amp, and a five-watt Marshall Class 5, which gets me in plenty of trouble volume-wise. I even have a 100-watt Class D amp (Fender Mustang III, vI)

The only problems I have with the suggestions you mentioned are the 10-inch speakers and/or the EL84 tubes. Right now, I am pretty much done with EL84s. I want 6V6 openness and sweetness. They're more dynamic, most of the time, and they just work. (And I did see your mention of the 1X12 cab.)

Another amp I'm kind of eyeing: The Marshall DSL 15C. (Yeah, a Vietnamese-made Marshall. But I've heard good things about it, even over at The Gear Page, which can be notoriously anti-(modern) Marshall.)