Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

[Quencho092]

I've learned alot here at the forums, but one of the things i've really picked up on is the very distinctive opinions regarding amps. There's really no amp that could do it all, so the only way to get something really worth its weight in gold is to buy something that is really good at what it does, be it clean tones, or metal crunch. The question here is, which amp has the ultimate clean/natural tube gain tone. Your decision should be based on the stand alone tone of the amp in clean and cranked, and its "pedal friendliness" especially with overdrive. No solid state here. Value should also be taken into consideration.

Marshall Plexi
Fender Bassman (not the RI)
Marshall JCM 800
VOX AC30
Marshall JMP 800
Marshall Silver Jubilee
Mesa Rectos
Marshall JTM 45

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

None of the amps on your list, tho the 800 has a great gain channel, the clean channel is dreadful.

My vote is for the RIVERA KNUCKLEHEAD K100 head ...

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

what do you play

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

ah rivera, but the object of this poll isn't to find the best rig, but the best ever 'classic amp'. I really don't care for super rack rigs, 'metal amplifiers', or budget copies of a classic.

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

I would think it'd have to be the bassman - i personally like it but it's been on like every album ever made since men brandished clubs... =) I actually had the chance to plug into a Roland JC90 and thought that was an awesome tone too... I think I'm very partial to a JC120, even if it's SS.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

the k100 to me seems hugely overpriced, though it may perform well. I dislike amps with a billion features, knobs, and settings-i prefer an amp that does its job well, while cutting the crap.

 

[Panzer]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

I think its a close tie between the Marshall Silver Jubilee, JCM800, and the Plexi. Those amps all dominate the genre they were made for. Im a diehard Marshall fan for rock amps. When it comes to blues Traynor is my absolute favorite.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

The Plexi would probably be the choice if I had to choose one. The Juibilee and the JCM 800 are a close 2nd.

I chose the JCM 800 because I want a 2 channel amp. The od was great stock, but the clean was eh.... I had the thing modded and it is now the perfect amp for me. Fender cleans and OD from Plexi to JCM 800.

Plexi's are known for their clean when you roll the volume off, and the od is also legendary....so in one package unmodded that is probably it.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

ah rivera, but the object of this poll isn't to find the best rig, but the best ever 'classic amp'. I really don't care for super rack rigs, 'metal amplifiers', or budget copies of a classic.

Ahh. I voted Recto, because that's the tone I like.

But since reading that above comment, I'd have to vote on either the Bassman, JCM800, or Plexi. A Rectifier is definatly not your best choice for classic.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

How's the bassman overdrive? How does that compare to the plexi

 

[Stevo]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

I have owned lots of amps, including a Marshall 2204 and a 2203. I now have a plexi 1987x and love it. The natural distortion is very harmonic and crunchy. The clean tone is very good. You can jump the 2 channels together and really fine tune your output.

 

[fusion101]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

out of all those i find the mesa rectos to have the best overall tone, but like screaming daisy said its not the best for classic so when i rethink it its probably the bassman.

 

[strat_master]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

i chose rectos simply becasue thats the tone i like. Marshall plexis would be close though too

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

Out of that list, a Marshall Plexi hands down. That is single handedly probably THE greatest amp ever made. IMHO the 800 (unmodded) or the Silver Jubilee don't even come close (I've messed around with both before).

However, if someone wanted to trade their plexi, I wouldn't do it. I doubt Gearjoneser would trade his Bogner Ecstasy for it either. Those are good linear amps on that list, but if you have an amp that does it all beautifully, to have just one tone is impossible.

 

[54stratlover]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

were is the bogner?

 

[Dime59hum]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

Wheres ENGL?

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

Those are not classics like a Plexi or Bassman...dunno what the "rectrumfriers"
do there either, should have been a mk1 perhaps....never mind good poll.

 

[RACER X]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

Marshall JCM800, few will argue most will agree.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

I vote. All of the above, equally for different genres. In that list, my first instinct is to pick the Plexi. But, I've had two Jubilees, a 100W and 50W, and when well tubed, I can honestly get any tone out of it, from clean to smooth singing high gain. The tone isn't quite as fat and harmonically rich as a Plexi, but it has more variety in tones.
Still, I love all the amps on the list. I've also owned every amp on the list......well my Bassman wasn't from the 50's though....94. Plexi and Jubilee are my faves.

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Which amp is the ultimate tone monster?

What exactly is a JMP 800 ...