What Guitar Amp?
Discussion
So currently I'm in a covers band playing some old rock tracks, but also some cleaner 80's pop stuff too. I use a JCM800 50w head with a Marshall 2x12 cab. It gives great bass response, distorts beautifully and cleans up nicely as I roll off the guitar volume. I love the sound of it, but whenever I gig it I barely turn the thing up at all and it's a pain to lug about. It really is massively loud for what I need.
A couple of years ago I took a punt on a Marshall DSL401, but it just doesn't have anything like the bass response that I like. In fact, the OD channel on it really lacks bass. And so I ask the PH massive, what are the alternatives? Can anyone recommend anything in particular?
Thanks.
A couple of years ago I took a punt on a Marshall DSL401, but it just doesn't have anything like the bass response that I like. In fact, the OD channel on it really lacks bass. And so I ask the PH massive, what are the alternatives? Can anyone recommend anything in particular?
Thanks.
I haven't researched your equipment so this may not be applicable, but I'll have a go anyway 
Sounds like you want a simple valve amp, that is compact and manageable. What is your budget?
VOX and Fender both do nice little units. I happen to own a VOX Night train:
Head: http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/79744
Cab: http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/80799
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxL04_EKUdI&fea...
Only 15wts but it's definatly loud enough for even larger performances, great for recording, and if you want to distort it, just flick a switch to make it 7.5wt and she's a practice amp. I've been very impressed with mine, and it's easy to carry about.
Sounds like you want a simple valve amp, that is compact and manageable. What is your budget?
VOX and Fender both do nice little units. I happen to own a VOX Night train:
Head: http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/79744
Cab: http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/80799
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxL04_EKUdI&fea...
Only 15wts but it's definatly loud enough for even larger performances, great for recording, and if you want to distort it, just flick a switch to make it 7.5wt and she's a practice amp. I've been very impressed with mine, and it's easy to carry about.
If your budget is low, Blackstar HT-5 head
If your budget is higher, Cornford Hellcat head. 35W and the best amp I've ever played by a country mile.
Either into a decent 2x12 cab (e.g. Orange for the HT-5 on a budget, or the matching Cornford 2x12 for the Hellcat).
The HT-5 may need to have the cab mic'd into the PA for larger gigs, but don't underestimate the power despite it being "only" 5W.
If your budget is higher, Cornford Hellcat head. 35W and the best amp I've ever played by a country mile.
Either into a decent 2x12 cab (e.g. Orange for the HT-5 on a budget, or the matching Cornford 2x12 for the Hellcat).
The HT-5 may need to have the cab mic'd into the PA for larger gigs, but don't underestimate the power despite it being "only" 5W.
I've never tried a Fender or a Vox, but I think that's something I will do just to see if the sound gels with me. I love the idea of a Cornford Hellcat, but that's really right up there with the top end amps and I think I'd rather keep the JCM and maybe take a punt on an HT5 head (or maybe the Vox) and run that through my current cab. If it's any good I could possibly get a 1x12 cab too and have that as my small gig setup.
They're all interesting ideas though. I need to get down to a guitar shop and start trying them out.
They're all interesting ideas though. I need to get down to a guitar shop and start trying them out.
Fender Twin is overkill - they weigh an enormous amount (and as a part time roadie I am well placed to confirm this!).
It's a fallacy that you need an amp of any size these days. the band I set up for from time to time used to use a Fender Blues Jr. as a main gigging amp. That was a joy because it's very small and light. It ran pretty much wide open all the time and made a very nice noise indeed.
The size of the amp only became an issue when doing bigger gigs because firstly it looked a bit odd, and secondly, the stage was so large the microphone was too far away from the amp to be able to do feedback stuff. So the amp got upgraded to a Fender Hotrod Deluxe, which is a 2x12, but much smaller and lighter than a Twin. That rarely gets any higher than a three.
I've used one for gigging myself, and the only time it got turned up was when the promoter forgot to provide a PA and we had to borrow the DJ's microphones for the vocals in a 300+ capacity room.
It's a fallacy that you need an amp of any size these days. the band I set up for from time to time used to use a Fender Blues Jr. as a main gigging amp. That was a joy because it's very small and light. It ran pretty much wide open all the time and made a very nice noise indeed.
The size of the amp only became an issue when doing bigger gigs because firstly it looked a bit odd, and secondly, the stage was so large the microphone was too far away from the amp to be able to do feedback stuff. So the amp got upgraded to a Fender Hotrod Deluxe, which is a 2x12, but much smaller and lighter than a Twin. That rarely gets any higher than a three.
I've used one for gigging myself, and the only time it got turned up was when the promoter forgot to provide a PA and we had to borrow the DJ's microphones for the vocals in a 300+ capacity room.
bennyboysvuk said:
So currently I'm in a covers band playing some old rock tracks, but also some cleaner 80's pop stuff too. I use a JCM800 50w head with a Marshall 2x12 cab. It gives great bass response, distorts beautifully and cleans up nicely as I roll off the guitar volume. I love the sound of it, but whenever I gig it I barely turn the thing up at all and it's a pain to lug about. It really is massively loud for what I need.
A couple of years ago I took a punt on a Marshall DSL401, but it just doesn't have anything like the bass response that I like. In fact, the OD channel on it really lacks bass. And so I ask the PH massive, what are the alternatives? Can anyone recommend anything in particular?
Thanks.
I did all the Marshall stuff in the early 90s, now I've got a 80s Fender Showman 200W, bloody fantastic amp.A couple of years ago I took a punt on a Marshall DSL401, but it just doesn't have anything like the bass response that I like. In fact, the OD channel on it really lacks bass. And so I ask the PH massive, what are the alternatives? Can anyone recommend anything in particular?
Thanks.
though it's like rocking horse s
t to get a good un.Interesting thread. I've been looking to get rid of my AC50 and get a smaller valve combo. The blackstar ht-5 looks like to might really fit the bill.
Anyone tried one? I like the vox sound (although the ac50 is a little different to the normal vox sound).
In my dreams I'd sell the ac50 buy a valve combo and have enough left to have a tele built buy the local guitar builder chap... (£400 ish)
D
Anyone tried one? I like the vox sound (although the ac50 is a little different to the normal vox sound).
In my dreams I'd sell the ac50 buy a valve combo and have enough left to have a tele built buy the local guitar builder chap... (£400 ish)
D
Jellymonster said:
fender twin or a vox AC30, then buy a pedal if you need extra crunch... although a newer twin has 3 channels... clean, gain and overdrive... and a reverb option also.
Or a Fender Hot-rod. Funnily enough I have both a Twin and a Hot-rod 45 for sale at present. Doing some downsizing. PM me if you're interested davidd said:
Interesting thread. I've been looking to get rid of my AC50 and get a smaller valve combo. The blackstar ht-5 looks like to might really fit the bill.
Anyone tried one?
I bought an ht-5 combo and liked it initially but went off it after a while. Replaced it with a laney l5t which I much prefer.Anyone tried one?
matt28 said:
If your budget is low, Blackstar HT-5 head
If your budget is higher, Cornford Hellcat head. 35W and the best amp I've ever played by a country mile.
Either into a decent 2x12 cab (e.g. Orange for the HT-5 on a budget, or the matching Cornford 2x12 for the Hellcat).
The HT-5 may need to have the cab mic'd into the PA for larger gigs, but don't underestimate the power despite it being "only" 5W.
I gigged with a Hellcat for a couple of years. Just the most amazing tone I've heard. If you like AC30 tone, you'll love the vintage channel. If you like a more scooped sound you'll love the modern channel. No need for any pedals, with a good guitar it goes from lovely overdrive to sparkly clean when rolling off the volume. The bottom end with the Cornford pine 2x12 is up there with a Fender Twin as well!If your budget is higher, Cornford Hellcat head. 35W and the best amp I've ever played by a country mile.
Either into a decent 2x12 cab (e.g. Orange for the HT-5 on a budget, or the matching Cornford 2x12 for the Hellcat).
The HT-5 may need to have the cab mic'd into the PA for larger gigs, but don't underestimate the power despite it being "only" 5W.
However, I still found it to be too loud for a lot of gigs we did (though the band was relatively quiet). It's not that it didn't sound great at low volumes, it just sounded on another level when really cranked.
If your budget will stretch to it, try one out! Also, bear in mind you won't lose money on it if you look after. After 2 years of gigging and rehearsing weekly I sold my Hellcat Head and Cornford 2x12 Cab for more than I paid for them!
If I went back to playing electric gigs now I'd be tempted by something in the 15-20w range, or possibly two amps - something like a Cornford Carrera (5-8w) for overdrive, which can be run close to flat-out at gigs, and something bright, around 20w, for clean/break-up stuff.
Have a look at a Blackstar Series One 45 ... 2x12" 45w, but it's got a built in power soak type knob thing (forget what they call it now, lol) which variably changes it from 4.5w up to the full 45w ... that way you can get it to break up sound wise as you like it, but control the actual volume with the wattage, without altering the tone much at all.
Ever tried a Peavey 5150 2x12 combo?I've had all sort of amps,mesa Boogie,Marshalls etc and the Peavey blew me away!Tone,great bass response,every little dial of a knob made a huge difference and it just got better and better with every tweak!One of the best,overlooked amps out there,lets face it,Eddie van halen must have picked up some knowledge to put into this amp over the years.Incidentally i didn't just go and buy one because im a Van halen fan or anything,it,s just a stunning amp.Paid £600 for mine and happily would have paid double that and not batted an eyelid.
Well, I had a little time over the weekend and managed to try out the Vox Night Train, the Blackstar HT-20 and Club 40.
The Vox Night Train was first and I was amazed at how portable it was. It's like a very heavy toaster in looks and would look pretty cool on stage. Unfortunately, it was evident when I played through it that it just doesn't have the bass response I'm looking for, so I struck it off the list after about 10 minutes.
Second unit was the Blackstar HT-20 which although good, wasn't quite there when it came to getting my favourite kind of sound. Sooo, a sales chap suggested the Blackstar Club 40 and this hit the spot. Generally good tone, more gain than I'll ever need and much, much more bass than my current backup amp (a Marshall DSL401). But can it replace the JCM800? I don't think so. I'll have to try the Peavey 5150, Vox AC30, Cornford Hellcat perhaps, and Mesa Express to see if any of those can replace it. I'm keen to try an old JCM900 2x12 too. The search continues...
The Vox Night Train was first and I was amazed at how portable it was. It's like a very heavy toaster in looks and would look pretty cool on stage. Unfortunately, it was evident when I played through it that it just doesn't have the bass response I'm looking for, so I struck it off the list after about 10 minutes.
Second unit was the Blackstar HT-20 which although good, wasn't quite there when it came to getting my favourite kind of sound. Sooo, a sales chap suggested the Blackstar Club 40 and this hit the spot. Generally good tone, more gain than I'll ever need and much, much more bass than my current backup amp (a Marshall DSL401). But can it replace the JCM800? I don't think so. I'll have to try the Peavey 5150, Vox AC30, Cornford Hellcat perhaps, and Mesa Express to see if any of those can replace it. I'm keen to try an old JCM900 2x12 too. The search continues...
bennyboysvuk said:
Well, I had a little time over the weekend and managed to try out the Vox Night Train, the Blackstar HT-20 and Club 40.
The Vox Night Train was first and I was amazed at how portable it was. It's like a very heavy toaster in looks and would look pretty cool on stage. Unfortunately, it was evident when I played through it that it just doesn't have the bass response I'm looking for, so I struck it off the list after about 10 minutes.
Second unit was the Blackstar HT-20 which although good, wasn't quite there when it came to getting my favourite kind of sound. Sooo, a sales chap suggested the Blackstar Club 40 and this hit the spot. Generally good tone, more gain than I'll ever need and much, much more bass than my current backup amp (a Marshall DSL401). But can it replace the JCM800? I don't think so. I'll have to try the Peavey 5150, Vox AC30, Cornford Hellcat perhaps, and Mesa Express to see if any of those can replace it. I'm keen to try an old JCM900 2x12 too. The search continues...
Unfortunately if it's bass you're after there's no substitiue for a 4x12 cab and they're not very portable.The Vox Night Train was first and I was amazed at how portable it was. It's like a very heavy toaster in looks and would look pretty cool on stage. Unfortunately, it was evident when I played through it that it just doesn't have the bass response I'm looking for, so I struck it off the list after about 10 minutes.
Second unit was the Blackstar HT-20 which although good, wasn't quite there when it came to getting my favourite kind of sound. Sooo, a sales chap suggested the Blackstar Club 40 and this hit the spot. Generally good tone, more gain than I'll ever need and much, much more bass than my current backup amp (a Marshall DSL401). But can it replace the JCM800? I don't think so. I'll have to try the Peavey 5150, Vox AC30, Cornford Hellcat perhaps, and Mesa Express to see if any of those can replace it. I'm keen to try an old JCM900 2x12 too. The search continues...
But a 2x12 is better than a 1x12 and closed back (imo) gives tighter bass than an open backed cabinet.
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