Amp Advice Wanted

  • Thread starter Thread starter psmith66
  • Start date Start date
IMHO, you should try the SansAmp line of direct amps. I've had the GT2 for years and just purchased the PSA-1. The GT2 is cheap and has relatively excellent tones. It blew away my 2120 (which is why I sold the 2120). Additionally, I often use it to complement my mic'ed Mesa/Boogie and even use it in place of the Boogie.

The GT2 is perfect for home studio use for recording in the wee hours because it is direct. Esepecially because a low wattage combo amp is still loud when cranked up for good tone.

The GT2 is also consistent with its sound, which is a lot more than I can say for many tube amps.

I've heard the SansAmp Classic is even better, but I've never tried it. The PSA-1 rocks, but lists for over $600.

Good luck with your amp search. Trust your ears.
 
Unfortunately, I do not feel totally comfortable trying out an amp in the middle of a music store (or even in the back try-out room). I fiddle with it, but the introverted thing interferes. Funny, cause I can get on a stage and not give a s..t. Also, if I'm playing in a shop with a pal, I can let loose. Strange.

In any case, I'll need a return policy because it'll take me a day or two of playing at home before I really know (wifey will have to be patient, and wear earplugs).

Anyway, just bid on a Classic 30 on e-bay. Hope I know what the hell I'm doing (only registered on e-bay today.

Time for another beer..........
 
Boogie Mark IV

Nice and Very versitile!

Has a Silent recording option which , contrary to most attempts at this, sounds really good.

3 totally versitile channels and.......it's a Boogie!

'nough said.

Chern
 
A Mesa-Boogie is a lot of things....but versatile is NOT one of them.

:)H2H
 
You obviously have no experience with a Mark IV then.

True with the Dual/Triple Rectos. They pretty much do 1 thing good. Heavy.

The Mark IV has:
3 separate channels
Power section has selectable Simulclass or Class A
Pentode or Triode config (can be patched to external switch)
Auto loop to any particular channel
Run Stereo through its loop
Has Slave DI and compensated Recording DI
5 band graphic


Name 1 other combo amp that can do that.
 
The MarkIV from boogie is one of the best amps ever made in my opinion!! I own 2 of them plus a mkiic+ (well actually I sold one of my 4's to my best friend because he was hounding me for it!!)

What gets me is that alot of the newer players think that boogie only makes the recto series which in my opinion cant even compare to the mark series!!

Well thats marketing for you!! You have to go with the new!!
 
psmith66 --

I am in the exact same boat as you. I have a rocktron power amp and 2 marshall 2x12s as well as an old silvertone 2 x12 that I am trying to make sound right. They both get LOUD.

I've begun researching smaller amps 15-30 watts (though when you get to 30 they are still Loud, just not LOUD).

The 2 main suspects I am looking at are the Peavey 30 (i would prefer the 20 but they don't make them anymore -- maybe on ebay?) and the Fender Blues Junior. I also want them to be kinda light, as hauling my stuff around is a pain.

Other amps to consider on the used market that are lower wattage would be silvertones and ampegs. They both have a few models with 10-12 inch speakers and 10-30 watts. Usually you can find these for $150-350, depending on condition etc.

Interested in hearing about your experiences with the Peavey and Fender. Keep us posted.
 
Ok...

I STONGLY suggest trying out a SansAmp PSA-1, Classic, or even GT2. I love my GT2 for home recording and just fell in love with the PSA-1. You can run any of these through a small amp and still get a great tone.

Furthermore, you mentioned your concerns about volume levels while recording at home. These amps solve that problem by sounding excellent direct.

As I mentioned above, when recording, I would quite often choose the GT2 over my Boogie because it sounds so good without the extra external volume.

Additionally, you can get a bit of an idea what these (as well as the POD) sound like at the store by having the store set them up with a mixing board and monitors/headphones. That way you can A/B them without being as self-conscious. While headphones may make the amps sound different than an external setup, they help to eliminate other intangibles like external noise and different room ambiances (because it's soooo easy to tell what an amp sounds like when there are twenty other guitarists auditioning 100W amps at the same time).

I'm going to make a post about the POD v. the PSA-1 shortly...

Me
 
marshall tone w/o the loudness

hey man dont get rid of your Marshall! i've been looking into a Marshall myself, i've been thinkin about the volume. everyone knows marshalls sound best cranked up but the neighbors dont exactly like it. marhsall makes a thing called a Powerbreak. it supposedly makes it so you can crank up the volume on your amp, but the powerbreak acts like a master volume(i think, i havent actually tried it out myself). So you can get that kick-everyones-ass Marshall Tone, but you wont get your ass kicked by the neighbors.
 
I love the Marshall - but in my situation (wife, kids, budget, etc) it's like having a formula one race car on Gilligan's Island. Crank it past 4 and you have to get the hell out of the room to control the feedback (which used to be cool). Not exactly practical considering the beast doesn't get "warm" until 7 and up. Actually, the clubs I used to play in weren't conducive to the "7 and up" volume and we used to play loud enough to piss off some owners (most of them actually).

Not that a 30w 1x12 or 1x10 won't be loud, but they're certainly easier to deal with at home (plus they have plenty of muscle for clubs).

Ever lifted a Marshall 2x12? My hot water tank is lighter.

The Marshall is on the selling block (wanna buy it? Seriously?), and I'm waiting for ebay to lay the golden egg.
 
Marshall

In Britain there is this smart little amp by Marshall. You can have a Dual Super Lead 20 or a Duel Super Lead 40. These are 1 x12 combos rated at 20 and 40 Watts. I don't know if you get these over in America but they allow you to get that great Marshall tone at lower volumes.
 
Yeah, I think you're referring to the DSL201 and DSL 401 within the JCM 2000 series. They're 20 and 40 watts respectively. Unfortunately they are a little pricey (likely for good reason) but I'm open to them - perhaps one will pop up on ebay.
 
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