Amp recommendations/suggestions?

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noncon

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Any recommendations for a 50-100 Watt single channel tube amp, with a sound similar to a Marshall JCM800?
 
noncon said:
Any recommendations for a 50-100 Watt single channel tube amp, with a sound similar to a Marshall JCM800?
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Ya, a JCM800.
 
If you're looking for something relatively cheap. Dean Markley used to make some amps that had the marshall sound in spades. I don't remember the name, but look it up on Harmony Central. Laney also makes some good tube amps fairly cheap. Basically, just do some research on Harmony Central and Ebay.
 
Peavey used to make an amp called the butcher that was an 800 clone. I've got one as my backup road amp and it sounds pretty good. I've seen them used for relatively cheap.
Rory
 
The Peavey Butcher is crap.. Not even close to a JCM800. Stay with Marshall. Can't go wrong with that.
 
If you're laying down the money for a tube amp, then why not get the real thing?
 
IronFlippy said:
If you're laying down the money for a tube amp, then why not get the real thing?
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Exactly. And a real JCM800 is hardly expensive compared to most 100 watt heads.
 
Yeah I figured the JCM would probably be the best way to go. I was just wondering if there were some comparable new amps out there, partially for price, but also because of the potential unknown factor in buying older, used amps.

Thanks for the advice.
 
noncon said:
Yeah I figured the JCM would probably be the best way to go.

....potential unknown factor in buying older, used amps.
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I own(ed) 3 used Marshalls for 20-some years and haven't had a bit of problem with them. Two 800's (2204's) and a Silver Jubilee. If you find one in really good shape it probably won't be cheap, but the great thing is its value will slowly continue to climb.

Do it dude.
 
Marshalls do one thing EXTREMELY WELL

Boogies do everything extremely well.

Buy a Boogie - live happily ever after.
 
foo said:
Marshalls do one thing EXTREMELY WELL

Boogies do everything extremely well.

Buy a Boogie - live happily ever after.
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Boogie doesn't do Marshall.
 
My Marshalls and Boogies co-exist nicely. Veerrrry Nicely.
 
Do you really need that much power? Will you be running it wide open on stage? A smaller amp can be opened up in studio/practice situations and mic'd onstage.

My moderately expensive answer would be one of the more powerful Dr Z amps, which sound amazing. My cheap answer would be a used Sovtek MIG-100. Of course, if you really want a JCM-800 sound, buy a JCM-800.
 
foo said:
Marshalls do one thing EXTREMELY WELL

Boogies do everything extremely well.

Buy a Boogie - live happily ever after.
Click to expand...


Disagree. Boogies do one thing. and one thing only. If there was one word to describe most boogies, its "Mids".

Now, what boogie does, it does well, what marshall does, it does well... but theres no point in trying to get them to sound like one another. If you want the boogie sound, buy one, if you want the marshal sound, buy one. Simple as that.
 
smileypaul said:
Disagree. Boogies do one thing. and one thing only. If there was one word to describe most boogies, its "Mids".

Now, what boogie does, it does well, what marshall does, it does well... but theres no point in trying to get them to sound like one another. If you want the boogie sound, buy one, if you want the marshal sound, buy one. Simple as that.
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Well I agree and disagree. I grew up surrounded by Marshall stacks. Yes they are two different sounding amps and both very good at what they do. However, I've got a Mark IV combo with two extra cabs (a 2x12 closed back and a 2x10 3/4 back).

The Mark IV is probably the most versatile studio amp I've ever worked with. If you take the time to tweak it, you can achieve the sound you're after. (It took me about a year to get used to it and I'm still scratching the surface as far as the amps potential).
I mix and match cabs depending on the sound a client wants. With the 2x12 I can get really close to the "Marshall" sound especially with Humbuckers.

Then Fulltone came out with the OCD pedal... :cool:
With that pedal I can dial in that Marshall sound and many colleagues (tone snobs) have asked "when did you get a Marshall?"

Ultimately, one would need to decide whether you want one particular sound, or many sounds to choose from. A Mark IV is great in the studio (if you know how to tweak it), but it might just need too much tweaking for gigs in such.

I understand your mids comment about Boogies, but you can boost or cut them as you need. One need to keep in mind that the amp sounds a certain way if you're playing alone. When playing with the band that same tone sounds completely different, and that's where the mids become VITAL to your sound.

Cheers, Rez
 
I have a Mk IV head with a 1 x 12" cabinet - and I'm really surprised that you think I only have mids.

Have you ever played a Mk IV?

I can get any sound I want.

(Okay, maybe not Wes!)

;)
 
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