Second Guitar amp

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steppingonmars

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I just sold my supreme 1/2 stack and I'm looking for another amp for my
studio. I'm thinking of the following amps. I'm looking more for an amp
that will do something different than my classic 30 and I don't want
another 412 (I'm in the middle of recording 2 bands right now and
another band called me to record them to, I've pulled that 412 out about
20 times already!!!) So here's what I've been looking at

Fender Supersonic
- tried it out, nice OD, I found the cleans a little too bright, has nice
bassman sound, expensive

Marshall JCM 2000 TSL - the 112, going to try it out, expensive

Marshall haze - didn't like the sound of this one, but cheap and I can say
yeah I have a marshall here

Peavey 6505 - they have a 112 combo out now for $600 which is a good deal,
also 5150's seem like common amp in studios

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe - a good deal as well, although it's a very simular
sound to the classic 30

Fender Vibrolux - I can say I have a fender

Used amp options

Marshall Bluesbreaker - you can get these used for around a grand, don't
know what they sound like, might sound like a classic 30

Marshall JCM 900, or 800 - the 800's are very expensive, but a recording
staple, the 900's not so much

Used Mesa - haven't played too many of these,

I'd like to try and stick with Marshall, Fender or Peavey as these are the amps that are sold where I work part time as a repair tech.

What do you think?
 
I think you need to figure out what sound(s) you are trying to cover and then make a list.

As it stands someone who wants a Bluesbreaker is not going to be looking at TSL, and someone who is looking at a 6505 is not going to be looking at a Vibrolux.
 
Outlaws said:
I think you need to figure out what sound(s) you are trying to cover and then make a list.

As it stands someone who wants a Bluesbreaker is not going to be looking at TSL, and someone who is looking at a 6505 is not going to be looking at a Vibrolux.
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HUGE +1. Those amps are all over the place, tonally. What are you after, or what are the guys you usually record after?

Also, have you considered grabbing a 2x12? I rehearse on the third floor of a building with fairly narrow stairs, and after pretty much chanting "fuck guitar amps" while I carried my rig up and down (which is still sitting in the back of my car, actually, for the reason that I got in at midnight and also live on the third floor :p), I'm a little surprised to be recommending this, but a good 2x12 will still give you a lot of that closed back vibe, will be a slightly different color (especially if it's a radically different cab - say a Marshall JCM4 412 vs a Mesa Recto 212) for bands to try in the studio, and is a HECK of a lot more portable.

Andy Timmons has been gigging with a "half stack" of a head and two 2x12s lately, so when budget + gigging necessitates the "half stack look", odds are I'm just going to do that rather than buy a 4x12 for shows.
 
I've got a Mesa Mark V single 12" combo.
You can get almost ANY sound out of it.
I think it would be an amzing studio amp ...... I use mine for gigging but the one time I recorded it it recorded very well.
 
yeah my 412 days are over. I realise these amps are all over the spectrum. A mark 5 would be nice I'm sure. A closed back 212 or 112 would be nice
 
The amps you have listed seem to be overkill for a studio environment. Just a thought.
 
I guess I should be a little more clear.

I'm looking for an amp that will do different sounds than my classic 30 (which I've recorded a lot and love) and will attract clients and will not cost me a rediculous amount of money. As for studio overkill, that may be true. I've recorded 100 watt 412's in my room with success too. I guess I'll just have to try some of them to make sure. I guess my default would be the hot rod deluxe as I've made some really good recordings with it and it won't break the bank.
 
steppingonmars said:
I guess I should be a little more clear.

I'm looking for an amp that will do different sounds than my classic 30 (which I've recorded a lot and love) and will attract clients and will not cost me a rediculous amount of money. As for studio overkill, that may be true. I've recorded 100 watt 412's in my room with success too. I guess I'll just have to try some of them to make sure. I guess my default would be the hot rod deluxe as I've made some really good recordings with it and it won't break the bank.
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Speaking personally, I'm not part of the "small amp for recording" school of thought - for a whole bunch of applications they're brilliant, but for a whole bunch of others you actually want the headroom that comes from a high wattage power section, and since I happen to play a seven string in B standard and (while I'm certainly not a low string riffer) I do occasionally riff away on the low B, headroom is crucial. Additionally, it's rare to find a 5 watt combo that puts out any serious gain.

That said, a Hot Rod Deluxe (and I'm familiar with the amp, I used to own one) won't sound RADICALLY different from what you're using, and unless you get a great price used, is still a fair amount of coin. If all you're looking to do is expand your amp collection at a relatively affordable level, maybe a fleet of small amps would be a better answer than one large one.

This has been getting great reviews lately, from the people I've talked to who've used one:

http://www.jetcityamplification.com/

The 20-watt head is $333, which leaves you plenty of room, and there's a 5-watter for even less. Designed by Soldano, so this would be a nice high gain option to have lying around.

An Egnater Rebel is also worth a look:

http://www.amazon.com/Egnater-Rebel-Guitar-Black-Beige/dp/B001FX3K1C

If you want something Mesa-y lying around for that sound, too, see if you can score a F-30 (fairly aggressive, amazing clean) or a Rocket-44 (smoother, more Mark-like voice - I used to own one, in fact) for cheap.
 
Thanks for the input, I'll check those out. The store is bringing in a 6505 112 , I'll try that out too :)
 
If you are looking for something that will cover a lot of ground, I was actually looking at a Mesa Quad Pre....but even just the Studio Pre. For the price they are able to cover a lot of ground. Just look at the names that have used them, everything from the Who and the Stones to Nirvana and Metallica.
I still might pick one up for myself. At $450-800 it would be a hell of a recording tool.

Granted you still need a decent power amp for them.
 
A couple of amps for your list

Vox AC30
Traynor YGM3 Guitar Mate (20 watts)

Both are fine amps that do not sound like a Classic 30

If you can get your hands on a '60s Ampeg Reverbrocket give that a try.
 
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