So which amp is your favorite?

[hans-j?rgen]

I think he's made some stuff for the Rev, in fact he told me that whenever ZZ comes to town he comes down to Phoenix and escorts the man around town (if you're listening Hans and all you other Rev afficionados).

The Rev. seems to suffer from a severe case of chronic GAS, too, because he's also been seen checking out Mojave Scorpion amps lately and now got a personal version from them:

http://plexipalace.com/plexiboard/viewtopic.php?t=34987

Here's the older thread telling the whole story:

http://vintageamps.com/plexiboard/viewtopic.php?t=34923&highlight=billy+gibbons

 

[QuattroSte]

Amp update!!

Sold the Fender M80 and bought a Laney LC30 II. It arrived in work this morning and today has been the longest day ever!!!

Tonight the neighbours will hate me all over again!! 8)

 

[BlueFrogs]

Well I still have all of my amps and my favorite is...............

My Princeton Reverb. And that's a good thing.

 

[shuie]

http://www.kometamps.com/

Ken Fischer circuit, manufactured locally. I was able to hang out in the shop that builds these for Ken while they were prototyping them. Absolutely incredible!

 

[Hutton Steel]

I thought I'd try Marshall first of all and went through two new DSL 401 combos. They just seemed to be very delicate. One died after two weeks and its replacement was no better. My local store then reccomended Line 6. I persevered (and I mean persevered) with a FlextoneII combo. Whilst this was a reasonable amp it was too fragile - no corner protection, computer leads between footswitch and amp - how long do these last with solid gigging? Also, as I am a guitar player returning to the fold after too many years break I found the Line 6 too complicated.

The Line 6 went and was replaced with a !996 Fender Blues Deville 2X12.
Normal service was resumed. Lovely tubes oozing tone and character. This amp has soul. Maybe that's what the Line 6 lacked. I have now used the Blues Deville for about 5 years with no problems.

My back up is a glorious wee amp picked up second-hand for ?100. It is a Laney LC15R. 15 watts of tubes and what a wee cracker. This amp is great for rehearsal and recording. I replaced the standard HH speaker with a Celestion vintage 10. The amp sings nicely.

I don't see me changing amps now but if money were no object something by Dennis Cornell would be very tempting.

Hutton

 

[Skybone]

Best Amp I've had thus far...?

Marshall JCM800 50w 2x12 combo. Single channel, plug n play with attitude.

I've not had many amps thus far, mainly s/s affairs, but even they had a reasonable tone. I used to have a TSL122, which IMO was a stunning amp, really chrystalline cleans, especially with a touch of reverb, and the OD tones were from the sublime to the ridiculous. Awesomely versatile amp, but it was just too **** LOUD! Then had an Ampeg VL-503, another 3 channel combo, but only 1x12" this time, but had an extra 12-15kgs weight! This amp came with 6550's and the best power valve biasing system I've heard of, a couple of micro-pots on the rear panel, and 2 LED's per valve, when the green LED lights up, it's in bias, when the second red LED lights up, you've gone too far! great stuff! But, I got bored of it's lack of air pushing capabilities, it's multitude of unused channels, and mainly it's over large weight, so I p/x-ed it for a late 80's JCM800 2x12. Well happy.

 

[GStormcrow]

Would love a JCM800. Maybe one day

 

[Hot Rod]

My all time favourite is my 1962/1963 VOX AC 30 red panel non top boost!!! :lol:

Plug in any guitar, even japanese gem sounds incredible :wink: :wink:

 

[Sinsonido]

I'm pretty limited in experience when it comes to amps, but it's interesting to see what others have checked out. I currently own two amps: a Tech 21 Trademark 10, and a 70s "Blackface" modded Vibrolux. My friend also has a 70s JMP combo that I monkey around with. The Trademark 10 is a cool little amp, and is really nice for practicing or recording direct, but the Vibrolux seems to bring out the soul of every guitar I play. I'm thinking about giving the old drivers a break and putting in Copperheads--since I would like to thicken up the low end a bit--but it is a very rich sounding amp. I really have a penchant for the sounds of an old Fender amp. I'd like to hear an old Vibroverb, SRV's favorite.

If I was a gigging musician, I'd love to feel the force of a HiWatt DR103. I'd probably settle for an old Sound City though, if I was feeling to cheap to go for the real thing.

According to some of the responses here, an old Princeton is the amp that keeps on giving.

***

 

[Hot Rod]

Ever heard of the "top secret" GUYATONE Fender 1:1 Copies of old Fender Bandmaster, Twin and Pro Reverb ??

I just had the luck to purchase a Ga 1050 "Reverb Jazz" with 2x12 Alnicos in mint condition!!! Lord, these jap engineers at those times (late 60ies) did some perfect work... :lol: 8)

 

[goddardo]

Hi All

Here's my list of amps since starting out 30 years ago & what I thought of them...

Marshall 50 Plexi Head & 4x12 cost arount ?150 for the lot.
Just couldn't use it loud enough to sound good, but wish to God I'd kept it.

Music Man HP 2x10 Phase model.. Horrible. Bright & scratchy

Music Man HD 1x15 EV. Awsome creamy sound, but received an electrical surge in a thunder storm & never sounded the same again.

Marshall JMP 50 MV 2X12 combo. The best. Superb early Clapton to chimey Hendrix & SRV.

Mesa Boogie. Calibre Series 30 & 20 combo's. Mid rangey mush.

Orange OR80 2X12. ?100 Restoration project, Fantastic & Creamy, but had annoying hum that even Matamp couldn't get rid of.

Fender Bassman 1966 B/F head !!?200!! Big chimey. superb.

Selmer Ally front T&B 50 head ?110. Current gigging head with 1x12 cab housing Fane Blue Alnico Axiom speaker (the ultimate speaker Get one, ?150 ) Unbelievable combination for the money

late 60-70's Laney plexi head 60 PA version recent bargain, getting serviced. Hope it's ok.

Recently borrowed singer's Peavey Classic 30. Not very rugged & roadworthy compared to the old classics, but sounded awsome.

Unfortunately sold everything off over the years except current Selmer.
Only regret is selling Marshall JMP 50 Combo. It was superb, but back problems prevail, although, I'll be looking for another soon.

Any of you guys remember these amps ????

Thanks G

 

[Hutton Steel]

Any bass players out there wanting to add their voice? I have just purchased a Mesa Engineering Walkabout Scout 1X12 combo. The amp (300w) can be removed from the cab which is a nice touch. The quality of construction is everything you would expect from Mesa and the sound from such a small box is HUGE. The parametric eq is particularly good giving a full range of tones to suit all styles.

If you want a powerful yet portable combo then try one of these amps.

Hutton

 

[hans-j?rgen]

Any of you guys remember these amps ????

Yes, especially the Marshall JMP combo and the Fender Bassman head with 4x12 Marshall box, because I see them everytime my band meets again in the rehearsal room.

 

[goddardo]

Hi again.

Just got my 60's - 70's Laney plexi 60w head back from service today & I think I've died & gone to Heaven. Not ear splitting loud, but just begs to be maxed out, then use the guitar volume. Not all amps will let you do it that way.
Full of sweet spots. Can't wait to gig it.

 

[boltupright]

My faveorite amps to date is my '74 Superlead & my Traynor YBA-3 Custom Special. 8)

 

[Rat McGee]

makes me sound just like Steve Morse...

Errr, no, that can't be right... Favorite long time buddy is a 60 watt StudioMaster VLM and my new favorite buddy (the stereo of my rig) is a Mesa F50. I've seen what some guys have to say about Peavey, and I understand the negative feelings though I've owned almost everything (ampwise) that company has produced at one time or another. Peavey just doesn't produce a rock-and-roll amp, country YES!!!, R&R - no.

Though oddly enough, a long time favorite of mine is a Peavey Centurion Mark III (260C) bass amp through a slant Marshall cabinet (4x12) - the little sucker has a mean bite for a bass amp (I play guitar through it). It's solid state. It seems I've owned several of them (I decided the last time I wound up with one that I would just keep the **** thing - seems I can't get rid of them for some reason). It's great for recording too as it has a hot line out and doesn't need a load on the speakers to keep from blowing the board.

Recently I picked up a Session 1x12 combo (tiny little guy with a big voice) but am having a hell of a time figuring out how to get a decent sound out of it. The amp has the most difficult pre-amp, channel-switching-combo-thingy I've ever seen. Matter of fact, if anyone wants to own this thing for a reasonable price - let me know...

Oh yeah, found this ugly looking POS at an auction - Precision Electronics PA20 (circa 1950) - and had it re-worked by a tube guy here in Austin and - voila !!! a pretty hot tube amp (I guess 20 watts) that's incredibly ugly to look at !!! There's no overdrive on the thing and so it kind of sounds like a mini-HiWatt (just keeps getting louder without clipping) - but it's an interesting addition to the line up and works real well for acoustic amplification.

Fave = Studiomaster & Mesa

Anyone selling a Dumble? For less than an arm? Might consider a leg...

Rat

 

[bluesbreaker18]

I don't yet own a Tokai guitar, so I'm not sure if my opinions may change once I plug a Tokai into my amps. I currently play a '00 Fender American Strat and a '91 Ibanez Jem 77 (6 string, floral).

My amps are:

- '97 Marshall JCM 602 combo (60 watt, 2x12)
- '00 Fender HotRot Deville combo (60 watt, 4x10)
- '04 AX84 P1 with MV mod combo (7 watt, 1x10) [home built]
- '05 18Watt LiteII head (18 watt), built with components from a '62 Zenith phonograph [home built]
- '05 1x12 (Eminence GB12) closed-back cab [home built]

The Ibanez Jem really needs effects to sound good. Its a very nice playing guitar, but doesn't have alot of life on its own. When I really want a natural guitar tone, with a cranked amp, I generally reach for my Fender plugging directly into the 18watt (so I can crank at home). The 12" with a closed-back cab really gives it some beef, and with the volume dimed it really comes to life with a *near* SRV tone. Throw a tube-screamer in front of it and the tone is awesome.

The P1 has a surprisingly nice, rounded tone. A bit thinner (due to the 10" speaker), but playing via the external cab thickens it up alot. At 7 watts I can drive the output pretty hard and still maintain a moderately low volume.

For more volume, I plug into either the Marshall or Fender HotRod DeVille. The Fender has a pretty horrible lead distortion (harsh, clippy) but the normal channel is really great sounding. The Marshall has a great brown tone. It breaks up very nicely, but at 60W its not well suited for the house.

I'm on the hunt for a Tokai LS85Q or LS130Q. I can't wait to hear the Tokai+18watter together!!!

http://www.shazam.widge.org/amps/18watt_lite/
http://www.shazam.widge.org/amps/little_muddy/

 

[fewmm]

I have been through a lot of Marshall JMP's and JCM 800's. Great amps but only do one thing. I finally plunked down for a Bogner XTC and havent been happier! 3 channels and extremely versatile. The blue channel is the finest overdrive tone I have ever experienced. Check one if you havent already!

 

[mike martin]

ive been thru a lot of amps over the last 30 years but the best one i ever had was a pair of carlton camel 50watt 1x 12 all valve amps built by a couple of guys in edindurgh sound wise the were awsome but had noisy reverbs but i just disconnected them , dont know if anyone heard of them . there not built anymore but if you ever come across one you should try it out and they are not that expensive. current amps are a line 6 flexitone11 1x 12 and a line 6 spider for practice

 

[LoveRocksRule]

i really love the sound i get with my LS85Q thru my Marshall JCM2000 Triple Super Lead 100w head and a Laney 4x12.... clean channel has a nice warm sound great with a touch of reverb...

then onto the crunch channel where i only need the tone shift button out, the deep switch depressed, the gain turned up to 6, treble at 6, mids at 12 o clock and bass at 8 to get me a really nice Jimmy page riffing tone...

then for my 3rd Lead channel i have the tone shift button depressed it just gives u that scooped mid sound when its pushed in.. when its not in u get that growling marshall JCM800 tone, i have the gain at 8 on the lead channel treble at 7, mid at 3, and bass at 8, and i get a really thick sustaining Lead sound this head has everything i need basically....

although i now want to get myself some decent FX so i can start creating cool sounds.....
heres a pic of my amp and guitar....

Dave