big combos (used) in the $700-1000 range?

skeksis · April 18th, 2008, 01:10 PM

Ok... so I'm looking for some feedback on my ideas about a big/outdoor gig amp. Probably going to be a platform for a couple different overdrive pedals, but otherwise I don't use reverb, trem, time effects, etc... To be honest, the thing won't see a ton of hours anytime soon -- maybe "needed" once a month or less, but used somewhat more frequently than that. I sold a guitar, and have $700 in hand, and could stretch a bit if needed. My band plays roots rock, most songs I've got a mild-moderately crunchy tone, with either a tele or an old Silvertone.

In my price range, I see a couple different routes: lightly used reissues or mid-line newer amps, OR 2nd tier vintage (eg fender silverface). For a little less, I could get into off brand vintage (silvertones etc), little more opens up a ton of options...

Been thinking hard about a Vox AC30CC, 59 Bassman ltd, *maybe* super reverb RI, or custom vibrolux. Alternately, I'd jump on a SF vibrolux reverb, pro, *maybe* twin or super reverb. Maybe I could find someone looking to unload a Marshall bluesbreaker or similar in my price range... longshot, probably.

Finally, MY QUESTIONS, 1) what's the good/bad of those newer amps... reliability, tone, etc.? 2) in your opinion, what's the best options in this price range? How about Vox vs Fender (tweed vs bf/sf) vs Marshall for this application? Most days, I get what a need from a BF Princeton Reverb, as a reference point. Sometimes it just doesn't push enough air, and the PA logistics don't work out...

Advice please :-)

e-merlin · April 18th, 2008, 01:41 PM

Check the used market for a Peavey Ranger or Duel 212. They are both 120 Watt tube amps. Clean for days and plenty of headroom. You can find them for less than $400, which would leave room in your budget for a pair of your favorite speakers if you don't like the stock ones. You can also probably find a Triple X 212 for a little more. The Triple X is aimed more at the metal crowd, but has a fantastic clean channel.

giogolf · April 18th, 2008, 01:42 PM

SF Twin, and get a black face mod. If you need a Loud clean combo, that takes pedals very well, then the twin is it. I would stay away from anything with a PCB, they just sound bland to me. I own a SF Princeton, SF Twin, and a Blues Jr. The tone I get from the 2 SF are amazing to say the least. The Blues Jr, well, its just bland. I am hoping some Billm mods will help.

Anyway back to the question at hand: The twin is one of the loudest amps I have ever played. I would say loudest to lowest: Twin, Bassman/Vibrolux, Deluxe Reverb, Princeton, Champ. Obviously all can be miced and used anywhere. However, if you play big forums, and you are not micing anything the twin is the way to go.

CatfishStudios · April 18th, 2008, 01:50 PM

I used to play a BF twin reverb..for outdoor stage and large party jams...but switched over to a 59 bassman..I just liked the cranked tone better..used around 750 or so ..basically set it forget it..i use volume on guitar to clean it up a bit and a tubescreamer to push it just over the top..no reverb but I dont miss it...sounds great with strats..teles..and even lesters..try one out..an LTD if ya can...seems like people love em or hate em..but after tons of amps Ive stuck with this one for 2 years now..I stopped hunting tone and started playing...

backalleyblues · April 18th, 2008, 03:56 PM

First choice is most definitely a SF Twin. Another good possibility is the Fender Blues Deville, or Hot Rod Deville-often can be had for $500-600 used. Leaves you a little bit of jack to retube them... oh BTW, they're LOUD too!

Franc Robert
Back Alley Blues Band

KC · April 18th, 2008, 06:33 PM

from a Princeton to a Twin is an awfully big jump, kind of like a shriner kiddie car to an 18-wheeler -- might be too much amp if he's used to getting it working hard, which he must be if he's playing a Princeton hard.

If you can find a silverface Vibrolux, it might be just your cup of tea. It's at the top of my amp shopping list, or would be if I had one, which I don't. But I might reopen the case of a clean VR. Great classic Fender sound in a manageable package.

The AC30CC is a fine amp -- I've got the 1x12 version and it's pretty versatile, sounds great, loud when you need it to be but dials back nicely with the master. Early reports of tube problems seems to have been solved. It's no heirloom but it's a lot of amp for the money and certainly reliable enough. Try it before you buy it but you just might fall in love.

DaBender · April 18th, 2008, 07:14 PM

You sometimes find blackface Fender Concerts around that price range. A real "Leo" amp with lots of headroom and tone for days. Since you don't care about reverb, it's a particularly good fit for your needs.

Murphy Slaw · April 18th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e-merlin

Check the used market for a Peavey Ranger or Duel 212. They are both 120 Watt tube amps. Clean for days and plenty of headroom. You can find them for less than $400, which would leave room in your budget for a pair of your favorite speakers if you don't like the stock ones. You can also probably find a Triple X 212 for a little more. The Triple X is aimed more at the metal crowd, but has a fantastic clean channel.

Man, the Dual 2;12. I gassed for one of those back then. Never saw one, just in the catalog. Ended up with a Marshall 1/2 stack. (Glad that's gone

)

I've yet to see one, but had a Duece before the Marshall, and it's about the same thing.

Best of luck.

Murph.

boris bubbanov · April 18th, 2008, 07:55 PM

Well, I played my year-in-my-hands NOS Custom Vibrolux back to back with my newly acquired lightly used 65 Reissue Twin Reverb, and I really like the sound of the Twin. (I paid almost the same for both amps.)
Now I know you need crunch, but the Twin will take a pedal real well. I like this amp at a whole lot of different dial settings. I put this down next to my #1 Peavey Classic 50, which with Webers and JJs represents more money spent, and the Twin really has that sound we crave - with the Peavey I gotta go tweaking to bring that smile to my lips.

So, if you can hoist + carry one of these, this Twin RI is the better choice, with a nice convergence of depreciation already over and reliability still near peak. $ 800.

skeksis · April 18th, 2008, 08:07 PM

mmmm.... thanks for the input. leaning in a fender direction this afternoon. checked out a '70 twin reverb today at a local shop, but the thing was a beaten basketcase with a high price ($1k), so I didn't dwell on it.

Twin RI, 70's TR, Pro R, or VR might all be candidates. And I'd want to play the 59 bassman if one were on hand. Right now NONE of the above are on the local craigslist... strange, usually there's a supply on hand. Anyway, will keep my eyes open.

April 18th, 2008, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
skeksis Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: phoenix Age: 30 Posts: 205	big combos (used) in the $700-1000 range? Ok... so I'm looking for some feedback on my ideas about a big/outdoor gig amp. Probably going to be a platform for a couple different overdrive pedals, but otherwise I don't use reverb, trem, time effects, etc... To be honest, the thing won't see a ton of hours anytime soon -- maybe "needed" once a month or less, but used somewhat more frequently than that. I sold a guitar, and have $700 in hand, and could stretch a bit if needed. My band plays roots rock, most songs I've got a mild-moderately crunchy tone, with either a tele or an old Silvertone. In my price range, I see a couple different routes: lightly used reissues or mid-line newer amps, OR 2nd tier vintage (eg fender silverface). For a little less, I could get into off brand vintage (silvertones etc), little more opens up a ton of options... Been thinking hard about a Vox AC30CC, 59 Bassman ltd, maybe super reverb RI, or custom vibrolux. Alternately, I'd jump on a SF vibrolux reverb, pro, maybe twin or super reverb. Maybe I could find someone looking to unload a Marshall bluesbreaker or similar in my price range... longshot, probably. Finally, MY QUESTIONS, 1) what's the good/bad of those newer amps... reliability, tone, etc.? 2) in your opinion, what's the best options in this price range? How about Vox vs Fender (tweed vs bf/sf) vs Marshall for this application? Most days, I get what a need from a BF Princeton Reverb, as a reference point. Sometimes it just doesn't push enough air, and the PA logistics don't work out... Advice please :-) __________________ '86 mij '62 Custom Tele ----> '08 Marsh 5F4 Super kit or 60's Silvertone guitars (Harmony-made) ----> '66 Princeton Reverb http://www.myspace.com/jswattsmusic

April 18th, 2008, 01:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
e-merlin Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 5,552	Check the used market for a Peavey Ranger or Duel 212. They are both 120 Watt tube amps. Clean for days and plenty of headroom. You can find them for less than $400, which would leave room in your budget for a pair of your favorite speakers if you don't like the stock ones. You can also probably find a Triple X 212 for a little more. The Triple X is aimed more at the metal crowd, but has a fantastic clean channel. __________________ WARNING:This post may contain items including, but not limited to, sarcasm, irony, hyperbole intended to bring humor to this discussion. Those of you who are overly sensitive or who have no sense of humor are better off ignoring this post.

April 18th, 2008, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 32 Posts: 651	I used to play a BF twin reverb..for outdoor stage and large party jams...but switched over to a 59 bassman..I just liked the cranked tone better..used around 750 or so ..basically set it forget it..i use volume on guitar to clean it up a bit and a tubescreamer to push it just over the top..no reverb but I dont miss it...sounds great with strats..teles..and even lesters..try one out..an LTD if ya can...seems like people love em or hate em..but after tons of amps Ive stuck with this one for 2 years now..I stopped hunting tone and started playing... __________________ “Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.”-Jerry Garcia

April 18th, 2008, 03:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
backalleyblues Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay, FL, USA Age: 45 Posts: 227	First choice is most definitely a SF Twin. Another good possibility is the Fender Blues Deville, or Hot Rod Deville-often can be had for $500-600 used. Leaves you a little bit of jack to retube them... oh BTW, they're LOUD too! Franc Robert Back Alley Blues Band __________________ www.backalleybluesband.com "It don't mean a thang if it ain't got that TWANG!!"

April 18th, 2008, 07:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 5,945	Well, I played my year-in-my-hands NOS Custom Vibrolux back to back with my newly acquired lightly used 65 Reissue Twin Reverb, and I really like the sound of the Twin. (I paid almost the same for both amps.) Now I know you need crunch, but the Twin will take a pedal real well. I like this amp at a whole lot of different dial settings. I put this down next to my #1 Peavey Classic 50, which with Webers and JJs represents more money spent, and the Twin really has that sound we crave - with the Peavey I gotta go tweaking to bring that smile to my lips. So, if you can hoist + carry one of these, this Twin RI is the better choice, with a nice convergence of depreciation already over and reliability still near peak. $ 800. __________________ Bubban0v

April 18th, 2008, 01:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
giogolf Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 183	SF Twin, and get a black face mod. If you need a Loud clean combo, that takes pedals very well, then the twin is it. I would stay away from anything with a PCB, they just sound bland to me. I own a SF Princeton, SF Twin, and a Blues Jr. The tone I get from the 2 SF are amazing to say the least. The Blues Jr, well, its just bland. I am hoping some Billm mods will help. Anyway back to the question at hand: The twin is one of the loudest amps I have ever played. I would say loudest to lowest: Twin, Bassman/Vibrolux, Deluxe Reverb, Princeton, Champ. Obviously all can be miced and used anywhere. However, if you play big forums, and you are not micing anything the twin is the way to go.

April 18th, 2008, 06:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
KC Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 1,157 15 Photos	from a Princeton to a Twin is an awfully big jump, kind of like a shriner kiddie car to an 18-wheeler -- might be too much amp if he's used to getting it working hard, which he must be if he's playing a Princeton hard. If you can find a silverface Vibrolux, it might be just your cup of tea. It's at the top of my amp shopping list, or would be if I had one, which I don't. But I might reopen the case of a clean VR. Great classic Fender sound in a manageable package. The AC30CC is a fine amp -- I've got the 1x12 version and it's pretty versatile, sounds great, loud when you need it to be but dials back nicely with the master. Early reports of tube problems seems to have been solved. It's no heirloom but it's a lot of amp for the money and certainly reliable enough. Try it before you buy it but you just might fall in love.

April 18th, 2008, 07:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
DaBender TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maine Age: 52 Posts: 45	You sometimes find blackface Fender Concerts around that price range. A real "Leo" amp with lots of headroom and tone for days. Since you don't care about reverb, it's a particularly good fit for your needs.

April 18th, 2008, 08:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
skeksis Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: phoenix Age: 30 Posts: 205	mmmm.... thanks for the input. leaning in a fender direction this afternoon. checked out a '70 twin reverb today at a local shop, but the thing was a beaten basketcase with a high price ($1k), so I didn't dwell on it. Twin RI, 70's TR, Pro R, or VR might all be candidates. And I'd want to play the 59 bassman if one were on hand. Right now NONE of the above are on the local craigslist... strange, usually there's a supply on hand. Anyway, will keep my eyes open. __________________ '86 mij '62 Custom Tele ----> '08 Marsh 5F4 Super kit or 60's Silvertone guitars (Harmony-made) ----> '66 Princeton Reverb http://www.myspace.com/jswattsmusic