$1000 for which 2x12" Combo

Slim · February 11th, 2004, 03:45 AM

I'm getting ready to sell my Ric for an amp and hopefully will get around $1250 or so. Any opinions on a good 2x12" combo for around that price? I'm thinking Orange, Vox, Dr Z, but I'm sure there's a few I'm missing out on. Thanks.

e-merlin · February 11th, 2004, 11:56 AM

What kind of music are you playing? How much power? If you haven't played a Peavey Triple X 212 because you've heard it's only for Metal, give it a try. It has a GREAT clean channel. And the Crunch and Ultra channels have an incredible range of tones with their active EQ. If you don't take the EQ knobs on those two channels past the half way point (where they are adding gain to the signal) you can get some really good Classic Rock and Blues tones. Treat yourself to a boutique amp if you like them, but try out the Triple X as well.

KC · February 11th, 2004, 12:54 PM

you ought to be able to find a used Z Maz 38 in this price range. You might even find a Bad Cat Black Cat for pretty close to that money. I don't know well the Oranges are made but they look cool. I even saw a Divided By 13 over on the Weber Page for around this number -- an amp I haven't played but one I'm awfully curious about. have a good time shopping -- I bet you will.

Kelsey · February 11th, 2004, 05:38 PM

I just bought an AD15/12 for $849, and it sounds great and is built like a tank. They use high quality PCB technology and the thing has VERY low levels of background noise. A lot of nice little touchs and excellent build quality at a good price.

You might also consider Bogner -- they are very nice, too.

Check out the link below for a lot of cool amp demos, including Orange AD30's (the 30 watt version of the AD15), Dr. Z's, Bad Cat's, and Bogner, among others. I found the clips very useful in making a decision.

http://www.proguitar.de/AudioDemo/Co...mpareAmps.html

Slim · February 11th, 2004, 07:15 PM

Cool, thanks for the replies and the link. I'm really looking for that AC30 sound and volume.

alexbatonrouge · February 12th, 2004, 07:09 AM

I mentioned the tele pickup he gave to me before. Wonderful guy

buglecorps · February 12th, 2004, 01:02 PM

I'd only get the AC-30 if you can find a "hand wired" with the Master or are prepard to use a Hot Plate or other attenuator..those babys are LOUD..the AC-15 has a master and is probaly enough for most situations, and should be well within you $$ range. If you gig with any Vox be prepared to spring for and transport a case..the tolex is soft, and the grille cloth fragile. I had a AC-15 TBX and it was OK..but not great..I'd probaly look at a Z or a Vic if I was going to spend serious coin again. Personaly I would look for a Music Man or one of the various PV 2 x12 combos (The 50 watt Classic should do ya) from the late '70s these are well made sound good have a workable MV scheme and WAY under $500..have it serviced pop in some good speakers, and you are good to go.. Personaly I find 1x12 to be more than enough in this day and age..2x12 is often too loud for your soundman to work with in small venues, too heavy to move easly, and WAY TOO LOUD for home and studio use. 20-30 watts 1x12 should cover any thing short of a world tour, and then you could just add a cab for "stage spread" and mike it! I know way too many people who "had to have" a AC-30, Twin, Marshall Bluesbreaker or other classic 2x12 and then had to unload the thing, when it was just "too much" in every way...

Paul in Colorado · February 12th, 2004, 01:34 PM

If you want an AC-30 sound, get an AC-30! You can find used ones for $1200 with Vox Blues in them. I don't like amps without reverb, but I'll make an exception for an AC-30. They're so harmonicly rich you don't need no steekin' reverb! Get a Weber Mass to tone down the volume and you have it all.

Ben Harmless · February 12th, 2004, 04:00 PM

If you're looking for AC30 tone, and you want to avoid the new RIs, and you can't quite swing the hand-wired version, and you worry that the whole AC30 might be a little to much, I would check out Top Hat. They've got the (AC30 copy) King Royale, and various different editions thereof, and I've only heard good things about, and from them.

They're the first company I would turn to if I could affort boutique quality stuff. Plus their prices are a tad lower, and their quality at least equal to most of the other boutique builders.

reverbbb · February 12th, 2004, 05:32 PM

. . . a Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. that I REALLY love (2x10=sweeter and tighter). I has more headroom than I originally had figured on. I think that the Bad Cat would have suited me better for the extra gain side of things. But a Bad Cat would have easily cost me near $1500. I paid $1000 for my Maz 18.

What type of sound are you after? That is an important attribute. I was looking at the Marshall DSL100 and the JCM800 R.I. the other day and got a case of the GAS attack. But it is definately in a different league of sound from the boutiques.

I also suggest looking at the Carr amps. They sound really nice on the web sound-bites.

If it is a 6L6 sound that your after, give a Vibro King a serious look.

Anonymous · February 12th, 2004, 06:40 PM

As folks have said, a LOT depends on what kind of sound you want. Brit EL-84 type sound? Classic Fender tweed? Fender blackface? Hybrid? That all kinda depends on your ears, and your budget.

That said, with roughly $1K to spend, I'd offer some ideas:

Aspirational: (i.e, you can't afford one, but if you luck into one in your price range, jump on it quick!) Bad Cat Black Cat, Matchless DC30, Bruno Underground 30, Victoria 80212-T

Maybe baby: (still a little out of your range, but gettin' closer, you might find one): Vox AC30 reissue, Dr. Z Maz 38 Senior, Victoria 50212

Buy it now: (you can definitely find a used one in your budget): Alessandro Working Dog, Fender SF Twin Reverb, Dr. Z Maz 18 Junior

Before anybody jumps on me with a litany of "what-abouts?"...I'm sure there are others, those are just some I'm familiar with. Also, I didn't list the Orange amps because I'm not familiar with them, but I sure see 'em a lot on teevee. ('Course, it's hard not to see 'em 'cause they're so... you know, orange.) Now, all those listed above are hand-wired point-to-point construction. IF you can live with a printed circuit board, you have many more fun options, including:

Two much fun: two used Traynor YCV80s. Coupla stereo pedals, and look out.

Blow the roof off!: FOUR (4) used Peavey Classic 50s. (Yeah, I know... but wouldn't it be fun to hit that very first power chord with two-hunnert all-tube watts and 8x12s behind you? Oh, wait... we did that in the '60s...) ;-)

Happy hunting, and have fun! :-) CS

P.S. I'm sure there are also many, many people who have lots of fun with many, many different types of modeling amps. I still don't want one, and I bet you don't either...

Wayne Alexander · February 12th, 2004, 07:30 PM

If you want an AC30, get one. In that price range you should be able to buy a used AC30 reissue (post 1993) with the Vox/Celestion blue speakers. Nothing sounds like that except a Vox. Those AC30 reissues are excellent amps and sound superb.

February 11th, 2004, 03:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Slim Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 306	$1000 for which 2x12" Combo I'm getting ready to sell my Ric for an amp and hopefully will get around $1250 or so. Any opinions on a good 2x12" combo for around that price? I'm thinking Orange, Vox, Dr Z, but I'm sure there's a few I'm missing out on. Thanks.

February 11th, 2004, 12:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
KC Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 1,255 16 Photos	lots of fun in this price range you ought to be able to find a used Z Maz 38 in this price range. You might even find a Bad Cat Black Cat for pretty close to that money. I don't know well the Oranges are made but they look cool. I even saw a Divided By 13 over on the Weber Page for around this number -- an amp I haven't played but one I'm awfully curious about. have a good time shopping -- I bet you will.

February 11th, 2004, 05:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kelsey Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 716	The Oranges are very well made I just bought an AD15/12 for $849, and it sounds great and is built like a tank. They use high quality PCB technology and the thing has VERY low levels of background noise. A lot of nice little touchs and excellent build quality at a good price. You might also consider Bogner -- they are very nice, too. Check out the link below for a lot of cool amp demos, including Orange AD30's (the 30 watt version of the AD15), Dr. Z's, Bad Cat's, and Bogner, among others. I found the clips very useful in making a decision. http://www.proguitar.de/AudioDemo/Co...mpareAmps.html

February 12th, 2004, 07:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
alexbatonrouge TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bremen - Germany Posts: 76	My friend does the pickups for all their testguitars I mentioned the tele pickup he gave to me before. Wonderful guy

February 12th, 2004, 01:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
buglecorps Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Suburban Twang Town Posts: 753	Well.. I'd only get the AC-30 if you can find a "hand wired" with the Master or are prepard to use a Hot Plate or other attenuator..those babys are LOUD..the AC-15 has a master and is probaly enough for most situations, and should be well within you $$ range. If you gig with any Vox be prepared to spring for and transport a case..the tolex is soft, and the grille cloth fragile. I had a AC-15 TBX and it was OK..but not great..I'd probaly look at a Z or a Vic if I was going to spend serious coin again. Personaly I would look for a Music Man or one of the various PV 2 x12 combos (The 50 watt Classic should do ya) from the late '70s these are well made sound good have a workable MV scheme and WAY under $500..have it serviced pop in some good speakers, and you are good to go.. Personaly I find 1x12 to be more than enough in this day and age..2x12 is often too loud for your soundman to work with in small venues, too heavy to move easly, and WAY TOO LOUD for home and studio use. 20-30 watts 1x12 should cover any thing short of a world tour, and then you could just add a cab for "stage spread" and mike it! I know way too many people who "had to have" a AC-30, Twin, Marshall Bluesbreaker or other classic 2x12 and then had to unload the thing, when it was just "too much" in every way... __________________ Loud is Good...

February 11th, 2004, 07:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Slim Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 306	Cool, thanks for the replies and the link. I'm really looking for that AC30 sound and volume.

February 12th, 2004, 01:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 56 Posts: 4,448 3 Photos	If you want an AC-30 sound, get an AC-30! You can find used ones for $1200 with Vox Blues in them. I don't like amps without reverb, but I'll make an exception for an AC-30. They're so harmonicly rich you don't need no steekin' reverb! Get a Weber Mass to tone down the volume and you have it all.

February 12th, 2004, 04:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,375 12 Photos	If you're looking for AC30 tone, and you want to avoid the new RIs, and you can't quite swing the hand-wired version, and you worry that the whole AC30 might be a little to much, I would check out Top Hat. They've got the (AC30 copy) King Royale, and various different editions thereof, and I've only heard good things about, and from them. They're the first company I would turn to if I could affort boutique quality stuff. Plus their prices are a tad lower, and their quality at least equal to most of the other boutique builders. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

February 12th, 2004, 05:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
reverbbb Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Just Plano, Texas Age: 50 Posts: 3,733 36 Photos	I got . . . . . . a Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. that I REALLY love (2x10=sweeter and tighter). I has more headroom than I originally had figured on. I think that the Bad Cat would have suited me better for the extra gain side of things. But a Bad Cat would have easily cost me near $1500. I paid $1000 for my Maz 18. What type of sound are you after? That is an important attribute. I was looking at the Marshall DSL100 and the JCM800 R.I. the other day and got a case of the GAS attack. But it is definately in a different league of sound from the boutiques. I also suggest looking at the Carr amps. They sound really nice on the web sound-bites. If it is a 6L6 sound that your after, give a Vibro King a serious look. __________________ "I come here to reflect a little."™ Buffalo Blues Band

February 12th, 2004, 06:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
Anonymous Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 0	Choices As folks have said, a LOT depends on what kind of sound you want. Brit EL-84 type sound? Classic Fender tweed? Fender blackface? Hybrid? That all kinda depends on your ears, and your budget. That said, with roughly $1K to spend, I'd offer some ideas: <u>Aspirational</u>: (i.e, you can't afford one, but if you luck into one in your price range, jump on it quick!) Bad Cat Black Cat, Matchless DC30, Bruno Underground 30, Victoria 80212-T <u>Maybe baby</u>: (still a little out of your range, but gettin' closer, you might find one): Vox AC30 reissue, Dr. Z Maz 38 Senior, Victoria 50212 <u>Buy it now</u>: (you can definitely find a used one in your budget): Alessandro Working Dog, Fender SF Twin Reverb, Dr. Z Maz 18 Junior Before anybody jumps on me with a litany of "what-abouts?"...<u>I'm sure there are others</u>, those are just some I'm familiar with. Also, I didn't list the Orange amps because I'm not familiar with them, but I sure see 'em a lot on teevee. ('Course, it's hard not to see 'em 'cause they're so... you know, orange.) Now, all those listed above are hand-wired point-to-point construction. IF you can live with a printed circuit board, you have many more fun options, including: <u>Two much fun</u>: two used Traynor YCV80s. Coupla stereo pedals, and look out. <u>Blow the roof off!</u>: FOUR (4) used Peavey Classic 50s. (Yeah, I know... but wouldn't it be fun to hit that very first power chord with two-hunnert all-tube watts and 8x12s behind you? Oh, wait... we did that in the '60s...) ;-) Happy hunting, and have fun! :-) CS P.S. I'm sure there are also many, many people who have lots of fun with many, many different types of modeling amps. I still don't want one, and I bet you don't either...

February 12th, 2004, 07:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,083	If you want an AC30, get one. In that price range you should be able to buy a used AC30 reissue (post 1993) with the Vox/Celestion blue speakers. Nothing sounds like that except a Vox. Those AC30 reissues are excellent amps and sound superb.