Amp Recommendations please

Kurt · February 15th, 2004, 11:16 AM

I am looking to upgrade and would like some suggestions for a tube amp. I use both a Strat and a Tele, sparingly use pedals through an effects loop, and need a wide variety of tone and grit to cover blues, rock, pop, some jazz, some country, no metal. I also play out (mid-sized clubs) from time to time so I need enough horsepower to cover this. Reliability is important and quiet operation is important. Preferably under $1000. Not really a vintage nut, typically buy new or slightly used gear. Thanks in advance.

stantheman · February 15th, 2004, 11:49 AM

So I'd play through lots of Amplifiers. If I was playing
mid-sized Clubs meaning 200-400 people and was
uncertain about P.A. much of the time and needed an
FX Loop that was "buffered" with "send and receive"
(which is the most important feature of a decent FX loop) I'd get a Fender Concert II from the "Rivera Era"
which will give you many of the same options that players like Miss Bonnie Raitt and Mr.Vince Gill get from
their "modern Rivera Rivera's". Just MAKE SURE it's
a Rivera Concert from the 1980's that's PTP wired and
NOT that PCB gungafoo that's from the 1990's up to
the present moment. Pay nomo than $500 bucks.
CHEAP ALTERNATIVE: Get a Peavey with an FX Loop
it'll be just as good. Pay nomo than $300 bucks.

you're playing Clubs for people who drink and fall down
and feel no pain til the next morning so $500 bucks should be the absolute maximum. I've seen older guys than me playing in Memphis through the "Gorilla Brand"
and they sounded great AND they were using the Cheesiest FX known to Mankind. It's all in the hands...

gitarboy · February 15th, 2004, 11:51 AM

Hi Kurt,
For a grand it would be hard to beat either a used Dr Z Maz 18(kind of a Voxish/Fender tone) or an Allen Old Flame(blackface Fender tone). Both are quality amps that fit your description.

Steve

Aaron Schiff · February 15th, 2004, 05:37 PM

With a 2 x 12 extension cab (Celestion G12-75Ts) is my current solution to a similar problem. Some times I use a friend's Genz Benz 1 x 15 extention cab instead of my 2 x 12. I tend to prefer the sound of EL84 tubes. And the Ashdown knobs actually work. If you rotate them 1/8 of a turn, the sound actually changes; unlike many other makers whose knobs seem to be more for appearance than sound shaping. I no longer play for drunks, but I did, I would look hard at a Peavey Classic 50 2x12, due to their toughness (and I like the sound).

February 15th, 2004, 11:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kurt Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MA Posts: 363	Amp Recommendations please I am looking to upgrade and would like some suggestions for a tube amp. I use both a Strat and a Tele, sparingly use pedals through an effects loop, and need a wide variety of tone and grit to cover blues, rock, pop, some jazz, some country, no metal. I also play out (mid-sized clubs) from time to time so I need enough horsepower to cover this. Reliability is important and quiet operation is important. Preferably under $1000. Not really a vintage nut, typically buy new or slightly used gear. Thanks in advance.

February 15th, 2004, 11:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
stantheman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 5,071	There's a ton of ways to go Curt. So I'd play through lots of Amplifiers. If I was playing mid-sized Clubs meaning 200-400 people and was uncertain about P.A. much of the time and needed an FX Loop that was "buffered" with "send and receive" (which is the most important feature of a decent FX loop) I'd get a Fender Concert II from the "Rivera Era" which will give you many of the same options that players like Miss Bonnie Raitt and Mr.Vince Gill get from their "modern Rivera Rivera's". Just MAKE SURE it's a Rivera Concert from the 1980's that's PTP wired and NOT that PCB gungafoo that's from the 1990's up to the present moment. Pay nomo than $500 bucks. CHEAP ALTERNATIVE: Get a Peavey with an FX Loop it'll be just as good. Pay nomo than $300 bucks. you're playing Clubs for people who drink and fall down and feel no pain til the next morning so $500 bucks should be the absolute maximum. I've seen older guys than me playing in Memphis through the "Gorilla Brand" and they sounded great AND they were using the Cheesiest FX known to Mankind. It's all in the hands... __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

February 15th, 2004, 11:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
gitarboy TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 15	Hi Kurt, For a grand it would be hard to beat either a used Dr Z Maz 18(kind of a Voxish/Fender tone) or an Allen Old Flame(blackface Fender tone). Both are quality amps that fit your description. Steve __________________ Life's too short fer bad tone...

February 15th, 2004, 05:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Aaron Schiff Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cedaredge, CO Posts: 347	Ashdown Peacemaker 40 With a 2 x 12 extension cab (Celestion G12-75Ts) is my current solution to a similar problem. Some times I use a friend's Genz Benz 1 x 15 extention cab instead of my 2 x 12. I tend to prefer the sound of EL84 tubes. And the Ashdown knobs actually work. If you rotate them 1/8 of a turn, the sound actually changes; unlike many other makers whose knobs seem to be more for appearance than sound shaping. I no longer play for drunks, but I did, I would look hard at a Peavey Classic 50 2x12, due to their toughness (and I like the sound).