$1200..what would YOU buy?

[tbp0701]

I saw a classified ad with a 6G2 Brown Princeton for that. That's probably what I'd get.

Either that or a Li'l Dawg, maybe a David Allen amp.

I also plugged into a Mesa Boogie 5:25 while trying out some guitars a couple of weeks ago. I had it at 5 watts, and the Master turned very low, almost whisper volumes, really, and it still sounded really nice and responsive. It would be a lot of money to spend just for that ability, but I don't know other amps that can do that.

I never tried a Dr. Z, but I'd like to, even if just because I don't live too far from where those amps are made.

[backalleyblues]

5F4 Tweed Super Amp kit... Webers version is cheap enough that you could probaly build that AND a champ kit for $1200 CAN... feed your need for tweed...

Franc Robert

[stephent2]

I've got a buddy that builds a beautiful amp, the user list is amazing. Let's just mention Vince Gill for starters.


http://www.goodsellamps.com

[popthree]

i'd buy the sweetest, cleanest old brown fender i could find

[zoppotrump]

+1 for that dr. z maz jr.
it´s more versatile than a ghia

zoppotrump
:O)

[R.B. Huckleberry]

I have a Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. (the No Reverb version). It cost me $1200 for the head.

For a speaker cab, I bought from these guys:

www.lopoline.com


If you like the Ghia, I say go for it. The Z amps are the best out there. I looked for a year for a new amp. I can't tell you how many amps I tried, and teh MAZ was definitely "the One".

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by eggman

Howdy,

I'm thinking about getting a Carmen Ghia (Dr. Z) for home and occasional school assemblies (I'm a teacher and usually employ my old Vibro Champ for such duty).
Being a Keef disciple, I'm looking at either the Carmen Ghia or perhaps a used 5E3 Clone, tweed Champ or used Victoria.
I've actually played the Carmen Ghia and really liked it. Any suggestions?

Eggman

PS: My observation about the Carmen Ghia was that it was simple and fun like my Vibro Champ, but with a different voice. Never played a tweed deluxe.

The 5E3 has that simple fun to it as well.

I'd try both side-by-side if possible.

Both will have similar volumes, but from what I understand Dr. Z's are closer to Vox style amps. If this is the case, a Dr. Z will sound great for country. My Vox AC15/30 build is still the most amazing country tone I've heard from my own gear.

[Rumble]

I just spent about that much recently. I bought a 1976 50-watt Marshall JMP head and later a 2x12 Crate cabinet, then swapped out the speakers for 2 Hellatone 60Ls (Marshall Vintage 30s). I had a PPIMV installed on the back (without any new holes) and now it is the perfect amp for me. Beautiful tones from living room volumes to as loud as I'll ever need to get. It's the one in the middle behind the Vox.

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by Rumble

I just spent about that much recently. I bought a 1976 50-watt Marshall JMP head and later a 2x12 Crate cabinet, then swapped out the speakers for 2 Hellatone 60Ls (Marshall Vintage 30s). I had a PPIMV installed on the back (without any new holes) and now it is the perfect amp for me. Beautiful tones from living room volumes to as loud as I'll ever need to get. It's the one in the middle behind the Vox.

D@mn, that sounds tastey Rumble. I almost built a 50w plexi (1987 circuit) with a PPIMV, but didn't - and now wish I did... very cool.

[JDaveG]

Originally Posted by R.B. Huckleberry

I have a Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. (the No Reverb version). It cost me $1200 for the head.

For a speaker cab, I bought from these guys:

www.lopoline.com


If you like the Ghia, I say go for it. The Z amps are the best out there. I looked for a year for a new amp. I can't tell you how many amps I tried, and teh MAZ was definitely "the One".

I was wondering how all the Maz 18 recommendations were getting in under $1200! I assumed combos!

Yeah, if you have a cab already, I'd go for the Maz 18 over the Mesa all day long.

[Rumble]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

D@mn, that sounds tastey Rumble. I almost built a 50w plexi (1987 circuit) with a PPIMV, but didn't - and now wish I did... very cool.

Thanks. It is a sweet setup. Mine's not officially a plexi since it was built in 1976, but it is a 1987 model with a plexi-like circuit. It gets a beautiful, thick organic distortion without being metal. It's the only amp that I actually have to roll off the volume and tone on my Tele with, but that leaves some extra grit and bite in reserve. Since I've got a humbucker and a P-90 in my Tele, when I jumper the channels it creates some wonderfully complex tones- thick from the bass channel, grit from the lead channel, creaminess from the humbucker, edgy crunch from the P-90. And the Hellatones provide a nice warm, smooth broken-in tone. I've found some real pleasure in piecing together the elements that produce my favorite tones.

[holgaguy]

Originally Posted by popthree

i'd buy the sweetest, cleanest old brown fender i could find

I like this idea. Of course tomorrow I'll be drooling over some handwired boutique amp.

[jimmyohio75]

Originally Posted by 1293

This looks kinda nifty:

Rebel 20

Better yet wait til summer for the new Egnater Rebel 30 or Renegade 50

[e-merlin]

A car. I'm driving my dad's S10, and it is circling the drain. We can't do it with one car.

[giginthesky]

a wall of pignose amps?

[moparmutt]

allen hot fudge

[crossroader]

That's just about what I paid for my '68 Drip Edge Deluxe Reverb (although that was a couple years ago).
The fact that DR's have achieved "classic amp" status is no accident.

I've never played a Carmen Ghia myself, but that was on my list when I was shopping. The clips I've heard and the reviews I've read lead me to believe that I'd really like it.

All that said, I now also own a Mission 5E3 and it's about the coolest amp I've ever owned. Mine cost me $750, complete with a lacquered cabinet and a speaker upgrade (Eminence Red Fang). The real beauty here is that you'd have a killer amp and a pile of change back from your $1200.

Heck, if you stick with the stock speaker you could probably get yourself a 5E3 AND an Esquire and have yourself a tone party!

[drummerdarko]

Originally Posted by Durtdog

If you're interested in a 5e3, buy a Lil Dawg and a bunch of beer.

this one is seriously worth consideration.

[hollowman]

Originally Posted by anacephalic

i'm a Z oddity. i played a carmen ghia though a 1x12 and REALLY didn't like it. It was used...abused tubage?? A maz 18 on the other hand...if i didn't have an Rx i would have the maz. Killer, versital as all get out. there's a Z28 for sale on the bay right now for that kind of cash that sounds pretty interesting as well. hmmmm i guess i'm suggesting if you don't have a z you probably should get one.

+1 on a maz 18. you can't go wrong with this amp. Also I don't think you can lose any value on a Dr Z if you get a good used one for a fair price. PTP wiring, massive tranny, tube rectified, built like a tank. and that is before talking about tone... my buddy with the SF seems like he has had his amp in the shop too much, which you might expect from nearly 40 year old amp. go for a Z, I say

[urbancowboy1919]

for 1200 bones........if i could find a Z for that, it would be mine. if not, an ac30 would suit me as well.