amp advice

Innerpeace · March 8th, 2004, 05:18 PM

Hey forgive the newbie here I just found this place.
I am in search of a new amp and was looking for some advice.
I am thinking of two different amps right now, but if you know others that would work better please let me know.
i was thinking of either a Peavey classic 50 or a Marshall TSL 601. I like the combo option over a head.
My style of music is rock, blues, and some more modern sounds as well. I want a decent clean, a good blues sound and a decent level of distortion.
I know there is a price difference between the two amps, but I would most likely spend the same amount. If I got the classic 50 I would use the extra money for other gear as well. If you have experience with either amp or a different amp that would work better please let me know.
thanks for your help :D

Lance · March 8th, 2004, 08:05 PM

the classic 50....but even a classic 30 is probably fine. There's a lot of choices in that price range.

e-merlin · March 8th, 2004, 08:18 PM

That Classic 50 will do the job with flying colors. All of the Classic series currently in production use 4 EL84 power tubes, the C50 juices them a little more. Enjoy!

Caper · March 9th, 2004, 10:12 AM

A guy I used to take lessons from plays in 2 bands with a classic 50. They play mostly classic rock and country. He has one of the best sounds I've heard locally.

Ben Harmless · March 10th, 2004, 12:18 AM

There will probably be an overwhelming response to the Classic 30/50 aroung here, and I'm among those who think that they're great, but the thing with 'em is that most who use them don't really use them for the dirty channel. Some love the dirt, but most use the Classics for clean or with pedals.

Marshalls, on the other hand are meant for dirt, and the JCM2000 series has some of the nicest cleans Marshall has ever come up with. The only problems with them is the prohibative cost, and what I personally percieve as a somewhat fuzzy/muddy dirty tone. Your best bet with them, as with any Marshall, is to keep that gain knob down and crank it 'till it sounds great. It's just that some Marshalls sound better at reasonable volumes than others. Still, try 'em out a lot. Spend some quality time with one before you buy.

On that same general price neiborhood you've got a couple of Rivera amps, the Fender Twin Reverb Reissue, (always a great all-around choice) a Bassman Reissue, and a few other amps. If you're willing to use pedals for dirt, your options are wider.

My advice - play through everything you can, and preferably with your guitar and/or favorate stomp box(s). Also, don't overlook the possibility of a vintage amp. Old Silverface (the control plate) Fenders and groovy old Marshalls can be wonderful amps, and a lot more durable in the long run than many newer amps, while being no more expensive, and sometimes cheaper.

Innerpeace · March 10th, 2004, 01:30 AM

Thank you for the advice. I have tried both amps at the store. I felt that the tsl 601 was better for distortion, and I agree it was fuzzy with higher gain settings. The clean was good also. The peavey classic sounded nice but I wanted more dirt than the amp had. I did not try it with pedals though. I liked how smooth the peavey was and loved the clean channel. I did think the peavey was harsh on the high end having to much treble at times, but I know tubes and speaker change can help this. What I don't know what it would sound like after this was done and if the mods and a pedal would fit my needs.

Doc · March 10th, 2004, 01:41 AM

Another option in that range is the Fender Pro Tube Series. PT Deluxe reverb, Concert Reverb and Twin.

Innerpeace · March 11th, 2004, 03:05 PM

thank you for all the help I think I am going to get the classic 50. I am going there friday to get it I will post a reply of what I think after spending some time with it.
thanks again
:D

Ben Harmless · March 11th, 2004, 04:06 PM

I think the Classic 50 is a great choice. Lots of flexibility with pedals. Tubes and speakers up the options. Are there tones that you can't get? Sure, but there are plenty of great ones available to keep you busy for a good, long time.

It's also good to see someone making a real decision. Plenty of people around here, including myself, would have worried for days, and posted 10 threads about it before we took the leap.

Doc · March 11th, 2004, 04:30 PM

Ben,

Hey! I resemble that post. It took me forever. I went with the PTPR though as it seemed better suited to me needs/desires.

Dale

Innerpeace · March 11th, 2004, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Harmless

I think the Classic 50 is a great choice. Lots of flexibility with pedals. Tubes and speakers up the options. Are there tones that you can't get? Sure, but there are plenty of great ones available to keep you busy for a good, long time.

It's also good to see someone making a real decision. Plenty of people around here, including myself, would have worried for days, and posted 10 threads about it before we took the leap.

Hey thanks for the kind words and support of the choice. I was very happy with the classic and think the treble could be tamed easy enough. I like the sound even without it being tamed. Like I said I will update everyone when I had it a couple days if you are interested. I might ask about tube choices and what others have used and like with their peavey classics. :D

Innerpeace · March 11th, 2004, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Ben,

Hey! I resemble that post. It took me forever. I went with the PTPR though as it seemed better suited to me needs/desires.

Dale

Dale,
Thank you for your advice also. I tried the PTPR and loved the amp, but I liked the classic 50 and the deal I was able to get on it played into the choice as well. Your choice in amps is very sweet, and it doesn't matter how long it took you to decide as long as you are happy. Its better to take your time and find the amp you love.

Doc · March 11th, 2004, 10:53 PM

Thanks! I think the 50 is a great amp as well. My choices were a Delta blues, Hrx and Traynor. I just wanted the seperate eq thing and switchable effects loop.

Dale

Innerpeace · March 13th, 2004, 12:35 AM

Hey guys, thank you for the help. I picked up the classic 50 today. I tried the Marshall tsl again today to make sure. The tsl did have a nice clean, but I liked the cleans on the peavey a lot better. The Tsl had peavey in the distortion category, but I tried running a boss ds-1 to push the lead channel it gave it a little more. I am thinking with the right pedal it will close the gap a little more in the lead channel. If anyone has a pedal that has worked for their peavey classic I am open to their suggestions. Anyway I had to get the peavey I could not see spending twice as much for the Marshall. I spent most of the night with the amp, and I am extremely happy with the new purchase.
Thanks again,
Rick

Doc · March 13th, 2004, 12:47 AM

The TSL 6?? was a nice amp as well. It was a close options in some ways, and may be my next amp.

Dale

Lance · March 13th, 2004, 08:39 AM

Congrats on the amp.

I'll probably say this a zillion times. Get a Rat.....better yet - get a Rat modded by Keeley. You can get a cheap Rat on ebay and have it modded or buy pre-modded and still pay less than you will for many other so-so distortion pedals.

FYI - I'm using a Klon and a Keeley modded Rat...between the two, they provide any mixture of overdrive and distortion for all the amps I have. Rather than a Klon ($$$$$!!!), you could get any one of a number of tube screamer clones....add the Rat...and have the same flexible setup.

March 8th, 2004, 05:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Innerpeace NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 7	amp advice Hey forgive the newbie here I just found this place. I am in search of a new amp and was looking for some advice. I am thinking of two different amps right now, but if you know others that would work better please let me know. i was thinking of either a Peavey classic 50 or a Marshall TSL 601. I like the combo option over a head. My style of music is rock, blues, and some more modern sounds as well. I want a decent clean, a good blues sound and a decent level of distortion. I know there is a price difference between the two amps, but I would most likely spend the same amount. If I got the classic 50 I would use the extra money for other gear as well. If you have experience with either amp or a different amp that would work better please let me know. thanks for your help :D

March 8th, 2004, 08:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,197	I vote for the classic 50....but even a classic 30 is probably fine. There's a lot of choices in that price range. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

March 10th, 2004, 12:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,375 12 Photos	There will probably be an overwhelming response to the Classic 30/50 aroung here, and I'm among those who think that they're great, but the thing with 'em is that most who use them don't really use them for the dirty channel. Some love the dirt, but most use the Classics for clean or with pedals. Marshalls, on the other hand are meant for dirt, and the JCM2000 series has some of the nicest cleans Marshall has ever come up with. The only problems with them is the prohibative cost, and what I personally percieve as a somewhat fuzzy/muddy dirty tone. Your best bet with them, as with any Marshall, is to keep that gain knob down and crank it 'till it sounds great. It's just that some Marshalls sound better at reasonable volumes than others. Still, try 'em out a lot. Spend some quality time with one before you buy. On that same general price neiborhood you've got a couple of Rivera amps, the Fender Twin Reverb Reissue, (always a great all-around choice) a Bassman Reissue, and a few other amps. If you're willing to use pedals for dirt, your options are wider. My advice - play through everything you can, and preferably with your guitar and/or favorate stomp box(s). Also, don't overlook the possibility of a vintage amp. Old Silverface (the control plate) Fenders and groovy old Marshalls can be wonderful amps, and a lot more durable in the long run than many newer amps, while being no more expensive, and sometimes cheaper. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

March 10th, 2004, 01:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Doc Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 981	Another option in that range is the Fender Pro Tube Series. PT Deluxe reverb, Concert Reverb and Twin. __________________ Guitars: Teles, LP, others. Amps: El Diablo, Richter 5E3, 5E3 Head, Traynor Bass Master II, Epi Jr Head, Gretsch/Supro, 60's Univox and others. Current Board-Guitar>Tuner>Java Boost> Huckleberry>Fuzz Head>Top Fuel>SFX-03> Keeley Comp>Clone Chorus>FL3> Amp

March 11th, 2004, 04:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,375 12 Photos	I think the Classic 50 is a great choice. Lots of flexibility with pedals. Tubes and speakers up the options. Are there tones that you can't get? Sure, but there are plenty of great ones available to keep you busy for a good, long time. It's also good to see someone making a real decision. Plenty of people around here, including myself, would have worried for days, and posted 10 threads about it before we took the leap. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

March 9th, 2004, 10:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Caper Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,169 7 Photos	A guy I used to take lessons from plays in 2 bands with a classic 50. They play mostly classic rock and country. He has one of the best sounds I've heard locally.

March 10th, 2004, 01:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
Innerpeace NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 7	Thank you for the advice. I have tried both amps at the store. I felt that the tsl 601 was better for distortion, and I agree it was fuzzy with higher gain settings. The clean was good also. The peavey classic sounded nice but I wanted more dirt than the amp had. I did not try it with pedals though. I liked how smooth the peavey was and loved the clean channel. I did think the peavey was harsh on the high end having to much treble at times, but I know tubes and speaker change can help this. What I don't know what it would sound like after this was done and if the mods and a pedal would fit my needs.

March 11th, 2004, 03:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Innerpeace NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 7	thank you for all the help I think I am going to get the classic 50. I am going there friday to get it I will post a reply of what I think after spending some time with it. thanks again :D

March 11th, 2004, 04:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Doc Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 981	Ben, Hey! I resemble that post. It took me forever. I went with the PTPR though as it seemed better suited to me needs/desires. Dale __________________ Guitars: Teles, LP, others. Amps: El Diablo, Richter 5E3, 5E3 Head, Traynor Bass Master II, Epi Jr Head, Gretsch/Supro, 60's Univox and others. Current Board-Guitar>Tuner>Java Boost> Huckleberry>Fuzz Head>Top Fuel>SFX-03> Keeley Comp>Clone Chorus>FL3> Amp

March 11th, 2004, 10:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
Doc Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 981	Thanks! I think the 50 is a great amp as well. My choices were a Delta blues, Hrx and Traynor. I just wanted the seperate eq thing and switchable effects loop. Dale __________________ Guitars: Teles, LP, others. Amps: El Diablo, Richter 5E3, 5E3 Head, Traynor Bass Master II, Epi Jr Head, Gretsch/Supro, 60's Univox and others. Current Board-Guitar>Tuner>Java Boost> Huckleberry>Fuzz Head>Top Fuel>SFX-03> Keeley Comp>Clone Chorus>FL3> Amp

March 13th, 2004, 12:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
Innerpeace NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 7	Hey guys, thank you for the help. I picked up the classic 50 today. I tried the Marshall tsl again today to make sure. The tsl did have a nice clean, but I liked the cleans on the peavey a lot better. The Tsl had peavey in the distortion category, but I tried running a boss ds-1 to push the lead channel it gave it a little more. I am thinking with the right pedal it will close the gap a little more in the lead channel. If anyone has a pedal that has worked for their peavey classic I am open to their suggestions. Anyway I had to get the peavey I could not see spending twice as much for the Marshall. I spent most of the night with the amp, and I am extremely happy with the new purchase. Thanks again, Rick

March 13th, 2004, 12:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
Doc Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 981	The TSL 6?? was a nice amp as well. It was a close options in some ways, and may be my next amp. Dale __________________ Guitars: Teles, LP, others. Amps: El Diablo, Richter 5E3, 5E3 Head, Traynor Bass Master II, Epi Jr Head, Gretsch/Supro, 60's Univox and others. Current Board-Guitar>Tuner>Java Boost> Huckleberry>Fuzz Head>Top Fuel>SFX-03> Keeley Comp>Clone Chorus>FL3> Amp

March 13th, 2004, 08:39 AM	#16 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,197	Congrats! Congrats on the amp. I'll probably say this a zillion times. Get a Rat.....better yet - get a Rat modded by Keeley. You can get a cheap Rat on ebay and have it modded or buy pre-modded and still pay less than you will for many other so-so distortion pedals. FYI - I'm using a Klon and a Keeley modded Rat...between the two, they provide any mixture of overdrive and distortion for all the amps I have. Rather than a Klon ($$$$$!!!), you could get any one of a number of tube screamer clones....add the Rat...and have the same flexible setup. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"