Wanted Three Trick Pony 1x12 Combo

[Red Planet]

I'm looking for suggestions for a 1x12 Combo that will get Three good sounds. I need something smaller for small to medium gigs that will get a Fender Clean , a Marshall distortion at two levels - one for rythem and one for - louder with more gain lead.

Is there really such an amp?

I leen more to the booteek style. I had a Marshall TSL but I'M to pickey about my tone. I tried a Boogie Mark 4 and didnt like the lead channel.

I'm looking for Fender clean and Marshall Plexi scream. Could there be such a thing?

Any suugestions?

[stevedenver]

well i have a marshall 6100-and i love it-30th anniversary blue tolex-which is what i am referring to

it isnt like a TSL-it has the three circuits-JTM, Plexi and super overdrive distortion-uses EL 34s (some used 5881's not the same atall) very musical and very authentic in sound-all tube-heavy-not fizzy at all-HAS A GREAT CLEAN CHANNEL

the COMBO equivalent is the Marshall 6101 30th anniversary -uses an single 12" electro voice speaker which i understand is great too-but different-read the harmony central reviews for more info-i imagine its as heavy as a fender twin

the 6101 has a mixed reputation because they have inadequate ventialtion and run hot -the chassis is inverted so all the tube heat hits the board-(but computer fan would likely solve this problem) and often cooks the board-however its the same amp-power stepping 100-50-25; pentode triode modes too-midi, effects loop, switching, reputed to be one of the truly last great marshalls-if you look hard and are patient they can be found-

i also really like rivera amps and they can give a pretty nice spread of sound but you have to learn to tweak them

also-if your in for some large $$$-the road king by mesa is truly amazing for versatility (2x12 though) and two rock makes incredible amps which are also very versatile and sound incredible also very steep-

all are quite heavy-

then of course theres the old princeton reverbs....

[tomtheguitarguy]

If you don't mind solid state - maybe the Fender Deluxe 90 DSP?

It has Fender clean, drive & more drive - as well as digital efx including reverb, reverb + delay, delay, chorus, flanger, etc. And it comes with the footswitch (as opposed to the Princeton 65 DSP)

Hope this helps.

tomtheguitarguy

[tjalla]

You've described the Rivera R30-112 down to a T. Great gigging amp, sounds even better with a Weber speaker (junk that Celestion :D )

www.rivera.com has info and soundfiles, but the stock celestion really makes the amp dark and muffled. Yuck.

No affiliation, shill etc etc

Cheers,
Trevor

[TY]

Sounds like boutique territory...

Tone king
Bruno
Allen
Carr
etc/

[telewacked]

is what I've been keeping an eye out for...

I borrowed a buddy's 6101 head for awhile and loved it (wish he would sell it to me!)

3 channels - Great clean tone (I'd say "for a Marshall", but it is really a great clean tone)and 2 excellent drive type channels.

FWIW - Johhny A. gigs with one. Saw him in KC, MO and his tone was superb.

[Red Planet]

I guess I should say I would prefer all tube. A buddy of mine has a 6100 which he likes. I dont know if that amp would be compatable with a Telecaster.Most Marshalls are a little on the bright side and dont like Fender Style guitars.

Maybe what I would like is a two channel amp with a footswitchable boost on the lead channel. I would also prefer a simple amp with not a lot of features. I dont want midi and fourty seven different tonal features. I just want simple good tone. Effects loop is not needed either.

Maybe something like a Bogner Shiva but I havent tried one. 1X12 COMBO A MUST. 50 watts or less. I dont like 100 watt 1x12 combos - its just to much power in a little box.

Thanx for all the input and keep it coming.

[Red Planet]

I played an interesting combination that was pretty cool.

I ABed an Aiken Tomcat 15 watt and a Maz 18 Jr 18 watt. I set the Maz Clean with reverb and the Aiken full out cranked.Both 1x12 combos.

Sounded great. I dont know if that would be big enuff for giging but it might be. What do you guys think about that set up?

I had a Maz 18 before but did not like the dirty sound. I like the clean sound though.

[Red Planet]

I do have two Shure Beta 57's and could allways mic them if needed for giging. Would that be enuff stage volume without putting them through the monitors?

I'm up against a Rock & Roll drummer and a Bass Player with an Acoustic 360 and 2x15 Cab Acoustic cab.

[ednew]

Love my Carr Rambler (www.carramps.com).

Pricey but has the tone.

[Guy from Idaho]

If you're looking at all that from one amp, you're seriously limiting your choices. Why not get one of many nice 1x12 combos out there, depending on your price range, and a decent pedal.

[TY]

Agreed. The most versatile rig (and affordable) will consist of an amp with a great clean tone, and a couple pedals to get some dirt with different character. Of course you may compromise a bit on overdriven tones.

[Tremo]

I second the recommendation for a Rivera. They do the clean better than any Mesa or Marshall, and the distortion better than any Fender, without the mush and mud of a Mesa.

[e-merlin]

How much power do you need?

I have two suggestions: Peavey!

For my first suggestion, try the 60 Watt Triple X 112. It's not just a Metal amp. Awesome clean channel. Not quite Fender, but close. I'm betting a Fender speaker in there would make it really Fendery. The Crunch channel is really good, too. The Ultra channel has lots of gain but can be tamed with good preamp tube selection.

Two tricks with these amps:

1. Set the Master almost wide open for clean and use the Channel volume to regulate overall output.

2. The EQs on the Crunch and Ultra channels are active, which means once you go past half way, you add gain. For more vintage tones, keep the EQ knobs on those channels set at less than half way.

My second suggestion, if you don't need a 60 wattt amp and prefer the used market is also a Peavey, the Bravo 112. All tube, 25 Watts, two channels with a boost on the Ultra channel. These are sometimes available for less than $150 because the tubes are hidden behind a panel on the amp, making it look like a solid state amp. This is my favorite amp ever, and I get to play lots of amps. Even though it's a good amp to start with, you can improve it with tube selection, and I just put a speaker out of a Fender Blues Junior in one of mine, making it incredibly Fendery.

[Rob DiStefano]

My choice would be (and is!) a Peavey Classic 30 with Weber ceramic Blue Dog (or ceramic Cali). Lotsa clean headroom and the overdrive channel is one of the best around, IMO. Obviously not a PTP boutique amp, but it'll withstand a good lickin'. I swapped all the tubes for JJ's, installed Tom's Tube tamer and the rear panel tube saver grille, too. IMO, setup this way, it's a hard amp to match for tone, versatility - and purchase price. Good used ones go for cheap, too. YMMV.

[ednew]

Currently on ebay at 1200+

Carr Rambler 1x12 Combo Item number: 3719682638

[Tim Bowen]

Originally Posted by Red Planet

I'm looking for suggestions for a 1x12 Combo that will get Three good sounds. I need something smaller for small to medium gigs that will get a Fender Clean , a Marshall distortion at two levels - one for rythem and one for - louder with more gain lead.

Is there really such an amp?

I leen more to the booteek style. I had a Marshall TSL but I'M to pickey about my tone. I tried a Boogie Mark 4 and didnt like the lead channel.

I'm looking for Fender clean and Marshall Plexi scream. Could there be such a thing?

Any suugestions?

Not exactly what you seek, but check out:

http://www.fargenamps.com/
http://www.toneking.com/
http://www.carramps.com/carrslant.html

I know that Ben Fargen has built at least one custom order model of his Dual Classic, I believe it is, with discrete Blackface & Plexi circuits. But I'm pretty sure that was in the form of a head, not a combo. You could probably sweet talk some of these guys into building what you want, but be prepared to fork out one serious wad o' dough. As for getting the "3rd channel", I'd say your best bet would be to match up the "Marshall" side with the right boost pedal. If it were me, I'd definitely lean toward a 2x12 format, if it were to be my main amp. But that's just me. The only time I play a 1x12 live is if it's in tandem with another small-medium amp. 1x12 alone does not push enough air & disperse sound enough to hang with my rhythm section.

[Red Planet]

2x12 is not out of the question if I can get what I want in one amp.

I looked at the Fargen site and didnt see a Dual Classic amp.

I might go try one of the Carr amps today.

The other question to ask is would there be enuff headroom to with the combo I mentioned. The Aiken TomCat and Maz 18 Jr both in 1x12 combos. Would that be enuff to compete with an Acoustic 360 bass amp?

One of the other things I'm constantly dealing with is at Band Practise everyone is allways asking me to turn down. Of coarse the bass player never turns down. I guess I'm paying for my raising on that one.

My Fender Pro Reverb has no master volume and on two it seems to kill every one. My Plexi has a post phase inverter master volume but dosnt work that well at super low levels.

Me thinks me needs to do something just dont know what. Like I said before though the biggest thing is lugging those two amps to a gig.

With the new speakers in it the Pro is heavey and bulky and the Plexi is no problem but the Bogner cab is huge and heavey.

[grantbob]

That's exactly why I got my Rivera R-55. Like the suggestion of the R-30 before, but the 55 has more power, plus an effects loop. It defintely does the three trick thing (four if you count that the clean "fender" channel also has a boost for leads).

darrell

[Jim L]

A Peavey Delta Blues. But if you're considering some of the booootique amps, I doubt you're going to want a $300 amp.

My Pro Reverb is a '73, 35-40 watter... great for Fender clean, but has to be pretty darn loud to break up. Got some new Webers in there too.

I wanted something in a 1x12 size that would also be loud enough for gigs. (we play blues ala T-birds, Hollywood Fats, T-Bone, Muddy, etc...)

I knew someone unloading their 1x15 Delta Blues that was only 6 months old, and already had some quality tubes installed. I'm pretty impressed with it so far (it gets its first gig test tomorrow night).

I doubt it will get you into your Marshall territory, but the gain channel isn't bad. Again, installing quality tubes goes a long way in these amps. Reverb is better than any current Fender in the price range (Hot Rods, Blues Jr, etc).

I played a friends Rivera Quianna (sp?) a few years ago and it was killer. I bet you can find something like what you're looking for from Rivera... try as many makes and models as you can!

[Red Planet]

Take my Marshall Plexi head and put it in a 1x12 combo cabinet. It has a Half Power switch installed which I dont like but can compromise maybe and be able to crank the amp. Then find a 1x12 combo just for clean.

[Teleologist]

There's also the M60 1x12 if you want one that's seriously built like a tank for pro-touring....

Vince Gill uses 2 of the 2x12 versions in stereo live and gets great 'Fender' tone out of the Tele and if you've ever heard him do his EC licks on the Strat..... ;) :)

They normally come with EL34 tubes, but will take 6L6's - pretty sure I read that Vince's are set up that way.

[Tremo]

Isn't the Rivera Rake model also a 1x12 combo?

Rake = "Jake the Rake" Jay Graydon. The "Rake" come from he's always raking in the cash. He's a great guy.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Red Planet

2x12 is not out of the question if I can get what I want in one amp.

Some of the suggestions seem to be 2 channel master volume amps. A Pro Tube Series can do this well with a speaker switch and new preamp tubes. Used they are pretty cheap.

Dale

[Red Planet]

Allright I have decided to put the Plexi in a 1x12 combo.Its gonna be the Mojo Tone 18 watt combo cab. Everybody says these are good cabs. I ordered one from them for $385 with a Celestion V30 in it. I even ordered it in Purple Levant.

That gives me two footswitchable distortion sounds.
I'm just gonna look for a 1x12 combo just for clean.Maybe an old Deluxe.

A buddy of mine has a mint 50 watt Boogie DC5 1X12 combo that sounds real good but I dont like the fact that the preamp tubes are mounted in the circuit board. Does anyone know how the components mount in those. It sounds really good I might (if I bought it) change the 90 watt Celestion out for a more Fendery type speaker.

Although another buddy of mine has a 69 Silverface Deluxe I've tried to trade him out of it.

I'm not against a Rivera and will look around for a deal in one also.

[sshan25]

........check out the Mesa Nomad. It actually has 3 discreetly voiced channels. I'm really fond of Riveras too (I have an M-60), but they're 2 channel amps with a boost function.