Amp Questions (Hope I'm in the right place)

[mrm4712]

What up peeps? Not to start all my post with this... but again... I'm very new to this forum thing so I apologize if I'm posting things that have been previously stated... For all intense purposes... yes I did a search too... HAHA

My question for you guys is this... I recently bought a Tele and am in that particular place of loving my guitar now but my amp and effects are somewhat in question. I am playing a Baja Tele through a Fender Frontman 212 (solid state... I know) and a Boss me 70. Without too much laughter from the peanut gallery about my setup, I know that I need to start to "upgrade" my stage gear. I'm looking at tube amps, but to be perfectly honest I am kinda out of my league about what to look for because I have been accustomed to playing through solid state amps my entire adult life. I would like to come in around $1,000.00 - $1,300.00 for my new amp purchase.

What would you all suggest for a good amp that would project enough for a somewhat larger venue (around 600 – 1000) We also currently have a decent PA that we play through as well. Is it better to have a “smaller” amp and to mic it??? Go bigger and play without the PA??? What size would you suggest??? I know… I’m sooo lost…

Anyway, again I sincerely appreciate everyone’s thoughts and opinions on this. I have played for very small venues for years and have recently started with a new band that plays for much larger crowds. I am not very satisfied with my effect pedal and will be changing that also. Please forgive my many questions!

[uriah1]

What kind of music might help determine. If you are starting to do larger venues, they
will probably have their own system. Good and bad. Some house systems like to mike all,
very professional, and some clubs, do not. That would mean for you to have an amp
that could mike well and project well.

Keeping within your dollar amount (all used below)

Country/rock - large (Fender twin/AC30) small (DRRI/AC15/Classic30)
(Drz or other botique if good price)

Metal/Alt - large (Egnater/blackstar/AC30) small (AC15/Blackstar/other)
(Marshall/orange if good price,trump these)


just my IMHO

wish you well

[printer2]

I would suggest 20W to 30W. The above suggestions look good. New at this guitar thing but did used to do sound a long time ago. Much easier to get a good mix without screaming guitars on stage.

[mrm4712]

Ohh yea that may help... Sorry... I play in a christian contemporary band that play during Sunday worship services and routinely travels to other functions to play (outside, and other larger churches). we also have a classic rock gig that does some local shows as well...

Thanks for the advice! Are these amps ones that typically need a lot of attention (tubes, repairs etc)

[Green Lantern]

Originally Posted by mrm4712

I am playing a Baja Tele through a Fender Frontman 212 (solid state... I know)

There is nothing to be ashamed of about using solid state amplifiers.
I have a Roland JC-120 that I would only sell for an extremely unfair price. I also have some very lovely tube amps, and I hold the Jazz Chorus in high regard alongside them.

[jimdandy]

here's an idea that might save you big money -- use the clean channel of your frontman and buy a quality drive pedal (like a fulltone full drive or OCD) for your overdrive. I used to have a FM212 and the clean channel on it was pretty good. With that said, I sold my FM and eventually bought a Fender Deluxe Reverb,mwhich I gig with. I gigged with the FM too.

Now, is the Deluxe Reverb $800 better in tone than the FM with a quality drive pedal? I don't think so in my case cause I never have the volume on my DR past 3 so I'm not hitting the amp's sweet spot for tone. I still use a Fulltone pedal for a good drive tone.

[Alex W]

Originally Posted by mrm4712

What up peeps? Not to start all my post with this... but again... I'm very new to this forum thing so I apologize if I'm posting things that have been previously stated... For all intense purposes... yes I did a search too... HAHA

My question for you guys is this... I recently bought a Tele and am in that particular place of loving my guitar now but my amp and effects are somewhat in question. I am playing a Baja Tele through a Fender Frontman 212 (solid state... I know) and a Boss me 70. Without too much laughter from the peanut gallery about my setup, I know that I need to start to "upgrade" my stage gear. I'm looking at tube amps, but to be perfectly honest I am kinda out of my league about what to look for because I have been accustomed to playing through solid state amps my entire adult life. I would like to come in around $1,000.00 - $1,300.00 for my new amp purchase.

What would you all suggest for a good amp that would project enough for a somewhat larger venue (around 600 – 1000) We also currently have a decent PA that we play through as well. Is it better to have a “smaller” amp and to mic it??? Go bigger and play without the PA??? What size would you suggest??? I know… I’m sooo lost…

Anyway, again I sincerely appreciate everyone’s thoughts and opinions on this. I have played for very small venues for years and have recently started with a new band that plays for much larger crowds. I am not very satisfied with my effect pedal and will be changing that also. Please forgive my many questions!

Nothing to be ashamed of with your current rig.

Do you want more of a Fender-y clean, twangy sound or a Marshall sort of crunch? Your stated budget will allow you to choose among many great amps and find a "lifetime keeper" quality amp, especially if you buy a used amp. The main thing is to try out lots of amps and buy the one that you like the most that is within your budget.

Here's an example of a great used amp for $1300: Dr. Z Maz 18 2 x 10 combo

[TheSmokingMan]

used fender twin reverb. Its loud, its tube, it covers what you're looking to do

[moondogz]

I'd buy a Fender Princeton Reverb (new or used or a clone) buy
a pedal if you need one (I only use a Carl Martin Red Repeat so I know
next to nothing about pedals) and use a mike and the P.A. That way
you'll have a light weight amp that you can crank, carry and use for
a practice amp at home. Just my 2 cents worth.

[backalleyblues]

Considering what you're used to already, I'd say a Vibrolux Reverb that's had a recent service (and maybe some fresh, decent speakers) will fill the bill nicely. Can cover a LOT of bases sonically, and is quite a bit lighter (and a bit smaller) than a Twin or Super, with a skosh more oomph than a Deluxe Reverb. I've been seeing them turning up for a touch under $1K lately.

As far as reliability, so long as they've been gone through by a decent tech, you should be fine-maybe replace the power tubes every couple years, and remember not to move the amp before it's cooled down (around 10 minutes or so).

Franc Robert

[mrm4712]

Originally Posted by jimdandy

here's an idea that might save you big money -- use the clean channel of your frontman and buy a quality drive pedal (like a fulltone full drive or OCD) for your overdrive. I used to have a FM212 and the clean channel on it was pretty good. With that said, I sold my FM and eventually bought a Fender Deluxe Reverb,mwhich I gig with. I gigged with the FM too.

Now, is the Deluxe Reverb $800 better in tone than the FM with a quality drive pedal? I don't think so in my case cause I never have the volume on my DR past 3 so I'm not hitting the amp's sweet spot for tone. I still use a Fulltone pedal for a good drive tone.

Jimdandy: I really appreciate your input on this! Honestly... I have been struggling with my amp settings a bit. The PRS Se Custom quite frankly sounded like garbage on my Frontman... Hints why it's now setting in the corner... LOL I really haven't messed with the amp settings since I recently bought my Baja. I will try to do what you stated. It really makes me feel good that first I'm not laughed at (some people where I'm at are totally against Solid State amps) and second that I may not have to spend a ton of money to have my amp sound good. Do you think that I should do away with the Boss ME 70??? and go the pedalboard route?

Alex W: Yes I would like to have my setup sound a little cleaner/dirty if that makes since. The PRS just was nasty so I may try to adjust some things and see what I can come up with... Thanks for your advice as well

PS I haven't quite figured out how to quote multiple people yet so I apologize if I missed anyone. I did read all the threads and am trying to "soak" it all in. Man... I love this site! You guys are an awesome resource for an uneducated amp setup guy!!!

[Martin R]

For quality, tone, size, volume...etc. I don't think you'll find a more versatile amp than a Deluxe Reverb.

YMMV

[jimdandy]

Originally Posted by Martin R

For quality, tone, size, volume...etc. I don't think you'll find a more versatile amp than a Deluxe Reverb.

YMMV

Agree with the above statement -- if you want to go tube, the deluxe reverb is hard to beat for overall verstility.

[jimdandy]

Originally Posted by mrm4712

Jimdandy: I really appreciate your input on this! Honestly... I have been struggling with my amp settings a bit. The PRS Se Custom quite frankly sounded like garbage on my Frontman... Hints why it's now setting in the corner... LOL I really haven't messed with the amp settings since I recently bought my Baja. I will try to do what you stated. It really makes me feel good that first I'm not laughed at (some people where I'm at are totally against Solid State amps) and second that I may not have to spend a ton of money to have my amp sound good. Do you think that I should do away with the Boss ME 70??? and go the pedalboard route?

I have no experience with the Boss ME-70, but I can tell you a high quality drive pedal can go a long way. I try to stay as simple as possible, using minimal pedals -- but the ones I do have are high quality. As a well-respected guitar friend of mine told me once: there is no substitute for good tone.

And like others have said-- you have nothing to apologize for playing through a solid state amp. I've own one and use it regularly.

[mrm4712]

Thanks again. I took your advice and hit up some full tone OCD pedals for a possible purchase. I think I can get my board down to about four pedals and a tuner. I figured I can try this first with my current amp then I'm not out an additional grand for my search. I'll prob go play through a DR to see what the hype is about. Yea... I can already tell what that outcome will be. lol

[Jazzerstang]

Originally Posted by mrm4712

Ohh yea that may help... Sorry... I play in a christian contemporary band that play during Sunday worship services and routinely travels to other functions to play (outside, and other larger churches). we also have a classic rock gig that does some local shows as well...

Thanks for the advice! Are these amps ones that typically need a lot of attention (tubes, repairs etc)

Silverface twin Reverb or AC30 with way huge red llama or green rhino. That's what I would use if my church was 600. You could also just go Princeton Reverb or Deluxe reverb and just mic it.

[Joe-Bob]

Originally Posted by mrm4712

I took your advice and hit up some full tone OCD pedals for a possible purchase.

The Boss Blues Driver sounds exactly the same and costs a lot less.

[Green Lantern]

Originally Posted by mrm4712

I will try to do what you stated. It really makes me feel good that first I'm not laughed at (some people where I'm at are totally against Solid State amps) and second that I may not have to spend a ton of money to have my amp sound good.

Man, forget people like that. If your musical equipment is getting you where you want to go, and you've found something that works for you, regardless of price, that's all that really matters. If people laugh at you for simply using solid state amps, I feel that is a good example of childishness and close minded ignorance. If you want to get a tube amp because the Frontman isn't cutting it for you, I think that's fine, but I wouldn't do it - or completely write off all solid state amps - because some people may have decided to act like condescending asses about the subject.

As for a suggestion about an amp, gee, I don't know, since you're leaving things so broad. All I can tell you is what I like and why I like it. I grew up playing with a clean tone much of the time and not always having the luxury of a good PA system. Once I started playing regularly with drummers, I realized that I was having to push my amp harder than I'd like to for it to cut through. I was getting a distorted tone, which was not what I wanted. I also could not afford multiple amplifiers of different sizes, so one for the bedroom and one for rehearsals and stuff was out of the question.

Because of all this, I started valuing amps that could deliver good clean tones and do them loudly. I feel that with amplifiers like that, there is good assurance, security, and flexibility. One should be able to do what is needed for any situation with the aid of pedals.

Nowadays, I wouldn't play with musicians who are overbearingly loud, but back when I was greener (hur hur, see what I did there?) I felt that I just had to keep up and that was that. That philosophy made for a really crappy collective sound when I look back on it. Despite that, I still really like big, clean amps and pedals for their flexibility. You can preserve the tone that you worked out at pretty much any volume. That's important to me.

I would find what works for you and go that road. There is nothing wrong with taking suggestions from others, but some may try to tell you that "this is the way it is done and you need to do it like that," or "that is the way it's done and you need to do it like this." The real truth of the matter is that there are multiple ways of doing this type of thing, and one way isn't always necessarily better than another. It's just a different way. This applies to amplifier size and wattage, tube and solid state, mic'd and un-mic'd, and other stuff.

Since you're already used to a powerful and clean Fender amp, I would suggest a Fender Twin Reverb if you want to continue on that course. If you're deterred from the weight of that (it's considerably heavier than a 212r), then perhaps a Vibrolux Reverb. The 212r, while having a usable clean tone, doesn't sound nearly as nice as either of those amplifiers, in my opinion.

[mrm4712]

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

Man, forget people like that. If your musical equipment is getting you where you want to go, and you've found something that works for you, regardless of price, that's all that really matters. If people laugh at you for simply using solid state amps, I feel that is a good example of childishness and close minded ignorance. If you want to get a tube amp because the Frontman isn't cutting it for you, I think that's fine, but I wouldn't do it - or completely write off all solid state amps - because some people may have decided to act like condescending asses about the subject

Since you're already used to a powerful and clean Fender amp, I would suggest a Fender Twin Reverb if you want to continue on that course. If you're deterred from the weight of that (it's considerably heavier than a 212r), then perhaps a Vibrolux Reverb. The 212r, while having a usable clean tone, doesn't sound nearly as nice as either of those amplifiers, in my opinion.

You're right bout the people! I think (just to clarify) the main reason behind my questions were from my PRS sounding terrible when I used it through the amp and PA. I would never spend a grand because someone didn't agree with my setup! On a different note. Had our gig last night and MAN my Tele sounded substantially better through the amp when I cleaned it up! I may try to play around with pedals instead of using my processor and adjusting some settings before jumping on the tube train! Thanks for your input man!

Others : thanks for the input on pedals, Amps, etc I'm evaluating some different pedals and will be trying a DR this weekend to see what the fuss is all about! Thanks again you guys are great!

[jimdandy]

Originally Posted by Joe-Bob

The Boss Blues Driver sounds exactly the same and costs a lot less.

I have both pedals (OCD and Blues Driver) and to me the OCD is a creamier/smoother drive and adds a little more bottom end. To each his own, though.