Isn't this a Golden Era for amps?

Bob Arbogast · May 7th, 2005, 06:48 PM

Again and again lately I've been remembering the amps of my younger years that friends, band-mates, and I played through: Marshall 50W and 100W half-stacks; Ampeg VT-22 and VT-40 combos and V-4 half-stacks; Sunn heads (60W and 120W, I think); etc.

How I wish we knew then what we know now! How I wish I had then the amps I have now! I don't need 100W of Ampeg now, and I didn't need it back then (for what came to be called "classic rock"; back then it was just the latest stuff on the radio).

These days I have a pair of Allen Hot Fudge amps (15W/1x12; 20W/1x15). These things are portable packages of tone and are so far (I always say, "so far"; you never know what other jewels are out there) the best rock and roll and blues amps I have ever played through.

I know everyone has different tastes, but it seems to me that, leaving aside the vintage market, there are fabulous new amps out there today to fit with all of those tastes—all without breaking the bank or the back.

What a great time to be playing electric guitar!

Bob Arbogast

e-merlin · May 7th, 2005, 08:33 PM

I think it's a golden age for guitar players. There is so much good quality stuff in every price range. Not just amps, but guitars as well.

tdu · May 7th, 2005, 08:41 PM

I'd agree. There are some amazing affordable amps out there right now. There really wasn't such a thing as a budget priced high quality tube combo a few years ago when I was shopping unless you tracked down something used. Now it's actually hard to decide!

I also agree about the guitars. There are so many nice guitars even in the $300-500 price range new.

EMan · May 7th, 2005, 08:55 PM

Jeez...I can remember hitting the local used gear store back in the '80's...and having to push aside piles of Fender amps...that no one wanted.... :)

But, I agree also. There really is some nice, relatively inexpensive new products out there.

I think that a 'pick of the litter' MIM Tele and a Blues Jr. is one of the most toneful combos you can get for the price.

Take a peek at the original retail prices of the 30/40 year old Fender stuff...and ring it up to 21st century dollars.

tdu · May 8th, 2005, 06:22 AM

My list of oustanding values includes the Traynor YVC series tube amps which are top quality at a fantastic price. And the Squire Tele Custom II which I recently tried. Under $300 (cdn) for a very nice guitar equipped with P-90's. It's as nice or nicer then any MIM model I have picked up in the last couple of years.

shakedancer · May 8th, 2005, 08:24 AM

How about a mini-review of the 1-12 Hot Fudge. Do you use 6V6's or 6L6's, and if both what do you think of both. It say's the Fudge is 6G3 inspired, what circuit is that? Can you do a small club gig with the 6V6's? What do you use for reverb? Give us the lowdown Bob. 8)

AtomicMassUnit · May 8th, 2005, 12:43 PM

It's definitely the golden age of price/quality, but what I think is outstanding is the number of incredible hand built amps being made by all these small companies. I guess it goes for guitars too, but in particular I like all the little boutique guys, they'll be the classics of the future!

Atomic

Gearjoneser · May 10th, 2005, 03:59 AM

Without a doubt, the 90's and early 2000's will go down in history as the 'golden age for guitar gear' especially amps.

I'm an amp junkie. I almost like them more than guitars, and spent this past weekend at LA's 1st annual Amp Show (see my recent post). You've never seen and heard great amps till you've had the opportunity to see the Matchless line, all Dr. Z's, 65 Amps, Fargen, Bad Cat, and Siegmund, all side by side, for listening tests!!!

It's all downhill from here, my friends....we've hit the pinnacle. It's never been so good, and there's not much chance that tube technology can get much better than those, plus Bogner, Diezel, Two Rock, and other greats.

Buy up the good stuff, hold onto it, and know that you've got something that'll never be properly duplicated in the future.

Rob DiStefano · May 10th, 2005, 07:21 AM

Absolutely. The Golden Age of All Things Guitar.

May 7th, 2005, 06:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bob Arbogast Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA Age: 48 Posts: 558	Isn't this a Golden Era for amps? Again and again lately I've been remembering the amps of my younger years that friends, band-mates, and I played through: Marshall 50W and 100W half-stacks; Ampeg VT-22 and VT-40 combos and V-4 half-stacks; Sunn heads (60W and 120W, I think); etc. How I wish we knew then what we know now! How I wish I had then the amps I have now! I don't need 100W of Ampeg now, and I didn't need it back then (for what came to be called "classic rock"; back then it was just the latest stuff on the radio). These days I have a pair of Allen Hot Fudge amps (15W/1x12; 20W/1x15). These things are portable packages of tone and are so far (I always say, "so far"; you never know what other jewels are out there) the best rock and roll and blues amps I have ever played through. I know everyone has different tastes, but it seems to me that, leaving aside the vintage market, there are fabulous new amps out there today to fit with all of those tastes—all without breaking the bank or the back. What a great time to be playing electric guitar! Bob Arbogast

May 7th, 2005, 08:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,528 11 Photos	I'd agree. There are some amazing affordable amps out there right now. There really wasn't such a thing as a budget priced high quality tube combo a few years ago when I was shopping unless you tracked down something used. Now it's actually hard to decide! I also agree about the guitars. There are so many nice guitars even in the $300-500 price range new. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

May 8th, 2005, 06:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,528 11 Photos	My list of oustanding values includes the Traynor YVC series tube amps which are top quality at a fantastic price. And the Squire Tele Custom II which I recently tried. Under $300 (cdn) for a very nice guitar equipped with P-90's. It's as nice or nicer then any MIM model I have picked up in the last couple of years. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

May 8th, 2005, 08:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
shakedancer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: north of Boston Posts: 1,639	Hey Bob How about a mini-review of the 1-12 Hot Fudge. Do you use 6V6's or 6L6's, and if both what do you think of both. It say's the Fudge is 6G3 inspired, what circuit is that? Can you do a small club gig with the 6V6's? What do you use for reverb? Give us the lowdown Bob. 8) __________________ "If you don't like the Blues, you got to have a Hole in your Soul." Luther Allison JOE

May 10th, 2005, 03:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
Gearjoneser Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: North Hollywood, Ca. Posts: 109	Without a doubt, the 90's and early 2000's will go down in history as the 'golden age for guitar gear' especially amps. I'm an amp junkie. I almost like them more than guitars, and spent this past weekend at LA's 1st annual Amp Show (see my recent post). You've never seen and heard great amps till you've had the opportunity to see the Matchless line, all Dr. Z's, 65 Amps, Fargen, Bad Cat, and Siegmund, all side by side, for listening tests!!! It's all downhill from here, my friends....we've hit the pinnacle. It's never been so good, and there's not much chance that tube technology can get much better than those, plus Bogner, Diezel, Two Rock, and other greats. Buy up the good stuff, hold onto it, and know that you've got something that'll never be properly duplicated in the future. __________________ Fender, Gibson, G&L, Bogner, Matchless, Klon, Fulltone, Line 6. My Gear

May 7th, 2005, 08:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
EMan Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 939	Jeez...I can remember hitting the local used gear store back in the '80's...and having to push aside piles of Fender amps...that no one wanted.... :) But, I agree also. There really is some nice, relatively inexpensive new products out there. I think that a 'pick of the litter' MIM Tele and a Blues Jr. is one of the most toneful combos you can get for the price. Take a peek at the original retail prices of the 30/40 year old Fender stuff...and ring it up to 21st century dollars.

May 8th, 2005, 12:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
AtomicMassUnit Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 153	It's definitely the golden age of price/quality, but what I think is outstanding is the number of incredible hand built amps being made by all these small companies. I guess it goes for guitars too, but in particular I like all the little boutique guys, they'll be the classics of the future! Atomic

May 10th, 2005, 07:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,915	Absolutely. The Golden Age of All Things Guitar.