Which amp to get for Father's Day?

[bluescube]

My wife said I can buy an amp for Father's Day.

It will be used at home for low volume playing. Already have a Jet City JCA2112RC combo for dirty tones. Looking for a Fender-ish clean tone.


Roland Cube 40X
Yamaha THR 10
Fender Excelsior
Kustom Defender 112
Fender Super Champ X2

May also scoour ebay for a Roland Bluescube or JC, Fender Princeton Chorus or red knob solid state?

[Tonetele]

I like my 15 watt Fender Blues Jr. 111. Has a Fender sound but a bit warmer because of the 3 EL-84 tubes ( also a 12" speaker). Try one out.

[Leep Dog]

Of those I think the Excelsior appeals to me the most; never played one but from what I've observed, they seem pretty cool.

[bluescube]

Budget is $350 or under. Excelsior is #1 on my list but only have heard youtube videos.

The Kustom is being blown out since it is being replaced by a new model.

Realistically, the Cube 40XL or Super Champ would work fine for home use.

[musicmatty]

The fact that you said you would consider a solid state amp and want a Fender tone...I would have to ask, why not a new Fender Mustang 2 amp ?? It features several Fender modeling amps that are superb in my experience and meets your budget needs.

The princeton and 57 Deluxe amp models, would send you over the edge after playing throught those models alone You should take your own guitar into a store and try one along with the other models you are considering for an A/B comparison

[bluescube]

Every time I get had a modelling amp with oodles of tweaking, I got lost in tweaking and not playing. (Line 6 Flextone I & II, Peavey transformer).

I really want a simple amp that does good cleans to match up with my Jet City. I like the Roland Cubes since there is no programming, only knobs. Super Champ also fits that bill as long as I don't get lost in FUSE...

If I could get a mint Roland BC60 that would be the ticket.

[Chiogtr4x]

I dig the Super Champ XD- You get a great BF Fender tone in 'Channel one' then you have the option of the other amp voices (which include some nice OD Fender/a Vox/Marshall...). you can toggle between Channel 1 and these, plus decent effects.

We A/B'd the Super Champ's BF channel against 2 Princeton Reverbs (real '60's and '70's, NOT RI's) in a 'basement jam' last year, and all 3 amps sounded very close at moderate volume (as the XD does have 6V6's in the power section) I wish I owned one, but I get to play my buddies...

[fatcat]

I got an Orange TT for fathers day...I already had a Fender HRD that is in need of a re-tube, but the clean is very good. I wanted some old fashioned Jimmy Page tube dirt.

of the amps I have seen and heard in person; I say go with the super champ.

[Alex W]

Originally Posted by Leep Dog

Of those I think the Excelsior appeals to me the most; never played one but from what I've observed, they seem pretty cool.

My thoughts exactly.

[tele_pathic]

Here's my list, given your budget.

1. Fender Blues Jr. III. I have a Blues Jr. I and love, love it. The BJ III is all that and more. The black reversed faceplate is an awesome feature that you wouldn't think much about until you see it.

2. Fender G-DEC III 15/30 watts. I have this amp as well, the G-Dec 3 30 watt'er. I love, love this amp. From what I understand, it is the same core "engine" as the Mustang line but with the addition of backing tracks. I use the backing tracks occassionally, but those I use are cool. The amp modelling is freakin' awesome. It's sooo tweakable, but I don't get caught up in tweaking. The only 'sound' I found it doesn't do well is a good fuzz, but a pedal takes care of that for me. As a bonus, Musician's Friend is closing these out for $199 for the 30 watter. FWIW, I paid $299 in December. It can use the fuse software, but I haven't used it too much. If you get this one, get the footswitch, makes the amp much more user friendly. Also has a built-in tuner.

3. Fender Excelsior. Haven't played this one, but I think it would be cool.

4. Fender Mustang line. Haven't played any of these amps, but if it is indeed the same engine as the G-Dec, then I would seriously consider this line of amps. Try the modelling amps; these are MUCH better than Line 6 or Roland or even the Fender amps of a few years ago.

Have fun with the search, you lucky dog. For Father's Day, I'm getting a 1-spot power supply and a couple Batman comics (Batman Chronicles Vol. 1 & 2).

[uriah1]

-Vox AC4TV (handwired value)

[waparker4]

Have you looked at the VHT Special 6?

[bluescube]

Really leans toward this:

[LGOberean]

I found a pretty good demo of the cleans on this Kustom Defender. The guitar being played through it is a PRS SE Soapbar II.

[bananafist]

Don't know what sort of music you play, but I'd say Excelsior. I've had mine for a month now, and I love it for warm clean tones. In all honesty I wouldn't say its classic Fender clean, as its fatter and has more body (mids) than the typical Fender tone. You should definitely try one.

[Warm Gums]

Originally Posted by bananafist

Don't know what sort of music you play, but I'd say Excelsior. I've had mine for a month now, and I love it for warm clean tones. In all honesty I wouldn't say its classic Fender clean, as its fatter and has more body (mids) than the typical Fender tone. You should definitely try one.

I tried one recently and that was my take exactly.
A fun amp but not a traditional fender design, of your list the SCXD might be the one most capable to a "classic" Fender sound.