Help me choose an amp?

chickenpicker · March 26th, 2006, 02:39 PM

I'm looking to replace my trusty Sessionette 75 (1980s transistor amp).

I need a physically small amp with enough power for pub/club gigs (and possibly a line out to plug into a PA for bigger gigs), and built in reverb.

I play mostly clean-ish, with the lightest touch of crunch. I don't play hi-fi clean. Sometimes I play with more drive. I need to be able to boost volume for solos, with a footswitch, and would need to be able to select different levels of overdrive the same way, rather than having to alter amp settings for different songs. My main guitar is a reasonably stock Tele.

Any suggestions?

Togman · March 26th, 2006, 03:11 PM

Hi there Chikenpicker,

I would give serious consideration to the Roland Cube amps. I have got the Cube 30 which is ideal for my requirements. There is the Cube 60 if you require a bit more volume. They certainly meet all of the requirments that you have listed.

Like you, my main (only!) guitar is a stock '68 Tele.

jonkay1 · March 26th, 2006, 05:04 PM

There's really only one way to go. Fender Blues Jr.

JamonHamon · March 26th, 2006, 06:58 PM

For an great low cost amp check out the carvin Vintage series Amps, The Vintage 16 which is a 5w or 16w EL84 tube amp that can be made with a hot set of tubes for blues or rock or a cool set for country and jazz and don't forget EL84 tube amps do not have to be biased to change the tubes , or Nomad are great amps at 50w two channels one clean one overdrive www.carvin.com I have two of there amps plus i live by two of there stores so I know there good!!!!!

Ken · March 26th, 2006, 07:06 PM

I ll second the Cubes.

stantheman · March 27th, 2006, 09:27 AM

Tech 21 Trademark 60.
Who woulda beleeb'd that Solid State could get so good...? 8)

popthree · March 27th, 2006, 02:03 PM

when i read your requirements, i immediately thought Roland Cube 60. It's a great sounding amp...forget that it's solid state..... sounds really good. Versitle too.

portamp · March 31st, 2006, 01:38 AM

Well, along with your auditions of the cube 60, please do check out the Tech 21 Trademark 60. It does sound good. Many years ago, good sounding solid state amps were rare. Amp designers (engineers) have learned a lot about tone over the years. SS amps have gained *some* ground against the tube (valve) amps.

Scott S · March 31st, 2006, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamonHamon

and don't forget EL84 tube amps do not have to be biased to change the tubes

Not true. Cathode-biased amps (which I'm guessing yours is) do not need to be adjusted, but any fixed-bias EL84 amp will need to be biased.

BB · March 31st, 2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stantheman

Tech 21 Trademark 60.
Who woulda beleeb'd that Solid State could get so good...? 8)

so true......these are amazing amps. Lightweight tone machines.

Since your used to SS amps, don't rule out the Roland Bluescube series. The single 12 BC-60 combo will do everything you require and do it with lightweight, reliability and best of all, great one. And, they love teles!

chickenpicker · March 31st, 2006, 06:14 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

Great Ape · April 2nd, 2006, 10:14 AM

Have heard good things about these guys:

http://www.bluetoneamps.com/

Personally, I didn't like the Cube60 - too sharp. I preferred the microcube!

Tube wise, I believe Laney, Sheldon and Matamp all make nice stuff, depending on your budget.

Tony474 · May 9th, 2007, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenpicker

I'm looking to replace my trusty Sessionette 75 (1980s transistor amp).

I need a physically small amp with enough power for pub/club gigs (and possibly a line out to plug into a PA for bigger gigs), and built in reverb.

I play mostly clean-ish, with the lightest touch of crunch. I don't play hi-fi clean. Sometimes I play with more drive. I need to be able to boost volume for solos, with a footswitch, and would need to be able to select different levels of overdrive the same way, rather than having to alter amp settings for different songs. My main guitar is a reasonably stock Tele.

Any suggestions?

I know this thread started over a year ago, but just in case you haven't yet made a decision, your best choice given your requirements is unquestionably the Tech 21 Trademark 60, as also recommended by others. The only other amp worth mentioning in the same breath is the wonderful Roland Blues Cube BC-60 1 x 12 (not to be confused with the more recent digital-modelling Cube 60).

I have one of each, but the BC-60 doesn't feature footswitchable boost whereas the TM60 does, and the Tech 21 also has a built-in SansAmp so that it can be slaved directly into the PA via a normal XLR mike lead. Though fractionally larger in physical size, both of these will very easily eclipse an original Sessionette, which itself is a brilliant amp of which I'm a huge fan.

Incidentally, I'm sure it's not appreciated how much all the more recent breed of solid-state amps owe to Stewart Ward's inspired Sessionette design of 1981.

markinlondon · May 9th, 2007, 08:36 AM

I'd go for the TM60 too but then I've been using one since they first arrived here. It fills all your criteria and the line out is the best I've ever heard. There are two on ebay in the UK at the moment.
I've been out checking some new amps recently, I found the Cube 60 far too boxy to use. The Vox AD50 sounded great but I think I'd find the user interface too tricky to use live. In the end I decided to keep my TM60, with a couple of pedals to expand its range.

kludge · May 9th, 2007, 12:02 PM

1. Fender Deluxe Reverb
2. OD pedal (any Tube Screamer clone/variant will work)
3. SM57 or some other cabinet mic if you need to use the PA

Turn the amp WAY up, loud enough to crunch. Turn the volume down on your guitar to clean it up. Use the OD pedal for extra gain or solo boost.

dibber124 · May 9th, 2007, 12:21 PM

Had a Rivera Clubster 25 in the shop last month for a retube & checkup. Great sounding little amp & built like a tank. Has channel switching and good lead and crunch tones. Light weight amp also.
Took it home for a weekend of "extended quality control" and my wife got pissed off that I was playing it so loud, always a sign of a good amp!

March 26th, 2006, 02:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
chickenpicker Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,060 14 Photos	Help me choose an amp? I'm looking to replace my trusty Sessionette 75 (1980s transistor amp). I need a physically small amp with enough power for pub/club gigs (and possibly a line out to plug into a PA for bigger gigs), and built in reverb. I play mostly clean-ish, with the lightest touch of crunch. I don't play hi-fi clean. Sometimes I play with more drive. I need to be able to boost volume for solos, with a footswitch, and would need to be able to select different levels of overdrive the same way, rather than having to alter amp settings for different songs. My main guitar is a reasonably stock Tele. Any suggestions?

March 26th, 2006, 03:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Togman Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridgshire, UK Age: 49 Posts: 365 35 Photos	Roland Cube 30 or 60 Hi there Chikenpicker, I would give serious consideration to the Roland Cube amps. I have got the Cube 30 which is ideal for my requirements. There is the Cube 60 if you require a bit more volume. They certainly meet all of the requirments that you have listed. Like you, my main (only!) guitar is a stock '68 Tele. __________________ Well it ain't the best Guitar i've ever heard, but it sounds just like it....

March 26th, 2006, 05:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
jonkay1 TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 86	Re: Choosing an amp There's really only one way to go. Fender Blues Jr.

March 27th, 2006, 09:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
stantheman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 5,071	Tech 21 Trademark 60. Who woulda beleeb'd that Solid State could get so good...? 8) __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

March 27th, 2006, 02:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,949 49 Photos	when i read your requirements, i immediately thought Roland Cube 60. It's a great sounding amp...forget that it's solid state..... sounds really good. Versitle too. __________________ "chips are falling....." -Dr. Johnny Fever

March 26th, 2006, 06:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
JamonHamon Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,411	For an great low cost amp check out the carvin Vintage series Amps, The Vintage 16 which is a 5w or 16w EL84 tube amp that can be made with a hot set of tubes for blues or rock or a cool set for country and jazz and don't forget EL84 tube amps do not have to be biased to change the tubes , or Nomad are great amps at 50w two channels one clean one overdrive www.carvin.com I have two of there amps plus i live by two of there stores so I know there good!!!!!

March 26th, 2006, 07:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ken Banned Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: North Milky Way Age: 40 Posts: 258	I ll second the Cubes.

March 31st, 2006, 01:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
portamp TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kern Co. Posts: 28	Cubes and more Well, along with your auditions of the cube 60, please do check out the Tech 21 Trademark 60. It does sound good. Many years ago, good sounding solid state amps were rare. Amp designers (engineers) have learned a lot about tone over the years. SS amps have gained some ground against the tube (valve) amps. __________________ What a blessing sound can be.

March 31st, 2006, 06:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
chickenpicker Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,060 14 Photos	Thanks for all the replies!

April 2nd, 2006, 10:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
Great Ape Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: uk Posts: 259	SS amps Have heard good things about these guys: http://www.bluetoneamps.com/ Personally, I didn't like the Cube60 - too sharp. I preferred the microcube! Tube wise, I believe Laney, Sheldon and Matamp all make nice stuff, depending on your budget.

May 9th, 2007, 08:36 AM	#14 (permalink)
markinlondon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wellington, NZ Age: 48 Posts: 426	I'd go for the TM60 too but then I've been using one since they first arrived here. It fills all your criteria and the line out is the best I've ever heard. There are two on ebay in the UK at the moment. I've been out checking some new amps recently, I found the Cube 60 far too boxy to use. The Vox AD50 sounded great but I think I'd find the user interface too tricky to use live. In the end I decided to keep my TM60, with a couple of pedals to expand its range. __________________ Helping to invent english country dance guitar since 1981.

May 9th, 2007, 12:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
kludge Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minneapolis Age: 43 Posts: 1,026	1. Fender Deluxe Reverb 2. OD pedal (any Tube Screamer clone/variant will work) 3. SM57 or some other cabinet mic if you need to use the PA Turn the amp WAY up, loud enough to crunch. Turn the volume down on your guitar to clean it up. Use the OD pedal for extra gain or solo boost. __________________ Oz: Well, other bands know more than three chords. Your professional bands can play up to six, sometimes seven completely different chords. Devon: That's just, like, fruity jazz bands. -from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

May 9th, 2007, 12:21 PM	#16 (permalink)
dibber124 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Long Island, New York Age: 54 Posts: 1,194	Had a Rivera Clubster 25 in the shop last month for a retube & checkup. Great sounding little amp & built like a tank. Has channel switching and good lead and crunch tones. Light weight amp also. Took it home for a weekend of "extended quality control" and my wife got pissed off that I was playing it so loud, always a sign of a good amp! __________________ "I feel that it is healthier to look out at the world through a window than through a mirror. Otherwise, all you see is yourself and whatever is behind you." - Bill Withers