SS Amplifier $200-$350?

Selcouth · June 18th, 2007, 07:08 PM

I'm looking for a solid state amplifier in the price range of around $200-350, mostly for bedroom practice.

I've played for around 2 years (first year acoustic, now electric, tele of course) and want to buy an amp that'll last and be able to go wherever guitar playing takes me. I'm pretty sure I want to go in the direction of a solid state amp, because of its reliability and cost. Plus I don't want to replace tubes.

I've been using a Fender Frontman 15w, which I'd bought used from Guitar Center for $50. Mainly, I want the new amp because I can't deal with the bad sounds, buzz, etc. coming from the Frontman.

I had my heart set on Line 6, but after reading some opinions and reviews about them I'm not too sure anymore. Thing is, someone offered to let me buy their old Spider II 112 75w amp for "whatever price I offered", probably around $60-100. He's letting me borrow it for a bit first, and I do like how it sounds so far. But I'm worried that it's not the amp I'm looking for because I'll eventually get sick of the effects. Also, I got the impression it was geared toward metal, which I'm not a real fan of.

I've already looked at the Vox Valvetronix amps at Guitar Center. The sound seemed okay, but I'm certain that I just can't deal with how that grate looks. So that's out.

Anyway, any amp recommendations would be great. What solid state amps sound nice? I'm not too concerned about whether they have effects or not. Or should I just go with the used Spider II?

aznrambo481 · June 18th, 2007, 07:27 PM

Well here's what I would do.

I had the Frontman as my first amp too. It buzzes like a hornet's nest and sounds like a cat throwing up.

If the only thing deterring you from getting the Vox is the grill cloth, I suggest you buy it with another grille or make your own. This site lets you buy it for only 40 bucks more with a new grill cloth.

You could also make your own grille and add the cloth. This isn't too hard, as you take out the chain-link fence that's in your amp, cut a piece of particle board to the same size, whack a hole in it, cover it in the Vox stuff, then stick it on.

I was fine with the metal monster, but both these are good options. It is a great amp, and It would be disappointing to me if you didn't consider it for looks (no affiliation with Vox or north coast music).

Tim Armstrong · June 18th, 2007, 07:28 PM

Don't even THINK about the darn grille, the VOX AD30VT is a stone killer good amp!

Cheers, Tim (who plays bass in a band with a guy who retired a perfectly fine Fender DRRI in favor of one)

gtrman911 · June 18th, 2007, 07:34 PM

line 6 spider II

JohnnyCrash · June 18th, 2007, 08:20 PM

Whatever's cheaper.

For bedroom practise they'll both be plenty good. Neither geared toward metal, btw.

Hoodster · June 18th, 2007, 09:01 PM

Hands down Roland Cube 60 or 30X. Much simpler to use than the Voxes, great variety of tones at all volumes.

Gabriel_GR · June 18th, 2007, 09:24 PM

Tech21 Trademark 30 Watt. As good as an SS amp gets.

Texasjack · June 18th, 2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoodster

Hands down Roland Cube 60 or 30X. Much simpler to use than the Voxes, great variety of tones at all volumes.

+1 on the Roland Cube 30 .

Selcouth · June 18th, 2007, 10:42 PM

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. Keep it coming... although I'm not sure if all the responses make it easier or harder to choose.

I'm thinking not so much on the spider ii anymore. The used one I'm borrowing is so darn heavy (around 35 lbs) and there's no sense in buying a new spider with all the other great brands out there.

Right now, I guess it's between the Vox AD30VT (thanks for helping me get over that grille

), the Roland Cube, and the Tech21 Trademark. Anything that could help me choose?

I'm kind of agonizing over the amp decision 'cause I plan on being with it for awhile. I'll go to Guitar Center soon and try to play on all of them, see what happens.

Oh, and I was wondering. How do you test/compare amps in Guitar Center? It seems like the tone is a bit hard to pick up when someone's wailing (very skillfully, though) behind you.

Tim Armstrong · June 18th, 2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selcouth

Oh, and I was wondering. How do you test/compare amps in Guitar Center? It seems like the tone is a bit hard to pick up when someone's wailing (very skillfully, though) behind you.

Wow, usually there's no skill involved. You must go to a better GC than I do!

To actually answer your question, uh, hard to answer! Do they have any demo rooms or lesson rooms or otherwise soundproof rooms?

Cheers, Tim

Webfoot · June 18th, 2007, 11:14 PM

What I would recommend... (and I did play through both of these today extensively... cube 60 and Vox 50advt). In fact I had a friend by the vox50 and spent an hour tonight testing it.

When you are at a music store, have someone else play the guitar through the amp and you should just listen to see how it sounds on the cleanest sound setting at fairly loud levels with you being at least 10 to 15 ft away. That's ther real test. How good does is sound clean? Have them play a couple of styles... easy strum, aggressive attack strumming, single note riffs etc... all clean with the same guitar (also try single coil and humbucker guitars) on both amps. It will also make a difference whether the amp is on the ground or setting higher off the ground (try to be consistent when comparing amps). Sometimes if it is setting up higher and you are right next to it, and it is direct to your ear it can be overly bright or piercing.... but at the same amp settings if you set the amp on the ground it may sound okay because your ears are not in the direct path of the speaker (just some things to consider when comparing).

If it is a tie in the clean sound department... then use the effects to evaluate as the time breaker. I don't think either the vox or the roland have stellar effects (I have played both). Sometimes they bug me enough that I want to turn them off! Look for a good clean sound first that is not tiring or fatiguing to the ears. That way you can add pedals or a mini pedal board to add to the clean sound that will be superior to the built in effects. I struggle with the solid state sound as I have been spoiled with tubes but it is practical and cost effective. I would lean towards the cube (even though the vox has more flexability). If you don't need to be real loud then the cube 30. If you think you will be playing with people (loud drummers etc.) then get the 60.

Good luck, take this with a grain of salt and do lots of listening!

JohnnyCrash · June 19th, 2007, 02:13 AM

For a modeling amp that is only for bedroom use... just bring your favorite guitar and play on the thing for at least 30 minutes. Try as many settings as possible.

Gigging volume is a non-issue so you really knock that pain in the @$$ out of having to deal with (store managers may run up and yell at you if you want to hear an amp at "gig volumes" HAHA).

klast · June 19th, 2007, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selcouth

Right now, I guess it's between the Vox AD30VT (thanks for helping me get over that grille

), the Roland Cube, and the Tech21 Trademark.

If you're not in a hurry and are contemplating the Vox AD30VT, you may want to wait until the new XL version becomes available and try that as well.
It's supposed to have more high gain, if you're into that, and it will have a 12" speaker.
It could also be that the price of the "old" version will drop when the new one hits the stores.

And, as for the grille thing, to me it's more important that the amp sounds good than how it looks.
I made a mistake a while back and bought an SS combo with nice retro look. It sounded awful!

Now I have an all tube Laney VC30, that sounds great. However, it doesn't look great, mainly due to a big ugly logo.

Klas

Dan The Man · June 19th, 2007, 05:21 AM

+ 1 on the VOX Valvetronix XL. If you want a more 'metal' sound that's what i'd reccomend.

I have a Vox AD30VT and it's superb. A terrific amp.

June 18th, 2007, 07:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Selcouth NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Jose Posts: 9	SS Amplifier $200-$350? I'm looking for a solid state amplifier in the price range of around $200-350, mostly for bedroom practice. I've played for around 2 years (first year acoustic, now electric, tele of course) and want to buy an amp that'll last and be able to go wherever guitar playing takes me. I'm pretty sure I want to go in the direction of a solid state amp, because of its reliability and cost. Plus I don't want to replace tubes. I've been using a Fender Frontman 15w, which I'd bought used from Guitar Center for $50. Mainly, I want the new amp because I can't deal with the bad sounds, buzz, etc. coming from the Frontman. I had my heart set on Line 6, but after reading some opinions and reviews about them I'm not too sure anymore. Thing is, someone offered to let me buy their old Spider II 112 75w amp for "whatever price I offered", probably around $60-100. He's letting me borrow it for a bit first, and I do like how it sounds so far. But I'm worried that it's not the amp I'm looking for because I'll eventually get sick of the effects. Also, I got the impression it was geared toward metal, which I'm not a real fan of. I've already looked at the Vox Valvetronix amps at Guitar Center. The sound seemed okay, but I'm certain that I just can't deal with how that grate looks. So that's out. Anyway, any amp recommendations would be great. What solid state amps sound nice? I'm not too concerned about whether they have effects or not. Or should I just go with the used Spider II?

June 18th, 2007, 07:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
aznrambo481 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla, California Age: 17 Posts: 2,754 6 Photos	Well here's what I would do. I had the Frontman as my first amp too. It buzzes like a hornet's nest and sounds like a cat throwing up. If the only thing deterring you from getting the Vox is the grill cloth, I suggest you buy it with another grille or make your own. This site lets you buy it for only 40 bucks more with a new grill cloth. You could also make your own grille and add the cloth. This isn't too hard, as you take out the chain-link fence that's in your amp, cut a piece of particle board to the same size, whack a hole in it, cover it in the Vox stuff, then stick it on. I was fine with the metal monster, but both these are good options. It is a great amp, and It would be disappointing to me if you didn't consider it for looks (no affiliation with Vox or north coast music). __________________ "Never age. Never die. Live forever in that one last white-hot moment, when the crowd screamed. When every note was a heartbeat. Burn across the sky."-Terry Pratchett, Soul Music.

June 18th, 2007, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 7,672	Don't even THINK about the darn grille, the VOX AD30VT is a stone killer good amp! Cheers, Tim (who plays bass in a band with a guy who retired a perfectly fine Fender DRRI in favor of one) __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

June 18th, 2007, 07:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
gtrman911 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Camelot Posts: 1,095 7 Photos	line 6 spider II __________________ My opinion is worth what you paid for it.

June 18th, 2007, 08:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,134 39 Photos	Whatever's cheaper. For bedroom practise they'll both be plenty good. Neither geared toward metal, btw. __________________ . Learn about safety before building/repairing/modding an amp. When in doubt, take it to a shop. Never drink yellow snow. Have fun.

June 18th, 2007, 09:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hoodster Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 262	Hands down Roland Cube 60 or 30X. Much simpler to use than the Voxes, great variety of tones at all volumes.

June 18th, 2007, 09:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gabriel_GR TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Age: 23 Posts: 89	Tech21 Trademark 30 Watt. As good as an SS amp gets.

June 18th, 2007, 10:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
Selcouth NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Jose Posts: 9	Wow, thanks for all the feedback. Keep it coming... although I'm not sure if all the responses make it easier or harder to choose. I'm thinking not so much on the spider ii anymore. The used one I'm borrowing is so darn heavy (around 35 lbs) and there's no sense in buying a new spider with all the other great brands out there. Right now, I guess it's between the Vox AD30VT (thanks for helping me get over that grille ), the Roland Cube, and the Tech21 Trademark. Anything that could help me choose? I'm kind of agonizing over the amp decision 'cause I plan on being with it for awhile. I'll go to Guitar Center soon and try to play on all of them, see what happens. Oh, and I was wondering. How do you test/compare amps in Guitar Center? It seems like the tone is a bit hard to pick up when someone's wailing (very skillfully, though) behind you.

June 18th, 2007, 11:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
Webfoot TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 64	What I would recommend... (and I did play through both of these today extensively... cube 60 and Vox 50advt). In fact I had a friend by the vox50 and spent an hour tonight testing it. When you are at a music store, have someone else play the guitar through the amp and you should just listen to see how it sounds on the cleanest sound setting at fairly loud levels with you being at least 10 to 15 ft away. That's ther real test. How good does is sound clean? Have them play a couple of styles... easy strum, aggressive attack strumming, single note riffs etc... all clean with the same guitar (also try single coil and humbucker guitars) on both amps. It will also make a difference whether the amp is on the ground or setting higher off the ground (try to be consistent when comparing amps). Sometimes if it is setting up higher and you are right next to it, and it is direct to your ear it can be overly bright or piercing.... but at the same amp settings if you set the amp on the ground it may sound okay because your ears are not in the direct path of the speaker (just some things to consider when comparing). If it is a tie in the clean sound department... then use the effects to evaluate as the time breaker. I don't think either the vox or the roland have stellar effects (I have played both). Sometimes they bug me enough that I want to turn them off! Look for a good clean sound first that is not tiring or fatiguing to the ears. That way you can add pedals or a mini pedal board to add to the clean sound that will be superior to the built in effects. I struggle with the solid state sound as I have been spoiled with tubes but it is practical and cost effective. I would lean towards the cube (even though the vox has more flexability). If you don't need to be real loud then the cube 30. If you think you will be playing with people (loud drummers etc.) then get the 60. Good luck, take this with a grain of salt and do lots of listening!

June 19th, 2007, 02:13 AM	#12 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,134 39 Photos	For a modeling amp that is only for bedroom use... just bring your favorite guitar and play on the thing for at least 30 minutes. Try as many settings as possible. Gigging volume is a non-issue so you really knock that pain in the @$$ out of having to deal with (store managers may run up and yell at you if you want to hear an amp at "gig volumes" HAHA). __________________ . Learn about safety before building/repairing/modding an amp. When in doubt, take it to a shop. Never drink yellow snow. Have fun.

June 19th, 2007, 05:21 AM	#14 (permalink)
Dan The Man Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Watford, Herts Age: 27 Posts: 139	+ 1 on the VOX Valvetronix XL. If you want a more 'metal' sound that's what i'd reccomend. I have a Vox AD30VT and it's superb. A terrific amp.