Is there such a thing as a "country amp"?

mowcheeba · February 22nd, 2008, 06:01 AM

What are the most typical amps used for country? I know a lot of
country guitarists like Dr Z amps. What Fender amp is most
suitable for country type music? Deluxe Reverb?

Stefan · February 22nd, 2008, 06:05 AM

Fender Twin Reverb is a classic.

Tim Armstrong · February 22nd, 2008, 06:21 AM

For classic honky-tonk country, any BF or SF Fender amp would do the trick. Music Man amps, too. For more recent "country" music, whatever amp you like, because there sure isn't any difference between it and any other pop music!

Cheers, Tim

old_picker · February 22nd, 2008, 06:23 AM

vibrolux is an old favourite

JohnS · February 22nd, 2008, 07:30 AM

Vibrosonic...a Twin with a 15" JBL. Oh yeah!

Rumble · February 22nd, 2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowcheeba

What are the most typical amps used for country? I know a lot of
country guitarists like Dr Z amps. What Fender amp is most
suitable for country type music? Deluxe Reverb?

A Deluxe Reverb will get too dirty if you turn it up. +1 on the Twin Reverb, maybe a Super Reverb.

teleman77 · February 22nd, 2008, 08:14 AM

The Twin Reverb has been the standard bearer in country music for as long as at it's been around.

postjob62 · February 22nd, 2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

For classic honky-tonk country, any BF or SF Fender amp would do the trick. Music Man amps, too. For more recent "country" music, whatever amp you like, because there sure isn't any difference between it and any other pop music!

Cheers, Tim

Well said!

Caffeine Patrol · February 22nd, 2008, 08:35 AM

SF Twins have been the 'gold standard' for a long time, for good reason.
Or, if you want to go back a little ways, take out a second mortgage and look for an old Standel with a 15" speaker.
I get the best tone out of a SF Deluxe Reverb; Pete Anderson, before he became a POD person, swore by Deluxe Reverbs and he had no problems with country tone. I saw him playing with Dwight in a bar back in '86 or '87 and he had a couple of BF Deluxes sitting on the floor with a mic between them.

trag-o-caster · February 22nd, 2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Or, if you want to go back a little ways, take out a second mortgage and look for an old Standel with a 15" speaker.

... as I was JUST getting ready to say! Ya took the words right outta my fingertips!

As a kid with a fiddle man for a father, I grew up with honky tonkin' country all over the place. Ol' Dad had jam sessions in our kitchen. There'd be tweed Fenders, and old beat up Telecasters. I played so many vintage instruments as a kid, I couldn't begin to tell you. The BF reverb Fenders were always THE honky tonkin' amp for true Tele twang back in those days. They used to think them tweeds were junk!

Sometimes - to be cool, they'd spray paint the tweed Fenders black to look more modern. I used to see that a lot.

Those were the two big ones though - BF Fender Reverbs of any kind, and old Standels.

sudancat · February 22nd, 2008, 08:49 AM

The SF Or BF Twin Reverb

Acephspades · February 22nd, 2008, 08:58 AM

I was under the understanding that a country amp had to remain clean at higher volumes, in which case the Twin Reverb was the ticket back in the day, but don't discount the PV Bandit as well as it's shared the country stage countless times. Roland JC120 too. Nobody said it had to be tubes. But I also remember the PV Classic 30s and 50s were pretty popular with the country guys as well. Today Vox amps are pretty predominant.

However still today I think Twin Reverb for country.

golfnut · February 22nd, 2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mowcheeba

What are the most typical amps used for country? I know a lot of
country guitarists like Dr Z amps. What Fender amp is most
suitable for country type music? Deluxe Reverb?

For new country I find alot of the same amps that are used for blues and classic rock are great for todays country. I am now using a Maz 38 Senior 2X12 combo with a Z best 2X12 cab. Vox and even Marshall amps are also popular. I find the Dr Z versatile as you can get a bit of the Vox or Marshall or fender sound depending on how you dial it in. It has a unique sound as well. After using the Dr Z Maz I simply could not go back to my Fender Twin. It is on its way out the door. My Maz has a Bottom end with such clarity and authority that the Twin could not come close to.

Darrell · February 22nd, 2008, 09:44 AM

I read an interview with Pete Anderson a few years back. He said that one of the best rigs he ever had, was running two Deluxe Reverbs, with a mid cap cut to that the mids are on 10. I saw those Deluxe's for sale some time later.

I could not imagine a Twin being neccessary, unless you plan on playing at one of the stadiums around the county. I just can't imagine pushing my Deluxe passed 6, and trying to stay in the same room with it either.

Acephspades · February 22nd, 2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfnut

After using the Dr Z Maz I simply could not go back to my Fender Twin. It is on its way out the door. My Maz has a Bottom end with such clarity and authority that the Twin could not come close to.

While I don't play a Dr Z I have a coupke of amps that run off of EL84 tubes and I couldn't agree more, even the old country sounds better through them IMO. I've been contemplating dumping my Twin RI too, it just doesn't compare anymore.

Tim Swartz · February 22nd, 2008, 10:38 AM

In the '60s it was Fender, in the '70s and '80s it was Peavey (but they had to have the wide metal side panels)..., in the '90s Matchless came on big... and in this decade you see a wide variety of boutiques with a few Marshalls and Fenders. Modern country sounds are pretty much the same as '70s rock sounds.

aunchaki · February 22nd, 2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

Fender Twin Reverb is a classic.

+1 The VOX AC-30 is also pretty popular as a country amp.

Wally · February 22nd, 2008, 11:04 AM

I haven't had a country amp since I moved to the city. Country amps are so laid back, and they want to hit the hay when the sun goes down. City amps stay up all night long, don't care if the cows come home at all, and they hit the HEY! like they know what they are doing. (:^)

nasonm · February 22nd, 2008, 12:02 PM

Fender Deluxe Reverb....I was an idiot and sold mine :(

mowcheeba · February 22nd, 2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasonm

Fender Deluxe Reverb....I was an idiot and sold mine :(

And I was an idiot when I sold my 1973 SF Twin Reverb last year

Best amp I ever had........

Looks like a old Fender tube amp is the ticket for some good country tone.
A friend of mine wanted to know what amps would be good for country
style music.

ol man · February 22nd, 2008, 12:41 PM

The answer is:
No!

blue metalflake · February 22nd, 2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleman77

The Twin Reverb has been the standard bearer in country music for as long as at it's been around.

+1 Theres none better.

fenderguy · February 22nd, 2008, 02:50 PM

+1 blackface twin

tboy · February 22nd, 2008, 02:56 PM

Wow. Not a single Peavey mention!...ooops....sorry, there is one.
Anyway, I've got a Matchless Lightning 18 that just seems to love country. Maybe it just fits in a hole from what the other guys are using in that band, but it really does the job.

Wally · February 22nd, 2008, 02:58 PM

ON the serious side...I agree that a TR is undoubtedly to go to amp for classic country. I also agree that 'modern country' is another question altogether.
Here is an amp that I have recently found will compete with a TR for that clean thing. 4 X6550's and six 12's. Yes, it will do loud and clean. To boot, it has a mid boost switch that thickens things up for meanness.

jonzer · February 22nd, 2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell

February 22nd, 2008, 06:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
mowcheeba Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Elqui Valley, Chile Age: 31 Posts: 602 43 Photos	Is there such a thing as a "country amp"? What are the most typical amps used for country? I know a lot of country guitarists like Dr Z amps. What Fender amp is most suitable for country type music? Deluxe Reverb?

February 22nd, 2008, 06:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Stefan Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden Age: 29 Posts: 1,816 37 Photos	Fender Twin Reverb is a classic. __________________ 1981 Capri Orange Fender Telecaster 1976 Fender Stratocaster 2007 Martin Backpacker 2005 Martin HD-28

February 22nd, 2008, 06:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,915	For classic honky-tonk country, any BF or SF Fender amp would do the trick. Music Man amps, too. For more recent "country" music, whatever amp you like, because there sure isn't any difference between it and any other pop music! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

February 22nd, 2008, 06:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
old_picker Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 408	vibrolux is an old favourite __________________ ray

February 22nd, 2008, 08:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
teleman77 Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Age: 48 Posts: 316	The Twin Reverb has been the standard bearer in country music for as long as at it's been around. __________________ "Turn it up and you don't need any reverb"..........Danny Gatton www.myspace.com/reubenadkins

February 22nd, 2008, 07:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
JohnS Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Age: 59 Posts: 298 10 Photos	Vibrosonic...a Twin with a 15" JBL. Oh yeah!

February 22nd, 2008, 08:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
Caffeine Patrol Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 324	SF Twins have been the 'gold standard' for a long time, for good reason. Or, if you want to go back a little ways, take out a second mortgage and look for an old Standel with a 15" speaker. I get the best tone out of a SF Deluxe Reverb; Pete Anderson, before he became a POD person, swore by Deluxe Reverbs and he had no problems with country tone. I saw him playing with Dwight in a bar back in '86 or '87 and he had a couple of BF Deluxes sitting on the floor with a mic between them.

February 22nd, 2008, 08:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
sudancat Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 700 12 Photos	The SF Or BF Twin Reverb

February 22nd, 2008, 08:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
Acephspades Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 417	I was under the understanding that a country amp had to remain clean at higher volumes, in which case the Twin Reverb was the ticket back in the day, but don't discount the PV Bandit as well as it's shared the country stage countless times. Roland JC120 too. Nobody said it had to be tubes. But I also remember the PV Classic 30s and 50s were pretty popular with the country guys as well. Today Vox amps are pretty predominant. However still today I think Twin Reverb for country.

February 22nd, 2008, 09:44 AM	#14 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,466	I read an interview with Pete Anderson a few years back. He said that one of the best rigs he ever had, was running two Deluxe Reverbs, with a mid cap cut to that the mids are on 10. I saw those Deluxe's for sale some time later. I could not imagine a Twin being neccessary, unless you plan on playing at one of the stadiums around the county. I just can't imagine pushing my Deluxe passed 6, and trying to stay in the same room with it either. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

February 22nd, 2008, 10:38 AM	#16 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,823	In the '60s it was Fender, in the '70s and '80s it was Peavey (but they had to have the wide metal side panels)..., in the '90s Matchless came on big... and in this decade you see a wide variety of boutiques with a few Marshalls and Fenders. Modern country sounds are pretty much the same as '70s rock sounds. __________________

February 22nd, 2008, 11:04 AM	#18 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 3,769	I haven't had a country amp since I moved to the city. Country amps are so laid back, and they want to hit the hay when the sun goes down. City amps stay up all night long, don't care if the cows come home at all, and they hit the HEY! like they know what they are doing. (:^)

February 22nd, 2008, 12:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
nasonm Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bangor, Maine Age: 31 Posts: 1,594 16 Photos	Fender Deluxe Reverb....I was an idiot and sold mine :( __________________ "i have learned to just grit my teeth, change the subject, consider their deep total ignorance, fondle the thumb picks in my pocket and go on my way" - bender-freak It's been lonely in the saddle since my horse died

February 22nd, 2008, 12:41 PM	#21 (permalink)
ol man Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 233	The answer is: No!

February 22nd, 2008, 02:50 PM	#23 (permalink)
fenderguy Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 203	+1 blackface twin

February 22nd, 2008, 02:56 PM	#24 (permalink)
tboy Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Area Posts: 584 7 Photos	Wow. Not a single Peavey mention!...ooops....sorry, there is one. Anyway, I've got a Matchless Lightning 18 that just seems to love country. Maybe it just fits in a hole from what the other guys are using in that band, but it really does the job.

February 22nd, 2008, 02:58 PM	#25 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 3,769	ON the serious side...I agree that a TR is undoubtedly to go to amp for classic country. I also agree that 'modern country' is another question altogether. Here is an amp that I have recently found will compete with a TR for that clean thing. 4 X6550's and six 12's. Yes, it will do loud and clean. To boot, it has a mid boost switch that thickens things up for meanness.