Famous Amps for Famous Tones

[Jakedog]

Lifeless, tubeless, speakerless, digital toys fed into the P.A.
Used by no one famous.

Not true. A whole lot of the very biggest live tours these days are done with ampless stages. Most everything is Fractal or Kemper. A lot of times even when there are amps on the stage they’re props and everything is actually Fractal or Kemper.

The Derek Trucks and John Mayers and Joe Bonamassas of the world are still dragging amps out. But most major pop, country, and heavy acts are going direct for arena tours.

 

[tubedude]

Not true. A whole lot of the very biggest live tours these days are done with ampless stages. Most everything is Fractal or Kemper. A lot of times even when there are amps on the stage they’re props and everything is actually Fractal or Kemper.

The Derek Trucks and John Mayers and Joe Bonamassas of the world are still dragging amps out. But most major pop, country, and heavy acts are going direct for arena tours.

I know, and it's depressing.

 

[Paul G.]

They sure did! They (John and George) used AC30s in top boost mode. Reasons being that they were both drawn to the jangly tone it produced, and also because they (Vox) were pretty prolific in the UK at the time, and were readily available amps to purchase.

The Beatles used Vox amplifiers because Brian Epstein had an agreement with Vox that they would provide equipment to the Beatles at no cost as long as the band never used any other brand. The Beatles honored the agreement until Brian died.

 

[Telecommuter]

The Beatles used Vox amplifiers because Brian Epstein had an agreement with Vox that they would provide equipment to the Beatles at no cost as long as the band never used any other brand. The Beatles honored the agreement until Brian died.

I’ve heard of this agreement as well, pretty interesting! If Fender wanted to extend me the same agreement, I’d gladly take them up on it.

 

[Powdog]

Marshall Major and Richie Blackmore.

And Mick Ronson!

 

[Powdog]

The Nuge atop a mountain of Super Twins.

 

[Harry Styron]

Spider John Koerner and Fender Champ.

 

[Engine Swap]

(Reportedly) Fender Twin bass/Mid/Treble = 0/0/10

 

[Doutorfunga]

Lifeless, tubeless, speakerless, digital toys fed into the P.A.
Used by no one famous.

Mark Knopfler

 

[tubedude]

(Reportedly) Fender Twin bass/Mid/Treble = 0/0/10

I didn't know Curly played guitar.

 

[Dacious]

They sure did! They (John and George) used AC30s in top boost mode. Reasons being that they were both drawn to the jangly tone it produced, and also because they (Vox) were pretty prolific in the UK at the time, and were readily available amps to purchase.

The Beatles used Vox amplifiers because Brian Epstein had an agreement with Vox that they would provide equipment to the Beatles at no cost as long as the band never used any other brand. The Beatles honored the agreement until Brian died.

Early Beatles albums including them backing others were using their own amps. George Martin wouldn't record John's 58 5E3 as it had ground loop issues and was incredibly noisy.

The deal with Epstein and the Beatles was they would use Vox equipment live. Their first amps were non-Topboost models.

A 4 input 63 AC30 George gifted to their opening act on tour in 1964 had the factory retrofit Topboost mod. It was a bit of bent steel with a valve socket, a few components and a hole cut in the back panel with treble and bass controls. That kit was easily fitted to AC30s by Vox dealers..

In 64 George and John were given AC50s which were non-Topboost heads and cabinets. They were the Ed Sullivan show amps and used extensively on their tours until 65/66 when they were given the Thomas Organ US Vox amps like the Super Beatles amps for US tours.

In the studio, from the time they earned some serious money they used all sorts of amps - lots of Fender.. Blonde and brown Fenders, Silverfaces as well as Vox SS amps, Selmers and some weird George's solo on Taxman off Revolver is probably a MRB-equipped Vox Thomas Organ SS amp.

In the 90s Paul was using two Vox AC30 Reverb guitar heads and matching cabinets on his post-Wings tours with his Hofner bass, although with a Fender Jazz bass he was using an Ampeg SVT.

 

[hepular]

Motown - Ampeg Portaflex

nope. DI.

 

[hepular]

that & they had a deal with epstein . . .

They sure did! They (John and George) used AC30s in top boost mode. Reasons being that they were both drawn to the jangly tone it produced, and also because they (Vox) were pretty prolific in the UK at the time, and were readily available amps to purchase.

 

[basher]

Peavey Bandit (Red Stripe) - QOTSA

I know Josh Homme recorded a lot of his stuff with a little Peavey Decade (per this article), but he used a Bandit as well?

 

[CCK1]

Funk 49. Blackface champ.
Not tweed

The secrets behind Joe Walsh's tone on the James Gang's Funk #49

How the Eagles icon created his raunchy, percussive tone

www.guitarworld.com

I have a ‘65 Champ. Cranked, it is amazing how much it captures the “Funk 49” tone.

 

[scelestus]

Consensus opinion, Billy Gibbons - brown Deluxe.

 

[VintageSG]

Wilko Johnson - Dr Feelgood era = H|H IC100 combo
Wilko Johnson - Blockheads/Solid Senders/WJB early = H|H or Fender Twin(s)
Wilko Johnson - WJB = Fender Twin or Cornell Wilko for live, ZT Lunchbox for personal appearances. Champ/Princeton sometimes used in the studio for gnarlyness.

Michael Schenker = Marshall 50W head(s) + 4x12"(s)

 

[Fret Wilkes]

... and some weird George's solo on Taxman off Revolver is probably a MRB-equipped Vox Thomas Organ SS amp.

... and some weird George's solo on Taxman off Revolver is probably a MRB-equipped Vox Thomas Organ SS amp.

Here's another clue for you all...the solo was Paul. ;0)

 

[Paul G.]

Here's another clue for you all...the solo was Paul. ;0)

Paul played it on his Esquire guitar.

 

[klasaine]

Lifeless, tubeless, speakerless, digital toys fed into the P.A.
Used by no one famous.

Most, if not all of the classic Motown guitar tracks - direct into the board.
Roger McGuinn's 12-string - direct into the board.
Nile Rodgers - direct into the board.
Jimmy Page on Black Dog - direct into the board (and two 1176's).
David Gilmore, Another Brick in the Wall solo - direct into the board.
Prince, Kiss solo - direct into the board.
*Now, admittedly all those 'boards' are really really good boards helmed by great engineers, but DI'd nonetheless and sans a tube amp.