Guitarists: Amp search

So I had been contemplating upgrading gear anyway, in the form of a new head. I have an old Carvin 4 X 12 cab that I may or may not upgrade as well.

Then, yesterday, I get this text out of the blue, and my buddy's band wants me to play guitar for them and tour this summer. YEEEEEEE!

So the search is hot and heavy now. I've got limited time on the weekends to go try stuff out. I LOOOOVE the sound and versatility of the 90's Ampeg VL (lee jackson designed) series, and they come up every now and then locally for less than $500, or on ebay for $500-$600 + shipping for a 100 watt 2 or 3 channel. But they had reliability issues. There is a fix that Lee shows on his website, but I worry that it's beyond my skill...or I'll just never get around to doing it.

I thought 5150 might be the answer, but they get REALLY mixed reviews. Again, $500 on CL all day.

For double that kind of money, JCM800 or Rectifier would be the "easy" button I suppose, with the JCM being a one-trick-pony, and the rectifier being the opposite. While this is going to be ALL METAL ALL THE TIME, I'd rather not end up with something that I can't play without turning up to ear-bleeding levels after the tour is over.

I suppose reliability is probably the biggest concern, though I will have my old trusty but thin-sounding Fender M-80 SS head as a backup. Tons of gigs on that thing with few issues, but it does need a good tear-down and cleaning, and has a pretty annoying buzz that I've never investigated fixing, as a fix would probably cost more than the stupid thing is worth.

Any suggestions?

My bass player would laugh hysterically to see me post this, but my vote is "K.I.S.S." Get something fairly basic and easy to replace.

Go to your local Guitar Center with your guitar and start trying out amps. Ask if you can try the one you like with the band to make sure you can get a sound with it that meshes with the other guitar and bass.

Of course, if I were touring, I'd probalby leave my favorite guitars at home and buy dedicated touring guitars as well - something that sounded decent, played well and was easily replaced should the gear van go ditch-diving.

Does your M-80 have that ugly gray carpet on it? I've got the matching ugly gray 4x12 stereo cab!

Of course, if I were touring, I'd probalby leave my favorite guitars at home and buy dedicated touring guitars as well - something that sounded decent, played well and was easily replaced should the gear van go ditch-diving.

Yeah. Funny you should say that. I need another guitar like I need a hole in the head, but I keep a guitar hanging on the wall by the couch, so if I'm going to sit on my fat ass, I can at least be doing something productive. For the last several months, that's been the nice fender HRR strat with the floyd. Last night I pulled out my cheap 70's japanese SG copy, started playing, and immediately said "HOLY E36 M3 THIS IS A NICE GUITAR!" Sounds soooo much better than the fender unplugged...started cruising ebay and popped a bid on a "backup." "HEY, I don't have one in THAT color." It's a sickness.

And yeah, the M-80 is that grey cloth number...though mine's more "tan" after getting soaked in beer at a house party. It's really not a bad amp. I played with a punk rock band called "Blindside" for a couple years. The singer/other guitar player had a JCM, and while it sounded 10X as "full" as my E36 M3ty solid state, I did have the sound guy screaming over the monitor "GUITAR! TURN DOWN!" on more than one occasion. I'd always turn the volume on the guitar down a wee bit in sound checks...sometimes too much apparently

look for a laney AOR or a peavy vtm 60. Both are incredible values. all tube they can both do JCM 800 sounds and heavier. both can bought for around $300 or less.

I used to turn my nose up at solid-state amps much like I used to turn my nose up at FWD cars. It was pure ignorance on both accounts. Sure you can argue forever that other options are superior, but a amp doesn't need to have perfect tone in a room with crappy acoustics and filled with drunken bafoons.

Coincidentally, I got a text from a friend last night about his co-worker's band looking for a bassist. They play funk covers of current songs. I can't wait to hear this...

Talk me out of my 3Rectifier.. I never use the thing anymore.

"May I help you?"

Paul_VR6 wrote: Talk me out of my 3Rectifier.. I never use the thing anymore.

Listening.....

Shipping might be a killer though.

In reply to poopshovel:

As an owner of a 50 watt JCM800, I have to say it's not really a 1 trick pony if you use the right pedals. I use a Rat2 and a tubescreamer clone for distortion and it gives me all of the versatility I need (well, needed). Go heavier? Get a crunchier pedal.

I'm not up on the new fangled stuff, so my input is worthless. I'm the type who thinks a PRS through a Mesa dual/triple is kinda soulless. An SG through a Marshalled is as pure as an acoustic. I like that it's rough around the edges :)

Is the JCM a total workhorse? Easy button???

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/3638144953.html

poopshovel wrote: Listening..... Shipping might be a killer though.

Yeah its over $100 crated just to get down there. Yikes.

I really like a single with reverb its more versatile for small places/practice.

I don't have any suggestions, but dude that's AWESOME!!!! Let me know if you all end up within 200 miles of me and I'm there!

Or if you want to book a show here in E'ville. I have connections. Or need an opener.

Paul_VR6 wrote:

poopshovel wrote: Listening..... Shipping might be a killer though.

Yeah its over $100 crated just to get down there. Yikes. I really like a single with reverb its more versatile for small places/practice.

Feel free to make me make you an offer you can't refuse!

Boogies just cup the balls in a way no Marshall ever can. Now, I don't know if you plan on playing ball cupping music, but I'd take a triple rectifier 11 times out of 10 over a Marshall.

And FWIW, the .50 Caliber I played was 98% as ballsy as the triple rectifier the other dude played, at about 1/4 the pricetag.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Boogies just cup the balls in a way no Marshall ever can. Now, I don't know if you plan on playing ball cupping music, but I'd take a triple rectifier 11 times out of 10 over a Marshall. And FWIW, the .50 Caliber I played was 98% as ballsy as the triple rectifier the other dude played, at about 1/4 the pricetag.

Pretty much anything is going to blow (other) Mike out of the water. I ASSumed he was playing through a tube Marshall, but it's one of those newer (MR? MT?) whatever solid-states...which explains the thin, muddy tone.

Boogies are definitely very high up on my list to check out, especially with Mike's sound being so thin. Going to hit up a couple shops tomorrow and plug in. A 50 watt orange is not totally out of the question either...though again, the ones I've heard seem to have little bottom end. They are REALLY good to a bunch of local bands here in ATL too though. Something to consider I suppose.

16vCorey wrote: Or if you want to book a show here in E'ville. I have connections. Or need an opener.

DULY NOTED!!! Thanks man.

Hated all the Oranges. Played through a Blackstar 50 watt combo and it was better. Played through the new EVH 50 watt and LOVED it. Dead nuts simple. 1st 2 channels I didn't love but it's got it where it counts!!! They didn't have any boogies.

http://store.triodestore.com/50wmarshkit.html

I purchased from them before and I was happy.

Damnit. I know others have posted homebuilts, and I started to ask "Is the answer homebuilt?" But with a 2-year-old and a business to run, I might save "amp assembly" for a post-retirement project. It is tempting though.

poopshovel wrote: Is the JCM a total workhorse? Easy button??? http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/3638144953.html

If you look back at the great rock music that has flowed through them, there isn't much of a counter argument.

I'm an equipment luddite, though, so I'm skewed. A nice, thumpy Marshall cups my balls quite nicely, thank you very much.

In reply to gamby:

I fought the idea of a Marshall for years. I just had to be different. My next amp will be a Marshall. I generally like 2 channel amps, so probably a JCM900.

poopshovel wrote: Damnit. I know others have posted homebuilts, and I started to ask "Is the answer homebuilt?" But with a 2-year-old and a business to run, I might save "amp assembly" for a post-retirement project. It is tempting though.

I was looking at the wiring diagram on the Triode Electric website. If you bought a punched chassis, I bet you could assemble it in 5-10 hours depending on your patience (maybe a bit longer...). When I built my simple Champ, it took quite a bit longer since I did my own chassis and my own layout. If you follow a kit it's not much different than building a big Lego kit but with solder and the chance you can electrocute yourself!

You pay for the convience of the punched chassis and a built cabinet for the amp. That why I went with my own design. More time, but less money.

gamby wrote:

poopshovel wrote: Is the JCM a total workhorse? Easy button??? http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/3638144953.html

If you look back at the great rock music that has flowed through them, there isn't much of a counter argument. I'm an equipment luddite, though, so I'm skewed. A nice, thumpy Marshall cups my balls quite nicely, thank you very much.

Man, I love the berkeley out of a 69 plymouth Valiant, but I'm hesitant to travel thousands of miles in it when other people are depending on me Tried a 40 watt blackstar combo at a different shop today. They're getting an EVH and a 50 watt head version of the blackstar for me to try side by side. Thinking I'll pull the trigger on one or the other as I think either will suit my needs well.

Mike is playing through a solid state 100 watt Marshall and says volume is never above 5, with gigs being 50/50 mic'd/not mic'd. Should a 50 tube be enough? I'd rather have the output valves screaming on a 50 watt than have to keep lower volume on a 100. Thoughts?