Question:
I have been meaning to get a new amp for about 2 years now, as I really think my own MG30 needs replacing. It's not broken and I don't mind the amp, but thats it. Don't mind. I can't really get an incredible tone and I really think that a better amp will make me focus on my playing as well.
I have been looking around for a long time, played a bunch of amps from the Valve Junior to a Marshall DSL stack. I've played different amps at different points in those last 2 years and thought thats the one. Now, I look at the DSL and think 'no way, too loud, too impractical'.
I'm looking for an amp no greater than 30 watts and that means it can totally be 30 watts. Seperate head and cab or a combo, I don't mind. I would not be looking for anything more than a single 12" speaker so portability of a head/cab isn't a problem. Valve a definite. Roland JC is too big for my requirements and anything else you just don't find in England (I've never seen an
Acoustic corp amp).
I play in my church regularly, and the other guitarist (Rich* on the forums) uses an Ashdown peacemaker 20 miced which is plenty loud. I also play with friends at another church from time to time, also miced, and the odd social unmiced (no more than 200 people in a hall).
I play jazz, soft rock, contemporary p&w style lead and rhythm guitar, and would also like to be able to rock it up quite heavily (I love metallica for no reason) and definitely want to be able to be versatile in my amp.
I play a Fender MIM standard tele and am looking to get an Epiphone Les Paul and an Adam Black Jazzer in the next 12 months. I play through minimal pedals (a tuner and a compressor from time to time) but use reverb from my amp a lot, and would like to get some delay as I use the MG delay (poor really), and so would value an effects loop.
Now, the interesting part. I have come to inherit (in a way) a lot of money (over £2000) and I really want to get an amp that will last me a looong time but I want to spend as little money as possible seen as how I need to use some of the money to pay off student loan/use for a deposit on a house some day.
How much should I budget for an amp? Anyone who says all of it will be ignored.
Answer:
ok, i say budget $400 -$500 just to be safe. you'll probably end up paying like $300, but set aside alot in case you do find something more expensive you want. some good choices:
fender blues Jr. ($400)
Vox valvetronix series amps ($275-who knows, depends on wattage)
Crate Palomino Series ($300 or so)
Epi Valve Standard (around $300 or $400 i think)
those are all great amps that won't take a huge hunk out of your inheritance or where ever that 2000 euros came from. (a euro is like $2 right?)
Answer:
Hmm, that's almost $4000.
Answer:
Originally Posted by irtrogdor ok, i say budget $400 -$500 just to be safe. you'll probably end up paying like $300, but set aside alot in case you do find something more expensive you want. some good choices:
fender blues Jr. ($400)
Vox valvetronix series amps ($275-who knows, depends on wattage)
Crate Palomino Series ($300 or so)
Epi Valve Standard (around $300 or $400 i think)
those are all great amps that won't take a huge hunk out of your inheritance or where ever that 2000 euros came from. (a euro is like $2 right?) he's got 2000 pounds...British money...about $4000
that being said, since you're in the UK, I'd look into the smaller Marshall combos (DSL401), and the Ashdown and Laney combos...maybe even the Vox AC30.
Now, I know you said valve, but there is a company in the UK that's considered the UK equivalent to Tech21 or the old Acoustic Control Corp, that is, a company that takes pride in making high-end SS amps. The company is called Award-Session. Their site is: http://www.award-session.com/ if you get the chance to try one out, I'd definitely do it. The modern Sessionette is a 100/140W amp, but it should still retain tone at lower volumes. There are soundclips on the site, and while I know it might not be what you were looking for at all, I'd at least consider them in your search.
You should be able to get something permanently good for 600-800 pounds...though it'll might run a bit higher for an import (US) amp (I've heard that Mesa Boogies are ridiculously expensive in the UK)
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve he's got 2000 pounds...British money...about $4000
that being said, since you're in the UK, I'd look into the smaller Marshall combos (DSL401), and the Ashdown and Laney combos...maybe even the Vox AC30.
Now, I know you said valve, but there is a company in the UK that's considered the UK equivalent to Tech21 or the old Acoustic Control Corp, that is, a company that takes pride in making high-end SS amps. The company is called Award-Session. Their site is: http://www.award-session.com/ if you get the chance to try one out, I'd definitely do it. The modern Sessionette is a 100/140W amp, but it should still retain tone at lower volumes. There are soundclips on the site, and while I know it might not be what you were looking for at all, I'd at least consider them in your search.
You should be able to get something permanently good for 600-800 pounds...though it'll might run a bit higher for an import (US) amp (I've heard that Mesa Boogies are ridiculously expensive in the UK)
Heh, they're not too cheap here, either.
Answer:
I don't know how it is in the UK, but now that your budget is increased you could probably score some amazing deals on the used market.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Casey I don't know how it is in the UK, but now that your budget is increased you could probably score some amazing deals on the used market. indeed. Also, in the UK I've read that European brands (Marshall, Vox, Bogner, ENGL...I'm sure there's more) are cheaper than the US equivalent cost...I don't know if that's true though.
Answer:
Vox AC30CC1 Custom Classic
30W 1x12" Tube Combo Amplifier with VOX NeoDog Speaker, Spring Reverb and Blendable Channels
$699.97 so that's what, 400 pounds or so?
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$4000 is definitely in boutique range. I've been drooling over the Komet Concorde for awhile.
Answer:
Originally Posted by telecasting How much should I budget for an amp? Anyone who says all of it will be ignored. It really depends on what you want. Can you get a $400-500 amp that fits those needs? Sure, there are lots. However, I think there is something to be said for investing in equipment that you know will both (a) keep its value, and (b) provide tone that you are pleased with and don't feel the need to spend another $400-500 to make better.
Check out some Mesa Boogies. I don't know about their availability in England, but a Lonestar Classic or a Stiletto Deuce would cover what you're talking about. I'm very pleased with my Mesa Blue Angel, which you can find used.
While you're looking, consider the following brands:
Budda
Bogner
Mesa/Boogie
Fuchs
Bad Cat
Goodsell
Dr. Z
I know some of these are pricey, and I'm not saying you should spend all your money, but these are all very high quality manufacturers. Look at what features the amps have, and then decide what you think is best for you. I'd encourage you to know exactly what you want in an amp before spending the money.
Answer:
Mmmm... A Bogner stack would be so awesome, but overkill. How about a combo, then.
I doubt the Vox will get you what you want.
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I'd totally go for an Orange or a higher-end Vox...so you're budgeting about $1000-$1500 there, I only know that that much would end up in a little over half you're budget.
Answer:
Originally Posted by nbfan I'd totally go for an Orange or a higher-end Vox...so you're budgeting about $1000-$1500 there, I only know that that much would end up in a little over half you're budget. Actually it'd end up being only a bit more than a third of his budget. $1500 = about 750£
Answer:
Like I said, don't consider the £2000 as a sum of money from which most or all is going on an amp.
fender blues Jr. ($400)
Vox valvetronix series amps ($275-who knows, depends on wattage)
Crate Palomino Series ($300 or so)
Epi Valve Standard (around $300 or $400 i think)
I've played the blues jr and was unsure about its versatility without having to get pedals. I like the jazz tone from it, but otherwise no. I'm looking all valve (sorry thesteve. I don't know of anywhere that stocks award-sessions, plus they go for about £500-600 and are non-existent secondhand) and I was looking at something a bit 'better' than those.
As for the conversion, although the £ and the $ are at about 1 to 1.8, there is a difference in price of gear. Therefore, a marshall DSL 401 that costs about $600 costs about £400 which is about 1 to 1.5 and it goes like that pretty much everywhere. I'm not the biggest fan of Marshall either, especially as the clean tone normally lacks that something.
Bognors are still expensive as anything, as are Engls. Nice, but a bit heavy. I'm looking for a 60% clean 40% dirty focused channel.
£600 seems like a good budget.
I've been looking at the Orange Tiny Terror and a custom 1x12" cab as the portability appeals to me. The new Voxes are about £500-600 for something that looks to be below Vox standard. Unless you go for the bluedog speakers, it doesn't seem to be worth it.
I have seen the odd Mesa F30 for about £600. I might give that a test run.
Answer:
you may very well be pleased with the mesa f30, as it sounds like the percentage ratio you mentioned is roughly the feeling I got when I was considering buying one for a while.