Question:
Maybe some of you have heard me say that I wasn't too fond of the tone I got out my current amp (Crate VC-50).
Well, my mom is a really concerned mother. No, she doesn't care if my amp sounds good or not, she just doesn't want me to hurt her ears and walls with a 50 watt, 70 pound tube amp being lugged around the house.
Well, this is basically a win-win situation; Because my amp IS too loud, and it's such a pain to carry back and forth to band practice, and it may hurt my mother's prized walls that my brother so-recently impaled with a speaker cabinet, and the tone I get out of it is less than desired...
I need something bright. Something that I can get a nice crunchy overdrive out of by pushing the tubes a little bit. Something with an onboard EQ. My experience with just a simpel "Tone" knob on my VC-50 was not pleasant. My Jekyll and Hyde will take care of the rest. Price range of about 400-500 dollars. 15-30 watts, or at least something that can be easily transported.
I was thinking Fender Blues Jr. This is definately my best bet, it's a great little amp, right in my price range, I like the tone I get out of it playing alone and with a band, and it's the right volume.
My question is; What other suggestions do you guys have? And is buying an amp on Ebay a good idea or not? I'm not one to buy a guitar off of ebay, but is it that much of a difference than buying an amp? I'm definately looking to go the used route, but metro-Detroit is definately one of the worst places to be in my situation.
Thanks in advance.
Answer:
How much clean headroom do you need? With the lower wattage amps, you will obviously have less headroom.
If you don't need much clean headroom at all, I'd say try out a Valve Junior with the J&H. That could be interesting.
Answer:
Classic 30?
Answer:
The Valve Junior is the Epiphone amp? Those always seemed very... eh... to me.
I don't need a whole lot of head-room. A bit, but not a lot.
Here are some amps tones that I particularly liked that I've played, just to get an idea of what I'm going for:
Fender Blues Jr.
Fender Hot Rod
Vox AC-30
Fender Twin Reverb
Fender Bassmaster
Sovtek Mig-50
Answer:
The AC30 sounds perfect... but quite a bit out of your price range.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Mattlock The Valve Junior is the Epiphone amp? Those always seemed very... eh... to me.
I don't need a whole lot of head-room. A bit, but not a lot.
Here are some amps tones that I particularly liked that I've played, just to get an idea of what I'm going for:
Fender Blues Jr.
Fender Hot Rod
Vox AC-30
Fender Twin Reverb
Fender Bassmaster
Sovtek Mig-50
HRD? Good cleans, headroom, and with a J&H I think your drive options would be good.
Answer:
Twin Reverb eh...
maybe you should look for an Acoustic Control 135...
But yeah...the Blues Jr, like it's bigger Hot Rod brothers is known for taking to pedals well. The Peaveys (C30/50) also do, but will probably be a bit bulkier. The Blues Jr. has a very simple control layout. If you get the chance to try one then I'd definitely look into it.
I've found that with mass produced amps like the Fenders and Peaveys and what not, that what you try in the store will usually be just like whatever you buy used off of eBay as long as the previous owner took care of it. In general, mass produced amps have alot fewer things that can go wrong with them.
Oh...and regarding the J&H with the HR series amps. I ran the J side of my J&H as a clean boost into the HRD drive channel and it really fattened up a drive channel that I wasn't quite satisfied with otherwise.
Answer:
Ryan, I think the AC-30 might be a little big. For a 30W amp, those things are sure huge. (And a Fender Twin is really too huge )
Check out the AC15CC if you can, though. Peavey Bravo might be up your alley as well, though it is discontinued. The Crate Palominos might work for you, too, though I realize a Crate is what you're leaving behind.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Ryan Freeland The AC30 sounds perfect... but quite a bit out of your price range.
He might find one used... doubtful, but I've seen it. Also, what about AC15?
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rainer. Ryan, I think the AC-30 might be a little big. For a 30W amp, those things are sure huge. (And a Fender Twin is really too huge )
Check out the AC15CC if you can, though. Peavey Bravo might be up your alley as well, though it is discontinued. The Crate Palominos might work for you, too, though I realize a Crate is what you're leaving behind. Mm that's true. I forgot the "little" 30 watt amp actually weighs 70+ lbs. Hah.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Ryan Freeland Mm that's true. I forgot the "little" 30 watt amp actually weighs 70+ lbs. Hah. Tell me about it, that thing is a beast.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Wesley7777 Tell me about it, that thing is a beast.
Depends on which one... There are 212 and 112 version...
Answer:
I'd say both.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Rainer. I'd say both.
The 112's are considerably lighter than the 212s.
Answer:
Originally Posted by AXguitar The 112's are considerably lighter than the 212s. the 112 is 16 lbs lighter than the 212. This doesn't make it a light amp though, the CC1 still weighs in at 60lbs.