Question:
Alright, I'm looking for a new amp. I've been playing for 6 years, and my crummy practice amp doesn't cut it.
I usually play in a church type setting and borrow someones amp, but this is just begining to be too much of a hassle (plus getting used to such a variety of amps is really annoying). It's time to get one of my own.
I've got a price range of about $200 - $300. I'd prefer a nice solid state at that price, unless someone can recomend a VERY good tube amp. I play a pretty wide variety of styles, so I need something versatile (hence why I'm thinking a solid state amp). I'm thinking I'll need 25-40 watts or so...
I have an Ibanez SZ 520 solid body electric.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Answer:
Originally Posted by Crstngtrplyr77 Alright, I'm looking for a new amp. I've been playing for 6 years, and my crummy practice amp doesn't cut it.
I usually play in a church type setting and borrow someones amp, but this is just begining to be too much of a hassle (plus getting used to such a variety of amps is really annoying). It's time to get one of my own.
I've got a price range of about $200 - $300. I'd prefer a nice solid state at that price, unless someone can recomend a VERY good tube amp. I play a pretty wide variety of styles, so I need something versatile (hence why I'm thinking a solid state amp). I'm thinking I'll need 25-40 watts or so...
I have an Ibanez SZ 520 solid body electric.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
What about the epiphone valve series. They are definitely in budget, and recently when I played through one I was actually pretty impressed. Other options would be a Peavey Classic 30, or a fender blues Jr.
*disclaimer* I am a tube snob now, so all I suggested were the tube amps in your price range. They are very good, but realize that my idea of ideal sound is all authentic. I hate emulators of any kind and prefer analog to digital. I use a few rack effects and am not the sort of guy who likes 300 amp models with 47 effects.
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Solid state vs. tube isn't really that big of a deal to me. The biggest things are sound quality, durability (I don't want to have to change the tubes frequently/have it die after a couple years), and versatility.
Answer:
well I just changed the tubes on my Fender HRDlx after 2+ years and the new tubes might've increased the headroom a little, but not a noticeable amount. Mileage may vary...average power amp tube life is supposed to be 12-18 months, but I've heard plenty of stories (including my own) of tubes being fine after 2 years of use. $50 every two years really isn't that big of a deal.
That being said, I'll second the suggestions Bill made, but I have a question to help come up with any other suggestions: What is your current amp, and why exactly doesn't it "cut it" any longer?
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve well I just changed the tubes on my Fender HRDlx after 2+ years and the new tubes might've increased the headroom a little, but not a noticeable amount. Mileage may vary...average power amp tube life is supposed to be 12-18 months, but I've heard plenty of stories (including my own) of tubes being fine after 2 years of use. $50 every two years really isn't that big of a deal.
That being said, I'll second the suggestions Bill made, but I have a question to help come up with any other suggestions: What is your current amp, and why exactly doesn't it "cut it" any longer?
My current amp is a simple Crate practice amp. It doesn't have a great sound and is no where near loud enough for what I need. Like I said, I typically borrow an amp, but it's time for me to get one of my own.
Answer:
If you want versatility and low maintainance (hate to say it because I'm a tube snob as well, but...), look for a digital modelling amp. To be honest, I haven't played any in over a year, so I'm way behind in the technology, but the Vox Valvetronix line gets good reviews (in general) with users here. The only knock on modelling amps is that they become obsolete just about as quickly as computers do. As another contributor to this forum might say, "they're all eventually landfill fodder." But for maintainance and versatility (especially touch-of-a-button-versatility), they sound like the way to go for you IMO.
Nate
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I have the valvetronix, I am kinda sock of it. I want an amp with one individual tone, not a bunch.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Crstngtrplyr77 Solid state vs. tube isn't really that big of a deal to me. The biggest things are sound quality, durability (I don't want to have to change the tubes frequently/have it die after a couple years), and versatility.
if your biggest concern is sound quality, which is the first thing you said then go with a tube amp. the epiphone tube amps are suppose to be pretty good and there in your price range. the fender blues jr has an amazing tone but i think its only 1 channel so you might not like it if you dont have any pedals. i find that most solid state amps usually have a much more dull sound to them.
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Originally Posted by nick2282 the fender blues jr has an amazing tone but i think its only 1 channel so you might not like it if you dont have any pedals. the Blues Jr. is a single channel amp with a footswitchable gain boost.
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you can find a Peavey Valveking on Ebay for about 300. on Ebay right now there is a Yamaha T100C. Rainer has the 50 watt version and he says its awesome. you can find a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe on ebay for maybee 300. you can find a Peavey Classic 30 on ebay for about 300 also. check out the Peavey Ultra. you can get one for 300 on ebay. if i were you i would look into the Peavey Ultra and Peavey Valveking. look on ebay for all these amps cause you cant get any of them new for 300.
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carvin sx 50 would be my SS amp sugestion, you've already got tons of good tubes recomendations.
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For only $30 you can get the Carvin SX-100.
http://www.carvin.com/products/singl...=SX100C&CID=GA
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yeah, but hwe said like less than 50 watts...
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For $60 more than the SX50, you get 50 watts more, more controls, and a second speaker. If you're going to go with any amp in the SX line, I say go with the 200.
In response to the original poster, I wonder if 20-40 solid state watts is enough. That's really practice amp volume. There are plenty of excellent tube amp suggestions posted already. If you decide for solid state, I recommend against modeling amps, as jamforchrist said, you want an amp that does one individual tone (well), not lots of tones (poorly).
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true, that's the one i went for...the only reason i didn't suggest it in the first place (which i now regret) was he wanted a lesser wattage amp.