Should I get a new pedal or a new amp?

[ChaseXk]

I recently traded an old unused half-working Bass amp for a Peavey Studio Pro 112 as my Line 6(which im selling) has become a clear mistake. I'm currently using a Squire Fender with a Dimarzio X2N Humbucker installed, I know not the best guitar, and a Digitech RP50. I'm trying to get a good tone for Hardcore/Skate Punk and maybe a bit of Pop-Punk later. The Peavey isn't bad, but the distortion kind of sucks on low volumes. So should I sell the Peavey as well and just buy a new amp all together, or stick with it and buy a new pedal? If I should keep the amp, any pedal suggestions would be appreciated.

[mylastflight]

save up and get a good tube amp.

[eliselovesmusic]

Ask myself this question all the time....

I suppose it depends on whether you're playing gigs or not. If so, you should make sure you've got a quality amp. If you're more concerned with experimenting and just jamming I'd go for the pedal.

[Animalhill]

I recently traded an old unused half-working Bass amp for a Peavey Studio Pro 112 as my Line 6(which im selling) has become a clear mistake. I'm currently using a Squire Fender with a Dimarzio X2N Humbucker installed, I know not the best guitar, and a Digitech RP50. I'm trying to get a good tone for Hardcore/Skate Punk and maybe a bit of Pop-Punk later. The Peavey isn't bad, but the distortion kind of sucks on low volumes. So should I sell the Peavey as well and just buy a new amp all together, or stick with it and buy a new pedal? If I should keep the amp, any pedal suggestions would be appreciated.
Peavey sucks man- save up for a good amp. What's your budget on a new one?

[theguy77]

I recently traded an old unused half-working Bass amp for a Peavey Studio Pro 112 as my Line 6(which im selling) has become a clear mistake. I'm currently using a Squire Fender with a Dimarzio X2N Humbucker installed, I know not the best guitar, and a Digitech RP50. I'm trying to get a good tone for Hardcore/Skate Punk and maybe a bit of Pop-Punk later. The Peavey isn't bad, but the distortion kind of sucks on low volumes. So should I sell the Peavey as well and just buy a new amp all together, or stick with it and buy a new pedal? If I should keep the amp, any pedal suggestions would be appreciated.

buy an old marshall JCM900 (make sure its the master volume model and not the shitty dual reverb model) off of ebay and put the gain at about one-third. problem solved.

[ChaseXk]

I plan to be using it for gigs in the future. I certainly can't afford a Marshall JCM. My budget for now is only about $600.

[mylastflight]

you can def find a jcm 900 for 600
also vox ac30 you can find for 600
and peavey 5150
it takes a long time to get all the shit you want but we all gotta start somewhere : )
get a good amp with that money i assure you, you will be satisfy with this decision

[The Boathouse]

I bought so many pedals until one day, I decided to try buying a decent amp. All of a sudden all the overdrive pedals that I spent $150+ on but never sounded good...DID sound good. The amp is the last step in your signal, it's where everything leaves you and goes to your listener. Have the best possible gear to translate your ideas- starting with a great amp. Even a shit guitar can sound great through a good amp.

$600 can get you a whole lot of amp if you buy used. Like others said, stuff in the JCM series, a 5150, a vox ac15 or ac30, there's a lot you could pick up.

[cavalry]

I would look into maybe a better amp as if you get a good pedal, it still won't sound great unless you have a decent amp.

Maybe you can look into getting a crate, those are actually pretty good, or a solid state marshall. The RP50 is an OK pedal, but if you want the best I would suggest Boss or Line 6.

[harveyn590]

Look into Fender Devilles, may not be the best for pop punk, but an awesome amp nontheless. the jcm gives you a good punk tone though

[ChaseXk]

Alright thanks alot everyone. Since it seems the Peavey I have isn't quite top-notch I'll def just put my money to a new amp for now. I've heard alot about that one Vox model, and I can try to find a JCM for good price. Thanks again for all your help, I appreciate it alot!

[stupidtyonparad]

im not one for distortion effects, i have a 3 channel amp and i can get all i want out of those three, all my effects are pretty much modulation/delay/vin accardi shit. digitech pedals arent exactly top notch either unless you really know how to use them and can set them up with other things. i have a multieffects digitech pedal i use just for 2 or occasionaly 3 effects off it, and its usually in combination with other sounds/effects.

my best advice, dont just pick an amp to buy. bring your guitar in (at some point id update guitars too, but i doubt you're made of money) and go to the local music place, regardless of its a local shop or a guitar center, and just play a few amps in your price range until you find something you really want/like

[stupidtyonparad]

I would look into maybe a better amp as if you get a good pedal, it still won't sound great unless you have a decent amp.

Maybe you can look into getting a crate, those are actually pretty good, or a solid state marshall. The RP50 is an OK pedal, but if you want the best I would suggest Boss or Line 6.

i like what this guy is saying. boss and line 6 are definitely what id go for as far as effects and i play through a crate and i get some great sounds. however, seeing i have a lot of effect and i play single coils (les paul jr, jazzmaster, strat) i get a lot of fuzz from my amp when its idle, so be warry of that. (i even have a boss noise suppressor and it doesnt clear it all up)

[theguy77]

I would look into maybe a better amp as if you get a good pedal,it still won't sound great unless you have a decent amp.

Maybe you can look into getting a crate, those are actually pretty good, or a solid state marshall. The RP50 is an OK pedal, but if you want the best I would suggest Boss or Line 6.

the things you are saying do not match

[cavalry]

i like what this guy is saying. boss and line 6 are definitely what id go for as far as effects and i play through a crate and i get some great sounds. however, seeing i have a lot of effect and i play single coils (les paul jr, jazzmaster, strat) i get a lot of fuzz from my amp when its idle, so be warry of that. (i even have a boss noise suppressor and it doesnt clear it all up)

Yea, I have a gibson dirty fingers humbucker and threre is an adjustable noisegate on the line 6, there is still a little hum/fuzz, but its not too bad. When i record I just throw a little extra noisegate via a plugin and its all gone.

[cavalry]

the things you are saying do not match

I don't really get what you mean. If its about the amps, then I know I'm not wrong. A Marshall solid state is not much different then a Crate solid state. I've worked at different studios and run my own so I have done many tests on different gear. They both can sound equally as good, a lot of Marshall is just the fact that it is a "reknowed" company.

Basically the difference between Nike and Reebok. Nike is more "Famous" so it acts like its a better product, bit really its the same/does the same job. But you may not be refering to this... In which case my bad

[theguy77]

I don't really get what you mean. If its about the amps, then I know I'm not wrong. A Marshall solid state is not much different then a Crate solid state. I've worked at different studios and run my own so I have done many tests on different gear. They both can sound equally as good, a lot of Marshall is just the fact that it is a "reknowed" company.

Basically the difference between Nike and Reebok. Nike is more "Famous" so it acts like its a better product, bit really its the same/does the same job. But you may not be refering to this... In which case my bad

except, it's not the difference between nike and reebok, its the difference between wal-mart flip flops and 20 dollar skate shoes. typical marshall solid state can be made to sound mediocre at best, and thats if we're talking about the hybrid AVT series, not their shitty MG's. crate is fucking terrible. dude needs a tube amp. otherwise hes not doing himself any good by getting a new amp and can get similar results with a much cheaper pedal.

in case you misconstrued my point, i was saying "get a decent amp" and then suggesting "crate or marshall solid state" did not match.

[Blague]

What other dirt/overdrive pedals do you have?

Amp is going to be far more responsible for your tone, and for your music interests, go with a tube combo.

Depending on your pedal situation, I'd avoid Devilles because I think that their dirt channel will be too muddy for you. The clean channel is pretty nice, and if you have a decent dirt pedal to put in front of it then you could get some nice tones...but the dirt channel alone is muddy and undefined without extensive modding.

[cavalry]

except, it's not the difference between nike and reebok, its the difference between wal-mart flip flops and 20 dollar skate shoes. typical marshall solid state can be made to sound mediocre at best, and thats if we're talking about the hybrid AVT series, not their shitty MG's. crate is fucking terrible. dude needs a tube amp. otherwise hes not doing himself any good by getting a new amp and can get similar results with a much cheaper pedal.

in case you misconstrued my point, i was saying "get a decent amp" and then suggesting "crate or marshall solid state" did not match.

I see what you mean, I totally agree about the tube amp 100% but I think he said his budget was $600, which may be enough for something good if he has good Ebay skills, haha. Otherwise $600 for a tube+ the cab or combo tends to get pricey. Not to mention if he gets a tube amp he should invest in a good road case for it so we are almost definitely looking at over $600...

[theguy77]

I see what you mean, I totally agree about the tube amp 100% but I think he said his budget was $600, which may be enough for something good if he has good Ebay skills, haha. Otherwise $600 for a tube+ the cab or combo tends to get pricey. Not to mention if he gets a tube amp he should invest in a good road case for it so we are almost definitely looking at over $600...

this pretty much covers it:

you can def find a jcm 900 for 600
also vox ac30 you can find for 600

i got my 50 watt JCM head for 500 on ebay, and the cab for 350 on craigslist. sure thats a little bit over the 600, but honestly if he buys a marshall or crate solid state thats flat out a waste of money. it would really be worth waiting and saving up 250 more if it means you can get a solid tube amp that will last you awhile. not only that, but since he would be buying a half-stack from the early 90s that's already used, as long as he takes care of that half stack he can sell it for the exact same price when he wants something even better than that. im not seeing how that isnt a solid value.

i can say hands down though that i think the JCM900 will give him far better tone for the styles hes looking to play than anything else you could possibly get under 1,000. if he wants an example, all the distorted guitar tones on my album were done on that half stack. www.myspace.com/northbrook (http://www.myspace.com/northbrook)

[ozzysaxman]

please save yourself money and go for a good tube amp. we've all made this mistake, and it costs us a ton in the end.

my advice is to buy used and then retube it to meet your expectations. also, don't let prejudges get to you. i use a mesa rectoverb, bt with a retubing through jj tubes I now have a beautiful fender clean sound, crunchy marshal mid gains and the stereotypical mesa heavy tones. the amp cost me $500 + $100 on the new tubes.

I'm very firm on the belief that 95% of your tone (beyond your fingers) is based off your amp. good luck, i hope you make a good choice :) .

[MILFCORE]

If the pedal don't work no more... seriously, you should just throw the bike away and get a new one.

[cavalry]

this pretty much covers it:



i got my 50 watt JCM head for 500 on ebay, and the cab for 350 on craigslist. sure thats a little bit over the 600, but honestly if he buys a marshall or crate solid state thats flat out a waste of money. it would really be worth waiting and saving up 250 more if it means you can get a solid tube amp that will last you awhile. not only that, but since he would be buying a half-stack from the early 90s that's already used, as long as he takes care of that half stack he can sell it for the exact same price when he wants something even better than that. im not seeing how that isnt a solid value.

i can say hands down though that i think the JCM900 will give him far better tone for the styles hes looking to play than anything else you could possibly get under 1,000. if he wants an example, all the distorted guitar tones on my album were done on that half stack. www.myspace.com/northbrook (http://www.myspace.com/northbrook)

All I have to say is JCM 900's are the balls... haha. I'm eyeing the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier right now though, dream amp baby.

[theguy77]

All I have to say is JCM 900's are the balls... haha. I'm eyeing the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier right now though, dream amp baby.

you know ironically enough thats the other one they had in the studio. i tried it and didnt like it at all. im not a fan of the scooped-mid metal sound, cant stand those mushy guitar tones. i like the marshall because its got sharp, biting mids, and you get a looot of gritty breakup out of it.

[lbopm]

You should ignore what theguy77 thinks about amps. He doesn't like the Triple Rect cause he is NOT A BLINK FAN. So ignore his thoughts. The Triple Rect is great but expensive. He is all about Marshalls and he got the idea from Thrice. I am not a Marshall fan at all, because whether theguy77 wants to believe it or not, that IS a metal amp.

[theguy77]

You should ignore what theguy77 thinks about amps. He doesn't like the Triple Rect cause he is NOT A BLINK FAN. So ignore his thoughts. The Triple Rect is great but expensive. He is all about Marshalls and he got the idea from Thrice. I am not a Marshall fan at all, because whether theguy77 wants to believe it or not, that IS a metal amp.

says the guy who buys 3,000 dollar gibson acoustic guitars to play "all the small things" ;-)

hahaha, besides that, marshalls can be used for metal, sure. they're gritty and heavy enough, and they were THE metal amp in the 80s. however, in the modern day, typical metal rhythm tone consists of scooped mids (which is a sound i HATE), and marshall amps tend to be characterized by a very prominent and strong mid-range.

[The Boathouse]

Don't buy a half stack unless you're playing huge venues. Or, uh, at all. Mics exist. Low stage volumes are the new swooping haircuts!

[lbopm]

says the guy who buys 3,000 dollar gibson acoustic guitars to play "all the small things" ;-)

hahaha, besides that, marshalls can be used for metal, sure. they're gritty and heavy enough, and they were THE metal amp in the 80s. however, in the modern day, typical metal rhythm tone consists of scooped mids (which is a sound i HATE), and marshall amps tend to be characterized by a very prominent and strong mid-range.


At least I can play more than just "all the small things" bitch ;)

[SD_John]

I would sell your amp, and get a nice tubed combo. Maybe if you're going to be gigging soon, get a tubed head like a B-52( like 500 bucks) and get a cab from craigslist or eBay. Peavey's new Vyper line is very very excellent. I played one at guitar center, and I wanted it.

[ChaseXk]

Alright thanks a ton.. I'm just going to wait and save up a little more for a good tube amp since I'm not gigging at the moment anyways I don't have any rush. Thanks a load I'll be looking into the Marshall JCM series as well as a few others.

[patrickhowell]

Alright thanks a ton.. I'm just going to wait and save up a little more for a good tube amp since I'm not gigging at the moment anyways I don't have any rush. Thanks a load I'll be looking into the Marshall JCM series as well as a few others.

I think your best bet would be to scour Craigs List for something like a Marshall JCM 900, or Peavey 5150, or Mesa Boogie Rect-O-Verb combo.

I think a 5150 would be a really great buy. They're really great amps, and you can find the 212 combos on Craigs List for as low as $400.

[patrickhowell]

You should ignore what theguy77 thinks about amps. He doesn't like the Triple Rect cause he is NOT A BLINK FAN. So ignore his thoughts. The Triple Rect is great but expensive. He is all about Marshalls and he got the idea from Thrice. I am not a Marshall fan at all, because whether theguy77 wants to believe it or not, that IS a metal amp.

Triple Rectifiers are just too powerful. A Single Rec always sounds better and is always loud enough. Always.

[JoeJealousy]

I recently traded an old unused half-working Bass amp for a Peavey Studio Pro 112 as my Line 6(which im selling) has become a clear mistake. I'm currently using a Squire Fender with a Dimarzio X2N Humbucker installed, I know not the best guitar, and a Digitech RP50. I'm trying to get a good tone for Hardcore/Skate Punk and maybe a bit of Pop-Punk later. The Peavey isn't bad, but the distortion kind of sucks on low volumes. So should I sell the Peavey as well and just buy a new amp all together, or stick with it and buy a new pedal? If I should keep the amp, any pedal suggestions would be appreciated.
get a new amp...you cant beat the distortion a good amp can provide....i suggest marshall or mesa unless you got the cash for a nice boutique amp like engle