Amp Question..

[ArmoredSleep]

Okay so I have a real shitty amp and am looking into buying a new amp.

I play mostly pop punk ie. all time low etc... and am looking to base my sound off that.

I'm currently using a Gibson SG standard so I am looking for an all tube amp to ring out the true sound of the guitar. So any suggestions?

[nikaidoh]

Crate V50 All Tube Guitar Amp Combo w/Reverb, 50 Watt. thats what I have

[The Boathouse]

I recommend a Fender Blues Jr. It's 15 watts. 50 is a lot of watts.

[patrickhowell]

Okay so I have a real shitty amp and am looking into buying a new amp.

I play mostly pop punk ie. all time low etc... and am looking to base my sound off that.

I'm currently using a Gibson SG standard so I am looking for an all tube amp to ring out the true sound of the guitar. So any suggestions?

What kind of budget do you have to spend? Are you planning on playing this amp in a band, or just practicing/recording alone?

[OveriseFan]

What kind of budget do you have to spend? Are you planning on playing this amp in a band, or just practicing/recording alone?

Yep. You covered one of the crucial information points (style of music) but you didn't tell us what you're using it for, exactly, and how much you can spend on it.

[theguy77]

Crate V50 All Tube Guitar Amp Combo w/Reverb, 50 Watt. thats what I have

heyull naw.

get a marshall JCM2000 or an orange rockerverb. pop-punk has a pretty specific tone and theres not much outside of marshall and orange that really fits it as well.

[miketrondson]

Well, to be honest.. There is no specific "pop-punk" tone. I know bands who use 5150's and ltd's for a pop-punk tone. I also know bands who use a really low gain amp.

Your one best bet, spend some time at a music store and try one out that you like. Everyone has different tastes.

[theguy77]

Well, to be honest.. There is no specific "pop-punk" tone. I know bands who use 5150's and ltd's for a pop-punk tone. I also know bands who use a really low gain amp.

Your one best bet, spend some time at a music store and try one out that you like. Everyone has different tastes.

this is the real truth. but based on my own preferences it couldnt get any worse than using a peavey amp for pop-punk haha, ive tried it a few times cause i played little mini shows using this guy i know's amp and there just isnt a setting on it that sounds right. the only america-made 6L6 power tube amp company that works well to me is mesa boogie. you tend to need a real british tone -- marshall, orange, vox, etc.

[patrickhowell]

this is the real truth. but based on my own preferences it couldnt get any worse than using a peavey amp for pop-punk haha, ive tried it a few times cause i played little mini shows using this guy i know's amp and there just isnt a setting on it that sounds right. the only america-made 6L6 power tube amp company that works well to me is mesa boogie. you tend to need a real british tone -- marshall, orange, vox, etc.

Peavey 5150 or Ultra would work fine for pop-punk.

[mattcore]

ditto on the ultra, having three channels gives you a little more versatility. also 5150 or a jcm800 with a decent tubescreamer/OD pedal in front of it. it really depends what style of pop-punk you're going for, but really those amps will do most things.

[alex.parent]

Well, to be honest.. There is no specific "pop-punk" tone. I know bands who use 5150's and ltd's for a pop-punk tone. I also know bands who use a really low gain amp.

Your one best bet, spend some time at a music store and try one out that you like. Everyone has different tastes.

I agree, just play a bunch of amps and find what you like. Also, quite a few pop punk bands use Mesas. I know Tom Delonge and MXPX use them for sure

[tomatl]

Mesa Stiletto Ace.

[WishYouAway]

I agree, just play a bunch of amps and find what you like. Also, quite a few pop punk bands use Mesas. I know Tom Delonge and MXPX use them for sure

Before or after he decided he was an astronaut?

[miketrondson]

Before or after he decided he was an astronaut?

Ha, awesome.

[alex.parent]

Not sure, but I think he's played them for quite a while

[patrickhowell]

Before or after he decided he was an astronaut?

He used a triple rectifier and a jcm 900 for blink.

[theguy77]

anyone know what brand new used for rhythm guitar on your favorite weapon? cause its like the best rhythm guitar tone ever haha. very distinctive for the genre, it has a much heavier and more crunch-voiced tone than the typical pop-punk band would use.

[TheSkyline]

Before or after he decided he was an astronaut?

Not sure, but I think he's played them for quite a while

Wow.

[The Boathouse]

I just fucking played one of the original issue Peavey 5150 heads. Fuck THAT, ladies and gentleman, I can't even tell you how liquified my face got.

[craigboliver]

a vox ac30 combo, get a road case, you'll save money from buying a shitty mesa or the other ones listed above and you'll actually sound good

[The Boathouse]

The combo's hell on tubes, though. I <3 ac30's, but I'd say to go for the halfstack version. Easier on the tubes.

[patrickhowell]

The combo's hell on tubes, though. I <3 ac30's, but I'd say to go for the halfstack version. Easier on the tubes.

That's true

[alex.parent]

a vox ac30 combo, get a road case, you'll save money from buying a shitty mesa or the other ones listed above and you'll actually sound good

why so much hate on mesas?

[lonesomexloveus]

i'd say go with a carvin.

[Jesse!]

I think there is the question of budget, as well... but assuming unlimited budget

The AC30 is definitely a gorgeous sounding amp but the combo is a heavy mother..

Orange Amps are beautiful sounding and I think might be a really nice way to go for the music you'll be playing..

Marshall has a history with distortion, should definitely play a few..

I own the Fender Blues Jr. (was suggested earlier). It's a great amp for the price (when I bought it years ago it was $350 new), but there are definitely way better sounding amps out there. The Blues Jr. would work for what you do because it has very little head room and will break up quickly... so if you're on a tight budget it's not a bad way to go.

I have heard people that rave about Mesa's but I've never played one I liked personally =/

[The Boathouse]

You can increase the headroom on a Blues Jr. by doing a few mods. Even just trading out your tubes helps a lot. Naturally, those amps are biased too hot out of the factory and cook the tubes. Either get it fixed or fix it yourself, and perhaps do the cool bias mod to set it yourself where you want it to be, then change out your tubes for either some JJ/Tesla or Mullard tubes, throw in the mid-cut mod, and you're set like a jet. Fucking sounds SWEET!

[Prestonxsmith]

heyull naw.

get a marshall JCM2000 or an orange rockerverb. pop-punk has a pretty specific tone and theres not much outside of marshall and orange that really fits it as well.
That would have to be the most expensive thing ever.

[theguy77]

That would have to be the most expensive thing ever.

oh not even close hahaha

[OveriseFan]

That would have to be the most expensive thing ever.

Not quite. Hah. It's expensive, but not even CLOSE to the "most expensive" amps. Not even close.

[Prestonxsmith]

Not quite. Hah. It's expensive, but not even CLOSE to the "most expensive" amps. Not even close.
I know it isnt, but it is for me. I got a Fender DeVille 410, sounds great with my Gretsch Hollowbody Electromatic. Put it through a Hush pedal that doesnt bite on my tone. Sounds great.

[OveriseFan]

I know it isnt, but it is for me. I got a Fender DeVille 410, sounds great with my Gretsch Hollowbody Electromatic. Put it through a Hush pedal that doesnt bite on my tone. Sounds great.

Hah, I have a similar set-up, don't worry. I know what that amp-line is like (I use a Deluxe though) and they are good deals for the money, with an OD pedal.

However, there's a reason those amps are $2000. And there's a reason some amps are $10000. Hah.

[theguy77]

ive recorded all the music to my album this past five days and we used a JCM900 in the studio for distorted guitars, and a mesa triple rectifier for cleans. i really disliked the mesa's distortion for the genre though.

[Prestonxsmith]

Hah, I have a similar set-up, don't worry. I know what that amp-line is like (I use a Deluxe though) and they are good deals for the money, with an OD pedal.

However, there's a reason those amps are $2000. And there's a reason some amps are $10000. Hah.
I got a great deal with mine. I got it for 375 with new tubes in it. Distortion breaks up beautifuly.

but yeah, I understand the expensive side of them.

[patrickhowell]

ive recorded all the music to my album this past five days and we used a JCM900 in the studio for distorted guitars, and a mesa triple rectifier for cleans. i really disliked the mesa's distortion for the genre though.

Really? I never enjoyed Mesa cleans, or the triple rectifier in general...

[theguy77]

Really? I never enjoyed Mesa cleans, or the triple rectifier in general...

yeah, i mean the cleans didnt matter so much, as long as they have a smooth rich tube tone. i could have even used my AVT for the cleans since the clean channel would mostly be driven by that tube preamp. it's pop-punk, so the cleans dont have to be very expressive at all really, its not like i needed a fender.

[OveriseFan]

yeah, i mean the cleans didnt matter so much, as long as they have a smooth rich tube tone. i could have even used my AVT for the cleans since the clean channel would mostly be driven by that tube preamp. it's pop-punk, so the cleans dont have to be very expressive at all really, its not like i needed a fender.

You're in the studio, man. Get the best tone you can. Hah. Don't cave in when someone tells you that they don't like it. Hopefully you did like the tone, otherwise I'm disappointed in you.

[theguy77]

You're in the studio, man. Get the best tone you can. Hah. Don't cave in when someone tells you that they don't like it. Hopefully you did like the tone, otherwise I'm disappointed in you.

oh of course i liked it, i recorded something and he switched between the tones without telling me which was which and i picked them.

i also must note that my AVT head could actually hold its own against tube amps, i had them compared side by side and it really sounded like the voice of the JCM900 just coming through a radio with a little less warmth and definition, but not by as much as you would think. the breakup sounded natural and the amp could make for a professional record in the mix. i figured out that the trick is the volume control -- it sounds good when the volume is between four and five, any more or less and it sounds like fake shit. i have no idea what the issue is there.

[OveriseFan]

oh of course i liked it, i recorded something and he switched between the tones without telling me which was which and i picked them.

i also must note that my AVT head could actually hold its own against tube amps, i had them compared side by side and it really sounded like the voice of the JCM900 just coming through a radio with a little less warmth and definition, but not by as much as you would think. the breakup sounded natural and the amp could make for a professional record in the mix. i figured out that the trick is the volume control -- it sounds good when the volume is between four and five, any more or less and it sounds like fake shit. i have no idea what the issue is there.

I don't know why you always need to defend your AVT. If you like the tone you get from the amp - that's all that matters. Most listeners at shows won't give a shit - and who cares what the pretentious dick musicians think? I mean, honestly, only your ears can be the judge for your music. Right? Don't feel the need to defend yourself against the kids who says you're "wrong". You can't be "wrong" about the tone you get - it's all opinion.

[theguy77]

I don't know why you always need to defend your AVT. If you like the tone you get from the amp - that's all that matters. Most listeners at shows won't give a shit - and who cares what the pretentious dick musicians think? I mean, honestly, only your ears can be the judge for your music. Right? Don't feel the need to defend yourself against the kids who says you're "wrong". You can't be "wrong" about the tone you get - it's all opinion.

well i just feel better that my opinion wasnt misguided, that it was legit and that i still feel the same way when it's compared side by side with tube amps through a microphone. i was hoping it didnt just sound good to me beacuse i dont actually own any tube amps.

[joejoejoe]

you might wanna look into some line six stuff man,
they're stuffs pretty amazing.
shit guitars, but amazing amps.

[The Boathouse]

Ha. I thought that was a joke post for a second, but I guess you were serious.

[joejoejoe]

well, I think line six is amazing.
if you dont, well, it's your opinion.
people were shouting.

[theguy77]

what other amps have you tried? an opinion isnt justified without having at least exposed yourself to other favored options.

[joejoejoe]

marshall, a few other smaller brans.
but i like the layout of it all.

[ArmoredSleep]

I have a Peavey classic 50 right now and I can't get a good tone out of it. A blink/all time lowish tone.


If anyone wants to help me accomplish that I would be very grateful :D

I'm stuck with that until I can make up some money for a new amp.

[patrickhowell]

I have a Peavey classic 50 right now and I can't get a good tone out of it. A blink/all time lowish tone.


If anyone wants to help me accomplish that I would be very grateful :D

I'm stuck with that until I can make up some money for a new amp.

Which one do you have? 410 Combo? 212 Combo? Head and cab?

And are you still using the stock tubes?

[ArmoredSleep]

212 combo stock tubes.

[patrickhowell]

212 combo stock tubes.

Awesome, I'm looking at the schematic now...

[ArmoredSleep]

It's a great amp, I love it, but it just doesn't work for my band's material.

[patrickhowell]

It's a great amp, I love it, but it just doesn't work for my band's material.

Do you have any specific problems with the way the amps sounds ?

This is what I would try, and go from there:

Normal input, Lead channel.

Pre: 9
Post: 4
Reverb: 2
Bass: 8
Mid: 6
Treble: 7
Volume: Loud
Presence: 7

If you have some money, upgrading the tubes can help your tone out a lot. Preamp tubes are pretty cheap, like about $10 each. Your amp has three 12AX7 tubes. Two of them are for the preamp, and the third is the phase inverter.

New speakers would make a big difference too, but that's a lot to spend on an amp you don't want to keep.

[ArmoredSleep]

Do you have any specific problems with the way the amps sounds ?

This is what I would try, and go from there:

Normal input, Lead channel.

Pre: 9
Post: 4
Reverb: 2
Bass: 8
Mid: 6
Treble: 7
Volume: Loud
Presence: 7

If you have some money, upgrading the tubes can help your tone out a lot. Preamp tubes are pretty cheap, like about $10 each. Your amp has three 12AX7 tubes. Two of them are for the preamp, and the third is the phase inverter.

New speakers would make a big difference too, but that's a lot to spend on an amp you don't want to keep.

Thanks for the tips.

What would replacing the tubes do? What would I want to replace them with?

Well the amp only has one dirty channel and one eq setting. I really want 2 channels so I can have one with lighter distortion for octaves and a heavier setting for choruses and lead riffs.

I guess it just doesn't have enough punch?

I'm basically going for blink/All time low type sound.

[patrickhowell]

Thanks for the tips.

What would replacing the tubes do? What would I want to replace them with?

Well the amp only has one dirty channel and one eq setting. I really want 2 channels so I can have one with lighter distortion for octaves and a heavier setting for choruses and lead riffs.

I guess it just doesn't have enough punch?

I'm basically going for blink/All time low type sound.

What you should do is set the lead channel for the higher gain you want and then use a volume pedal to lower it down for less drive. That's really a better solution than channel switching anyways. Better tubes should give you more punch, more clarity, and more tube warmth. What you should get is three JJ brand 12AX7s (They'll be labeled with the British name, ECC83S). Replacing just the first two will make a huge difference for like $20. Replacing the third preamp tube and power tubes will help a lot too, but that will be more expensive. It would be about $70 to replace all the tubes in your amp.

[chrisstahl]

i love mesa boogie tremoverb 2x12 combos.