Good Amps?

[xGlassxxOnionx]

I'm looking for a good amp, mainly because the past two I have bought turned out to suck.

Vacuum tube vs. solid state amp vs. hybrid?

Have you found that size matters?

Which amps do you use?

[alex.parent]

It really comes down to preference. Play a bunch of amps and find one you like.
Personally, I like tube amps the most, size definitely doesn't matter (unless you are going for strictly volume). I use a B-52 AT100. It sounds great for the price.

[Siren Silently]

Peavey Classic 30. 30 watt tube that has good cleans and a great drive channel. Not really suitable if you can't crank it though.

[shes.a.ghost]

It all depends on how much you can spend. For a cheap super good tube amp, I would go with a Fender Deville. If you can spend a bit more get a used Marshall 900 or 800 if you can find it. If you can spend a bit more get an Orange Rockerverb. If you can spend around the same price as that try to find a Matchless or a Badcat combo. There are plenty of good amps to buy as well as plenty of shitty ones. Save your money and make sure you don't get the latter.

[ClydeMcAllister]

It really comes down to preference. Play a bunch of amps and find one you like.
Personally, I like tube amps the most, size definitely doesn't matter (unless you are going for strictly volume). I use a B-52 AT100. It sounds great for the price.


The B-52 is awesome. Also, it can be run solid-state if I'm not mistaken, right?

[patrickhowell]

The B-52 is awesome. Also, it can be run solid-state if I'm not mistaken, right?

No, it has the choice of a solid-state or tube rectifier. That is a feature borrowed from the Mesa Dual/Triple Rec and it's not particularly useful. Solid-state rectifiers will almost always sound better.

[theguy77]

It all depends on how much you can spend. For a cheap super good tube amp, I would go with a Fender Deville. If you can spend a bit more get a used Marshall 900 or 800 if you can find it. If you can spend a bit more get an Orange Rockerverb. If you can spend around the same price as that try to find a Matchless or a Badcat combo. There are plenty of good amps to buy as well as plenty of shitty ones. Save your money and make sure you don't get the latter.

marshall JCM900 MK-III = teh pwn for distortion (in my opinion)

[alex.parent]

No, it has the choice of a solid-state or tube rectifier. That is a feature borrowed from the Mesa Dual/Triple Rec and it's not particularly useful. Solid-state rectifiers will almost always sound better.

I personally like the tube rectifier better. With that said, it is usefully when your rectifier tube blows :)

[tbirdted]

I use a Vox AC30. I used to play at Mesa Triple Rec, and I love the AC 30 so much more. The tone is much warmer and richer. Only downfall is its single channel, so you need to purchase a sweet little switch box to toggle between the inputs.

[theguy77]

yum, british distortion

[patrickhowell]

I use a Vox AC30. I used to play at Mesa Triple Rec, and I love the AC 30 so much more. The tone is much warmer and richer. Only downfall is its single channel, so you need to purchase a sweet little switch box to toggle between the inputs.

That's a 30w amp vs. a 150w amp. With the AC30 you're pushing the tube so much harder at the same volume, so of course it's going to sound richer and warmer...

[acor]

Go tube, if you don't you'll regret it down the road. I have a Mesa Boogie Rectoverb.

I would say size matters if you are having to carry the damn thing, I don't understand why people get head/cabs when they aren't touring in a band, other than aesthetic whats the point!

[OveriseFan]

Go tube, if you don't you'll regret it down the road. I have a Mesa Boogie Rectoverb.

I would say size matters if you are having to carry the damn thing, I don't understand why people get head/cabs when they aren't touring in a band, other than aesthetic whats the point!

Plenty of touring bands use combos... In fact, I find that most bands are touring with combos now.

Anyway - there's certain benefits to a head/cab and once you get into more expensive/larger combos - they're weighing a ton, too. As much as, if not more than the individual parts of a head/cab. The other thing, I have to say, is when I went into NY to record - I couldn't lug my combo up there - and the studio didn't have any amps, but they had cabinets (they were in the process of getting a couple repaired). If I had a head - it would have been simple to bring that and hook it up through their cabinet. Unfortunately, I had to bring a small practice amp that didn't sound that great.

[theguy77]

Plenty of touring bands use combos... In fact, I find that most bands are touring with combos now.

Anyway - there's certain benefits to a head/cab and once you get into more expensive/larger combos - they're weighing a ton, too. As much as, if not more than the individual parts of a head/cab. The other thing, I have to say, is when I went into NY to record - I couldn't lug my combo up there - and the studio didn't have any amps, but they had cabinets (they were in the process of getting a couple repaired). If I had a head - it would have been simple to bring that and hook it up through their cabinet. Unfortunately, I had to bring a small practice amp that didn't sound that great.

shit, thats unfortunate.

[acor]

Plenty of touring bands use combos... In fact, I find that most bands are touring with combos now.

Anyway - there's certain benefits to a head/cab and once you get into more expensive/larger combos - they're weighing a ton, too. As much as, if not more than the individual parts of a head/cab. The other thing, I have to say, is when I went into NY to record - I couldn't lug my combo up there - and the studio didn't have any amps, but they had cabinets (they were in the process of getting a couple repaired). If I had a head - it would have been simple to bring that and hook it up through their cabinet. Unfortunately, I had to bring a small practice amp that didn't sound that great.

I never said they didn't use combos...

I also never said there aren't benefits to head/cab...

First of all the quality is better because the head has an enclosed back unlike most combos, the speakers in cabs are usually a better quality too. I guess I didn't make my point clear enough. If you are just tooling around in your room I think a head/cab is just too much, its even too much for a lot of shows you do. Yet people still get them because they "look cooler" X-)

[OveriseFan]

Go tube, if you don't you'll regret it down the road. I have a Mesa Boogie Rectoverb.

I would say size matters if you are having to carry the damn thing, I don't understand why people get head/cabs when they aren't touring in a band, other than aesthetic whats the point!

I never said they didn't use combos...

I also never said there aren't benefits to head/cab...

First of all the quality is better because the head has an enclosed back unlike most combos, the speakers in cabs are usually a better quality too. I guess I didn't make my point clear enough. If you are just tooling around in your room I think a head/cab is just too much, its even too much for a lot of shows you do. Yet people still get them because they "look cooler" X-)

I don't know - I must have misunderstood.

However, I will disagree with you again on some of your points. I think it's unfair to say "enclosed backed heads" have better quality than open backed combos. Perhaps better "protected" - but you should be careful with your amp no matter what - it's that simple. Open back/closed back really doesn't matter much - and it's more to do with the sound coming out of the speakers when it's open back vs. closed back. There's benefits to both of those, too - which I'm sure I don't need to list for you.

The speakers in cabs are usually a better quality? You're making such ridiculous judgements that really don't make much sense. The Marshall MG cab sounds awful. And, in fact, many lower end cabs sound very bad, due to low quality components, and I'd take stock combo speakers any day. You can't make generalizations about things like that, really. Take it in a one-on-one comparison only.

Anyway, the main point is - I agree with you. You don't ever need a head/cab, really. The only time I'd probably do it is if the amp I wanted didn't come in combo form. Of course, if that's the case, I'd probably still get a small(er) cab (1x12 or 2x12) for convenience sake. Unless I had a big touring crew that would set up all my stuff for me - but then I have more than one amp, as well. ;-)

[thefollowthroug]

Just get a head/cab but pull out some speakers. Then you get the look with less sound.

[patrickhowell]

Just get a head/cab but pull out some speakers. Then you get the look with less sound.

Actually, a 4x12 with only 2 speakers will probably sound louder than all 4 speakers. If you measured it, it would be the exact same dB rating, but it will sound bigger.

[mylastflight]

just something simple that you like playing. even if you buy an expensive amp and dont know how to operate it, itll sound like shit anyways. You will build ears to quality of sound and youll find a right match as you try out more amps, guitars, fxs and different set ups.

[theguy77]

Actually, a 4x12 with only 2 speakers will probably sound louder than all 4 speakers. If you measured it, it would be the exact same dB rating, but it will sound bigger.

really?? how? are the waves more clumped together with four?

[Dre Okorley]

The best thing to do is to try out the amps for yourself. It takes awhile to find the right sound for you. I been playing guitar for 7 years, and I still havent hit the exact sounds I'm looking for. I'm almost there, though.

[patrickhowell]

really?? how? are the waves more clumped together with four?

It's called a Detuned Cab. When the speakers move forward, they push the air forward, and when they move backward they compress the air in the cab, forcing it out the open holes.

[Soundman86]

My personal opion is that combo amps are generally superior; although there are exceptions. First things first, Tube amps are the way to go when it comes to quality of sound. At low volumes it doesn't matter, thats why people have practice amps. But at High volumes you can really tell the difference. Tubes just sound much more alive and real. They convey emotion so much more and a persons individual style much more. Every little accent comes through truer. Half stacks are a pain in the ass. Nobody fees like lugging a 4x12 around from gig to gig. Also, Half stacks take up more room and when you are touring and gigging you need all the room you can get when transporting and on stage. Also, tubes amps sound the best when they are cranked and pushed. This is just the way tube technology is, there are no exceptions to this; its just the way it is. Most of us are not famous and are not playing stadiums. The gigs we play do not require rediculouse stage volumes. There are not many instances where you will get to crank or push your half stack. Hence, you never get an oppurtunity to make your amp sound the best it can. Also, if you are at a large gig there will most likely be a sound tech who will mic you amp. volume will not be an issue. Why not have your tone be the best it can be when you don't have to worry about volume. Plus 2x12s get plenty loud. trust me. Lets say you did crank your 4x12, your stage volume would be so rediculous that it would 1. drown out the other instruments and screw up everyones monitor mix 2. the sound man will not have as much control and you will screw up the house mix 3. you will destroy your hearing. 4. you won't hear any of the other instruments and play like crap. Bottom line; half stacks look cool. People who don't know any better will think its badass, thats it. I personally want my amp to sound the best it can at all times, not be a pain in the ass to transport, not have the sound man hate my guts, not screw up the rest of my band, not destroy my hearing. I'll take sounding badass over looking badass any day.

[splitsecond]

The Egnater Tourmaster series is far and away the best bang for your buck in a new amp.

[Soundman86]

I tried the engater and it is okay. Once again, an amp with lots of bells and whistles but makes it hard to get the tone you want. A lot of cool feattures but its overcomplicated. Its a very versatile amp but it doesn't master any sound on its own, it just copies other amps and sounds like bad versions of them. I would recommend it to someone who doesn't know who they are as a guitar player; hasn't quite figured out their style. Also, maybe if you were in a cover band.

[mylastflight]

I did not like egnater at all

[alex.parent]

My personal opion is that combo amps are generally superior; although there are exceptions. First things first, Tube amps are the way to go when it comes to quality of sound. At low volumes it doesn't matter, thats why people have practice amps. But at High volumes you can really tell the difference. Tubes just sound much more alive and real. They convey emotion so much more and a persons individual style much more. Every little accent comes through truer. Half stacks are a pain in the ass. Nobody fees like lugging a 4x12 around from gig to gig. Also, Half stacks take up more room and when you are touring and gigging you need all the room you can get when transporting and on stage. Also, tubes amps sound the best when they are cranked and pushed. This is just the way tube technology is, there are no exceptions to this; its just the way it is. Most of us are not famous and are not playing stadiums. The gigs we play do not require rediculouse stage volumes. There are not many instances where you will get to crank or push your half stack. Hence, you never get an oppurtunity to make your amp sound the best it can. Also, if you are at a large gig there will most likely be a sound tech who will mic you amp. volume will not be an issue. Why not have your tone be the best it can be when you don't have to worry about volume. Plus 2x12s get plenty loud. trust me. Lets say you did crank your 4x12, your stage volume would be so rediculous that it would 1. drown out the other instruments and screw up everyones monitor mix 2. the sound man will not have as much control and you will screw up the house mix 3. you will destroy your hearing. 4. you won't hear any of the other instruments and play like crap. Bottom line; half stacks look cool. People who don't know any better will think its badass, thats it. I personally want my amp to sound the best it can at all times, not be a pain in the ass to transport, not have the sound man hate my guts, not screw up the rest of my band, not destroy my hearing. I'll take sounding badass over looking badass any day.


A lot of quality amps don't come in combo form. Also, the cab makes a huge difference in tone. If you have a 2x12 combo, you don't have any control over that aspect. There are ways around stage volume issues (I've played shows where the sound guy had me turn my cab sideways so the volume on stage was still quiet and he could mix in my amp). Yes, touring with a half stack (and a huge rack for my head and rack gear) is a pain sometimes, but I don't think your points are valid in most circumstances. To go point, I already addressed your first point (turn the cab away from everyone). 2. You don't have to play an amp THAT loud to get really good tone. 3. Wear earplugs, no matter what volume your at. 4. practice.

I'm not against combos, I am just saying half stacks aren't as bad as you make them seem.

[mylastflight]

List of good amps:
5105 III (for heavier stuff)
Bad Cat Hot Cat 30r (heavier stuff)
Bogner Shiva (Heavier stuff)
Marshall Jcm800 NOT the reissue (flexible)
Bad Cat Black Cat 30r (clean)
Dr. Z Maz Sr (cleaner stuff)
Dr. Z Strang Ray (clearner stuff)
Dr. Z Route 66 (clean stuff)
Orange ad30 (flexible)
Framus Dragon (heavy stuff)
Vox ac30 (flexible) not my style of amp but i think its sounds good
Fender bassman 1965-70(clean)
Fender bandmaster 65-70
Fender twin rev. 65-70

and I havnt played it but I really want to try this amp
its called Red Iron Amp
I hear Trex but Red Iron amp is excellent
have anyone played it before?

[freshapricots]

just git yerself oneuh them daggum line 6 spiders mayne

that'll do ya gooooood

[thefollowthroug]

Actually, a 4x12 with only 2 speakers will probably sound louder than all 4 speakers. If you measured it, it would be the exact same dB rating, but it will sound bigger.

In my experience, this is not the case. The 4x12 sounds bigger.

[patrickhowell]

In my experience, this is not the case. The 4x12 sounds bigger.

You've tried it? A closed-back 4x12 cab with the bottom two speakers pulled out?