amp help

**rage941** · 10-06-2006, 11:43 PM

what do you think is the best cabinet and head combo for around $500?

**rjs1** · 10-07-2006, 12:26 AM

That aint much to work with ! For that range I'd be looking for a nice tube combo

**rage941** · 10-07-2006, 12:32 AM

i know =(...what about this
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ead?sku=483716
and this
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...net?sku=601726

if not what would be a good tube combo for around 500

**RockStringBender** · 10-07-2006, 12:49 AM

Rage- detail your type of music played and available stomp boxes and/or effects processors. If you go Fender you are on a trail that is a distictive sound and kind of locks you into that sound unless you process your signal. Same if you go with other brands that have a distictive sound. There are modeling amps out there that let you chose a broad variety of sounds but some consider each of those sounds a slight compromise from the traditional. Problem is who has the $$ to have a Marshall, a Fender, a Crate, a Randell, an Ampeg, a Peavy, a VOX, a Hughes & Kettuer, etc?

**rage941** · 10-07-2006, 05:30 PM

right now all i have is a distortion pedal and im working on getting a cry baby

**rjs1** · 10-07-2006, 07:56 PM

Dude... what style of music do you play, or plan on ? You subtle hints might get you more help

**rage941** · 10-07-2006, 08:59 PM

well..its hard to say i dont really play one style

metal..punk..alternative..clasic rock..rap/rock stuff like rage against the machine...pretty much everything except classical or something like that

**rjs1** · 10-07-2006, 09:44 PM

Maybe check out some of the line 6 stuff. Lotsa of modelling amps there!

**RockStringBender** · 10-07-2006, 10:41 PM

Line 6 and Behringer were what I was thinking for a broad range of tones. I played a Behringer V-Tone combo amp ( built-in speakers) and was impressed.

they have a head and cabinet modeler also but never played it
http://www.behringer.com/V-AMPIRE-PO...x.cfm?lang=ENG

**rage941** · 10-08-2006, 01:03 PM

thanks im going to sam ash in a few minutes ill try them out....what do you think of peavey?

**gtrplr71** · 10-17-2006, 02:55 PM

you should check out the behinger v-amp stuff 32 models 16 effects all the way from fender to marshall
to mesa old and new. I love mine.

**mmmtacos** · 10-18-2006, 03:30 AM

If you've got a computer I'd suggest a Guitar Rig 2. You would still need an amp tho, but the GR2 emulates all the best amps and doesn't sound digital.

**rage941** · 10-19-2006, 01:41 PM

so with one of those i can get any amp sound and any effect?

**jovanid** · 10-20-2006, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by RockStringBender

Rage- detail your type of music played and available stomp boxes and/or effects processors. If you go Fender you are on a trail that is a distictive sound and kind of locks you into that sound unless you process your signal. Same if you go with other brands that have a distictive sound. There are modeling amps out there that let you chose a broad variety of sounds but some consider each of those sounds a slight compromise from the traditional. Problem is who has the $$ to have a Marshall, a Fender, a Crate, a Randell, an Ampeg, a Peavy, a VOX, a Hughes & Kettuer, etc?

Im right on with RockStringBender..
If you want to keep the amp and not just need to chuck it some day ...go try some low watt combo tube amps.

recoginzing amps charactiristics is a life long journey..
but a place to start would be to try some different tube combinations..

go try a tube amp with EL34s, EL84, 6L6 etc...

you will find out why off the shelf stuff is known for its sound.
Like
"the Marshall Sound"
'the Fender sound"
" the mesa boogie sound"
" classic Vox"
etc..

I think $500 is plenty for a combo amp...

if you buy fender you will "never" get a Marshall sound I guarantee you. and vice versa

kellcats521 · 10-20-2006, 01:16 PM

Not to be a smart a$$

, but the original Marshall JTM amps were nothing more than a pirated Fender Bassman design where they used trannies (with the corresponding voltages) and tubes that were readily available in England vs the US. The 'Marshall' tone was more a result of running a higher voltage and different power amp tubes (KT-66) than what was typically used in Fenders.
And, there were some ultralinear Fenders made in the early/mid 80's when Ed Jahns and Paul Rivera worked together that are very Marshall-like in tone, even though they use the Fender standard 6L6 power amp tubes; and today, modern Rivera, Soldano, and other amps do a pretty good job of re-creating the vintage Marshall tone without using those vintage Marshall (or Bassman) components.

I do TOTALLY agree with this:

go try a tube amp with EL34s, EL84, 6L6 [PK adds solid state] etc...

you will find out why off the shelf stuff is known for its sound.
Like
"the Marshall Sound"
'the Fender sound"
" the mesa boogie sound"
" classic Vox"
etc..

Find out WHAT you like by playing as many amps as you can; or, although not nearly as effective, by finding out what guitarists' play through that you like. Remember that your amp/speaker is only a few links in the signal processing chain - they're important links, but still only a PART of the deal. Effects, pickups, the size/acoustics of the room you play in, technique, and more are also links in the signal chain, and tone/signal chain that I like may not come close to hitting your 'hot' button.

Good luck.

**gtrplr71** · 10-20-2006, 01:52 PM

I have a behringer vampire lx-112 one of the finest amps I own Rockstringbender is correct. you wont be dissapointed.

**rage941** · 10-20-2006, 06:03 PM

thanks, i checked outthe V-TONE and it had bad reviews by everyone...i might go with the line 6 spider

**jovanid** · 10-20-2006, 07:32 PM

IMO if you pick a good tube head or tube combo for the 500$ you will always find a place for it in your setup as you evolve as a player..

I lost a couple amps over the years I wish I had left collecting dust..

**rage941** · 10-20-2006, 08:48 PM

how about this?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Amp?sku=482623

is it versatile? or is it for one style?

ive narrowed it down to that and this
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...mbo?sku=482246

**rjs1** · 10-20-2006, 08:55 PM

Personally.... I'd buy the line 6. My son has the 30 watt 1 x 12 version

He loves it

**RockStringBender** · 10-20-2006, 09:36 PM

I'd take the spider over the VOX also

**jovanid** · 10-20-2006, 10:20 PM

people like those line 6. but how do they feed back when they are cranked...

thats why tube amps rock dude!!!

Maybe Im old school but I like my effects on the floor/ or seperate.. and my power tubes pushed

Just remember, i dont know what kind of music you like, but if your playin hard rock you really only need 1 or two amp sounds not 11 or 50..

**RockStringBender** · 10-20-2006, 11:17 PM

Since I stopped livin' in a van and chasin' a pipe dream I've (evolved is not the right word

) shifted over to rackmount processors and either route right into the board for recording or PA broadcast or now and again I run them through a rack amp and pump a cabinet.

Let me say, it is not better than my double stack, but when I fried the head 12 years ago, there was no reason for me to replace it.

The 1st thing that lead me away from the stomp boxes and stack was the reliable processed (not a bad thing IMO) and fully PRODUCED sound that was available by just plugging in. It's great to get some tubes pumping and to experiment with the effects but to get anyones released, platinum selling sound at the turn of a dial was just too much like drawing a moth (me) to a flame (in my case an ART SGX 2000, and then upgraded to the Express way back).

My heart is where you're coming from though: my most satisfying times are plugging into a Marshall VS65R and just playing. I like the gain way up and it kinda remins me of the plexi I blew up after it's been cranked for an hour or so....

When I lived in Dallas-Ft Worth in 91-92 there was a blues club I used to go to and I just brought a little Marshall combo in on Wednesday nights and plugged straight into it and jammed with the band or the boys that showed up that night. Never missed my processors/pedals on those occassions.

**RockStringBender** · 10-20-2006, 11:20 PM

Oh, missed one reply comment. The SGX, when cranked, even without open speakers in the studio, will feedback just like a stack at gain. It's counter-intuitive to try to reason that out and understand it, but it does. If you are running it like a preamp and cranking a hundred watts into a cabinet you can walk up to it (cab) and squeal it just like a stack.

kellcats521 · 10-20-2006, 11:45 PM

I'll give a +1 on the SGX 2000 Express/power amp rack setup.....

I used this for a very long time as my only amp (with the X-15 foot controller).

Now, it creates a 'wet' signal (via a line out on my attenuator) to complement the Marshall base tone, where I can choose the effects and volume to mix it with the dry marshall head/greenback cab signal.

An SGX 2000 Express is a GREAT amp for someone wanting about every variation of guitar tone ever imagined (over 600 presets and total midi control), packaged in a truly road-worthy unit. Add a 50/60W stereo power amp and 2 little cabs, and you'll have a sweet setup (assuming you have a LOT of time to learn how the SGX presets work and sound - there's a boatload of options in there). They pop up on ebay for ~$200 - you might be able to get a small power amp and a 2x12 cab with an SGX for close to your $500 budget.

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