Cool Jam

[Little Guitars]

I currently have a Mesa Boogie DC-5. I really love the amp and the sounds that I'm able to get with it, but it's too damn loud for my needs. I'm looking to sell it and get a modelling amp for versatility, home recording, and some live use with a PA. I'm interested in getting sounds similar to John Petrucci and George Lynch. So far I've researched the Johnson Marquis JM60, Tech 21 Trademark 60, and Rocktron Replitone 112. From the sound clips I heard on Tech 21's site, the Trademark doesn't seem to have enough balls and gain to achieve the sound I'm after. I haven't heard clips of the other 2, so I don't have any real idea of where to go on either one. I am sticking with the 1X12 configuration for size and cost limitations. Oh, I have owned the Yamaha DG112, and while that amp totally impressed me with it's clean and light distorted sounds, it didn not have enough gain. Thanks.

[SomeGuyNamedRob]

Probably not what you wanted to hear but...

Chances are if you're loving the Boogie sound, a modelling amp won't really do it for you. Especially in a 1x12 combo.

However, if you're willing to go with a rackmount + power amp setup, the Pod Pro does some nice Boogie MkII sounds, and the Sansamp PSA-1 gets downright sinister. Both are very versatile for recording.

The Engl 530 preamp is another very sweet sounding unit (I actually prefer its tone to Boogie amps). However, I would only go with it if you're serious about going with a rack setup.

If you're set on sticking with a 1x12 setup, and you love the tone of your amp, I'd invest in a THD Hot Plate or Marshall Powerbreak to bring the volume down to more ear friendly volumes.

Or, save your money and go whole hog with a Line 6 Vetta. Pricey, but it sounds very good in the hands of people who know how to dial in sounds.

[Little Guitars]

Originally posted by SomeGuyNamedRob
Chances are if you're loving the Boogie sound, a modelling amp won't really do it for you. Especially in a 1x12 combo.

However, if you're willing to go with a rackmount + power amp setup, the Pod Pro does some nice Boogie MkII sounds, and the Sansamp PSA-1 gets downright sinister. Both are very versatile for recording.

The Engl 530 preamp is another very sweet sounding unit (I actually prefer its tone to Boogie amps). However, I would only go with it if you're serious about going with a rack setup.

If you're set on sticking with a 1x12 setup, and you love the tone of your amp, I'd invest in a THD Hot Plate or Marshall Powerbreak to bring the volume down to more ear friendly volumes.

I can't spend any more than I'd get for the Mesa. I'm saving up for an engagement ring and that prohibits me from going "all out" and getting a killer tube setup with a powerbrake and whatnot. I'm mainly looking for a 112 combo for versatility. Also, I have played a Line 6 Spider and it got me close enough to a Mesa simulation that I was satisfied. It's just that the Line 6 did nothing for me in its overall sound. It sounded like it had a blanket over the speaker. It also lacked dynamics. The pros: It had bite and gain. I'm not looking for death metal-type gain. I'm looking for expressive, sustaining, punchy, biting gain. Yet, if the situation calls for Godsmack, I want the amp to deliver. The Tech 21 seemed to fall way short of this based on the soundclips I heard.

[myles loud]

hey littleguitars!
do you have the dc5 combo amp , or the head? tell me about it, i might be interested in a trade. i have the jm60 wich is 60 watts x 2 in stereo, it'a a combo amp with 1x12" and i have a johnson 1x12" ext. cab all in mint condition. thnx, myles loud

[Little Guitars]

Originally posted by myles loud
hey littleguitars!
do you have the dc5 combo amp , or the head? tell me about it, i might be interested in a trade. i have the jm60 wich is 60 watts x 2 in stereo, it'a a combo amp with 1x12" and i have a johnson 1x12" ext. cab all in mint condition. thnx, myles loud

I have the combo version. I bought it used about a year or so ago and I have hardly used it. SOunds great, but it too loud for my (currently) non-gigging applications. I have spare, unused, Groove Tubes preamp and poweramp tubes to go with it as well. What is your opinion of the Johnson? From the research I've done so far, that one looks like the winner. I wish it were midi compatible, but I guess you can't have it all.

[myles loud]

hi littleguitars,
the johnson sounds great, having the ext cab, you can spread out the stereo sound. i've only used it here in my studio, not out at a gig, but it's loud enough...like all solid state amps it has a high end thing , i can't really explain, but when you play a solid state you hear it way up the neck in the hi register.. if you program all your own sounds maybe you can get rid of it, i'm not sure if everyone hears it, different things bother different people. i also have a johnson j station, and a line6 pod, and the vox valvetronix 120...but them i also have a marshall, and an old ampeg, and several other tube amps. i think it's what ever works for you, and what ever you like. i've played guitars with no name brand on stage because i liked them, and i've played hi end guitars on stage for the same reason. if it feels good to you, that's what will matter...i don't know much about this boogie amp of yours either, i'm curious...since you already own it, and you like it, have you looked for an inexspensive attenuator, the hot plate might be too much $, but there are others...what guitar do you play thru the amp? where might i find a picture of this amp(the boogie)? myles loud

[Little Guitars]

Originally posted by myles loud
hi littleguitars,
the johnson sounds great, having the ext cab, you can spread out the stereo sound. i've only used it here in my studio, not out at a gig, but it's loud enough...like all solid state amps it has a high end thing , i can't really explain, but when you play a solid state you hear it way up the neck in the hi register.. if you program all your own sounds maybe you can get rid of it, i'm not sure if everyone hears it, different things bother different people. i also have a johnson j station, and a line6 pod, and the vox valvetronix 120...but them i also have a marshall, and an old ampeg, and several other tube amps. i think it's what ever works for you, and what ever you like. i've played guitars with no name brand on stage because i liked them, and i've played hi end guitars on stage for the same reason. if it feels good to you, that's what will matter...i don't know much about this boogie amp of yours either, i'm curious...since you already own it, and you like it, have you looked for an inexspensive attenuator, the hot plate might be too much $, but there are others...what guitar do you play thru the amp? where might i find a picture of this amp(the boogie)? myles loud

I've pretty much decided on selling a few more things and getting the Line 6 Flextone II. It seems to be what I'm looking for. I have played a Spider, which I didn't really like, and it didn't have that high end thing you said the Johnson has. Johnson is basically Digitech from what I understand and their stuff, in my experience, has always has that high end feel to it. Very piercing. The thing that I didn't like about the Spider was the tones sounded kind of muffled, like a blanket was thrown over the speaker. From what I've read so far, the Flextone II doesn't have this problem and has several more amp models and effects options. I would need to get the floor board as well, which seems stupid. Why can't they just offer midi? Anyway, here's what I have, only mine's white.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=919159844

[Stratfiend]

Vox Valvetronix AD120VT

[WGH]

If you change your mind and look at Johnsons again, search the MF website...they have the best prices by far. The JT-50 was a little over $250...the Marquis was around $399 the last time I checked. (Hope my memory serves right)

[TheMan]

Here's a thought: If you love the sound of the DC-5, I strongly suggest keeping it and getting yourself an attenuator of some stripe. A THD Hot Plate will set you back about $300, I believe. Weber makes some interesting attenuators for considerably less. Check the Weber site.

I have a Yamaha DG-80, and I like it a lot. I've also used PODs and find them very useful for what they are, but when I plug into a real tube amp, it's like a breath of fresh air. If you have a good amp that sounds right, think carefully before you part with it. FWIW.

[ZenFly]

RE: the Johnson JM60 can sound quite nice. I have had mine for about 3 years and gigged with it (no extra cab). I haven't noticed any "high end" thing, but I don't think the distortions are as smooth or real soundig as on my ZenTera.

However for the money, it is a very well made good sounding amp.

[snebarekim]

Hey Little Guitars,

I just bought a Johnson JM60 1-12 combo and have had a Mesa Mark I 1-12 combo for years now. I did the side by side with them and the overall Boogie distortion really cant be beat. There is just a certian quality to it I cant really explain, just the way it reacts to the guitar being played, and some of the overtones I guess. The reason I got the Johnson is becuase the prices dumped a while back, and figured it a good time, The Mark I is a real one trick single channel pony, and I wanted something more versatile. The Johnson does have a good Marshall tone on the "Hot Rod" setting that I like, and does some very nice clean sounds also. I personally dont care for the "Rectified" setting it has. Guess it depends on you, try to test drive a used one at a GC or something to get its vibe yourself.

[koiwoi]

I've used all of the "flagship" Line6 amps extensively and I really can't fault the AX2. It's my main amp.

Sure, it lacks some of the chewy tube goodness (of course), but I've never met anybody (except for gear snobs like us ) that can tell the difference. The key is to start from scratch and create your own sounds for your own guitars. The presets are trash.

I don't play the same kind of music as you, but here's something (1.3MB) that I did last night with it:

http://www.cyberjams5.com/data/TokaiTeleBlue.mp3

[ZenFly]

Originally posted by koiwoi
I've used all of the "flagship" Line6 amps extensively and I really can't fault the AX2. It's my main amp.

Sure, it lacks some of the chewy tube goodness (of course), but I've never met anybody (except for gear snobs like us ) that can tell the difference. The key is to start from scratch and create your own sounds for your own guitars. The presets are trash.

I don't play the same kind of music as you, but here's something (1.3MB) that I did last night with it:

http://www.cyberjams5.com/data/TokaiTeleBlue.mp3

That was very very nice playing indeed! Oh, and I liked the tone as well

DIGITAL RULES!

[koiwoi]

Originally posted by ZenFly


That was very very nice playing indeed! Oh, and I liked the tone as well

DIGITAL RULES!

Wow. Thanks man! Those skinny strings are real nice and easy to play.