Jump to content

Gigging guitarists: what amp(s) do you use?


Locke

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 74
  • Created
  • Last Reply
  • Members

i played out for a couple of years with a fender blues deluxe reissue very happily.

 

some minor amp escallation issues had me upgrading to the blues deville reissue.

 

all in all i really liked using the deluxe alot more. dont know why exactly, the weight/size were about similar, just generally got a better sound out of the deluxe.

 

my current band is gettting ready to play around town, and im in the process of switching to an orig fender bassman head and 2-12 cab. seems like it will work fine, but may be overkill, as its not as convenient as the deluxe, and its wonderful, wonderful nuances are likely lost in the rather loud mix we use.

 

that blues deluxe was a very convenient package. loud enough, great sound. mike it if you need louder.

 

on a stage without sound support, the multiple speakers of the bassman would be more effective, as the delux has no cab out (an oversight that i believe they corrected on the hot rod delux).

 

-Max

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Originally posted by GCDEF

I use a Crate V3112. You may find one used for $400. Peavey Classic 30 or Delta Blues would work, as would the Traynor YCV combos or perhaps the Peavey Valve King.

 

A CRATE???? OMG!!!! :eek:

 

Seriously, some Crate amps are great! I've got a Tube-Driven 30 and a Tube-Driven 35 (the 1st has a 10" Celestion, the 2nd a 12") and either works great for my occ. electric guitar gigs (as a "hired gun")...The V3112 is an equally great amp...very nice over-driven tone, IMHO!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Originally posted by Locke

Okay, I read some revies of the Peavey Classic 30 and it seems like the amp I'm looking for. One question though: why 30 and not 50?

 

 

Better question: Why 50 and not 30? The PC30 is ear-bleeding loud when you crank it. if you need more volume than that, mic it. iMHO, the Peavey Classic 30 is the best value amp on the market. You can pick up an absolutely pristine one on ebay most any day for under $300; they've got great tone, especially clean; and have a solid reverb. Add a decent pedal board and you're set.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

i use a fender hotrod deluxe 40 watt tube. I actually had a sound guy tell me he was amazed at the volume it produces but new its a bit more than $400, if you can find one used you might get it for what you are looking to spend. As has been said in previous posts, if you need it louder than that you should be mic'in it anyway. As far as clarity? its a fender what more do i need to say?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Originally posted by sideswipedv

i use a fender hotrod deluxe 40 watt tube. I actually had a sound guy tell me he was amazed at the volume it produces but new its a bit more than $400, if you can find one used you might get it for what you are looking to spend. As has been said in previous posts, if you need it louder than that you should be mic'in it anyway. As far as clarity? its a fender what more do i need to say?

 

 

I use the HRDx as well. I rarely ever have it above 3.

 

I *wish* mine only cost $400. I had to spend $600, but I finally found "my amp".

 

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Originally posted by Preacher Will



Better question: Why 50 and not 30?

 

 

Just my fear of having to crank it so much that the clean tone breaks.

 

Hmm, it seems it'll either be the Peavey Classic or one of those Fenders posted above. I really like Fender amps but they tend to be costly around here (Finland).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Fender Concert II

Does it all.

 

If not loud enough on larger venues I just use the line out

straight into my keyboard rig (2 x 300watt) to get a bit more body.

 

(I do have a hotrod de luxe as backup which is loud enough also)

 

Fred

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Originally posted by Locke



Just my fear of having to crank it so much that the clean tone breaks.


Hmm, it seems it'll either be the Peavey Classic or one of those Fenders posted above. I really like Fender amps but they tend to be costly around here (Finland).

 

 

Check out a 30. I love mine. I mic it for all gigs so I only turn it up to about 2 or 3 but the thing will crank. Also, I believe you can add on a cabinet for it later on. I may add a 2x12 to it eventually.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I have a couple of `70s Peavey Classic combos. Both are 50-watt models, one in 4x10 and the other in 2x12; I run the 2x12 with an additional Peavey 212SX cab. The old Classics are single-channel amps with solidstate preamps (clean, but can get a gritty AC/DC sound) and dual 6L6s in the power amp. I run a distortion pedal since I'm playing metal and need the crunch.

 

If the current Peavey Classics come anywhere near the tone of the "oldies" then you would be getting a lot of amp for not much money. With the 212/212 setup, I can run the master volume at 3.5 and sound great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I use a Hughes & Kettber Anniversary Tube 20. I love this amp. I pretty much never use the Gain channel. The Clean channel has a wonderful vibrance and energy without needing any raunch. 20 watts is plenty for my gigging situations. We mic the amps in the larger places anyway so no setup adjustments were necessary. It has an almost totally enclosed back so it has a speaker response like a closed back cab.

 

I love compact amps.

 

editube20_mid.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I use a 45 watt peavey prowler tube amp which is plenty loud for small rooms. We played a fairly large church basement and unmic'd it was perfect

 

I played a jam on Saturday. A 75-100 seater. They supplied two, 40 watt traynor combos and we had to turn them down, again unmic'd.

 

A guy brought a 20 watt Mesa Boogie, it was plenty loud.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I use most often a '65 Fender Bandmaster that I converted from a head into a 3X10 combo. When I built the cabinest, I allowed room in the back for two rack-mount devices so I have a wireless receiver and a reverb mounted there. On the back, I also built in a send jack from the wireless and a return from my stomp boxes so setup/teardown is quick, consistent and easy. Plus, it's an awesome sounding amp that gets plenty loud if I need it.

 

I'm in the process of building a 2X12 version that is based on an old hand-wired Bogen industrial PA amp. I've tweaked it enough now that it is very cool sounding. I should have it ready for our November gigs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The best for the money. Crate amps.

 

I formerly played only Framus, VHT, Soldano, Mesa Boogie, Marshall and Bogner. Prestigious, expensive, and perfect for bedroom wankers seeking status amongst their peers.

 

However, I'm happy using any amp that works.....old Ampegs, Fenders, Sunns, Mitchells, anything reliable and capable of rendering my playing correctly...anything but PVs and Line6s.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I disagree the best amp for the $$ is Peavey. I have owned many crates and they were "crates" in comparison. Crate does have some decent sounding 15 w practice amps, but I still liked the Peaveys better, heck the cheap fender 15w sounded way better than any crate I tried.

 

Save your money and get a nice Peavey.

 

:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...