Help Me pick a New Amp!!

onejourney
onejourney Posts: 285
edited May 2008 in Musicians and Gearheads
Ok Guys, nothing too big, or too small. Looking for something to that can hold its own at a coffee shop, yet something that would sound good in a larger venue, mic'd or not. Here's what I've been looking at, let me know what you think, or if you have other suggestions. Thanks in advance!!!

Also, trying not to spend more than $500.


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-RFX120-Combo-Amp?sku=487824

or

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Marshall-MG250DFX-Stereo-Combo-Amp?sku=483104
"...just be glad you have the music and cherish it for yourself..." -stateoflove79
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • ianvomsaal
    ianvomsaal Suncoast, FL Posts: 1,224
    It really depends on the kind of music you're playing to know which amp will suit you best . . .
    REGARDLESS, Forget all those solid state amps - go with a tube amp (tube amps sound soooo much better)!
    Maybe take a look at the Fender Hot Rod Series and the Peavey Classic Series (also look at used amps).
    Many here like Traynor (I don't), but you're limited with $500 (if you could spend more you'd have more choices).
    You won't need any more than 30-watts with a tube amp (but you'll need at least 100-watts with solid state).
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  • mccreadyisgod
    mccreadyisgod Bumfuq, MT Posts: 6,395
    I agree, look for a used Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Peavey Delta Blues (2x10, preferably) or Peavey Classic 30.

    If you wanna buy new gear, look at the Crate V-series of tube amps.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • onejourney
    onejourney Posts: 285
    I really prefer the sound of tube amps over solid state, but they are much more expensive, and I've looked at Crates line of Tubes as well. So is a Crate Tube amp better performance wise than a regular Marshall? Thanks for the help! :)
    "...just be glad you have the music and cherish it for yourself..." -stateoflove79
  • Novawind
    Novawind Posts: 836
    Any tube amp is a step up from any solid-state one in my opinion. Marshall makes a low-end solid state line (the MG and AVT series I think) but because of the price difference, you'll know which ones are tube and which ones are solid state. A tube Marshall will run at least $1000 new for any model.

    I have a Traynor YCV40 and it works pretty well. Also check out a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (seems pretty popular) and the Peavy Classic 30. Pretty solid amp in my opinion. Even a Fender Blues Jr. has less wattage than a HRD and no built-in overdrive but it's compact yet can roar pretty loud at small venues. Any of those you pretty much can't go wrong.
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  • onejourney
    onejourney Posts: 285
    Yeah, I've played the Fender Deluxe quite a few times but my budget has gotten a little smaller. Maybe I'll wait a bit to make this purchase right. Although this seems to be a pretty good deal.


    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-V-Series-V33212-33W-2x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=487056X
    "...just be glad you have the music and cherish it for yourself..." -stateoflove79
  • ianvomsaal
    ianvomsaal Suncoast, FL Posts: 1,224
    onejourney wrote:
    Yeah, I've played the Fender Deluxe quite a few times but my budget has gotten a little smaller. Maybe I'll wait a bit to make this purchase right. Although this seems to be a pretty good deal.


    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crate-V-Series-V33212-33W-2x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=487056X
    Play one before you buy it (don't buy online until you play one in a store somewhere).
    It may be a good deal, but if you haven't played one you won't know what it really
    sounds like, or if it's really the amp for you (it may not sound like what you want).
    And make sure you bring your own guitar since you'll want to hear what your guitar
    sounds like through the amp - all guitars sound a little different (even similar models).
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  • jcmark611
    jcmark611 Posts: 93
    I'd recommend a used Blues Deville or Fender '59 Bassman. Mike played Bassmans only in 2006 and the Deville is just a modern Bassman. Sound great low or cranked!
  • lucylespian
    lucylespian Posts: 2,403
    Will $500 get you a used Mesa F30 ?

    Buy a tube amp, solid state blows.

    Did I say that ?? Oh, OK, must be true then.

    If you musty get a solid state, buy a Roland Cube 30X, the clen channel is tre clean and will take pedals very well.
    Music is not a competetion.
  • Pacomc79
    Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    I agree, look for a used Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Peavey Delta Blues (2x10, preferably) or Peavey Classic 30.

    If you wanna buy new gear, look at the Crate V-series of tube amps.


    THose crates are pretty nice for the money, they come with Tone Tubbies in them standard now. Oh how I love competition.


    Here's an F30 for under 500 at the moment. http://cgi.ebay.com/Mesa-Boogie-F30-Guitar-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ180243397647QQihZ008QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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  • xtremehardy388
    xtremehardy388 Posts: 2,759
    Marshall's are LOUD. It depends on our style too. That being said, the Hot Rod Deluxe has already gotten some love from members on this thread and I'm going to add to it. it's a sexy amp and can hold it's own anywhere.
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  • keeponrockin
    keeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    Traynor YCV40.
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  • westsidepie
    westsidepie Posts: 627
    Marshall's are LOUD. It depends on our style too. That being said, the Hot Rod Deluxe has already gotten some love from members on this thread and I'm going to add to it. it's a sexy amp and can hold it's own anywhere.

    As others have mentioned, I would go for a used Mesa, if you can swing it. The Fender Bassman reissues are nice. However, used I have seen them go for no less than $650.00. If you like to tinker and are good with a soldering iron, you could buy a silverface bassman and easily mod it to the '59 Bassman circuit. I have done this a few times, and it is really cheap to do. I also have a Hot Rod Deluxe, so I will spread the love for that amp. You can pick them up for around $300 used. Another benefit of the amp is there is a large community dedicated to modding the amp. You can really turn these amps into something special with some basic mods. Good luck.
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  • A used all tube peavey (classic series) or fender would be the way to go. Even a used Carvin 212 belair sounds good.
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  • Pacomc79
    Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    A used all tube peavey (classic series) or fender would be the way to go. Even a used Carvin 212 belair sounds good.


    didn't carvin make 4x10 cabinets at one point?
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • MichaelMcKevin
    MichaelMcKevin Posts: 1,161
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  • Pacomc79 wrote:
    didn't carvin make 4x10 cabinets at one point?


    Sure did in tweed to match the 50 watt tweed head. I just can't think of the speakers it was loaded with.

    2x10 cabinet is going to be a requirement for me in the near future (recording purposes of course). With a pair of alnico's
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  • ianvomsaal
    ianvomsaal Suncoast, FL Posts: 1,224
    Sure did in tweed to match the 50 watt tweed head. I just can't think of the speakers it was loaded with.
    Carvins own PS10 Speaker: https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=PS10
    This link doesn't seem to work??
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  • VINNY GOOMBA
    VINNY GOOMBA Posts: 1,825
    yo

    I just bought a Kustom Coupe '72 (72 watts). Great hand-made, 2x12 tube amp, kicks ass, has built-in effects, nice boost on both the clean and dirty channels, big time ballz on the dirty channel, and the clean sounds beautiful.

    That particular model is out of the $500 range, but I was able to hammer the guy I bought it from down to $850, and a guitar set-up ($1100 sticker price). Had to work him for a few months though, ha ha.

    They have a lifetime warranty too. It might be worth it to save a little and splurge on one of these bad boys. Not many people play them either. Check them out, I'm sure they have other models too, that could be more in your range.
  • ianvomsaal
    ianvomsaal Suncoast, FL Posts: 1,224
    yo
    I just bought a Kustom Coupe '72 (72 watts). Great hand-made, 2x12 tube amp, kicks ass, has built-in effects, nice boost on both the clean and dirty channels, big time ballz on the dirty channel, and the clean sounds beautiful.
    That particular model is out of the $500 range, but I was able to hammer the guy I bought it from down to $850, and a guitar set-up ($1100 sticker price). Had to work him for a few months though, ha ha.
    They have a lifetime warranty too. It might be worth it to save a little and splurge on one of these bad boys. Not many people play them either. Check them out, I'm sure they have other models too, that could be more in your range.
    Kustom makes aweful PA's.
    Their Defender (50W 1x12) Combo is $499, but sounds kinda shitty.
    Everything else Kustom makes below that $499 price is solid state:
    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/kustom-amplifiers-speakers-pa-systems-guitar-combo-amps?N=100001%2b338499%2b201218&Ns=P_Price%7c1&page=1
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  • ianvomsaal wrote:
    Carvins own PS10 Speaker: https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=PS10

    This link doesn't seem to work??

    Thats what goes in their bass cabinets. I honestly assume they were some form of celestion
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