18 posts
...that sound great for low volumes.
No 4x12 stacks etc. please.
I need to get an amp for when I'm at my girlfriend's - I already got a guitar there but it's not really fun to play without some amplification. She has no computer or good speakers so to take my POD with me is out of the question, especially since I'm not too keen on playing through headphones.
Anyway, anything you know that sounds good. I'd love it to have some good FX included (just some Hall, Chorus and Digital Delay needed for me).
Modelling, tubes, solid state - anything's accepted as long as it sounds good, is not too big (1x12 at max, preferably smaller though) & not too expensive ($500 at max).
Emphasis on distorted lead wanking.
So far I tried a Roland Cube 30X and one of those new Vox VT30 amps.
The Vox sucked bigtime IMO, good cleans and semi-distorted tones, but leads sucked and were muddy on fast soling with the neck pickup.
Also, I think it has some of the crappiest FX I ever heard - I especially hated the analog delay.
The Roland was much better, but a little "boxy" sounding. FX were ok, highgain tones were good and not muddy on the neck pickup - but I'm still not really happy.
Anyone tried one of those Ibanez MiMX30's? Or the Peavey Vypyr? Or maybe one of those Fender G-Decs or Vibro Champs XD?
Fender Super Champ XD $299 retail. It sounds great it is small and it is cheap. http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=2331100000 It has preamp modeling but still uses one 12AX7 preamp tube and 2 EL84's. It has some effects plus you have to buy the foot switch extra. Download the manual from that page.
Any of those Peavey Transtube little amps sound awesome for bedroom levels. They come in 8, 10 or 12's....
cgtrox 8-)
I'm going to check out the Peavey Transtubes, thanks Chris.
About those Fender Champs - they come in two versions:
Vibro Champ - 5Watts (which is plenty) / A class
Super Champ - 15Watts / AB class
I don't understand that technical mumbo-jumbo. What exactly does that A vs AB class mean and does it have an influence on sound (particular the distortion character)? Would one be better suited at playing Malmsteen, Maiden, Purple etc. than the other?
I agree with Cgtrox. The Peavey Transtube range of amps really do sound good. I played one a while ago in the rehearsal rooms and it really is "tube-like" in both sound and feel. I will be getting the 112 sometime this year myself.
J-o-e-y says the one on the right is his bedroom amp! :D
http://www.nwdreamer.com/gif/largestamp.jpg[Edit: Pic too big - lol - made it a link. CB]
Schneidas — Feb 25, 2009 I don't understand that technical mumbo-jumbo. What exactly does that A vs AB class mean and does it have an influence on sound (particular the distortion character)? Would one be better suited at playing Malmsteen, Maiden, Purple etc. than the other?
It took me a while, but I finally found the really good description of each class that I had found the first time about a month ago. Here it is:
http://www.peavey.com/support/technotes/poweramps/classact.cfm
I second DBM. Fender Super Champ is a cool little amp.
I also second trying the Peavey Vipyr. They sound pretty good.
Think JCM800 type sound for Malmsteen.
Chris,
I haven't tried any of these amps, so listen to the others here. My comment is, don't get caught up in any "Class A" vs "Class AB" stuff. It is MOSTLY jargon, until you get into higher end amps where it's real. But for what you are looking for, just find what sounds good. The Super Champ XD gets a lot of good press here.
Of course, some amps (like mine) have a Class A - Class A/B switch so you can have the best of both worlds. :)
Thanks for the input so far.
Howie, yes I guess you're right. I'll probably go with the bigger one - I would have preferred 5 Watts of total power, to get the power amp tubes a little working, but an 8" speaker seems kinda toyish - so I'll go with the 15Watts probably...
The Vypyr seems pretty cool aswell!!!
Check out this vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pmSEPolZbw&feature=channel
Then again, it's a great backing track and the guy is a great player - so I guess anything would sound good with that...
Edit: Fucking great backing track! I love the "dance-beat" and the strong bass... great stuff
I enjoyed that clip so much I forgot it was supposed to be a demo of the Vypyr! The 47 guitars and (fake?) gold record plaque in the background are a nice touch. I'm sure Howie will drool over the guitar as usual too. ;)
I want backing tracks that sound like his! :D
Yeah, I've been listening to that clip all morning!
I think his guitars and record plaque are real - been to his website. Looks to be a German studio guitarist.
That backingtrack is killing me! I gotta find some dance tracks like that.
Kinda Madonna meets Satch...
This actually has me banging my head like a moron ;D
Damn! This guy plays some tasty guitar! :o
I'd love to take some lessons from him. :)
Here's a vid for the JSX:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvTuT93t4fE&feature=channelThe videos say he has a CD out, but his site is all in German so I couldn't understand a thing! :-/
Yeah, I saw these too.
Incredible guy.
I love the harmonic thing in the beginning of the JSX vid.
Didn't have a clue you could get harmonics this way - this opens up a whole new world ;)
I think he's a Peavey endorser...
I thought that as well (of course, my thought continued with - "not as if YOU will ever be able to do it!" LOL!).
I'm just going through all his videos and it seems he not only can play LOTS of styles well, but all of his productions have just the right extras (how he dresses, the fonts he uses, the guitars he uses, even his little hand motions!). Pretty polished player! :)
I'm sure Howie will drool over the guitar as usual too. Wink
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