Better amp for blues

[shotgunlew]

Hey guys Ive been finding myself playing alot more blues lately, I have a JCM 800 ( 1984 50watt 1x12 ) and a crate blue voodoo ( tube 60 watt 1x12 ) and I was wondering what amp would be better for blues and blues rock. Im asking so i can mod one amp to sound good for that and have a pedal to switch to the other for my rock/ metal/jazz or what ever else I want to play... Any ideas? Any mods I could preform ( different tubes, ect )

thanks
chris

[Led Zep Fan]

Nothing beats the Marshall+Les Paul sound for blues IMO.

[shotgunlew]

Well how could I mod it then ( its awful bright and the clean channel soundsvery tinny? any ideas?

chris

[Big_dawg]

Ive ordered a marshall 2266c for just this sound, but to be honest if I had the money I would have got the Mesa express 5:50, that really blew me away when I played it in the shop, but so far out of my price range i could cry...

If youre after the british blues sound there seem to be a lot of marshall bluesbreakers in the uk going cheap at the moment...

[Stowburst]

I would say Deluxe reverb, its perfect for blues!

[needlespauls]

Epiphone Blues Custom 30! Devoloped in Gibson Amp Labs, 2x12 Eminance Lady Luck's, Class A at 15watts, Class AB at 30 watts! Don't overlook this amp because of the name! This amp is unreal!!! I loved it when I messed around with one at the shop, and the average sale price is only $549!!! Check it out!
YouTube - Epiphone Blues Custom 30 Amplifier
Buy Epiphone Blues Custom 30 Watt 2x12 Combo Amp online at Musician's Friend

[shotgunlew]

Ill havev to check it out, the only thing im wondering is which of the 2 amps I already have would be better for blues, and how could i Mod them???

chris

Originally Posted by needlespauls

Epiphone Blues Custom 30! Devoloped in Gibson Amp Labs, 2x12 Eminance Lady Luck's, Class A at 15watts, Class AB at 30 watts! Don't overlook this amp because of the name! This amp is unreal!!! I loved it when I messed around with one at the shop, and the average sale price is only $549!!! Check it out!
YouTube - Epiphone Blues Custom 30 Amplifier
Buy Epiphone Blues Custom 30 Watt 2x12 Combo Amp online at Musician's Friend

[b-squared]

I'd go with the Marshall. It's an EL34 power tube, right? You could try KT66 or KT88s in there, and perhaps put a 12AU7 in the V1 position to cut the gain a bit. You'll need to re-bias the amp after any tube swapping.

If the amp is really bright, there's a bright-cap mod you can do to tame it a bit. It's a cap attached to the volume pot. I'd unhook one side rather than cut it--that way you can resolder it if you don't like the result. Remember high-voltage is in there...have a tech do it if you don't know what you're doing.

I'd use the gain channel, and dial it in as hot as you want--then use guitar volume to clean it up.

BB

[Blues Power]

for what your going to spend modding an amp just pick up a used HRD or Blues deluxe RI. you can find them all day long for like $400 in a store and even less privatly

a full retubbing and biasing prob run $200 these days and youll never know til its done if its going to sound right.

so for another $200 your done in the blues dept.

[b-squared]

Very good point.

I've heard good and bad about the RIs...I haven't done a taste test between it and the real deal, myself--I did play my R9 through one (the RI) at GC and thought it sounded pretty good, though.

BB

[waynesmith]

Originally Posted by Led Zep Fan

Nothing beats the Marshall+Les Paul sound for blues IMO.

+1....The Marshall(or a clone of) and a Les Paul is an outstanding pair for killer tone.

[Es Paul]

Deluxe reverb...

[drewbertca]

An old traynor bass mate combo with the 15" speaker....I love this thing pushed for blues...2 12ax7s and 2 el84s.....nice blusey amp.....

[Monster]

Use the Marshall. You can put a 12AT7 in the V1 position (like b-squared said, but I think a 12AU7 would be TOO clean). The mod that would REALLY get you there would be an alnico speaker. I'd suggest you try a Red Fang (or a Weber Blue Dog or Celestion Gold if you want to spend more).

[needlespauls]

Doh! Sorry man, I thought you were asking for suggestions on getting a new amp for blues. I kinda skimmed thru your thread and didnt realize you were asking between the two that you have. In that case I have no suggestions where I have no experience with the Crate BV(I do hear good things about them) and I have only used a JCM 800 that belongs to the studio we record at for a couple hard rock tracks.

[shotgunlew]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I think Im just gonna save for a amp for the blues, Maybe throw 2 alnico speaker in a 2x12 cab so i can make eather amp bluesy, what yall think?

chris

[shotgunlew]

Oh bro its no biggie I figure thats what was up

chris

Originally Posted by needlespauls

Doh! Sorry man, I thought you were asking for suggestions on getting a new amp for blues. I kinda skimmed thru your thread and didnt realize you were asking between the two that you have. In that case I have no suggestions where I have no experience with the Crate BV(I do hear good things about them) and I have only used a JCM 800 that belongs to the studio we record at for a couple hard rock tracks.

[Monster]

Seriously, your Marshall is fine for blues, unless you have a specific "blues" tone you're going for. If you HAVE to get another amp "just for blues" I'd probably consider a Fender Deluxe Reverb - that will contrast nicely with your current amps. It will have a bit of "sag" from the tube rectifier and a cleaner, more "biting" sound. If I was choosing one or the other rig for myself, I'd probably be playing the Marshall, setup as I described it, unless I was going for a very specific vibe.
The idea of a separate cab with Alnicos might work well.

[shotgunlew]

Well I like all kinda of blues... But to be honest my fav blues riffs are zakk wyldes off of the pride and glory album ( jcm800 ) But man im not zakk wylde, I dunno how he gets the tone, Ive got the emgs, Ive tried it with his signature axe ( stormin Normin ) His orignal pedal board set up but i cant quite get there, Now i know tone comes from the hands, but all the other tone i can get ( everything else zakk ) But im new to the blues ( only after i got hurt did i start playing the blues ) Would maybe getting a 4x12 with 2 alnico ( weber ) And 2 ev ( zakk wylde's signature set ) help???


chris

[toneguy86]

Originally Posted by shotgunlew

Hey guys Ive been finding myself playing alot more blues lately, I have a JCM 800 ( 1984 50watt 1x12 ) and a crate blue voodoo ( tube 60 watt 1x12 ) and I was wondering what amp would be better for blues and blues rock. Im asking so i can mod one amp to sound good for that and have a pedal to switch to the other for my rock/ metal/jazz or what ever else I want to play... Any ideas? Any mods I could preform ( different tubes, ect )

thanks
chris

Not sure what is going on. You should be able to easily get a decent British Blues sound from that amp. How is it EQ'd and what is your guitar electronics set up like?

Honestly though, all of us who are serious about this have been searching for THE perfect sound for what we do from day one. I can't tell you how many different amps I have owned over the years. Each one promised the holy grail in the store and then disappointed on some level when they got home. Funny thing about that How much do you have to spend and, when you say "blues" what kind of sound do you gravitate towards? That may help. Lots of amps and LOTS of different blues voices. I used vintage Fender and Music Man amps for years and loved what they did. It's a very, very different sound and feel though then a Marshall--even a Blues Breaker. I use a Mesa amp today and find that it sort of gives me the best of both worlds in some ways. It's what works today though.

Mark

[coldsteal2]

If you like the sound of the Bluesbreaker, you should check out
the Vintage Modern Combo

[ZoomZilla]

If you get a new amp, does that mean you will have Mo betta blues?

[Monster]

Harder to hit a target if you don't know what it looks like man.
Zakk Wylde plays "blues riffs", sure, but most wouldn't consider his tone, even at its bluesiest, an example of "blues tone". If you're going for tones that he gets, forget the alnico. Also keep in mind that a lot of the sounds you hear off the albums are partly the result of processing in the studio, and NO amp sounds exactly like what you're hearing on the album. I'd suggest play what you've got, listen to some real blues albums (try some Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, BB King, Johnny Winter, even Son House) and get an idea what the blues is all about, then decide how much of the "authentic" blues sound you have an interest in. If Zakk's sounds are the ones you covet, keep working on your chops, read up details on how he gets his sounds, and go for it, just remember if you ask for advice on how to get a "blues" tone, we're not gonna be on the same page at that point. Most real blues players were just happy to have something to play - most of the time the equipment was cheap crap.

[toneguy86]

Originally Posted by shotgunlew

Well I like all kinda of blues... But to be honest my fav blues riffs are zakk wyldes off of the pride and glory album ( jcm800 ) But man im not zakk wylde, I dunno how he gets the tone, Ive got the emgs, Ive tried it with his signature axe ( stormin Normin ) His orignal pedal board set up but i cant quite get there, Now i know tone comes from the hands, but all the other tone i can get ( everything else zakk ) But im new to the blues ( only after i got hurt did i start playing the blues ) Would maybe getting a 4x12 with 2 alnico ( weber ) And 2 ev ( zakk wylde's signature set ) help???


chris

Whoa! That actually a LOT different then I was envisioning. Zakk is...well Zakk, but a "blues man?" Not really. You could certainly and easily get into that sound territory with the Marshall and maybe EMGs would be the way to go. It wouldn't be a blues sound, but it would be heavy and Zakkish.

Mark

[shotgunlew]

LOL you guys need to check out zakk's pride and glory album, And as far as "real" blues go, I love the blues, ( my neighbors best man was muddy waters son, thats how I learned about the blues ) But my favorite guitar tone is zakks more " bluesey tones (pride and glory, check out loosin your mind, and horse called war ) I think its a great tone, but as far as blues goes, im Big on lighting hopkins, t-bone walker, srv, hendrix, steve morse, ,bb king, ect ect


chris

[mrkenny]

I read the MLF each morning, I'm always getting my guitar jones on. I've found that I'm out of sync with most of the players here. I'm 60 yeas old and when asked about the blues I tend to go back to the 50's and early 60's for my references. My musical foundation was laid back then, before the Beatles and the high octane guitar sound came 'round. Charlie Christian's, P13's, P90's, DeArmond's, and Fender single coils were mostly used. Seth Lover and Jim Marshall hadn't come along. If I seem a little out of date this is why.
My idea of the Blues sound comes from mostly the tweed era Fender amps, and single coil pickups.
If you into the early electric blues sound, any old Fender Tweed amp or clone works.

[ippon20]

I get a great sound out of my Marshall VM combo. It is very dependent on the guitar your using as well. Almost fenderish cleans (minus the reverb) and a nice bluesbreaker break up as well. Throw a strat on the shoulder in low dynamic range with your detail and body crankin and you are in SRV heaven. Switch to your LP's neck pickup, dial down the volume and before you know it your clean as a whistle. Turn volume halfway and you got your bluesbreaker, all the way...time to watch out.

[Tone Hunter 81]

JTM 45
Deluxe Reverb
Tweed Pro!

[toneguy86]

Originally Posted by shotgunlew

LOL you guys need to check out zakk's pride and glory album, And as far as "real" blues go, I love the blues, ( my neighbors best man was muddy waters son, thats how I learned about the blues ) But my favorite guitar tone is zakks more " bluesey tones (pride and glory, check out loosin your mind, and horse called war ) I think its a great tone, but as far as blues goes, im Big on lighting hopkins, t-bone walker, srv, hendrix, steve morse, ,bb king, ect ect


chris

That's a wide range of sounds. Someone else mentioned the vintage modern. That might work. I also think a lot of my Mesa Lonestar. I set the clean channel on an edge of dirt tone that gets me in the zone of a cranked Fender Super Reverb or at least in the ball park. The gain channel takes me up a notch into Gary Moore, Slash, ZZ Top territory. I can vary the amount of gain using my volume controls and the solo boost. It works great. you could probably find a used one for around $1500 or so. Oh...and you can use either 6L6s or EL34s for versatility. Check it out.

Mark

[drewbertca]

Even your JCM 800 would work......maybe swap out the 2 pre-amp 12ax7s to lower gain tubes, leave the phase inverter a 12ax7 and use pedals if you need more oomph at times......

The JCM 800 is one of my favorite Marshall amps. But this was for punk not blues......but I could get blusey tones from it.....it may mean riding the preamp gain and master controls to get the tones your after.......

for a modest investment get an A/B/Y box and use both amps.....set one up for clean and one up dirty and use both at once for added depth.....


I A/B/Y my Peavey windsor with a Traynor YCV40 and it's awesome.