Half Stack Advice + Questionaire

[Kalz]

How much would you like to spend? 700-1k

What's the absolutely most you will spend? 1k

How many years have you played guitar? approx. 3 years

Do you seek tone quality or versatility? tone quality

What is your primary guitar (include pup type and configuration) 2006 Gibson Lp Standard, everything stock

What style(s) of music do you primarily play? indie

What one guitarist do you wish to emulate? Page

Do you prefer to plug straight in, or will you be using effects? effects

What will be the primary use of the amp? Playing at Church and some small gigs around town ( approx 200-300 people for both )

Do you prefer a combo or head/cabinet (and why) Head + cabinet, time for a switch and something that i know will last me longer without more needs over the years to want more amps

What amplifier(s) do you have/had and why do you want a change? I use a VoX VT 30 at home for practice and Carvin MTS 3200 50th ani as my main tube amp. Im giving my tube amp to my dad.

Please list five amps (minimum) that you have researched (if you can't do this, you're not serious)

Orange Tiny Terror + Ppc 112
Vox Night Train NT15 + Vox V112NT
Egnater Tweaker half stack
Egnater Rebel 30 half stack
Marhsall Haze + Mhz 112
BlackStar Club 50

The dilema:

I've nailed it down to the top 3 that im looking at and its the Orange tiny terror, Vox night Train and Egnater Rebel.

I need my fellow MLP members to help me out on which to chose Also your other choices/thoughts on amps not listed above are appreciated

[joshatatlasstands]

good luck, I prefer the combo now after a couple decades with a half stack. Orange is a sweet amp.

[capt_goodvibes]

Badcat

[Kalz]

Originally Posted by capt_goodvibes

Badcat

they have half stacks under 1k?

[arthurkandziora]

B52 combo

[Rhust]

I toyed with a tweaker over the weekend, and really dug it. the Night train is also one of my favs,

I want to like the tiny terror... and I would if it had a 3 band EQ... I like the sound, but it needs "something"... maybe I just feel like for the $ there's more versatile amps out there... the Jim root version adds the 3 band EQ, but it's much more $$

you use the VT30 at home... what settings do you use? are you trying to emulate 1-2 of those in this new amp? just seems obvious that if you always use a marshall model, or a vox model, etc, then maybe you really want the real version of that model

[wrc73]

Check out Phaez and Ceriatone.

[CHUNKYNECK]

I bought my Orange Th30 head and marshall 1960a cab for $1100. Both used but you couldn't tell. Just something else to consider looking at, it seems to fit what you are after. The twin channels and effects loop come in handy.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

buy that amp from the beginning of back to the future.

[GrouchyDog]

Originally Posted by TOMMYTHUNDERS

buy that amp from the beginning of back to the future.

Nah, completely worthless - it had a 20-tube rectifier and the sag still wasn't there.

On your list, I'd probably go with the Egnater.

[Kalz]

Originally Posted by CHUNKYNECK

I bought my Orange Th30 head and marshall 1960a cab for $1100. Both used but you couldn't tell. Just something else to consider looking at, it seems to fit what you are after. The twin channels and effects loop come in handy.

how did you find those so cheap?? lol

[Kalz]

Originally Posted by Rhust

you use the VT30 at home... what settings do you use? are you trying to emulate 1-2 of those in this new amp? just seems obvious that if you always use a marshall model, or a vox model, etc, then maybe you really want the real version of that model

I usually use the boutique setting or the tweed settings on the amp. I don't really use the gain settings unless my pedals are not near by and just want a lil grit for some songs i try out

[chef]

Originally Posted by Kalz

I usually use the boutique setting or the tweed settings on the amp. I don't really use the gain settings unless my pedals are not near by and just want a lil grit for some songs i try out

You may quite like the Rebel 30, I have been enjoying mine. Other than the first one having an overheating problem (exchanged it) it has been great.

If you are considering the tweaker, you may want to try it through the rebel 112x cabinet, I did not like the way it sounded as much through the tweaker cab. Someone else on the forum suggested that, and I agree.

The rebel 30 is 2 channel, which is nice if you know what you want on both channels, you can have a cleanish channel and a dirtish channel. By messing with the watts knob, I can have usable breakup through the dirty channel at non neighbors calling the cops volume. I don't use pedels except a crybaby.

Overall, I think the Egnater Rebel 30 is a nice amp, I also like the orange, although the orange is somewhat less versatile in my opinion. If you like messing around with you amp to get different sounds, you'll like the Egnater stuff, if you like a single sound (that is really nice for crunch, less headroom) you'll like the Orange.

[Kalz]

Yea i've been impressed by egnater's products and have been leaning towards them lately. Orange i love because of the clean tones, its adds a bit of something to the cleans that other amps dont have imo. The vox is winning in price. New i can get the 15w head + 112NT cabinet for 6-700 new so used im sure i can find a great deal.

It's so hard to choose :/

[121064]

5F4 Super. No one needs stacks any more.

[Kalz]

Originally Posted by 121064

5F4 Super. No one needs stacks any more.

No one needs a lot of things but yet we have excess of many items whether it be pedals, guitars, amps, cars, cats... whatever. So im getting a half stack

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by 121064

5F4 Super. No one needs stacks any more.

Falsest statement in the history of the internet.

[tanasie]

I notice it says your in Chicago. I got my Marshall 1960a from craigslist for 200. Loaded and aside from one scratch on the left front corner you wouldnt know it was used. If you do some searchs for the Phaez JTM18 and like what you hear, i could bring mine over and let you play around with it on a weekend. If you do a little searching for a Used cab in good shape + the phaez your still under your grand limit.

The 1960a is on craigslist in our area all the time, i spent 3 weeks casually browsing seeing them anywhere between 300-600 depending on speakers and shape. Finally saw one i liked the look of, drove down, offered the guy 200, he said no, i said thanks and started to walk away and he changed his mind.

[Kalz]

How is the Marshall 1960a? Does it do well with clean tones? Are there some overtones to it? etc etc and 4x12 seems pretty huge lol i dont think i would need more than a 2x12. Also i've looked at the JTM 25 and the SIBLY . Seems pretty great for the price

[CHUNKYNECK]

Originally Posted by Kalz

how did you find those so cheap?? lol

I bought them both from Musicians Friend. The Orange was $675 minus 15% with a coupon, condition 3 used but it was brand new and just missing a nut on the input jack. 10cents spent on a new nut and it's new. The 1960a 4x12 was condition 3 used and just had a tiny mark on the back tolex at the bottom edge, you can't even see it unless you get under the cab. Got that for $500 and both were shipped to australia for free.

Buying used is definitely worth considering. More so from places that offer returns.

[Kalz]

Yea i've been looking into used cabinets. I cant find many, or any for that matter, used Phaez heads out there on the interwebz and have been looking for the Sibly or JTM 18/25 for a good price but no luck :/ I've been thinking of pairing the Phaez with a budda cabinet or orange cab

[CHUNKYNECK]

If i was looking for a cab now i would rather have the Orange 2x12 than the 1960a. The closed back orange cab comes with 2 vintage 30 celestions and looks like great value used. Hard to find though.

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

Orange dark terror. Equal tone to the regular tiny terror, can be found new with warranty for 500 bucks. It has more gain than the tiny terror and an effects loop.

Orange Amps Dark Terror - Full Volume Demo - YouTube

Orange Amps Dark Terror - Full Volume Demo - YouTube

[rjwilson37]

Tweaker through the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet or the Rebel 30 through the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet and you will be in tone heaven. I don't like the Tweaker through the Tweaker cabinets and it is good through the Rebel 1x12 cabinet, but the Tweaker through the Tourmaster 2x12 has a lush full tight tone that I wish I had the money to get one a the time I was purchasing a tube amp. I like the Rebel 30 a lot with the mix of tubes and variable wattage as well as seperate reverb for each channel, that would be nice but it would also run you up to the top of your $$ range. You can get the Tweaker with the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet at GC for around $650-$700 with the sales they always have, where the Rebel 30 head would boost you up at or above your $1000. Don't skimp on the cabinet, or you will be spending some extra money swapping speakers and such. The TT is nice but I think the PPC 112 does not do the TT head justice for what it can really do.

The Thunder 30 is top notch in my book, lots and lots of clean headroom and an awesome gain channel with the 7/15/30 watt switchable which is icing on the cake.

[Kalz]

Originally Posted by rjwilson37

Tweaker through the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet or the Rebel 30 through the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet and you will be in tone heaven. I don't like the Tweaker through the Tweaker cabinets and it is good through the Rebel 1x12 cabinet, but the Tweaker through the Tourmaster 2x12 has a lush full tight tone that I wish I had the money to get one a the time I was purchasing a tube amp. I like the Rebel 30 a lot with the mix of tubes and variable wattage as well as seperate reverb for each channel, that would be nice but it would also run you up to the top of your $$ range. You can get the Tweaker with the Tourmaster 2x12 cabinet at GC for around $650-$700 with the sales they always have, where the Rebel 30 head would boost you up at or above your $1000. Don't skimp on the cabinet, or you will be spending some extra money swapping speakers and such. The TT is nice but I think the PPC 112 does not do the TT head justice for what it can really do.

The Thunder 30 is top notch in my book, lots and lots of clean headroom and an awesome gain channel with the 7/15/30 watt switchable which is icing on the cake.

Idk if i agree on the Ppc112 statement. For a single 60W speaker i think it's rather good. 60W is more than double the watt of the TT and i think matches perfectly tone wise :/

[alligatorbling]

this is a no brainer.... phaez.

[tanasie]

Originally Posted by Kalz

How is the Marshall 1960a? Does it do well with clean tones? Are there some overtones to it? etc etc and 4x12 seems pretty huge lol i dont think i would need more than a 2x12. Also i've looked at the JTM 25 and the SIBLY . Seems pretty great for the price

Well, you asked for half stack advice. As far as i know a half stack is a single 4x12 cab + head. My cab is stock with the G12-75s. They are not my favorite speaker, but i wanted them because they work well as a baseline speaker. They can cover just about anything adequately. Someday once i earmark more funds for the gas pile ill have my Scumbacks.

I have np getting clean tones out of the JTM 18 and the 4x12. But tone to me may not be the same to you. I am in the suburbs of Chicago. i work M-F and go to school at night, but if your around on a weekend i dont have a problem bringin the JTM over and letting ya play around with it so you can have an in person idea.

I suggested the 1960a because there all always some for sale in our area. and they make a really nice platform to start with on the cheap side. You can always customize speaker selection after you know what you want. Since you haven't already picked your amp your speaker choice may change. Mine has the casters on the bottom. Rolling the 4x12 around any time i move it to me makes up for the rare occasions i do have to lift it. That makes up for having to carry the 2x12 everytime i move or adjust it, then again, i am 6'4" and nearly 300lbs, picking up that 4x12 isnt a problem.

[Kalz]

Im keeping the cabinet in one location but the amp head will travel with me so moving a cabinet isnt a big deal for me. I would like to have a 4x12 but its too large for what i need and it's a bit over kill

I think im really setting into getting a phaez JTM 25 or Sibly.. the pressure is just too much haha

[tanasie]

I thought the same thing until i got my Phaez. I still find it amusing that my 50 watt 1x12 combo is harder to play at a low volume then the 18w thro the 4x12. the sound is most definitely "bigger" but i can play it much quieter. I am aware that is because of the wonderfully useable master volume on the phaez, but it still makes me shake my head in wonderment every time i play them side by side.

[rjwilson37]

Originally Posted by Kalz

Idk if i agree on the Ppc112 statement. For a single 60W speaker i think it's rather good. 60W is more than double the watt of the TT and i think matches perfectly tone wise :/

Hmm, When I am messing around with this exact setup, the speaker gets a bit flabby when you get to 3/4 volume or do Drop D or Drop C above 1/2 volume.