Advice: Looking at a new amp but want suggestions

[patsanger]

It's been years since I had any amp that wasn't a practice or tiny thing. I have been missing the big tone and sound you can get from a regular amp and so I went and have been testing a lot of amps. I ended up looking at and liking the Fender Deville 212.

Now I know there is a lot of hate/problems with this model - is there another amp you can suggest that would match or beat the clean/chunky tone of that amp?

Distortion is not an issue as I have enough pedals and such to handle things.

Also trying to keep it maxed near $1k.

Any suggestions? The amount of info I know about Fender amps could fill a thimble....

 

[OBX351]

Go here and check out my post #25, 26 and 27. All of them can be purchased for about $1k and under.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/squawk-box/257350-best-amp-billie-joe-armstrong-lpj.html

 

[Cygnus X1]

Deluxe Reverb.

 

[ac/dcfan87]

Deluxe Reverb.

Or a Princeton maybe?

 

[Cygnus X1]

Or a Princeton maybe?

Wants "big tone", PR is not that.

 

[Rhust]

too bad you weren't looking a few weeks ago, if my tremolux wasn't already sold, that is as big and clean at the same time as any amp I've seen

no OD to speak of though... all clean all the time

how "BIG" do you want to go? 15? 20? 50?

hot rod deluxe comes to mind... definitely has a clean side to it...
classic 30 isn't quite a fender, and isn't quite a marshall... it has it's own thing going but a damn good amp, and gets pretty darn clean.

for the $ though... (under 1000) I'd look at the silverface amps. you might even find a few blackfaces, like my tremolux that is a lesser known model, and flys under the bassman/deluxe/princeton radar... showman, tremolux, bandmaster, vibrolux...

might even find a silverface twin.. it doesn't get bigger or cleaner than that

 

[patsanger]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm trying to keep it at 50-60 watts max... unless the price can also include a limiter...

 

[OBX351]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm trying to keep it at 50-60 watts max... unless the price can also include a limiter...

Ah you want it to be loud. Well then you should look at the Blackstar Artisan 30 2x12 combo. It's a BEAST with tons of tone. It's really loud and very well built. Also hand wired, over built, has 2 channels that can be blended and it can run at 10 or 30 watts. This amp is voiced similar to a 30 watt bluesbreaker on one channel and a VOX AC 30 on the other, IMO. I've seen these used for between $1k and $1.2k delivered. I am looking to get one of these to fit between my 2 sub 20 watt heads that were mentioned above and my metal face JMP 50. I am just trying to decide which one to buy, the head or the combo. Best of luck!

 

[Rhust]

I'd definitely want an attenuator.. look for non-master volume fenders for that big clean sound...

the super sonic should also be considered.. clean (deluxe reverb) on one channel, and the burn channel is great sounding... the 100w model has a 25 watt mode as I recall and several other features the 22 and 60 don't have a about the same price...

 

[theNARDdog9]

I was just about to say the Super Sonic as well. I know you want something that sounds big, but do you need something so LOUD?? Are you playing gigs or home use only? I for one would go with the Deluxe Reverb as Cyg said or one of the variants of the Super Sonic.

I have the 22w version and for at home use the sucker is damn loud! A buddy of mine has the 60 and has told me that, though he loves it, he pretty much solely uses it as a gigging amp because it is too loud for at home and it really shines when cranked. The 100 watter is even louder and IMO unnecessary. I would check out the 22 watter. No use for an attenuator and you can crank it without blowing the walls off your house... or for that matter your neighbor's

 

[LKB3rd]

I'd look at the DRRI and PRRI depending on how big you are talking about. For home use IMO these will give you plenty of volume and bigness.
Used silverface amps such as this 1967 Bassman & 1966 2X12 cab - Guitars and Gear For Sale would be a good choice too if you want to shake the walls

 

[patsanger]

Actually - it doesn't have to be big - I want the "big" tone that a decent sized speaker can provide... I used the Deville as an example - I actually do want to keep the volume down, but it doesn't have to be an under 15 watter.

Thanks!

 

[Rhust]

in that case..

the princeton reverb is a good option... to me, fenders and their clones sound big, open and clean

if you want cheaper... don't laugh... try to find a Kustom V15... it's built better than the name suggests, and they actually sound huge, don't distort much in 15 w mode until they are LOUD, but they have that big, open sound... my only complain with them is the lack of a B/M/T... but what do you want for an amp you can sometimes find for $100-200

also, the egnater amps are great at this... and they also add versatility to get you more marshally tones too... the tweaker can do it all, imo.

the blackstar is another option, but to me the cleans aren't "fender-y" cleans... they are more flat/basic... some say sterile, even. but great sounding as well

and still don't forget the C30...

in fact, you could get a C30 and a v15 both, and still have half the budget left or the tweaker and the c30 and have 1/3 the budget


all that said, I wanted to add... if you like the deville, get it... it's not a bad amp, in fact it's been years since I played one... I buy/vote with my ears, and don't give a F if people think my gear is "cool"

 

[ac/dcfan87]

I still say Princeton if big tone is what you want but not too big. I played a Sligo clone of the Princeton it was heavenly. Really loud though. Idk how ppl could complain about its volume. It's louder than what I can use it for. But the cleans are excellent as you'd expect. The Fender Deville is a loud bugger too. I really like the tone of that amp actually. Great with a Strat guitar.

But if you find a handwired Princeton go for it. Even the reissues are fantastic as well. You could put any pedal into it and be happy I would think.

 

[Rhust]

idk what part of TX you are in....

but I saw this today:

Vintage 1973 Fender Silverface Deluxe Reverb Amp

I'd take that over a reissue

 

[patsanger]

Thanks guys (and I am over by Houston). I will take a look at all the suggestions. I just wanted to know what was out there besides the few that I tried.. I don't want to dismiss anything too soon.

 

[Custom53]

Peavey Classis series.. 20,30,50,100

 

[NRVPaul]

I don't know how that Fender tone can be considered "big tone". I think you will need to move to a Marshall, Blackstar or STiFF for that. Ha! Ha! Go ahead all you Fender freaks lay it on me.

 

[Rhust]

I don't know how that Fender tone can be considered "big tone". I think you will need to move to a Marshall, Blackstar or STiFF for that. Ha! Ha! Go ahead all you Fender freaks lay it on me.

big+clean = fender... he specifically mentioned clean, and that's not marshall's "thing"

fender cleans have a big bottom and nice smooth mids that can smack you around... open, sounding..

 

[bbutler123]

Ah you want it to be loud. Well then you should look at the Blackstar Artisan 30 2x12 combo. It's a BEAST with tons of tone. It's really loud and very well built. Also hand wired, over built, has 2 channels that can be blended and it can run at 10 or 30 watts. This amp is voiced similar to a 30 watt bluesbreaker on one channel and a VOX AC 30 on the other, IMO. I've seen these used for between $1k and $1.2k delivered. I am looking to get one of these to fit between my 2 sub 20 watt heads that were mentioned above and my metal face JMP 50. I am just trying to decide which one to buy, the head or the combo. Best of luck!

Wow, I agree. The Artisan 30 is probably the best-sounding amp I've ever played.

That said, if looking for new, I'd buy a new Blackstar HT 40, if it was me. $700.