Need Ramones Tone-Amp Selection Help

[ekb1234]

I'm going to be getting my Hallmark Johnny Ramone Sig. (Road to Ruin White) within a month so I need a good amp to accompany it. I looking to spend $425 at the most (don't mind used really). I've looked at a Bugera 1960,a Marshall Haze 15/40, Class 5, and even a JTM45 no chassis kit. I"M TORN! As it stands I have a JCM800, but I don't want Too Tough to Die, looking for Rocket to Russia and Leave Home tone! I also have a JMP that's been modded to the gills and now sounds like Randy Rhoads, not quite right. A Fender Bassman ain't gonna cut it either. What can I do?

All help is appreciated
Thanks,
Eyan

 

[snaredrum]

this is my new favourite thread EVER.

to not only want to go after johnny's tone, but to be album specific? i applaud you, dear boy

 

[snaredrum]

out of the ones you've mentioned (discounting the JMP, which is actually the amp you want), the bugera 1960 is the clone of the super lead that johnny used. get the newer 1960 infinium and it has a post phase inverter master volume, which is the most useful knob on it by a mile!

 

[ekb1234]

Well, that's a HUGE help. I know that he used the early Super Lead JMP's, but obviously I can nab one of those for $450 without it being stolen and on fire. I know that I'll probably load the amp with 5881's to bring it back to 100 watts (150 watts... really) and get a more classic Marshall tone; if the amp can accept it. I already have a Vintage 30 loaded 1960B cab, so I'm good there. Anyways, I really love the Leave Home and Rocket to Russia tone; it's not just the stereotypical, Mosrite and CRANKED Marshall everyone just forces, he had EQ settings, he may have been punk, but he's human like the rest of us; he appreciated tone too!

Thanks,
Eyan

 

[ekb1234]

*can't nab on of those for $450!

 

[C Squared]

*can't nab on of those for $450!

used or b stock might get you there.

I toured in a Ramones Tribute band years back. Was the most fun I had gigging. 34 songs in around 45 minutes

 

[ekb1234]

Oh man, I'd love to hear about that! The Ramones are practically my favorite band, and you had a tribute band; all right! I listened to them years ago when I was younger, but recently came up on 'em again and it hit me; this is raw and packed with energy! It's not concise, it's utilitarian ROCK. So now they've dug into my bones and I need to have Ramones Tone at my tips(fingers of course) at all times.

Thanks,
Eyan

 

[Penny Dreadful]

When I think Ramones, I think LOUD!

 

[slapshot]

i'd try the jcm800 with the original mosrite style pickups first before outlaying cash on an amp
too tough was dimarzio fs in the bridge era

 

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

this.... has gotta be the easiest tone to achieve.

 

[Penny Dreadful]

this.... has gotta be the easiest tone to achieve.

Agreed.

 

[Rhust]

play with your EQ, I'll bet you can get there from where you are...

 

[ekb1234]

I don't agree with it being the easiest tone to achieve ever. A few of the comments feel like mockery more than help. I don't just want to get Ramones tone; I'm also sort of interested in gaining a new amp that will be more portable, such as the Class 5; that's sort of why I dropped the idea of the Bugera. But if I DID get the Bugera I'd mod it to have a more Marshall appearence. Go to FleaBay and find a plexi styled faceplate and a Plexi Broadway style lettered logo plate. Thanks for the suggestions; it's just a conversation, don't need to be spiteful


Thanks,
Eyan

 

[Rhust]

I wasn't trying to discount the quest for tone, I thought the JCM could get you there though...

have you checked out jet city amps? the 20 combo might be perfect for this...

 

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

i mean, if you just want a new amp say so, because i really do think you have all the tools to get you the tone you're looking for. rhust is right.
also... don't be so sensitive, man. nobody was giving you a hard time. take a deep breath.

 

[Drew224]

A JCM800 set right really isn't too far from a Plexi.
As far as newer amps go I don't know what to suggest aside from a Marshall 1959 Reissue. That's actually a '70s metalface circuit much like Johhny's earlier amps, but volume wise it'd melt your face off.

 

[ekb1234]

Well, let me try out my JCM with it set up right. I know I can distort the clean channel and bridge the EQ's with a bit of tinkering, so maybe then I can get it close. Thanks for the help. No extra cash NEEDS to be spent, but I'll still probably end up with a Class 5.

Thanks,
Eyan

 

[CA-8-5799]

Don't sound like anybody was being spiteful.The stage in CBGB,s or the Mud club was two feet off the ground.They were like playing in a subway car.An 800 will do it,if you can find one that ain't cooked.They were loud man,not real sophisticated.If you find a real old superlead for $500 that was'nt run over by a truck,and don't want it let me know.

 

[ekb1234]

Well I just nabbed me a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I'm thinking, convert the tubes to something more Marshall-esque, then I'll use the Clean channel cranked instead of the Drive/More Drive channel. I got it for a pretty good deal though, so if I need to turn it around, I will. Also, it was recently re-tubed so I'll be riding on them for a little while longer.

Thanks,
Eyan

 

[slapshot]

i'm a big fan of the drive channel on them.
have you got the hallmark yet?curious how those original style pickups sound.
I had one of the first Japanese Mosrite Ramones models in the mid 90s was ok except for the basswood body.