Need recommendation on a combo amp

[Jims Les Paul]

Note that the OP said that the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe did not have enough headroom. AFAIK, that is a loud, all-tube 40-watt amp. In fact, I have a friend who has one (who plays fairly loud) who wishes he'd bought something less powerful, since he plays smaller venues.

So, Jim may need something with even more power than that amp-- beyond the 20-40 watt range. (Or at least more clean power before breaking up, if I understand him correctly.)

Thanks and yes, I need more clean power before break up. You are absolutely right though..the 40 watt Fender Hot Rod is extremely powerful - too much so. It's just too dirty at moderate levels when using clean. I tried re-biasing, re-tubing and in the end, I just couldn't get a nice clean sound at the volume I needed.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

Since the world revolves around Marshall, he may have to just get a Haze and be done with it.

I have heard of this amp and it did catch my attention.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

That's why you buy used...... He never said that the amp had to be new....

Thanks!

 

[Jims Les Paul]

Good point. The OP may want to consider something a bit larger than 40 watts. He may even want to think about a head and cab. Sure, it's more pieces to carry, but it's easier sometimes to move around a separate head and cab than to try and lug a really heavy combo around.

Thanks. I already have a 50 watt Mesa head and cabinet with a somewhat complex effects rig that I use for larger venues. I was hoping to find something smaller with less output and yet be as versatile as my present rig. I need a nice clean channel, and a powerful dirty channel that can go from mild to heavy crunch to singing heavy leads.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

Traynor YCS50 Custom Special.

switchable between 15 & 50 watts, celestion speaker, great clean channel with both american and british voicing, awesome distortion with the choice of vintage or modern. Has a scoop switch for really modern sounding metal. Boost as well, which almost acts like a third channel.

I highly recommend you check one out if you can.

Traynor Amps: All Tube Guitar Combos

I will check one out for sure. I remember hearing one at my local music store and it sounded wonderful!

 

[Jims Les Paul]

Look at the Hughes and Kettner Edition Tube. Exactly what you wanted and has a semi sealed back for that stack in the box sound:

Mine is the 20th anniversary edition, for 2009 they'll have different cosmetics to celebrate Hughes and Kettner's SilverJubilee year:
Guitar amps by Hughes & Kettner - Products


Also available for this year (has not quite yet hit the market) is the Marshall Haze:
Buy Marshall Haze MHZ40C 40W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp | Tube Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

Thanks..the Hughes and Kettner looks like it may fit the bill so does the Marshall Haze. Lots of nice choices!

 

[pomponio]

Take a look at this model, they no longer make them, it has an AMAZING tone, I have one and is without any doubt the best amp I ever had, you can run it thru a 4x12 if you want to too, and for the price?? i'ts a keeper!!


Mesa Boogie Guitar Tube Amplifier | Rocket 44 - eBay (item 190303288737 end time May-01-09 16:09:27 PDT)

 

[jimification]

How about a Bogner Alchemist 1x12 combo? Probably a little over your budget (not sure how much they go for over there), but maybe worth saving the extra for: two channels, Fender(ish) cleans, great crunch and fantastic distortion, lots of boost options and switchable 20w/40w settings. Pretty nice built in delay and reverb too.

It's a PCB amp with built in effects. It has fairly "non-traditional" styling and it's made in China, so it might not be to everyone's taste. Worth checking out though...

ok scratch that, looks like they are around $1400 US - for once we're not getting stiffed in the UK!

 

[Jims Les Paul]

Take a look at this model, they no longer make them, it has an AMAZING tone, I have one and is without any doubt the best amp I ever had, you can run it thru a 4x12 if you want to too, and for the price?? i'ts a keeper!!


Mesa Boogie Guitar Tube Amplifier | Rocket 44 - eBay (item 190303288737 end time May-01-09 16:09:27 PDT)

thanks for the link! My 50 watt head is an older Mesa Boogie DC-5 which I absolutely adore. This smaller combo would make sense and I can probably preserve the tone that I'm already getting with my 50 watt head.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

How about a Bogner Alchemist 1x12 combo? Probably a little over your budget (not sure how much they go for over there), but maybe worth saving the extra for: two channels, Fender(ish) cleans, great crunch and fantastic distortion, lots of boost options and switchable 20w/40w settings. Pretty nice built in delay and reverb too.

It's a PCB amp with built in effects. It has fairly "non-traditional" styling and it's made in China, so it might not be to everyone's taste. Worth checking out though...

You know, this amp is at the top of my list. If all else fails, I will just "bite the bullet" and grab this one. A little pricey though..

 

[marc1kim]

Thanks..the Hughes and Kettner looks like it may fit the bill so does the Marshall Haze. Lots of nice choices!

I was a Marshall user for 20 years, then I scaled back my rig with my H&K. I'm very happy with it. I can get from clean to Marshall on Steroids type tones with this amp. I played a 270 people venue unmiced and I still didn't have it maxed out! 20 tube watts is more than I expected. There's a couple on fleabay now. a used one for $475 free shipping.
Good luck!

 

[Mercutio]

Mesa F50! Sounds great, i have one at home. Best cleans on a mesa ever, with the possible exception of the lone star. They are cheap used too. I see them on craigslist all the time for $700 - $900.

 

[Mercutio]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJDyod3o66E]YouTube - Mesa F50[/ame]

 

[satchfan]

How about the Cornford Hurricane, 20w class A amp with great cleans & a super distortion channel?

Steve.

 

[pomponio]

thanks for the link! My 50 watt head is an older Mesa Boogie DC-5 which I absolutely adore. This smaller combo would make sense and I can probably preserve the tone that I'm already getting with my 50 watt head.

You're welcome, but be aware that thing is LOUD!!!! you are not going to believe the volume coming out of that amp!!

 

[guitarfish]

The Peavey Classic 30 is a really amazing amp for the size. Superb tones, both clean & dirty. I'm not sure if it has as much clean headroom as your looking for, I guess you'd just have to try it. The Fender DRRI has lots of clean room, but I think you need a pedal to get the dirt.

Another option is the Vox AC15 or 30, I've been liking those lately.

 

[guitarfish]

Check out this [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkoAIAX69D0]AC15 demo[/ame].

 

[Lance_S]

I have a groove tubes single soul-o.

This is exactly what you are looking for. All tube, point to point, hand wired, chrome metal chassis, all hardwood cabinet, 12" celestion driver. Single output main tube (I run a KT66 but you can run anything) with dual preamp tubes. Separate volume control with separate gain control. Bass, mid, treble, presence and a solid effects loop. Used around $600 to $800 bucks. Extremely loud for what it is (about 15 to 20 watts).


The Soul-o-Single Combo 12" @ Groove Tubes

Excellent studio, home or small venue amp. Exceptional quality and it's a modeling amp so you can swap out tubes to you hearts content. I have had a friend of mine who builds tube amps from the ground up for a living pull mine apart and he was very impressed with the build quality. Great tone, you will love it.

reviews:

Groove Tubes Soul-O Single Combo: Harmony Central User Reviews


Lance

 

[Jims Les Paul]

Thanks for the suggestion Steve! I've never heard of this make...I actually thought you were kidding until I looked them up on the net. Looks like a fine amp!

How about the Cornford Hurricane, 20w class A amp with great cleans & a super distortion channel?

Steve.

 

[Jims Les Paul]

Hey Lance, didn't know GT made amps! Looks like a great amp. Love the fact it's point-point wired and has the ability to re-bias automatically with any tube you throw in it! There's a local dealer who carries them and I will be checking one out.

I have a groove tubes single soul-o.

This is exactly what you are looking for. All tube, point to point, hand wired, chrome metal chassis, all hardwood cabinet, 12" celestion driver. Single output main tube (I run a KT66 but you can run anything) with dual preamp tubes. Separate volume control with separate gain control. Bass, mid, treble, presence and a solid effects loop. Used around $600 to $800 bucks. Extremely loud for what it is (about 15 to 20 watts).


The Soul-o-Single Combo 12" @ Groove Tubes

Excellent studio, home or small venue amp. Exceptional quality and it's a modeling amp so you can swap out tubes to you hearts content. I have had a friend of mine who builds tube amps from the ground up for a living pull mine apart and he was very impressed with the build quality. Great tone, you will love it.

reviews:

Groove Tubes Soul-O Single Combo: Harmony Central User Reviews


Lance