The place to discuss, post photos, video, and audio of the G&L products (US instruments, stomp boxes, etc.) produced after 1991, including the amps & gear we use with them.
greetings G&L brothers and sisters, something on my mind as I was driving to work today, are there other amps out there that would dramatically and positively contrast the amps that I already own? my GAS for G&Ls is always high but I have a better chance of slipping another amp into the house without raising an eyebrow (or fist!) of my lovely wife. When at home, late at night, I play through an epiphone valve jr. combo amp. I love this amp in this setting. warm tube sound at a low volume. throw some delay in front of it (BBE's two timer!) and I am in heaven. For band setting, I usually play through my Peavey Delta blues (112), with just a bit of dirt.. my only other amp is a Fender Hot Rod Deville (410) which I like for its clean tones but when we play live (bar settings, usually) I let my other guitar player use it (she usually plays an acoustic through it and it sounds great).
Getting back to my question-is there something else out there, affordable or not, combo or cabinet, that would compliment the amps that I own or provide a nice contrast? a distinct second flavor? I haven't played through a Vox, a Marsahall or pretty much anything else. I don't know much about amps and have just ended up with ones that I have acquired in trades. The only amps that I have purchased brand new were a Blues Jr. (traded it for the Delta blues) and a SWR Strawberry blonde (when I played more acoustic). I play the lead guitar stuff in the band (again, she plays an acoustic-mostly open chords) and some power chords/heavier stuff.. I am primarily playing my ASAT classic custom these days and I don't currently own any guitar with humbuckers. At the end of the day, I am not too picky but have learned that I like the warm sound of tube amps. Is there that much of a difference in tube amps? there are tons of shops in town where I can try out amps but I would prefer to have some direction or purpose. I don't want want to walk out with something just because it was a killer deal. I guess I don't think my ear is good enough to distinguish two amps beyond just being good or bad, so maybe I should find something else to focus my GAS on??
I would not mind a mesa royal atlantic, to compliment my mark V with more british sounding stuff. There are huge differences in tube amps, but most can sound good regardless. EQ with yours ears not with your eyes and you can get a good tone out of most any amp.
Another tube amp I wouldn't mind adding to the stable would be an orange AD-30. I demod the ASAT special on them. Loved it.
Last edited by sirmyghin on Thu Apr 07, 2011 12:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Vox AC30s going quite well with all G&L guitars, near as I can tell. Love mine. Along with all the other amps I have. But Vox AC30 just has that sparkle that single coils / mfds seem to like.
There are differences, even in amps with similar specs - play a few back to back in a shop and you'll be able to hear it. If you've never played through a Vox then you should. Not for everyone, but it's one of the great guitar amps. I got a new Supro yesterday - if you see one of them give it a shot. Used Ampegs are a bit of a bargain and worth looking out for.
Get a LondonPower.com amp. You will only need one and you can then sell the rest.
Kevin O'Connor is the master. I have most of his books, and amp manufactures read up on his stuff and incorporates it into theirs.
Is there that much of a difference in tube amps? there are tons of shops in town where I can try out amps but I would prefer to have some direction or purpose. I don't want want to walk out with something just because it was a killer deal. I guess I don't think my ear is good enough to distinguish two amps beyond just being good or bad
yes, there are a huge range of differences and not just with different power tubes (6l6, 6v6, EL84, EL34), but with the circuits as well. and trust me, if you a/b one against another you will hear the differences. you have tons of shops in town? damn. wish i did. take your guitar with you and go to the ones that seem the most helpful. tell them you want to try out different types of amps and go from there. the good shops will do their best to guide you while the shysters will try and sell you quick. there are lots of great amps at many price points and you already have a nice amp in the Delta Blues and HRD, but lots more to try. just go about it systematically and don't try and conquer the world in one weekend. btw, does your Delta Blues have a 1x12" or a 1x15" or 2x10"? i've never heard of a stock one with a 12 as that would be typically be a Classic 30. good hunting in any case.
Yeah, I think there are lots of differences between tube amps. With the three Basic Flavors of Vox, Fender, and Marshall. Mesa started out as a hod-rod Fender, but they've recently been taking shots at the British amps like Marshall and Orange with their Stiletto and now the Royal Transatlantic
I've mostly been a Fender guy, but I spent most of my career playing as a single act using my old SS SUNN Solos II combo. When I got back into bands, I went back to Fenders, and picked up a couple heirloom quality BF Fenders. I was never interested in Marshall amps until on a whim I acquired a JCM800 4010. These are 2xEL34, 112 single channel MV combos. I bought it at an auction, didn't really know what I was getting. I was very disappointed--until thevfirst gig I played where I could turn it up...talk about an epiphany!!! Eventually though, I found my first Mesa, a Mark III halfstack--and been a Mesa diehard ever since. I like them because they are channel-switching, versatile, well-built, USA-made, attractive, top quality,... and they sound good!
If you can find a Mesa Express 5:25 and a 5:50 to compare side by side--you'll hear the difference in the EL84s versus the 6L6s. A Blue Angel will immediately show the difference between 6V6s and EL84s. Or compare a DC-3 to a DC-5 to a DC-10; or the Nomad 45, 55 and 100 models and you'll be able to hear the difference in the power sections.
These days, most people don't need the crushing power of a Triple Rectifier or a 100-watt Marshall stack. My personal preference is for a bigger amp with a little more headroom, but I enjoy my smaller Mesas (DC-3 112 35-watt combo and a Maverick 212 30-watt Class A combo) too. I have six Mesas, and I can cover any situation from small to large--and still get my tone.
I would say make sure the store has a good return policy--the real test of an amp is on the bandstand. I've seen a lot of guys bring $3000 worth of rack gear to a jam and sound like caa-caa--the Marshall JCM 800 sounded like pooh in my living room but on-stage with the Gain on 7 and Master on 7 it smoked EVERYBODY! LOL!
And still for me, it was the Mesas that really put a smile on my face. I started getting a lot more compliments on my playing with the Mesas. I'm very fortunate, I have the right amps for my current band situation. But every now and then, I hear the beck and call of another Marshall. Ah, temptation!
So, enjoy the journey. It can be fun, and frustrating, too. And you may wind up being totally happy with your Peavey--or owning a whole stable of fantastic amps--and divorced!
Jonc, Good advice, I should not try conquer the world and pull the trigger in one weekend. Patience has never been one of my strongest characteristics.
jonc wrote:btw, does your Delta Blues have a 1x12" or a 1x15" or 2x10"?
