Buying a New Guitar Amp

Raptor

Hey all. I've been agonizing over getting a new guitar amp for a while, and having decided to chose one of the following, any advice opinions etc on these would be very helpful.

Marshall Avt 100/150/275
My thoughts: Seem alright, several channels, lots o' watts, some built in effects. Only worry I have is that they have tube preamp, solid state power amp, and tbh i haven't gotten round to trying them out too much, would a full tube amp be better?

Marshall Mode 4 Head
My thoughts: Starting with this, then buying the cabs later. 350 watts seems sweet, but on the other hand mostly using this amp at home, would I really need this much? I get the feeling that it would make more sense to get a lower powered amp, then use the PA system if i ever get round to giging etc. Still tho, marshall stack............mmmmmmmmmmm

Vox AC 15/30
My thoughts: I've heard all tube amps are tonal nirvana, (ppl have different opinions on this, i wouldn't know enough bout it tbh) Also was talking someone who says vox have shocking reliablility?

Line 6 Spider/vetta
My thoughts: talked to a few ppl, some say modelling amps are sweet, others say they're jack-of-all trades, yet overall fairly poor. The choice of so many amp tones, effects seems sweet, but i honestly don't think i'd bother using most of them

It's probably clear that I haven't gotten round to playing much on any of these, so hopefully over the next few weeks i'll get round to it and have a better idea what i want. Til then all opinions, criticisim welcome.

Btw, i have a 30W Kustom amp atm, and play a Mex Strat and Epi Les Paul Custom.

Ancient1

well, i think you answered your own question - Vox

If you're playing at home, forget about the Mode 4, it's much too powerful and i think that with Marshalls you really need to turn them up a bit to get their full dynamics and potential out .
I currently play a Marshall G80 R, and unfortunately Irish architecture doesnt allow me to crank it up properly. I do have a Vox AC30 and a Fender Twin Reverb at home (not in Ireland) and i'm telling you.....nothing comes close.

I dont really know anything about the new modelling amps.

But which ever way you look at it - i think it's a bloody difficult choice. Can you afford more than one?....:)
Dont worry, Doctor J and Feylya will be in da house shortly !

Giblet

It's quite a simple choice to make, but unfortunatly, it's yours.

Only you know what you want..

feylya

Hello, did someone call

And now for my thoughts on these amps. Of course, you don't say what sort of music you play, so that'll not help I'm afraid. I've only played the AVT series so most of this will be from what I know second hand of these amps:

Marshall Avt 100/150/275
Mmm, not a bad amp. A replacement for the Valvestate series of Marshalls. Distortion isn't too bad, you can get a good crunch out of it and the built in effects are very nice imo. Plenty of volume for gigging too.

Marshall Mode 4 Head
350W? At home? A small bit of over kill. And you HAVE to buy a cab with it. From your original post, it seems you think you don't need to the cabs. Again, this has a valve preamp (I think) and solid state power amps. 350W would kill most people in the clubs in this country so a tiny bit of overkill.

Vox AC 15/30
Ah, Vox. A nice wee amp. Not really high gain. Nice for Jazz/blues/things that aren't really rock or metal. Of course, a pedal in front of it would make it distort. A loud wee beasty considering it's 30W

Line 6 Spider/vetta
Some people swear by these amps, others swear at them. I'd be more inclined to the Vetta though tbh. Great for bedroom playing because of the amp modelling and ok for jamming. You'd get away with gigging too if it's miked.

Now, I don't know what style of music you play, but personally, I'd lean towards the AVT series, considering my rock/metal playing. Any other questions, just ask...

Slosh

I've recently gotten a Vox Valvetronix 60W, and its the dogs b0ll0x. I've a roomful of Marshall and Fender amps (as my wife will attest to!) but the vox is the first amp I'll plug into every weekend. I've never played through such a versatile amp in my 15 years of playing. If in doubt, most Vox stockists have a free demo CD of this amp in action, and is well worth a listen to...

Hope this helps....

B.

FreaK_BrutheR

I ordered a Marshall MG100 DFX from www.Thomann.de aafter trying it in a local shop here... I thought it sounded super duper and very powerfull so....anyway.... i dunno.....depends what ure using it for reall.... im just showing off:)

Doctor J

Might be a bit off topic, but I have an Ampeg VC140 guitar amp which just rules. You seem to be in love with the Vox and therefore, at the chance of sounding like a wussie, I'd say follow your heart. None of those other amps will satisfy you like the Vox will. Vox. Vox. Vox. Second verse, same as the first, Vox. Vox. Vox.

My Ric bass is much harder to play than my Jazz bass, but it rules. I love that it's harder to play 'cos when I get it right and the folks out front hear the 'Ric-O-Sound' (that's what it says on the jackplate) it makes it so much more worth it. Even had some punter come up and congratualte me for my bass tone in Whelans last week

As for the reliability? Man, that's part of it's charm

Third verse, same as the first, Vox. Vox. Vox!!!

You know you want to.