Guitar Amp

gafferino

Hi Folks

Im in the market for a new guitar amplifier. Not looking for anything huge like a stack but looking for something about 50W to 85W that has quality.

I'm looking to spend about €700 or thereabouts. Does anyone have any advice or reccomendations as it would be greatly appreciated. I've always thought the Vox amps have genuine quality and some of the Fender series amps.

Cheers

Gafferino

Karl Hungus

Depends on what kind of style you're going for tbh. Let us know, and we can give a much better recommendation.

gafferino

Well I'm into a lot of styles but I suppose you could some up some of my favourite bands in Beatles, Clapton, Bowie, Stone Roses, Rolling Stones, Strokes,Libertines, Kings of Leon etc etc. I could go on and on but does this help?

Im not into heavy metal really and prefer that dirty rock sound. Not really looking for an amp that has effects or anything apart from some reverb/gain and equaliser settings as I have plenty of pedals. Im looking for an amp that has quality throughout. i.e. i dont want a 100W Marshall amp that cost €300 if you know what I mean. I play a telecaster most of the time.

Cheers

Karl Hungus

That helps a lot.

For what you're playing, I think something like the Orange Rocker 30 would be ideal. I know it's a bit out of your budget, mind you, but if you were to get hold of one of those second hand, I'd say you'd be onto a winner. Do you mind used gear?

gafferino

i dont mind going above budget if its worth it. What makes you suggest this one? Is it a bit small at 30W?

While I am a long time guitar player and music lover when it comes to amps I am a bit of a novice! Whats the diffence between valve and tube and whats better? What is it that makes you recommed this one and what is it that I should be looking out for? Sorry for all the questions!

Karl Hungus

gafferino wrote: »

i dont mind going above budget if its worth it. What makes you suggest this one? Is it a bit small at 30W?

While I am a long time guitar player and music lover when it comes to amps I am a bit of a novice! Whats the diffence between valve and tube and whats better? What is it that makes you recommed this one and what is it that I should be looking out for? Sorry for all the questions!

No bother about the questions, you need to ask these things if you're buying a new amp.

Valve/Tube is basically just different terms for the same thing. Calling them tubes is supposedly more an American term, but it's very widespread.

I wouldn't call 30 watts small when we're talking about valve/tubes, because even the smallest valve amps can push incredible volume compared to similar watted solid state amps. Basically, wattage does not equal volume, and even valve amps from different companies can vary greatly in their volume, despite being rated the same wattage. If you've ever compared a Peavey to a Mesa Boogie, you'd see what I mean.

Orange are very high quality amps, and should suit the music you're into perfectly, that's why I recommend it.

But, I think the golden rule here is always "Trust your ears" so I'd say go and check out one of the amps yourself. I know Music Maker in Dublin stocks Orange, so my best advice would be to go in and see if you can test one.

judas101

try out a vox ac-30 while youre at it.

right karl?

Karl Hungus

judas101 wrote: »

try out a vox ac-30 while youre at it.

right karl?

Couldn't hurt I suppose.

judas101

although the orange might be more your bag of fish and is certainly more reliable.

great amps. look the part too.

gafferino

Thanks lads that information is a great help. So are they the only 2 your recommending? What about some of the Line 6 stuff I hear they are good quality also, or some of the Messa Boogey stuff?

On another note am I better off investing in a stack rather then the amp?
I obviously will be using it for myself in the studio (im assuming it would be good for recording use?) but will it be ok for gigs in the usual venues around town?

Karl Hungus

gafferino wrote: »

Thanks lads that information is a great help. So are they the only 2 your recommending? What about some of the Line 6 stuff I hear they are good quality also, or some of the Messa Boogey stuff?

Well, as far as Line 6 go, the new Spider Valve 1x12 combo would be well within your budget, and should give you a great range of sounds. That could certainly be a suitable amp, and one to test out if you get the chance.

I didn't bring up Mesa Boogie as they're quite expensive, so they would be way out of your budget. A Stiletto like this might suit you though.

On another note am I better off investing in a stack rather then the amp?
I obviously will be using it for myself in the studio (im assuming it would be good for recording use?) but will it be ok for gigs in the usual venues around town?

I think a stack is always a good idea, because as far as I'm concerned, all the best amps are in "Head" form. But at your budget, any head you'd buy wouldn't be much more than a gimmick.

The only head I'd recommend for about €700, is the Laney GH50L, but then you've got to factor in a speaker cabinet into your costs.

A combo (Amp with integrated speaker, like the Orange Rocker 30) would be my best recommendation, because you can get more bang for your buck at that price range.

judas101

Karl Hungus wrote: »

A combo (Amp with integrated speaker, like the Orange Rocker 30) would be my best recommendation, because you can get more bang for your buck at that price range.

agreed.

combo all the way.

i'd also recommend you check out some fender tube amp. they have a few in music maker and musician inc. i reckon they'd suit the sound you're going for.

let us know what you go for in the end!

deaddonkey

i'll just throw in the usual 'peavey classic 30' recommendation in.

sounds good, fits in your budget, is loud.

Karl Hungus

deaddonkey wrote: »

i'll just throw in the usual 'peavey classic 30' recommendation in.

sounds good, fits in your budget, is loud.

Honestly, they're not bad amps, but I think for a little more, you can get a much better amp.

gafferino

cheers lads im gonna go on a little amp playing mission over the next week or so. Ill let yous know what I decided on, thanks for the help.

gafferino

well i went to the usual shops to try out a few amps but didnt have much luck. I tried the line6 spider valve 112 but wasnt too imressed to be honest. I dont really have a need for all those digital effect they have pre-programmed. They had no vox ac30 in stock but should have them this week so will go back. Unfortunately none of them stock Orange!! Does anyone know where stocks orange amps as I would obviously like to try before buying??

Also whats the benefit of having 2x12 speaker over a 1x12? (vox ac30 comes in both).

Rustar

gafferino wrote:

Also whats the benefit of having 2x12 speaker over a 1x12? (vox ac30 comes in both).

Don't know for sure (just guessing here), but since there are two loads on the amp (the speaker drivers), they would draw a little more wattage; that and the fact that the amp pushes twice as much air would make it a tad louder, I think.

I like the Orange recommendation...how about
The Engl Thunder 50 or
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe mentioned recently in another post?

Karl might be able to tell you about Engl quality.

Voodu Child

I thought musicmaker stocked Orange amps alright, although to be honest theyre not something i'd give a second glance to, so they might have stopped stocking them at some stage.

a 2x12 has an extra speaker over a 1x12. It might sound obvious, but extra speaker area is going to mean you're 'moving more air', so a 2x12 has better sound projection.

Disadvantages are obvious - bigger, heavier, more awkward to carry around etc. It's up to yourself whether the advantage (better projection) outweighs the disadvantages, it'll be different for every person depending on their needs.

One less well known disadvantage of big 2x12 combos is that if everything else is equal, a powerful 2x12 combo is going to crap out long before the equivalent head does. Being inside a flimsy wooden box that's shaking itself to bits with two hefty speakers and a serious amount of power is NOT an ideal place for any valve amp, let alone the sub-par amps that are most popular these days.

Karl Hungus

gafferino wrote: »

Unfortunately none of them stock Orange!! Does anyone know where stocks orange amps as I would obviously like to try before buying??

I'm absolutely certain Music Maker stock Orange, did you try there?

Rustar wrote: »

I like the Orange recommendation...how about
The Engl Thunder 50 or
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe mentioned recently in another post?

Karl might be able to tell you about Engl quality.

Engl are fantastic, and I've never a bad word to say about them, but for the style of music Gafferino's into, a Thunder 50 wouldn't really be the first thing I'd recommend. I know people really associate them with Metal, but you can tweak a lot of very usable sounds out of them, so it's not a bad suggestion at all

The main reason I suggest Orange is because the tone will be absolutely spot on for the Indie style, that British EL34 crunch, you know?

So, Gafferino, if you can't find an Orange to try out, it's worth popping into Instrumental, and seeing if you can try out the Engl Thunder 50, it should be well within your budget, and I know Giblet here uses one and he plays more classic rock I think, so it might be a winner.

gafferino

I was in Music Maker on Thursday trying out the line6 amps. I was told they dont stock them, I had a look around and couldnt see any sign of them anywhere.

Ill check out the ENGL, where is instrumental?

Is there anything to be said for the Fender Deluxe series?

Karl Hungus

gafferino wrote: »

I was in Music Maker on Thursday trying out the line6 amps. I was told they dont stock them, I had a look around and couldnt see any sign of them anywhere.

Ill check out the ENGL, where is instrumental?

Is there anything to be said for the Fender Deluxe series?

That's dissapointing, Music Maker definitely used to stock them. I guess they're not doing it now?

Instrumental is over on Bachelor's Walk.

Musician INC. should have the Fender, if you want to check there.

gafferino

oh yeah i know where instrumental is now. Music maker have the Fender also.
What I mean is - are they a good amp i noticed that nobody recommended them?

Eoin Madsen

gafferino wrote: »

Is there anything to be said for the Fender Deluxe series?

They can sound pretty nasal and a bit ice-picky, especially with the stock valves. But one man's ice pick is another man's clarity, so try them out. Musician Inc. used to have them. Ultimately, you're going to have to play some amps yourself. I would disagree with some of the recommendations made, but it really is a very personal thing. You can't tell how responsive an amp will feel unless you plug into it.

I'd throw in my vote for an AC30 tbh, just going on the bands you name. Most of these bands used or have used a Vox AC30 at some point.

Again, as with all new valve amps, change the stock valves immediately. They invariably put cheap ones in, and they're often a little microphonic from getting knocked around in transit too.

Another amp I'd strongly recommend you try is the reissue of the Marshall JTM45 combo. If you like it, I could suggest some clones that are as good as the original and cheaper than what Marshall are currently making.

gafferino

Im trying out the AC30 next week hopefully when they get them in.
Eoin what are stock amps and how much do they cost?

Where would I try the Marshall combo? music maker i think stock a good range of marshall. What are the suggestions you dont agree with? Obviously I will be trying out as many as I can to see what suits me but its good to get the opinion of people who have used them before.

Voodu Child

gafferino wrote: »

stock amps and how much do they cost?

Stock valves are just the valves that come in the amp straight out of the box.

With valve amps, the valves themselves contribute a huge amount to the tone, and a lot of manufacturers keep costs down by putting the cheapest valves they can find in the amp.
So when you buy the amp, it won't be sounding at its best - swapping out the stock valves for something better can make a big improvement in tone.