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Suggestions for amp please.


bartelby
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I've got a mate who's looking to buy an amp head.

He plays several styles of music from jazz to doom. His preference is for an all valve that will stay relatively clean.
It also needs to react nicely to pedals as he'll get his drive from a Earthbound Audio Supercollider and/or an original Jumbo Tonebender.

He'll be using my Mesa 2x12" (loaded with 2 200w EVM12L).

His budget is a grand, this was going to be split between amp and cab. But as he can have mine on long term loan it's relaxed this somewhat.

What do you guys suggest he takes a look at?

Cheers

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Guitarist in my band has had dozens of amps over the years. My favourite is a Blackstar HT100. All valve and costs a fraction of some of the other stuff he has tried. Personally, I don't think you can get a decent clean sound from any Marshall I've heard. Fender Twin is a nice amp but don't know about price.

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[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1442846834' post='2869946']
All valve that will stay clean? He doesn't ask much does he? Most all valve will give you the dirt when pushed !
I've got an SVT 2 pro, apart from the weight, it's got a lovely tone!
[/quote]

I did say "relatively clean" :)

SVT 2 pro?
Just checking, you have noticed this is in the Guitar Amp section?
:)


Japhet, I suggested a Fender Twin. But he wants a head and cab.

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Fender Bassman 135 head has great tone and v clean for guitar or bass, even with everything above 7 on the gain and master.
You can jump the channels to get extra grit and bight too.

The old 70s MusicMan 150 head is great too; though pre-amp is solid state, which is NOT a bad thing; sweet tones mostly come from the power stages of valve amps anyway.

Another one to check out would be a Burman head, also from 70s - that has both more clean, more tone and more dirt (if so desired) than anything on the planet and often incredibly good value for the money; although people are starting to get wise to these overlooked classics.

Any of the above would come in at under £1k and only increase in value and probably be more reliable than any modern gear too.

Edited by Bassnut62
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Peavey Classic 50 head - stunning value for money compared to Fender and chronically under appreciated. Nile Rodgers has a pair given to him by SRV back in the Lets Dance days.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peavey-Classic-50-head-mid-90s-model-for-sale-or-trades-/331662103827?hash=item4d389a1513"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4d389a1513[/url]

I like my Burman a lot but it doesn't do doom metal either :D It does some nice crunch but needs an attenuator and high gain 12AX7's to get the best dirt.

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[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1443177490' post='2872816']
Peavey Classic 50 head - stunning value for money compared to Fender and chronically under appreciated. Nile Rodgers has a pair given to him by SRV back in the Lets Dance days.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peavey-Classic-50-head-mid-90s-model-for-sale-or-trades-/331662103827?hash=item4d389a1513"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4d389a1513[/url]

[/quote]

I had a mature student once who had one of these - it was indeed an excellent piece of kit and terrific value for money (in the proper sense that is, not just damning with faint praise).

When I first read the OP I couldn't help thinking 'Jazz to Doom...?' :shok: I know I'm a bit out of touch these days, but that still sounds like an awful big ask from a single amp.

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[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1443202667' post='2873119']
I had a mature student once who had one of these - it was indeed an excellent piece of kit and terrific value for money (in the proper sense that is, not just damning with faint praise).

When I first read the OP I couldn't help thinking 'Jazz to Doom...?' :shok: I know I'm a bit out of touch these days, but that still sounds like an awful big ask from a single amp.
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure he won't be using the amp for jazz, not sure the Mesa cab would do jazz to be honest.

I hadn't thought about Peavey. Good call guys.

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[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1443177490' post='2872816']
Peavey Classic 50 head - stunning value for money compared to Fender and chronically under appreciated. Nile Rodgers has a pair given to him by SRV back in the Lets Dance days.
[/quote]

Another vote for Peavey amps, not played a classic 50 myself but I'd say have a look at the 6505 too, easy enough to get hold of one second hand for £400-£500 as they're fairly common. Should leave plenty of budget for a decent 2x12 cab.

I have the 6534+ (same amp using different power tubes and has seperate resonance/presence controls for both channels). Excellent reliability, fantastic clean sound and tonnes of gain for metal.

Blackstar are well worth looking at too.

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  • 1 month later...

[quote name='Bradwell' timestamp='1443517336' post='2875362']
Blackstar are well worth looking at too.
[/quote]

+1 to this - they have a lot of detractors for some reason but my personal experience with them has been fantastic. I picked up a HT1 and an HT1M last year, which are their micro all valve 1-watt combos and they were stunning. The build quality was the best I have ever come across on any factory production amp full stop. They sounded great and were able to offer clear, crisp tones right up to full volume. We were using them for jam-nights at Uni in York and they really did serve us well.

I've not used the other stuff they do save for a quick mess around with them in store, but if the HT1/HT1M is anything to go by then you'll do well to take them into consideration. The price is very good too.

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  • 1 year later...

EVH 5150iii
The cleans are awesome and goes to about as brutal as it gets.
Well within your budget. Would be great through a Mesa 2x12", the resonance control makes my 2x12" sound thunderous.
I used to use mine as my bass head too, I can't say enough good things about this head!!

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[quote name='Tuco' timestamp='1479343462' post='3175892']
EVH 5150iii
The cleans are awesome and goes to about as brutal as it gets.
Well within your budget. Would be great through a Mesa 2x12", the resonance control makes my 2x12" sound thunderous.
I used to use mine as my bass head too, I can't say enough good things about this head!!
[/quote]
I agree, these are fantastic hi gain amps too if the budget will stretch.

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