The official don't buy this amp if you play at home list...

[pianoguyy]

Thanks to technology making things better than they used to be, and to Chinese imports making them cheaper than they used to be ---
Go to Radio Shack and buy a set of those $10 computer speakers. $20 if you can want the one with the sub woofer.


That's all you need in a home. Unless your home doubles as something else - like a rehearsal hall or personal studio.
If you need to 'work on sound' then obviously this won't work for you. But if all you are doing is playing at home when you're bored or doing scales to keep your fingers nimble, why fret over it.

[MOSHWITZ]

I'll have to disagree with the Engl part. My Savage 120 I used to have was a high gain crush your face as it rolled over you meat wagon,, and sounded bitchin at any volume high or low. what is a Pitball 100? Did an Engl Powerball and a VHT Pitbull screw and have little amp puppies? I agree with the SLO though.. that thing is crazy loud.

MOSHON
DAVE

[Electric]

When I had a Powerball, I thought the sound at low volume was excellent, so I also disagree with the ENGL part. I play my 6505+ at home for practice around volume 1.5ish and it sounds pretty good at that level.

[PowerTube]

Yep. I recently played a Powerball in my local GC at very low volume and it sounded fine. Not my cup of tea, but low volume was no problem.

I think it's ridiculous in this day and age for ANY amp to abruptly go from whisper quiet to ripping your face off with a tiny bump of the volume knob. That's uncalled for and unnecessary.

I also still maintain that I would have no problem playing any of the amps listed above at low volume, using pedals. And in the case of the Marshalls and the Carvin X100B, I can also get a sound I really like.

[ZL1hawk]

I don't know what this jibba jabba is all about. Sounds like communism to me. jgcable you aren't going full Marxist Leninist on us are you? Jamming a perfectly dialed in monster high gain guitar rig in my zebra striped spandex showcasing my elongated chest hair to 16 year old girls is just the American fucking way dude. Chicks totally love it!

What brought all this on anyway? :think:

[PowerTube]

What brought all this on anyway? :think:

This thread was sparked by my disagreement with him about powerful, high-gain amps. I maintain that they can be played comfortably at low volume and he disagrees.

[slo100]

I own three amps on the list and play more at home than gigging these days due to family, work, etc. I still enjoy the SLO, 2204, and SuperBass making noise in the basement. All three sound better, of course, at gig volume levels...I can only get that in rare moments the house is empty, LOL. I would not necessarily advise those not gigging to stay away from these amps because they do have their own sound and tones no other amps can get.

Something else to consider. I think they are also quite useful to have in recording situations assuming you have a room/space to mic them up and get the sound and response you'll be happy with tracking. The same amps that shine live will also shine recording in my opinion..maybe more so because you have the opportunity to use different cabinets, different mics/placement, etc.

[Hellraiser6502]

For my money...a Mesa Mark III, IV or V is all you really need for both live and home settings....with an AXE FX for whatever 'color' you're going for.

OR a Mesa 2:50 or 2:90 power amp with an AXE FX.

Your mileage may vary of course.

[PowerTube]

I would not necessarily advise those not gigging to stay away from these amps because they do have their own sound and tones no other amps can get.

Well put, and that's what I'm getting at. My JCM 800 sounded just like a JCM 800 at low volumes with pedals. My X100B sounded just like an X100B. Those tonal characteristics were fully intact, because regardless of all else, the signal is still going through the preamp section. The Splawn sounded like a Quick Rod at low volumes; I just didn't care for the sound and I also had other things that didn't sit well with me about it.

Plus, the higher-volume amp comes in handy on those occasions when we get to let them breathe and flex their muscle a little.

[Radiohead]

+1 on the Carvin Legacy (assuming Original - not the II orIII). I had one and it sounded like ass until you opened it up. It's great right up until your ears start to bleed. I was surprised that the X100B would be on the list. I read many reviews that the new reissue not be loud enough when they where first released? I was thinking of getting one just for this reason...

[Axewielder]

Well I for one agree with the OP, and you can add the DSL100 to the list.

That being said, this thread is doomed to failure because the players it is aimed at have serious denial issues. I'm talking to you, Mr. Man Cave Dweller standing 3 feet from your $7000 custom shop Bogner 8x12 rig!

They may have serious hearing issues too, so add that into the big equation.

[PowerTube]

Well I for one agree with the OP, and you can add the DSL100 to the list.

That being said, this thread is doomed to failure because the players it is aimed at have serious denial issues. I'm talking to you, Mr. Man Cave Dweller standing 3 feet from your $7000 custom shop Bogner 8x12 rig!

They may have serious hearing issues too, so add that into the big equation.

I keep hearing that the JVM410H can sound great at low volumes, even without pedals:

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I don't know what this jibba jabba is all about. Sounds like communism to me. jgcable you aren't going full Marxist Leninist on us are you? Jamming a perfectly dialed in monster high gain guitar rig in my zebra striped spandex showcasing my elongated chest hair to 16 year old girls is just the American fucking way dude. Chicks totally love it!

What brought all this on anyway? :think:

I could be wrong on this, but it seems to be another of a long series of "I play in a band professionally for beer and gas money, and you don't".

To each, their own. Personally I would encourage all who work in well-paying jobs to try all of the amps on this so-called list. Fuck practice amps. Play tube amps with at least one 4x12. At home.

I use a 4210 and 2210 JCM800 all the time at home, and they sound fantastic at all volumes. I also have a mid 70's 100W four-holder that I play at home but that's bordering 911 if you're not careful. It can be done though without an attenuator and is heavenly through a couple of greenback cabinets.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I keep hearing that the JVM410H can sound great at low volumes, even without pedals:

The JVM is an amazing amp at any level. No pedals or attenuators needed.

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I don't know what this jibba jabba is all about. Sounds like communism to me. jgcable you aren't going full Marxist Leninist on us are you? Jamming a perfectly dialed in monster high gain guitar rig in my zebra striped spandex showcasing my elongated chest hair to 16 year old girls is just the American fucking way dude. Chicks totally love it!

What brought all this on anyway? :think:

I could be wrong on this, but it seems to be another of a long series of "I play in a band professionally for beer and gas money, and you don't".

To each, their own. Personally I would encourage all who work in well-paying jobs to try all of the amps on this so-called list. Fuck practice amps. Play tube amps with at least one 4x12. At home.

I use a 4210 and 2210 JCM800 all the time at home, and they sound fantastic at all volumes. I also have a mid 70's 100W four-holder that I play at home but that's bordering 911 if you're not careful. It can be done though without an attenuator and is heavenly through a couple of greenback cabinets.