Looking for a new amp

[Breadfan]

I've been playing for about 1 year and 6 months now and I'm looking for an upgrade tonewise.

The amp I've have now is a Hughes & Kettner edition1 (same as edition silver, but limited edition [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ). It's OK, but yeah...
I'd like to have a (combo) amp with at least 3 channels (clean, rhytm, lead). And of course, it should sound good!

I hear that everyone is talking about tube amps nowadays. (weell, at least on the megadeth boards that is! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ) Is that something to check out?

I have also tried a Marshall Valvestate s80 at my school, and it sounded pretty sweet to my ears.
Are there any amps you can recomend?
My guitar is a Jackson Professional Dinky mid-90's.

[charvelguy]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Depends on the amount you want to spend and features, New/Used, 1x12, 2x10, 2x12, effects built in, or using outboard gear, tubed, digital etc or combo tubed-analog/digital. Isn't your HK a 1x12?

If you're wanting 3 channel switching (like I believe your HK does).., do you want to be able to vary the EQ for each channel so you can have separate EQ for cleans, rhythms and leads? (usually you can combine the rhythm and lead eq and just kick in a boost)
Some guys just use a two channel Solid state amp like an AmpegSS70C or a CrateGFX and kick in a stomp box for the leads. Those amps can be had for pretty cheap used..100-150. I like the older Valvestate like the 8240's myself.

I'm sure you'll get a few suggestions for a Flextone-line 6, or a Mesa Studio 22 with graphic. These all have been kicked about here before.

Behringer's Ultratwin GX212 have been selling really well and are seemingly a good bang for the buck. I've read they're not a real Hi gain amp, but it'll get alot of sounds for your buck. Crates GLX sounds like a nicer variation of the Behringers, but they're a little more expensive.

The issues with modeling amps vs tubes is modeling amps while they're very flexible and can have great sounds, they tend to have signal decay at the notes end. A true tube amp purist will say the sound may be there, but the nuances of a tube still are lacking. Still, for most applications, the new digital stuff is worth looking at but if you're looking at tubed, they can vary greatly in both prices and features.

If you can give a price range and a little more specifics you'd like to achieve, it would help dial in a little better idea.

[Breadfan]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Yeah, the HK is 1x12, two channels, one eq.

I'd like to have one eq for each channel.
Well, at least one for clean and one for distortion.
Effects isn't a must have.. but I wouldn't say no to it. (The Marshall I mentioned had chorus)
Price range: $450-550

What stomp-boxes are you talking about? Just distorion or what?

Whats the advantages with having a separate amp and a separate speaker? I see alot of people who use that

[charvelguy]

Re: Looking for a new amp

yeah, the footpedals I'm referring to are boost/distortion. Rat Pro Co, Tube Screamer, MXR micro amp, DOD 250 or 308, Boss DS-1 etc, etc,..

Some people prefer having the cab separate from the amp section as a separate cab is closed back as opposed to open back as most combos are constructed.
Here's a link from Tone Tubby that gives a rather overly scientific definition of the differences.

Cabs

[toejam]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Check out the Mesa F-30. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I've got one and love it! Each channel has its own reverb, and it's footswitchable on/off. The clean channel is awesome, the gain channel is great, and the gain channel has a footswitchable contour boost that boosts the gain, bass and treble that brings it over the top. It's great for playing at low volumes, but it also can get quite loud!!!! http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_In.../F-series.html

[Breadfan]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Looks cool man [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
What did you pay for it?

[slayer]

Re: Looking for a new amp

If you are looking for a really nice versitile Tube amp, you may want to check out the Peavey Ultra 1x12 or 2x12 60 watt combos. They don`t make them anymore, but you can find them used, and the Heads are much more popular, but the combos can be found. I was looking for a 1x12 model, and found a very clean 2x12 model. Very good bang for the buck. The reviews on HC are raving for this amp, and they were spot on, it is fantastic!! I run it straight or with a DOD Death Metal pedal in front, for some serious Crunch [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Jack.

[charvelguy]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Some guys have their rig setup to be a relative clean sound and then use the pedal for distortion. In RR case, MXR Distortion plus. Problem with this is the signal gets pretty hot with the boost on, unless you're quick on the volume or have a vol pedal, on/off switch on your signal chain, you get some uncontrollable feedback problems.

[toejam]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Originally posted by Breadfan:
Looks cool man [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
What did you pay for it?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I paid $600 new for mine off ebay. They sell for $799 in the stores.

[Breadfan]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Okay, thanks man

Boost? What do you mean by that? I've heard Randy Rhoads used a 'clean boost'.. meaning? And why?
(YES, It's my second amp I'm planning to buy [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] )

[Breadfan]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Okok thanks for the replies
I'll see if I can find one of those in the local music-stores. And if so, I'll check em out! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Breadfan]

Re: Looking for a new amp

What do you guys think about this one?
Marshall Valvestate 8240, with chorus
http://www.gbg.bonet.se/famhellstrom...l/Marshall.htm

Or can i get something better in the same price range?

[Steve]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Originally posted by Breadfan:
I've been playing for about 1 year and 6 months now and I'm looking for an upgrade tonewise.

The amp I've have now is a Hughes & Kettner edition1 (same as edition silver, but limited edition [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ). It's OK, but yeah...
I'd like to have a (combo) amp with at least 3 channels (clean, rhytm, lead). And of course, it should sound good!

I hear that everyone is talking about tube amps nowadays. (weell, at least on the megadeth boards that is! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ) Is that something to check out?

I have also tried a Marshall Valvestate s80 at my school, and it sounded pretty sweet to my ears.
Are there any amps you can recomend?
My guitar is a Jackson Professional Dinky mid-90's.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">get a Peavey triple X 2/12 or if you don't have lottsa cash get a Peavey XXL 2/12 great amps . the XXL will be alot cheaper but Heavy as hell ! //Steve

[toejam]

Re: Looking for a new amp

Originally posted by Breadfan:
What do you guys think about this one?
Marshall Valvestate 8240, with chorus
http://www.gbg.bonet.se/famhellstrom...l/Marshall.htm

Or can i get something better in the same price range?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 8240 is actually what my other amp is! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I've had it new since it came out around '92. It's down in my basement and still going strong, a very cool amp. The only thing I don't like is that the OD1/OD2 are not footswitchable and you have to use the little push buttons on the amp for that. I wish the reverb was footswitchable, because I only use it on the clean channel. I believe there was an updated version that might have had dual reverb and the OD section was footswitchable. I think it was the V265R, if I recall correctly.

[ January 23, 2004, 10:22 AM: Message edited by: toejam ]

[Mordor]

Re: Looking for a new amp

They just have one tube in the preamp section,I agree with Steve btw,a Triple XXX combo would be pretty cool.