Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

[buddyfuzz]

Heya,
I'm looking for a new amp, I know the sound I want, yet I have no idea where to start looking for it. I have a Tech 21 SansAMP GT2 which I run into my computer with the EQ on the pedal flat, I add a bit of verb, and I like the sound. My settings are drive on full, so it must be fairly high gain, and I'm using the 'British' and 'High Gain' settings. This kinda points towards a hot-rodded marshall type amp, however what really does it is the 'Mic' switch. There are three options 'Off Axis, Center, Classic'. Off Axis and Center give pretty smooth tones, however what really does it is the 'Classic' setting. It makes the sound so clear and articulate and 'clean', yet it's so highly driven. Does anybody have any suggestions about what amps have this 'Classic' sound, or what gives it that?

Any advice welcome,
Thanks,
Jonny

[atilla]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

Hey, Jonny. Two amps to suggest: Marshall Jubilee or Laney AOR (50 or 100, whatever you can find). Great British crunch, especially if you feed them good tubes. The Laneys are a lot cheaper (about $250), but not as ruggedly built. The Marshalls often sell for about $800. These prices are just for the head. Speaker/cabs would be more.

Another idea is to run your Sans-Amp into one of those neat little Atomic combos. They're basically a tube-powered combo amp, but with no pre-amp. They're designed to work with solid-state and modeling preamps. You might get nice, warm tones with one. I don't know about the prices for sure...

[buddyfuzz]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

Thanks for the quick reply, Erm, the Laney AOR aren't made anymore are they? The Atomic idea is cool, but I'm after a head (pref. with reverb). I don't like the idea of running too many effects, I'm not a fan of dry signals at all, but simplicity is good. While I was looking on the Laney site I came across the 'TT' series, do you think this amp would be good for the lead sound I talked about? I'm asking because it's three channels all valve with midi-switching and reverb which is pretty much all I could ever ask for in an amp.

Thanks,
Jonny

[Riscchip]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

I'd suggest a Splawn modded Marshall for those types of sounds. Smooth, but at the same time open and not overly compressed. Very tight and explosive.

[bluebullet]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

tech 21 trademark series amps

[atilla]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the quick reply, Erm, the Laney AOR aren't made anymore are they?...While I was looking on the Laney site I came across the 'TT' series, do you think this amp would be good for the lead sound I talked about? I'm asking because it's three channels all valve with midi-switching and reverb which is pretty much all I could ever ask for in an amp.

Thanks,
Jonny

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, Johnny. No, the AOR hasn't been made since the 80s. I haven't played any of the new Laneys, so I can't say much about them. Sorry! I will tell you that they're probably not that cheap, and for the money you could probably get yourself into an Engl Thunder 50, which has a great reputation for beng a great high-gain amp. They usually run about $800 for the head.

Then again, if you're willing to spend that much, I'd look for a Marshall Jubilee. They are sweeeeet.

[buddyfuzz]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

Thanks for the help guys, the Jubilee's look cool. Say, d'you have any experience with the 30th Anniversary Marshall's? Any opinion's on those? The amount of buttons/controls they have is just insane, yet it's the sound that counts...

[buddyfuzz]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

I've been listening to some tracks to try and help those who haven't used the GT2 or much Tech 21 stuff, but whatever it is that gives the tone what it does is present in When the Children Cry by White Lion, and I suppose the Here I Go Again solo. I also hear it a fair bit in Brian May's tone..

[atilla]

Re: Amp Advice, Tech 21 Specialists!?

Jonny, I'm pretty sure I haven't played a 30th Anniversary Marshall. I've played a JMP, the Jubilee, and some MGs. The Jubilee was the only one that did much for me...and with a minimum of knobs and switches, too!