Amps !? What am I doing here ?

Rayk · May 8, 2024

Midnight Toker said:
My brother has the PRS MT15. Don't let the 15 watt moniker fool you. That thing is a beast. Side by side it can easily hold volume w/ a 40-50 watter. Best part is having 3 output settings on the back. Like 5 watt and 1.5 watts or something.

Oh gosh every time I see your screen name come up I wish I didn’t work for the State . lol

Yeah from every thing I read it has plenty of volume .

GGJaguar said:
Epiphone Valve Junior and Valve Senior.

hey thanks , nice cleans otherwise not what I’m wanting but appreciate the mention . I never heard of them

Rayk · May 8, 2024

AcornHouse said:
Check out the Vox Night Train series.

Thank you sir but again not what I’m interested in . Sounds great clean and overdrive more to the Stevie Ray Van thing. I can’t thing of other bands that use a similar crunch off the top my head .
I ‘d like more gain .

Nuuska · May 8, 2024

AcornHouse said:
Check out the Vox Night Train series.

I have the 2W-version - can be used w speaker OR line-out/headphones.

Nuuska · May 8, 2024

Rayk said:
Thank you sir but again not what I’m interested in . Sounds great clean and overdrive more to the Stevie Ray Van thing. I can’t thing of other bands that use a similar crunch off the top my head .
I ‘d like more gain .

I used to work in a band where lead guitar player had silverface Pro Reverb - I borrowed him my MXR Micro Amp w up to 26dB boost - he got all the distortion he ever wanted out of that Pro Reverb.

Rayk · May 8, 2024

Nuuska said:
I used to work in a band where lead guitar player had silverface Pro Reverb - I borrowed him my MXR Micro Amp w up to 26dB boost - he got all the distortion he ever wanted out of that Pro Reverb.

Cool

there’s distortion then there’s distortion with tone ! lol

so the amp must have tonal attributes I’m looking for before peddles are added . Fenders are quite good especially on the clean side . I don’t want peddles to make the amp do to say otherwise I’d just get a Headrush gig board .

GAD · May 8, 2024

Rayk said:
Cool there’s distortion then there’s distortion with tone ! lol so the amp must have tonal attributes I’m looking for before peddles are added . Fenders are quite good especially on the clean side . I don’t want peddles to make the amp do to say otherwise I’d just get a Headrush gig board .

Soldano recently released an SLO-30 that all the YouTubers are raving about. Soldano is no longer owned by Mike Soldano and the 30 isn’t made the same way, but they seem to sound good. If I build another amp it will probably be a Soldano.

jp · May 9, 2024

Rayk said:
Cool there’s distortion then there’s distortion with tone ! lol so the amp must have tonal attributes I’m looking for before peddles are added . Fenders are quite good especially on the clean side . I don’t want peddles to make the amp do to say otherwise I’d just get a Headrush gig board .

What kind of distortion/overdrive tones are you after? Marshall JCM800/900 territory? Mesa Boogie American hard rock overdrive? Tight crunchy metal madness?

How about the small Marshall DSL heads? They run EL34s, push 20 watts with a 10 watt half power switch, have great cleans and will still get snarling Marshall crunch, and won't bankrupt you. About $650 new or $450-500 used on Reverb. Here's a good sampling of sounds.

Rayk · May 9, 2024

GAD said:
Soldano recently released an SLO-30 that all the YouTubers are raving about. Soldano is no longer owned by Mike Soldano and the 30 isn’t made the same way, but they seem to sound good. If I build another amp it will probably be a Soldano.

SLO-30 all tube is 3 grand the slo-30 mini is solid state .
Yamaha had a 50 watt amp head / combo ( not sure on the combo ) that sounded really great if memory serves that was built by Soldano. That was in the late 80’s or early 90’s .
If you build a Soldano amp I’d love to hear it !

Rayk · May 9, 2024

jp said:
What kind of distortion/overdrive tones are you after? Marshall JCM800/900 territory? Mesa Boogie American hard rock overdrive? Tight crunchy metal madness?

How about the small Marshall DSL heads? They run EL34s, push 20 watts with a 10 watt half power switch, have great cleans and will still get snarling Marshall crunch, and won't bankrupt you. About $650 new or $450-500 used on Reverb. Here's a good sampling of sounds.

Here’s my choice’s so far leading with
1) PRS Mark Tremonti signature 15w

These I’m mixed about no order of preference yet . lol

2) mesa Boogie 25w
3) Blackstar ST James 50w
4) peavey MH 6505 20w

GAD · May 9, 2024

Rayk said:
Here’s my choice’s so far leading with
1) PRS Mark Tremonti signature 15w

These I’m mixed about no order of preference yet . lol

2) mesa Boogie 25w
3) Blackstar ST James 50w
4) peavey MH 6505 20w

Be advised that the early 6505s were made in the US and later ones were made in China. I would venture a guess that most of the mini heads from all brands are made in China, though.

Speaking of mini heads, have you checked out the Mesa TransAtlantic? I always thought they were pretty cool. Like most modern Mesas they have lots of tone variety which means lots of little switches.

Rayk · May 9, 2024

GAD said:
Be advised that the early 6505s were made in the US and later ones were made in China. I would venture a guess that most of the mini heads from all brands are made in China, though.

Speaking of mini heads, have you checked out the Mesa TransAtlantic? I always thought they were pretty cool. Like most modern Mesas they have lots of tone variety which means lots of little switches.

From what I found peavey moved production over to China in 2004 the 6505 MH show cased NAMM 2015 disclaimer (subject to change without notice ! )

Otherwise I knew it was Chinese . Heck just about everything is that’s affordable.

Briefly knew of the TA Mesa. Used prices for it and the Mini rectifier 25 run about the same from what I see . I believe they’re based off the Mark 5 or something with the added sparkle switches ,their discontinued.

I Couldn’t t find any demos that impressed me so I’d stay with the later models which I think has more gain . I actually thought the TA had Effects programs in it because Yamaha has that TA Acoustic guitar . lol

Thanks for letting me know about it .

GAD · May 9, 2024

You see this?

FS/FT - Mesa Boogie Mark five: 25 combo

Great little versatile amp. 10” speaker, small light weight… total grab and go amp. No foot-switch 😞. Works like it should, tubes are good, low hours. This amp is very popular and so much info available on-line, search it up if interested 😊 $1250 shipped CONUS. Open to all trade offers.

letstalkguild.com

The Mini-Recs are cool. Know that if you want that chug-thump thing you'll need the right cabinet. The closed back Mesa cabs are legendary in that realm but if you're going to use it with an existing (especially open-back) cab you may not get that thump.

Rayk · May 10, 2024

GAD said:
You see this?

FS/FT - Mesa Boogie Mark five: 25 combo

Great little versatile amp. 10” speaker, small light weight… total grab and go amp. No foot-switch 😞. Works like it should, tubes are good, low hours. This amp is very popular and so much info available on-line, search it up if interested 😊 $1250 shipped CONUS. Open to all trade offers.

letstalkguild.com

The Mini-Recs are cool. Know that if you want that chug-thump thing you'll need the right cabinet. The closed back Mesa cabs are legendary in that realm but if you're going to use it with an existing (especially open-back) cab you may not get that thump.

No but just looked at it . Thanks .

Cabs will be a tricky thing . I’m not looking to play out just more or less jam to a Cd once in a while . Mostly I want the head for recording . I have a 4/12 Ibanez cab I got cheap a few years ago . Most likely not the best sounding cab but hopefully good enough for now . That’s what I run the Joyo Zombie through . lol

Boneman · May 11, 2024

Rayk said:
I want a nice high gain for my limited solo abilities that’s smooth if that’s a term that can be used ? Clean that clear well rounded yet can offer a bit of sparkle .

Sounds like you need a Marshall for that combination

. I hear good things about their Origin 50, and GC has some used ones:

Used Marshall Origin 50h Tube Guitar Amp Head | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Used Marshall Origin 50h Tube Guitar Amp Head and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com

Good luck in the hunt and let us know what you end up with

Rayk · May 11, 2024

I found this just a bit ago good vid

Which do you like ?

Rayk · May 11, 2024

Boneman said:
Sounds like you need a Marshall for that combination . I hear good things about their Origin 50, and GC has some used ones:

Used Marshall Origin 50h Tube Guitar Amp Head | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Used Marshall Origin 50h Tube Guitar Amp Head and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com

Good luck in the hunt and let us know what you end up with

Thank you sir from the reviews I just read and watched it’s an ok amp but won’t fit my needs/ wants , much appreciated good Sir !

jp · May 11, 2024

Honestly, I think both of those above sound great, however, I do lean towards the Mesa 'cuz I love the dual rectifier tones.

A few more affordable options to consider, Rayk.

Blackstar Venue Series HT Studio head
Small head, 20 watts, super affordable used, runs EL34s, good recording features, and it can get ugly.

Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 head
These are affordable and sound amazing. Granted they have EL84s so they get a more creamy rather than edgy overdrive, but they take pedal well so you can get a RAT pedal and go to town.

Rayk · May 12, 2024

jp said:
Honestly, I think both of those above sound great, however, I do lean towards the Mesa 'cuz I love the dual rectifier tones.

A few more affordable options to consider, Rayk.

Blackstar Venue Series HT Studio head
Small head, 20 watts, super affordable used, runs EL34s, good recording features, and it can get ugly.

Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 head
These are affordable and sound amazing. Granted they have EL84s so they get a more creamy rather than edgy overdrive, but they take pedal well so you can get a RAT pedal and go to town.

On the PRs Mark Tremonti guitarist for Creed And alter bridge plus other works including solo albums apparently like Mesa Amps which is why it sounds so close to the Mesa . I think the PRS has more functionality on the knob sensitivity along with being a bit richer/more fuller tone .

So you have one made in USA with full hands on building the other made in China .

I’m not criticizing MIC at all the amp sounds great ! And it’s affordable! also gets crazy good reviews.

Being an Alex Lifeson nut I looked into H&K
I look again but not the high gain tone I want though peddles could help get it there .
I checked on and posted on the Blackstar ST James . It’s a bit higher priced and 50 watts , can’t remember if there’s wattage options on it but it does sound good as well !
The venue which I’ll look again at didn’t catch my interest can remember why .

I’ll be back ! ( said in a Arnold terminator voice ) lol

GAD · May 12, 2024

Knob sensitivity is a new on one me; I don't think I've ever considered an amp based on knob sensitivity.

Rocky · May 12, 2024

GAD said:
Knob sensitivity is a new on one me; I don't think I've ever considered an amp based on knob sensitivity.

I'm sure you have, but not thinking about it in those terms. How hard is it to dial in sounds? Does an amp have 'every sound but the right one?" Those are knobs with too much sensitivity.

Amps !? What am I doing here ?

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