calling shoegazers! amp help

[iwantdigimon]

Hi there,

I more or less have my 'board sorted out but all thats left is the selection of a suitable amp.

I am more of a home user who does the occasional gig. I do not have the finances nor do I feel that the TGP and GeekChat championed Twin Reverb is practical for me, and hence I need some advice from fellow shoegazing fans here.

With a budget of about $700, what would you recommend? looking for a good clean tube amp

 

[skipper53]

Fender Blues Jr! =)

They're a little off your budget if your getting it from a store, but been seeing quite a few on the classifieds lately within that price range.

I'd even suggest an AC15 actually. The Blues Jr in my opinion (LOUD and clean as it maybe), can sound a little too sterile clean. Personal taste of course.

Show us the board man!

 

[wck]

Show us the board man!

Agreed. Haha.

The AC15 fits the bill of being a tube amp with nice cleans. It'll have plenty of headroom for home use so the cleans will stay clean if you decide to play louder.

What amp are you using now btw?

 

[iwantdigimon]

The AC15 comes to mind when I was researching, but I heard rumours that they dont get along well with certain dirt pedals?

I currently use an AC4! as for the 'board, not very glam in its messy state will post once I get my m9 and ss/bs team awesome fuzz!

I have issues playing loud at home, I feel very paiseh turning it up! I was wondering how u guys experiment/write around here , assuming u all live in HDB like I do..

 

[skipper53]

I'd say stick to the AC4 for now then. Lol the AC15 and the Blues Jr are WAY too loud for a HDB apartment.

 

[iwantdigimon]

man! dont tell me u guys dont live in HDB?? haha. that kinda makes me relieved though. Just that if I decide to do a gig I dont know if the AC4 can stand up to it!

 

[skipper53]

I live in an apt none the less? Lol.

Hmm just mic up the AC4? Your sound guy will love you.

 

[wck]

I live in a HDB but I just crank it up when I'm playing, I just make sure not to play too loud later in the night. So far my neighbours have been nice enough not to complain although everyone else in the house does heh.

The AC4 can't handle gig volumes unless its mic-ed up. If you want something to bring to a gig you can get a tube preamp, its easier to transport, cheaper and you'll be able to get a consistent sound even with the different amps provided.

 

[iwantdigimon]

hey that makes sense! The lack of headroom and fuller bass response is a bother though.

skipper bro sorry haha. for a moment i dont know why I envisioned ur setup in some secluded bungalow - my bad

anyways, thanks for the feedback so far! glad to know some fellow 'gazers

 

[skipper53]

It's all good bro, no need for apologies.

If you need inspiration to keep your AC4, get on to youtube and look for this one user: john3:16 Not really a shoegazer, but he's a spot on take on the Edge's delay textures. Even on the humble AC4 =)

 

[guitarsan]

Hi there,

I more or less have my 'board sorted out but all thats left is the selection of a suitable amp.

I am more of a home user who does the occasional gig. I do not have the finances nor do I feel that the TGP and GeekChat championed Twin Reverb is practical for me, and hence I need some advice from fellow shoegazing fans here.

With a budget of about $700, what would you recommend? looking for a good clean tube amp

How about Vox Night Train? It got a nice powerstage of 15/7.5W and more versatile sound. If City Music sale price is still on, the head plus cab should be less than 800 bucks.

 

[iwantdigimon]

thanks! but i guess i'd just stick to the AC4 for now, and perhaps get a cab. thanks again!

 

[imkeith]

i know of someone who cranks a 50 watt tube orange and he's living in a hdb flat too lol.. i guess it's just about cranking it at the right time :/

 

[Godspeed64]

Whatever amp you choose, the important thing about shoegaze is headroom.
Hence, especially in SG, solid state amps are a big plus! But be mindful of the rattle on the amp when you turn it up.

 

[iwantdigimon]

Whatever amp you choose, the important thing about shoegaze is headroom.
Hence, especially in SG, solid state amps are a big plus! But be mindful of the rattle on the amp when you turn it up.

i have read forums about the JC120 being really effective. then again its all personal eh? haha

 

[nigellum]

blackheart little giant! it works excellent for me

 

[iwantdigimon]

thanks for the reply! but i decided to do a tube change and get a cab instead!

Any recommendations for AC4 tubes replacements? I cant exactly stick a 6v6 or something instead of the usual el84/12ax7 combo right?

 

[faizal_rocks]

I have an AC4TV amp too and I changed the tubes to a Tungsol 12AX7 gold pin version and a Ei EL84 (OEM in VOX AC30)..works for me..all round great clean tone..n I might wanna get a cab too for more bass

 

[iwantdigimon]

Ah I see! thats right i had the bass issue that i posted two years back haha. I was just wondering what tubes I can change and what cab to get!

Ive been reading about 6v6, el84s, blah and it still makes no sense at all to me. I want a nice clean sound with that sweet bluesy breakup! Because right now my amp's crunch sounds fuzzy. Its kinda cool actually but honestly I'd prefer the BB kinda sweetness when it comes to bluesin' out