Help with Amp

[jmf1002]

Hi guys,

Am gonna seek out some advice here on which tube amp I should go for. I know guitars pretty well but unfortunately, my amp-knowledge is pretty bad..

Anyhow, my sound/tone preference is pretty much vintage-bluesy rock, somewhere along the lines of Jimmy Page, John Frusciante and Cream.
I'm not into the whole metal, hard crunch sounds.

From what I've been reading, it seems that I should go for either Marshall, Vox or Orange.

Anyone can recommend something that will fit my preference pls. If possible could you also indicate the models pls. Oh yes, and I'm looking for something that won't break the bank too..maybe in the range of $500 - 800

Thanks much guys!

 

[Dongara]

Firstly you have to ask yourself some more questions:

- How loud do I need the amp to be (am I gigging with the amp, jamming in a studio or playing at home)? This will help you decide on the power output. If at home then even 5 watts is enough, in a studio then a 15 watt amp or gigging, 30 watts or more.

- Am I going to be keeping the amp, or selling it soon to upgrade? A very important question in Singapore. If you are going to be playing this style for some time <and want to keep the amp for a few years, then consider paying more and getting a better amp.

- Build quality? You get what you pay for. Tube amps run hot so are hard on their components, transistor amps are much easier. A well built transistor amp will run for years, but a cheaply built tube amp (and I mean some of the better names like Fender, Marshall and HiWatt here) will give you problems from day one.

- Amp type? Reverb, non - reverb, effects loops and extra drive channels all increase the cost and complexity of the amp and mean more things to go wrong.

I love tube amps and have had the pleasure of playing many very good models, but it comes back to the amp being a tool for you. Tube amps sound best when they are run hard (more than half volume) and for anything more than 15 watts that's too loud! They also weigh a lot, especially when you buy a head and a cab. The players you mention all play old Marshalls and have lots of roadies to move them around!

Try looking at all the 15 watt combo amps around town (I don't live in Singapore anymore so I'm not sure what's available). Bring your guitar with you and play the amps as loud as they let you with a simple ds-1 pedal or tubescreamer. That is the way I would test them.

Hope this helps.

cheers,

Mark.

 

[J.custom]

You might want out the Marshall Class 5 that Davis brings in. Simple no frills amp with just a 4 knob job, volume, and 3 band EQ.
But as Mark mentioned, what kind of amp do you want?
Do you intend to get your drive tones from the amp or will you be playing pedals through it?
If you're getting your drive tone from the amp would you need an effects loop? Would you need a clean channel as well as an OD channel?
etc. Many other questions to ask yourself before short listing the amps you're interested in.

You might also want to do some research the different colours/flavours of the tubes used by the brands you said you were interested in (Marshall, Vox, Orange)

 

[chungmun77]

I'd recommend the Blackstar series of amps. They have a whole range catering from bedroom to performance levels. I've personally owned the HT5 and now the HT-1RH. Definitely within the budget you mentioned. And from what I've read, the Blackstar folks are previously Marshall employees. Good luck!

 

[slowth]

where could I try the blackstar amps locally?

Yeah need something reasonably small so I was thinking the HT-1 or the vox ac4tv mini.. or something around that 200+ range..
tube would be awesome though I know for that range I shouldn't expect heaven.

Something also I could just plug my whole pedalboard in and play straight off. No frills knobs on the amp are good cos I just want a good clean base.
I did think i'd want one with an fx loop so that I can put my time/pitch pedals there. but i'd have to dismantle my board all the time. So it makes more sense to have a good clean amp i can just plug my pedalboard into and not bother with the amp drive.
Is my thought process making sense? haha haven't been into electric a whole long time...

any suggestions?!

 

[FreakExcess]

Go get a VHT Special 6 combo ($250) or Head+Cab($350) from Davis if you're looking for cleans. Excellent for the price. Bought the head and cab and no regrets whatsoever.

Also, you may not need an effects loop since you're just using the cleans from the amp. Only necessary if you're getting your drive tones from your amp, then you might want to put your mod/delay pedals in the loop.

 

[FreakExcess]

Go get a VHT Special 6 combo ($250) or Head+Cab($350) from Davis if you're looking for cleans. Excellent for the price. Bought the head and cab and no regrets whatsoever.

Also, you may not need an effects loop since you're just using the cleans from the amp. Only necessary if you're getting your drive tones from your amp, then you might want to put your mod/delay pedals in the loop.

 

[chungmun77]

Blackstar amps and other goodies can be had at Woodworkz, Excelsior Hotel basement. Have fun!

 

[ShredAddict]

Fender Blues Junior gets my vote for the old school tone. it's as if the presence knob is put to 0! love it though. look for a used unit.