Need recommendation for amp head

[Ized]

Nice, I think you should try running the lunchbox into a nice 4x12 cab when you go for gigs or jams...makes a huge difference imo. Lack of bass wouldn't be a factor then.

I think I saw someone selling both for a nice price on the classifieds.

 

[ice9]

Ok, I'm looking to get an amp head I can bring out to gigs, jamming, and also record. Has to be reasonable size for a guy with no car but willing to lug gear around.

hmm...if size is a major concern...a zt lunchbox or tiny terror lor...i dunno wut else can carry around wan

but if ur open to non-amp options, a crate powerblock or similar thing. for ur criteria and other advantages (versatility, easy to integrate with diff venues, size, sound), personally i wud choose this over a amp head. i will have a proper amp for home and dis lil fler for gigs.

edit: oh u got da zt oredi...how bro? syiok?

rock!

 

[kernelsalonpas]

i agree with what someone posted here about matching the speaker to your head. it's an important factor to consider too.

and a head and cab setup is easier to lug around than having a combo. i drag myself a 1x12 combo and it's no easy task.

if clean headroom is what you're looking for then the zt lunchbox is a good thing to consider but the heating issues always pop up with their units. the crate has breakdown issues- i have one but i can't really use it as much as i intend to.

i can say that if you plan to bring your own head it means your chasing a particular tone in your head already and so you have to try out a lot---> and it's a long journey .

 

[Ized]

We are actually lucky that most gig organisers here provide the most basic equipment for gigs here- to the extent most people can get away using the built-in distortion on the provided amp or a multi-fx unit, no matter how shitty the amp is. In other countries, bands have to lug their own equipment to gigs. This includes amps, cabs, drum sets, instruments and pedals. Only the most basic PA system and monitors are provided, and more established bands will bring their own monitors and PA system to the mix to ensure they get the best quality sound. I've known of local bands who have gone overseas and needed to rent their own backline and equipment for the show.....with little or no remuneration.

 

[carboxymoron]

Lots of good points here. Anyway I have already started doing some demos with the ZT Lunchbox, and bringing it to a jam later to see how it sounds, maybe hook it up to the same cab that I used with the HT Stage 100 mentioned in my first post.

Will be using it next Sunday at the Esplanade Concourse too (shameless plug https://www.facebook.com/events/376838489010073/ )

 

[carboxymoron]

Tried out the Lunchbox briefly in 4 situations over the weekend:

Small untreated room, Lunchbox alone: easily matches a 30-watt Marshall AVT in volume (we didn't push either amp much, both simply have more than enough), and I preferred the Lunchbox's tone.

Church, small stage, Lunchbox alone: made me want to permanently replace the Laney HCM60 with a Lunchbox. And the HCM is not a bad amp -- I've liked the series for its good clean base and ability to take pedals.

Epic Studio, Lunchbox plugged into Bugera 4x12: The Bugera 333XL head (120W) obviously sounded better to trained ears and has much more gain on crunch and lead channels, but the Lunchbox could match volume (the band isn't very loud, alt rock-ish with only 1 guitar) and took pedals well.

Studio, plugged into Ibanez 4x12 cab (don't know exact model), with a pretty loud band: the Lunchbox was struggling to keep up, I had the volume and gain at about 4 o'clock and was pushing it with an additional clean boost at the end of my usual effects. It got a bit compressed and the mid muddiness showed when approaching max volume. But the whole band thinks it sounds great and gig-worthy, especially if you don't push it to the extreme and mic it up instead.

I think this is one of the more recent units that doesn't heat up as bad, though I got a bit worried towards the end of a 2 hour session pushing it at near max volume.

 

[Ized]

Tried out the Lunchbox briefly in 4 situations over the weekend:

Small untreated room, Lunchbox alone: easily matches a 30-watt Marshall AVT in volume (we didn't push either amp much, both simply have more than enough), and I preferred the Lunchbox's tone.

Church, small stage, Lunchbox alone: made me want to permanently replace the Laney HCM60 with a Lunchbox. And the HCM is not a bad amp -- I've liked the series for its good clean base and ability to take pedals.

Epic Studio, Lunchbox plugged into Bugera 4x12: The Bugera 333XL head (120W) obviously sounded better to trained ears and has much more gain on crunch and lead channels, but the Lunchbox could match volume (the band isn't very loud, alt rock-ish with only 1 guitar) and took pedals well.

Studio, plugged into Ibanez 4x12 cab (don't know exact model), with a pretty loud band: the Lunchbox was struggling to keep up, I had the volume and gain at about 4 o'clock and was pushing it with an additional clean boost at the end of my usual effects. It got a bit compressed and the mid muddiness showed when approaching max volume. But the whole band thinks it sounds great and gig-worthy, especially if you don't push it to the extreme and mic it up instead.

I think this is one of the more recent units that doesn't heat up as bad, though I got a bit worried towards the end of a 2 hour session pushing it at near max volume.

Thanks for coming back to feedback on the Lunchbox with the various situations you tried it in. Great insights for those looking to buy one....

How was the amp's clean base compared to the Bugera? I know solid state amps can't match tube amps for crunch and gain stuff, but I'm sure the Lunchbox would do better with pedals? I kind of dislike the Bugera's clean channel....although it nearly wasn't half as bad as the Blackstar HT100. Best amp for pedals (surprise!) is still the Orange. I suspect it has something to do with the speaker cab too, as it happens to be the only amp in the studio with industry standard Celestion Vintage 30s.

With regards to the Ibanez 4x12 cab, was it at fourtones you guys jammed at? The lunchbox should have more than enough power to keep up with a really loud band, given the 200W power rating (although solid state). What was the other guitar player using?

 

[carboxymoron]

How was the amp's clean base compared to the Bugera? I know solid state amps can't match tube amps for crunch and gain stuff, but I'm sure the Lunchbox would do better with pedals?

With regards to the Ibanez 4x12 cab, was it at fourtones you guys jammed at? The lunchbox should have more than enough power to keep up with a really loud band, given the 200W power rating (although solid state). What was the other guitar player using?

vs. the Bugera (or any other good amp head), I think it's simply a matter of taste. For myself, used to solid states and no preference for amp dirt, both sound good to me. More demanding tube tone chasers probably have something else to say about it

For the Ibanez cab, yeah... in hindsight there are most likely some issues with the cab itself. Previous jams I've always had problem keeping up in volume using the Ibanez head there. And the Lunchbox's speaker was putting out as much or more volume than the cab.

 

[Ized]

Interesting. I'm in a similar situation like yourself - since i get most of my dirt from dirt pedals like the seventheaven anyway.

Hmm, I wonder if there's any way for me to try. I may just be interested to get a lunchbox if I am guaranteed a good, consistent clean tone that works well with my dirt pedals, rather than be subject to the mercy of less than desirable equipment from nefarious gig organizers. Maybe I should check with David whether would it be possible to bring more stock of the lunchbox in (the previous batch was completely sold out) and test it with the seventheaven they have in-store.

 

[carboxymoron]

I wonder if there's any way for me to try.

Hmm I'm super busy now or I would offer to let you try. Maybe see how if I'm jamming at Epic in a couple weeks' time..

 

[xklusivly4u]

I was in the same situation and here is my recent experience in amp hunt.

I have tried DT25 and I really like Clean and British channels. Clean is very clean and nice crunch, usual Marshall Type of sound. Modern high gain mode (aka mesa boogie) channel has sheer amount of gains but I find that it’s a bit too compress and somehow feel the digital modeling although all components are analog.

I believe there are some sorts of pre amp modeling there. The other negative point is the LED lights are so weak that you don’t know which mode you are in. But overall it is a good sounding amp and plenty of options and power selections.

I was about to buy a DT25 combo but when I tried to lift it, I couldn’t’. It’s so heavy. I was very disappointed to the fact that I cannot buy and carry home without any help. Then I tried Egnater Rebel 30 head in Ebenex for like 5 minutes and that’s it. I was sold. It’s light and clean is very clean and enough gain to cover 80 hair metal. If I need more gain in low volume, I use my tube screamer. It takes TS9 very well on dirt channel, of course, but not so good with legendary HM-2 pedal. I will write a review when honeymoon is over. In terms of price by performance ratio, this amp wins many others in its class. By the way, David from Ebanex is da man !!!

I have also tried H&K TubeMeister 18W in one of the shops in Excelsior, I don’t recall the shop name. They carry H&K and BlackStar. Although the little amp sounds great, the total price, head plus matching 1x12 cab, is 60% more than US or European price.
And the sale guy (or owner) was lecturing me about what is a good tone and not letting me adjust eq or gain settings, oh by the way, I have to wait like 10 minutes to get tube warm up. LOL

 

[Ized]

Hmm I'm super busy now or I would offer to let you try. Maybe see how if I'm jamming at Epic in a couple weeks' time..

Sure no worries, Justin, I met CK for supper today anyway, and I understand you'r in a busy position yourself, preparing for your upcoming esplanade gig and baybeats. Congratulations bro, and CK did tell me his experience with the amp at jamming levels compared to the bugera, besides certain noise issues everything else seems promising.

Anyway thanks for the opportunity offered. Maybe you could hit me up when you'r less busy or something.

 

[Ized]

I was in the same situation and here is my recent experience in amp hunt.

I have tried DT25 and I really like Clean and British channels. Clean is very clean and nice crunch, usual Marshall Type of sound. Modern high gain mode (aka mesa boogie) channel has sheer amount of gains but I find that it’s a bit too compress and somehow feel the digital modeling although all components are analog.

I believe there are some sorts of pre amp modeling there. The other negative point is the LED lights are so weak that you don’t know which mode you are in. But overall it is a good sounding amp and plenty of options and power selections.

I was about to buy a DT25 combo but when I tried to lift it, I couldn’t’. It’s so heavy. I was very disappointed to the fact that I cannot buy and carry home without any help. Then I tried Egnater Rebel 30 head in Ebenex for like 5 minutes and that’s it. I was sold. It’s light and clean is very clean and enough gain to cover 80 hair metal. If I need more gain in low volume, I use my tube screamer. It takes TS9 very well on dirt channel, of course, but not so good with legendary HM-2 pedal. I will write a review when honeymoon is over. In terms of price by performance ratio, this amp wins many others in its class. By the way, David from Ebanex is da man !!!

I have also tried H&K TubeMeister 18W in one of the shops in Excelsior, I don’t recall the shop name. They carry H&K and BlackStar. Although the little amp sounds great, the total price, head plus matching 1x12 cab, is 60% more than US or European price.
And the sale guy (or owner) was lecturing me about what is a good tone and not letting me adjust eq or gain settings, oh by the way, I have to wait like 10 minutes to get tube warm up. LOL

Lol the Dark Terror is completely analog that's or sure.... No hybrid or modelling unless they are trying to do a Blackstar HT-5. Which uses op-amps for gain stages btw.

The shop you'r referring to is Woodworkz btw, while I have received good service from them thus far, sometimes what I hear from others unfortunately doesn't match up with mine.. Could be due to my experience with him has being better though as I've known him since MDC and my days working at a certain music store.

As for Ebenex, I have nothing but good things to say about them. Killer service and killer prices. I have an amp head I ordered from David coming in, and he was even able to give me a price that beat the price overseas (excluding shipping). Sometimes I feel bad for him due to his margins not always being that fantastic compared to other shops but he makes up for it with competitive prices and awesome customer service to boot. Which only means a continued long-term relationship with more returns. Kudos to Ebenex!

 

[RicFreak]

Take a pick .
To me , these are all really good small amps.
My personal favourite is the Night train.
One man's meat is another's poison.

 

[jeromeleeonsoft]

I'm also stuck in a dilema. Carvin V3 micro VS Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 36 (coming soon) VS Orange th30.

I'm looking for a THICK, FAT sounding gain section and a nice high headroom clean section.

Playing progressive rock, post rock and alternative.

If anyone has any experience on these amps pls shed some light