Recommending amps...

[thor666]

I think most Singapore guitarists rely on pedal distortion more than amp distortion.

I wouldn't embrace a single brand on the fact that there seems to be hits and misses for every brand.

The only "brand" I would recommend is Frenzel and Ceriatone because they're doing clones/variants of classic models and they do an excellent job of their work.

 

[crozzfire]

subversion: yupp, i'm not really a heavy distortion player, and i hardly use amp distortion.

 

[subversion]

quote thor666: I think most Singapore guitarists rely on pedal distortion more than amp distortion.

this is why i feel that when it comes to good amp distortion, very few people can relate to what i'm talking about... it's also ironic that there are lots of big names amp talk when in reality, the pedals do the talking... 8)

 

[Whitestrat]

this is why i feel that when it comes to good amp distortion, very few people can relate to what i'm talking about... it's also ironic that there are lots of big names amp talk when in reality, the pedals do the talking...

The problem is when you have good amp distortion, you need to rely on an efx loop on the amp (which strangely, not every amp has one) to get some delay, chorus and what not. After you've settled in your very own sound, and you go jamming or gigging, you don't get the same amp unless you bring your own. Now, who wants to bring a nice 100W head to a gig only to have it damaged? Heh...

 

[Whitestrat]

interesting: players are lured by good cleans rather than distortion...

I think also that in the market, there are many amps with good distortion tones, but not that many with fantastic clean tones. You can have a good distortion tone from pedals, but a really good clean tone is something only the amp can provide...

I tried a few MESAs in Japan when I was there recently. Road King, Lone Star, Tri-Axis... Can't say they're bad, but I could definately live without them. :wink:

A 59 Bassman on the other hand... :lol:

 

[Marksman]

I can't really choose within the poll....

For fellow players who's looking for a no-nonsense Bedroom Amp, which takes pedals well, and especially if they're looking for warmer-sounding amps, you have my answer: Ibanez Toneblaster X.

Otherwise, I cant say anything.... but I want to try Laney and MESA/Boogie amps. I've heard good things about Peavey's on-board distortion too.

Basically, what I like is an amp with good and warm-sounding cleans. The only that I know of is Toneblaster X. Distortion is a bit mild, but no problem, boost it. :wink:

If I have the choice (and $$), I would want a head specially designed to be switchable from full-tube to solid-state (Think: Crap my tube just died, oh well (flick switch). Okay thats dreaming too much, am i?


That said, I'm going to get myself the Toneblaster X in a few weeks time. :twisted:

 

[keithC]

sub: "interesting: players are lured by good cleans rather than distortion..."

somehow it doesn work for me.. my roland cube 20x sounds superb clean, and even with the bluesey distortion. but when gain is cranked i cant hear my notes and it sounds totally muddy.. and it doesnt take pedals well. i just want something that can bring out clarity from pedals...

 

[Weiht]

Hey sub, i really dig tube amp od, but its way too loud(Cranked a jtm45 to acdc tone heaven, but it drown the drummer even)... So bo pian, even tho there are master vol amps, u dont really get the power tubes mojo cooking.

So its kind of a compromise lol

But lets not forget that TS n earlier pedals were not created to emulate amp distortion, but to drive the tubes even harder into overdrive.... Thats why earlier stuff were not as gainy as the song u hear today, but still the tone is huge n saturated

 

[Whitestrat]

For fellow players who's looking for a no-nonsense Bedroom Amp, which takes pedals well, and especially if they're looking for warmer-sounding amps, you have my answer: Ibanez Toneblaster X.

Actually, I'd recommend my Fender Bronco for this purpose. 15 watt amp.

The clean tone is good, and the built-in distorion is quite good. Very Marshall-like.

And guess what? It comes in Tweed!!! But alas, the amp is discontinued...

 

[Marksman]

Whitestrat:

But I still prefer warm-sounding amps. Haha.

 

[Whitestrat]

Marksman: I wrap you up in tweed, see you warm or not... whahahaha... :lol: I get what you mean. Then maybe the Tech 21 amp might be your thing... It's pretty warm sounding... The only problem I have with the Bronco is that it's got no reverb...

 

[Marksman]

Hahaha I see.

Dun think we have a dealer for Tech21 amps though. And I probably cant afford it either.

 

[Whitestrat]

TY Music Center has them for sale... Damn nice amp. They just opened an outlet in Peninsula. Check it out!!!

 

[Midnight]

I'd say marshall, basically cos i own one. Fenders are great and so are laneys to me. I voted Mesa because i never tried one. XD

 

[Marksman]

But i think the price will kill me lo... :lol: My budget's <$300.

An amp with GT-2 inbuilt is really tempting though

 

[almondx]

I likey Elmwood Modena 90 =D Best sounding versatile Class AB amp I've heard to date, tho based on clips from the net - the be all end all amp for me!

FWIW, I think it's always better to invest in a good hi-gain tube amp rather than pedals in order to nail the heavy chuggachuggaWEEEWEEE sound without any stabbing highs or booming lows.

 

[NanoShred]

Locally although the variety is very little. There are some good amps under the very common names.

Marshall's Jcm 2000 DSL50 is a great rock amp. Cannot compared to the poor sounding dsl401. dsl50 is el34 and dsl40 is el84. But as with most new marshalls, tube swap and experimenting is pretty crucial in getting a good sound.

My favourite locally available high gain amp, Laney Gh50L. Sounds good at low volumes, can accept both 6L6 and el34s. Very nice tones, one channel.

Peavey old 5150s and 6505, very aggressive high gain rock tones amp. Also sound good at low-moderate volumes.

Carvin Legacy, one of the nicer sounding stock el34 amps.

Most of the nice clean amps are already mentioned.

 

[HarrisonYeo]

ooooops wrong thread lol !@!!!

 

[trianglebiscuit]

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[gargamelesp]

heh.. im one of those players who think that distortion should come from the amp and not pedals.

granted, most pedals nowadays can produce good distortion through a clean amp, but i guess its a personal preference

after playing marshalls since day 1, i finally had the chance to own an engl invader, and i must say its high gain tones are killer. my booster pedal (which i used with my old marshall jmp1 vht 2/50/2 setup) has been sitting in the shelf ever since i got the engl. i only run the gain around 1-3o clock and it is more than enough

id even say that the cleans that this amp has is better than the ones on my marshall (but im not really a fan of cleans, so this is a bonus i guess).

ps.. i guess that one reason why most high gain -metal amps are 100w and above is due to the fact that if you want a good solid broooootal chug, you want clarity and headroom, as opposed to the powertubes being overdriven (which everyone seems to think produces the best tone)

my vote goes to engl for the perfect chug chug tone, and either a diezel vh4/ herbert or a vht for amps that are tighter and clearer in the bottom end