Amp advice please

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Amp advice please; modestly compact
Topic Started: Jan 4 2009, 10:38 PM (766 Views)
Rampant	Jan 4 2009, 10:38 PM Post #1
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 408 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	Hi folks Had my first guitar since Sep 08 - a black Pacifica 112V. I bought it bundled with a 15W Yamaha practice amp - OK for starters, but I've started to hanker after something with a better tonal quality. Lessons are coming along nicely - already playing a few rhythm tracks along to CDs (Importance of being idle, One, Run, Stuck in the middle with you, Hey jude, Universally speaking, Man on the moon) and although I haven't completely mastered all these yet we're adding a new song to learn most weeks. My budget is up to Ł200. New amp needs to be relatively compact to fit into a space in my small practice room - but would like it slightly bigger than my Yamaha. At my lessons I plug into a Marshall MG250DFX and I like the sound that gives, but that model is too bulky for me. MG50DFX is slightly too bulky too... Would be grateful for any ideas you'd care to throw my way. Cheerz Mark H
	NEW - Scarlet red PRS Custom 24 (25th anniversary birds) Black/white Yamaha Pacifica 112V Translucent red Ibanez Artcore AFS-75T semi-acoustic Vox Valvetronix VT30 Roland Micro Cube travel amp Sensei called Johnny Oriental red sunburst Yamaha APX700 electro-acoustic


voodoorider	Jan 4 2009, 10:54 PM Post #2
Garry Posts: 673 Group: Members Member #8,964 Joined: November 3, 2008	Hellllooo Are you after something with built in amp models and effects, or just something simple with a clean channel and a dirty channel? You'd get a little of a better tone if you went with something simpler by all accounts but you get loads of different sounds out of a modelling amp, they just generally don't sound quite as good.
	Guitars: PRS CU 22 R/W neck \| Organic Classic \| Heritage H-150 \| Fender Eric Clapton Strat \| Fender Deluxe Ash strat, scalloped \| 2001 USA std Telecaster \| 2008 USA std Telecaster \| 1996 Gibson Les Paul standard \| PRS Santana SE \| Maverick X1 \| Epiphone SG \| Freshman FA400J Amps: Orange Rockerverb 50 \| Mesa Boogie Electradyne \| Traynor YCV40T \| VOX AD60VT \| Fender Pro 185 \| Zoom Fire 15


Rampant	Jan 4 2009, 11:12 PM Post #3
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 408 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	Hello voodoorider Thanks for speedy response I'm using a Korg Pandora Toneworks gizmo for effects, so I don't think I necessarily need a modelling amp, although I've used the Marshall MG250DFX processing in series with the Korg to good effect at my "Master's" lessons. The thing is I'm only just a beginner at this so I don't really know just yet how my future playing will pan out??!! Have to say I'm having a real good time learning and the bonus is that I like all the songs that I'm given to learn to... Master says he doesn't mess about with cr@p songs and so far he hasn't disappointed:-) I've measured the gap I'd ideally like a new amp to fit in at max 18" x 18" x 10". That's about as big as I could really go in my small practice room, a lil-bit smaller would be more ideal. Cheerz Mark H
	NEW - Scarlet red PRS Custom 24 (25th anniversary birds) Black/white Yamaha Pacifica 112V Translucent red Ibanez Artcore AFS-75T semi-acoustic Vox Valvetronix VT30 Roland Micro Cube travel amp Sensei called Johnny Oriental red sunburst Yamaha APX700 electro-acoustic


voodoorider	Jan 4 2009, 11:27 PM Post #4
Garry Posts: 673 Group: Members Member #8,964 Joined: November 3, 2008	Cool ok.. Orange AD 5 is a vavle amp i recently came across which is awesome, pure tone and it's small enough, don't worry about the 5 watts.. it would blow your yamaha amp to pieces in volume, and as it's only 5 watt you can crank it a little more to get the sweetest tones out of it. However it is about as basic as an amp gets! Might be a tiny bit over your budget too! I'm not necisarily recommending it, i just want people to be aware it exists Tech 21 do some really nice solid state amps and are more expensive than other solid state amps but are worth it. Vox ad15 would probably be a pretty worthy upgrade. Laney do some nice little amps! These are just ideas for you and it's up to you ultimately! If you like the Marshall your tutor has then maybe you should look at some small Marshall amps, peoples tastes differ in guitars and amps as you will find in time, personally i'm not overly keen on some of the new Marshall amps although my dad has an MG15 mini stack which i think is really really awesome So another piece of advice as always.. get to a shop, try some out, get some demos done by a sales person if you wanna hear more potential!!
	Guitars: PRS CU 22 R/W neck \| Organic Classic \| Heritage H-150 \| Fender Eric Clapton Strat \| Fender Deluxe Ash strat, scalloped \| 2001 USA std Telecaster \| 2008 USA std Telecaster \| 1996 Gibson Les Paul standard \| PRS Santana SE \| Maverick X1 \| Epiphone SG \| Freshman FA400J Amps: Orange Rockerverb 50 \| Mesa Boogie Electradyne \| Traynor YCV40T \| VOX AD60VT \| Fender Pro 185 \| Zoom Fire 15


Rampant	Jan 4 2009, 11:39 PM Post #5
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 408 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	Cheerz matey Was at my local shop today. Saw the Marshall MG50DFX that thought might just fit my 'needs'. When I came home to measure the gap it turns out that it's just a bit too bulky to be practical. Thanks for the ideas... Anyone else feel free to pitch in their's too
	NEW - Scarlet red PRS Custom 24 (25th anniversary birds) Black/white Yamaha Pacifica 112V Translucent red Ibanez Artcore AFS-75T semi-acoustic Vox Valvetronix VT30 Roland Micro Cube travel amp Sensei called Johnny Oriental red sunburst Yamaha APX700 electro-acoustic


monwobobbo	Jan 4 2009, 11:50 PM Post #6
Posts: 1,032 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	really small amps aren't probably going to give you the sound you want. check out a peavey vypyr or a vox valvetronix. normally i mention the peavey valveking but that isn't compact and may be over your limit price wise.
	and now for something completely different


Rampant	Jan 11 2009, 01:31 AM Post #7
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 408 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	Right then guys I've been doing some browsing and come up with a few options, each of which are physically petite enough to go in the available space. Can anyone rate any of the folowing amps: 1. Hughes and Kettener Edition Blue 30DFX 2. Vox AD30VT 3. Roland Cube (30 watt) 4. Laney LC-15 110 Puely from reading internet guff I think the H&K 30DFX might be the best compromise and can be had for less than Ł200. The Laney is most expensive, being a valve amp and coming in at Ł250 but is "only" 15W. The Vox is also an interesting option with valve hybrid technology and is significantly cheaper than the H&K at less than Ł150. I think I'm correct in saying that they are all equipped with a 10" speaker. Which, if any of the above would you recommend as a replacement for my basic 15W Yamaha starter amp??? Cheerz Mark H Edited by Rampant, Jan 11 2009, 01:33 AM.
	NEW - Scarlet red PRS Custom 24 (25th anniversary birds) Black/white Yamaha Pacifica 112V Translucent red Ibanez Artcore AFS-75T semi-acoustic Vox Valvetronix VT30 Roland Micro Cube travel amp Sensei called Johnny Oriental red sunburst Yamaha APX700 electro-acoustic


voodoorider	Jan 11 2009, 01:51 AM Post #8
Garry Posts: 673 Group: Members Member #8,964 Joined: November 3, 2008	Ok something to bare in mind is that a tube amp will blow any solid state amp of the same wattage rating away completely! I expect that Laney would probably keep up with a 30-40 watt solid state amp no problem! The downside to the Laney compared with the other amps you've narrowed it down to is that it doesn't have the same versatility with built in effects and amps, but would sound better if you like a good valve tone. I haven't seen or heard the H&K you mentioned but reviews look good! I can tell you from experience that Vox are pretty much top dog when it comes to modeling amps though, i don't know how they compare to H&K but Vox has really nailed some great realistic tones with it's AD series. As for the Cube 30, i tried out a Cube 15 and it was OK, I'd imagine the 30 is a little better but I'd be pretty confident it doesn't sound as good as the Vox! IF.. it were me, I'd cross off the Cube, think about if i wanted pure valve tone over versatility. If i did, then it'd be the Laney, if not then I'd go and try out the H&K and the Vox and see which you prefer! Remember this is just an opinion! Also remember i experienced aesthetic problems with my VOX from piping expanding and the glue coming unstuck along a supporting rail which holds the cloth on properly! My Vox is quite different to the AD30 design wise though i think, and mine may well have been a one off. So yeah, get out there and try all 4 of them preferably! If that isn't possible knock a couple more off the list and try to see and hear them in the flesh! This way you might even stumble across something else you haven't seen or heard about too! Edited by voodoorider, Jan 11 2009, 01:53 AM.
	Guitars: PRS CU 22 R/W neck \| Organic Classic \| Heritage H-150 \| Fender Eric Clapton Strat \| Fender Deluxe Ash strat, scalloped \| 2001 USA std Telecaster \| 2008 USA std Telecaster \| 1996 Gibson Les Paul standard \| PRS Santana SE \| Maverick X1 \| Epiphone SG \| Freshman FA400J Amps: Orange Rockerverb 50 \| Mesa Boogie Electradyne \| Traynor YCV40T \| VOX AD60VT \| Fender Pro 185 \| Zoom Fire 15


Rampant	Jan 11 2009, 11:51 AM Post #9
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 408 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	Thanks mr voodoo lol. I did hesitate to include the Roland as an option here, but thought it best to gather opinion and advice before ruling it out altogether... Granted the laney valve would be powerful enough, but is a "cheap" valve amp a worthwhile upgrade? And would it tonally outperform the others enough to justify the extra cost? Both the Vox and Hughes and Kettner posses tube pre-amps and while the Vox has lots of models built in, so does my KORG Pandora in-line effects gizmo. I'm tempted by both, tbh, and am sure I'd be happy with any of the above even without going out to listen to them. A cardinal sin, I know - I wouldn't do that with hi-fi components or speakers!!! Trouble is that there is nowhere within even a reasonable travelling distance of Lincoln that stock either amp. Anybody else got experience with any of these amps? Cheerz Mark H
	NEW - Scarlet red PRS Custom 24 (25th anniversary birds) Black/white Yamaha Pacifica 112V Translucent red Ibanez Artcore AFS-75T semi-acoustic Vox Valvetronix VT30 Roland Micro Cube travel amp Sensei called Johnny Oriental red sunburst Yamaha APX700 electro-acoustic


roast	Jan 11 2009, 07:40 PM Post #10
Board Lord Posts: 1,965 Group: Co-Admin Member #59 Joined: September 2, 2006	Google Orange Amplification.



jimbob	Jan 12 2009, 09:43 PM Post #11
Member Posts: 30 Group: Members Member #9,054 Joined: December 9, 2008	i'd vote for the Lancy LC15. Had one as my practice amp for the last 8 years or so and it still blows me away. Great little amp, great tone, and loud. Used it when i started gigging, the other guitarist had a 60w solid state peavy, the peavy couldn't keep up Only stopped using it for gigs because it couldn't stay dead clean at that sort of volume. Sounds very similar to a Marshall because the tone circuitry is the same. But the bright switch adds a kind of fender sparkle to the mix. Best advice with getting a good tone out of it - put the volume control around 7-8, adjust the gain nob to get to the required volume. The result? it sounds so dynamic, really really sings because the power tubes are working harder. Can't say anything about your other choices i'm afraid. Jim Edit : Seen the LC15 go for 80-130 quid on fleaBay Edited by jimbob, Jan 12 2009, 09:45 PM.



Rampant	Jan 12 2009, 09:45 PM Post #12
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 408 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	roast Jan 11 2009, 07:40 PM Google Orange Amplification. Hi matey Looked at orange. Bust my budget a bit... Very tempted by the Laney LC15-110, but there seems to be 2 different styles cicrulating on internet dealers websites. This makes me suspicious tha they are "old stock" or not genuine??? And there are a wide variation in prices. Do you reckon there are seconds in the market being sold off cheap by internet merchants? Mark H
	NEW - Scarlet red PRS Custom 24 (25th anniversary birds) Black/white Yamaha Pacifica 112V Translucent red Ibanez Artcore AFS-75T semi-acoustic Vox Valvetronix VT30 Roland Micro Cube travel amp Sensei called Johnny Oriental red sunburst Yamaha APX700 electro-acoustic


jimbob	Jan 12 2009, 09:59 PM Post #13
Member Posts: 30 Group: Members Member #9,054 Joined: December 9, 2008	hmm... got any links? when i got mine there was an LC15 and a LC15R - added reverb and an extension speaker out. Mine is defiantly the old model though. Edit - looking at it i guess they got rid of the standard LC15 and just do the LC15-110 which looks to be a LC15R with a different front panel and label design. The speaker may have changed too, laney's site says its a "custom celestion driver" my one had an HH speaker until i replaced it with a 10" celestion greenback. if they're the same amp, which i'm 90% certain they are without looking at the circuit diagram, i'd still buy the earlier one if the modern one is too expensive. Go try it out! Edited by jimbob, Jan 12 2009, 10:07 PM.



voodoorider	Jan 12 2009, 10:22 PM Post #14
Garry Posts: 673 Group: Members Member #8,964 Joined: November 3, 2008	Rampant Jan 12 2009, 09:45 PM roast Jan 11 2009, 07:40 PM Google Orange Amplification. Very tempted by the Laney LC15-110, but there seems to be 2 different styles cicrulating on internet dealers websites. This makes me suspicious tha they are "old stock" or not genuine??? And there are a wide variation in prices. Do you reckon there are seconds in the market being sold off cheap by internet merchants? Mark H If you check out laneys website there should be a list of authorised dealers, or if you buy from any reputable shop then it's all good. I do believe guitar "seconds" are banded off into the world in a meat market kinda way so i don't see why amps wouldn't. But saying that i don't know why but i never think of amps as being something that can get messed up too much. Now you have given me something to look into As for the prices thing, i think that's quite common with everything i remember when i was looking at my new tv prices ranged from Ł800-1100. It's just up to the seller how much they whack on for their profits! I'd go for peace of mind over cheapest everytime mind you! Like if you had ordered from a place before and they were fine thats ok, but some places you find online that you've never heard of, with a naff colourful website offering 10% cheaper than anywhere else is a bit dodgy.
	Guitars: PRS CU 22 R/W neck \| Organic Classic \| Heritage H-150 \| Fender Eric Clapton Strat \| Fender Deluxe Ash strat, scalloped \| 2001 USA std Telecaster \| 2008 USA std Telecaster \| 1996 Gibson Les Paul standard \| PRS Santana SE \| Maverick X1 \| Epiphone SG \| Freshman FA400J Amps: Orange Rockerverb 50 \| Mesa Boogie Electradyne \| Traynor YCV40T \| VOX AD60VT \| Fender Pro 185 \| Zoom Fire 15


jimbob	Jan 12 2009, 10:32 PM Post #15
Member Posts: 30 Group: Members Member #9,054 Joined: December 9, 2008	http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop/flypage/product_id/36956/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base ^^ New style LC15-110 247 quid http://www.lifeismusic.co.uk/guitar/Laney-LC15-15W-1-x10-Valve-Gui-3804.aspx ^^ Old style LC15 140 quid http://www.lifeismusic.co.uk/guitar/Laney-LC15R-1-x-10-15W-Valve-G-3805.aspx ^^ Old style LC15R 161 quid American keyboard no pound button argh!


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