Guitar Amplifier Recommendations

[mattlear]

2 years ago I bought a Gibson ES-335 guitar. I really really like this guitar. But I've been playing it thru a total POS gorilla amp that is about 15 years old, and the pots are pretty much shot.

I'd like to buy a new amp, hopefully a really good one, but I don't know much about guitar amps and their strengths/differences.

My tastes in music range all over the place... I play stuff ranging from Zeppelin, AC/DC, old Van Halen, Brian Setzer, Chuck Berry, Dave Matthews, Grateful Dead, etc... (I'm not sure if this helps, but it may be of some help to someone)

I'd like a good all around amp if at all possible. I thought about getting one of those old Fender vibrato amps or something...

I don't have any stomp boxes or effects racks yet either... I've just been usng the sh*tty tube crunch dial on the Gorilla... is it better to get an effects rack and a basic amplifier? The reason I'm asking is I see that alot of the amps have built in stuff (like the Fender Cyber series or the Vetta series from Line6). I'm kind of inclined to go the basic "clean" amp route so I can divorce the effects from the amp.

If folks could give me some recommendations and estimated costs, that would help. I'm willing to spend some money, but I'm not planning on going on tour or anything like that.

Budget: 800 bucks tops for the amp?

If you need more specific info form me to give a recommendation, post a reply and I'll try and provide it.

Thanks in advance!

-Matt

Update 1: (7/12/04 7:47pm Eastern)
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

After reading some of the responses, alot of folks are recommending the Marshall and Mesa Boogie amps.

Like I mentioned, I'm really looking for something basic (no effects per se) to build on.

I was actually thinking of a POD XT Pro for an effects rack eventually... who knows.

My friend has a few PEAVEY amps, and they seemed ok to me.

Incidentally, it's not that I'm a musical moron... I play alot of different instruments (trumpet, guitar, piano, sax --- trumpet was my main instrument) but I just don't know alot about amplifiers. Anything has got to be better than this stupid Gorilla amp...

I think the Marshall AVT series looks cool, but it looks like as you get more power, they add in the digital effects.

Sorry if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about... I don't! Keep the suggestions coming!

Update 2: (7/13/04 11:37pm Eastern)
Ok, I see certain amps being listed as single channel, 2 channel and 3 channel. What the heck is a channel? Is more better?

Thanks for the education thus far!

-Matt

 

[NL5]

Budget?

 

[3chordcharlie]

Peavey duel 212 - great clean and overdrive, should work for anything from country or jazz all the way up to just short of thrash.

Closest thing I've heard to sounding like 'sweet child o mine' that didn't cost +$2000.

They're only available used though, but shouldn't be too pricey. Maybe $200-400 I would guess.

Other than that, go with a 50-100 watt tube amp with two 12" speakers if you can manage it.

 

[memo]

I like Marshall Amps because they are really flexible in terms out their output. But i've heard that Mesa Boogies are the best for really hard rockin. I've always been a big fan of Marshall's though. My friend and I play on this one

http://www.marshallamps.com/images/products/tsl/tsl602.html

~1300 you can probably get it cheaper on Ebay.

 

[slickcat]

I second the recommendation of the Marshall and if the Mesa is in your budget I would highly recommend them!

 

[Turfzilla]

Line 6 Spider 212

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: Turfzilla
Line 6 Spider 212

another vote for the line 6...i demoed one a few days ago and it will be my next guitar related purchase.

 

[Mr N8]

What situations do you need the amp for? Is it just practice, or will you jam with other people, or play in a medium sized room?

I love Marshall amps. They have great all-around tone. They have a less harsh sound than the Fender amps, but can really jam if you want them to.

 

[misle]

From your influeneces, I would suggest a good Fender Tube amp or a Marshall Tube amp. They will both work very nicely with your 335. Look on the used market and check Musician forums, like Harmony-Central.com and TheGearPage.net

 

[TheNinja]

I have the Marshall VS65r and the newer Marshall AVT50. I LOVE the avt50 and can get almost any sound out of it from crystal clear, to bluesy clear, to vintage cruch, to in your face metal!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040712115759004022071005672798/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/483173/

(ya i know i'm not linking it correctly)

 

[mattlear]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
What situations do you need the amp for? Is it just practice, or will you jam with other people, or play in a medium sized room?

I love Marshall amps. They have great all-around tone. They have a less harsh sound than the Fender amps, but can really jam if you want them to.

I think I want it for both really. Jamming at home, maybe when some friends come over we can play, etc...

Do Marshall amps have all the effects built in? Like I mentioned before, I think I'd like to get a basic good sounding amp and then get the effects stuff later, that way I can divorce it from the amplifier. (Is this not a smart thing to do? I really don't know).

Thanks for all the replies so far!

-Matt

 

[3chordcharlie]

M/B is a great brand; their amps sound fantastic. But last time a I checked, a Mesa would be running up against your $800 budget (haven't been amp shopping in a couple of years though).

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: mattlear

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
What situations do you need the amp for? Is it just practice, or will you jam with other people, or play in a medium sized room?

I love Marshall amps. They have great all-around tone. They have a less harsh sound than the Fender amps, but can really jam if you want them to.

I think I want it for both really. Jamming at home, maybe when some friends come over we can play, etc...

Do Marshall amps have all the effects built in? Like I mentioned before, I think I'd like to get a basic good sounding amp and then get the effects stuff later, that way I can divorce it from the amplifier. (Is this not a smart thing to do? I really don't know).

Thanks for all the replies so far!

-Matt

Yes this is a smart thing to do - Line 6 and the lie can be good, but make sure you really like the amplifier without effects before you consider the advantage of having them built in; most of your playing is going to be done with minimal effects other than maybe overdrive and reverb (which nearly all amps do). I'm a bit traditional, but I would look for a sweet-sounding 2- or 3-channel amp, probably all-tube, and go from there.

 

[memo]

id have the effects seperate but thats just my personal preferances. (thinking along the same lines as you) Marshalls usually don't have the effects buil-in with my experiences with them.

 

[Megadeth]

I like Marshall and Fender amps.... I was thinking about buying a Fender the Next time I bought an amp (maybe aroudn tax return time next year)..... I of course will be trying some amps out before I buy.... I have not actually ever played on a Mesa Boogie.....
I should give Line 6 another try.... Havent played on one in a while......

 

[memo]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: mattlear

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
What situations do you need the amp for? Is it just practice, or will you jam with other people, or play in a medium sized room?

I love Marshall amps. They have great all-around tone. They have a less harsh sound than the Fender amps, but can really jam if you want them to.

I think I want it for both really. Jamming at home, maybe when some friends come over we can play, etc...

Do Marshall amps have all the effects built in? Like I mentioned before, I think I'd like to get a basic good sounding amp and then get the effects stuff later, that way I can divorce it from the amplifier. (Is this not a smart thing to do? I really don't know).

Thanks for all the replies so far!

-Matt

Yes this is a smart thing to do - Line 6 and the lie can be good, but make sure you really like the amplifier without effects before you consider the advantage of having them built in; most of your playing is going to be done with minimal effects other than maybe overdrive and reverb (which nearly all amps do). I'm a bit traditional, but I would look for a sweet-sounding 2- or 3-channel amp, probably all-tube, and go from there.

agreed. effects to me are the least of my concerns. how overdrive and clean sound are the most important to me.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Peavey duel 212 - great clean and overdrive, should work for anything from country or jazz all the way up to just short of thrash.

Closest thing I've heard to sounding like 'sweet child o mine' that didn't cost +$2000.

They're only available used though, but shouldn't be too pricey. Maybe $200-400 I would guess.

Other than that, go with a 50-100 watt tube amp with two 12" speakers if you can manage it.

I'm really serious about this one - I only don't ave one 'cuz my friend snatched it from the store before I could go back for it the next day.

Has anyone else heard or played with this amp? It was a gem that got missed because it's a peavey

 

[memo]

never played a peavey. whenever i go to the shop i'm never drawn to them so i guess i coulda missed a diamond in the rough.

 

[NL5]

You should be able to find a nice 2x12 cab and all tube amp for about that. Mesa, or an old Fender.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: memo
never played a peavey. whenever i go to the shop i'm never drawn to them so i guess i coulda missed a diamond in the rough.

yeah that's what happens.. they aren't sexy so they get ignored - anyway I'm done hijacking - go 'tube' or go home.

 

[NL5]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Peavey duel 212 - great clean and overdrive, should work for anything from country or jazz all the way up to just short of thrash.

Closest thing I've heard to sounding like 'sweet child o mine' that didn't cost +$2000.

They're only available used though, but shouldn't be too pricey. Maybe $200-400 I would guess.

Other than that, go with a 50-100 watt tube amp with two 12" speakers if you can manage it.

I'm really serious about this one - I only don't ave one 'cuz my friend snatched it from the store before I could go back for it the next day.

Has anyone else heard or played with this amp? It was a gem that got missed because it's a peavey

Peavey only made one good product in there entire history, and they didn't really make it! (VMP-2)

Sorry, but peavey is great for a begginner on a budget, but the CAN'T run with the big boys.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: memo

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie

Originally posted by: mattlear

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
What situations do you need the amp for? Is it just practice, or will you jam with other people, or play in a medium sized room?

I love Marshall amps. They have great all-around tone. They have a less harsh sound than the Fender amps, but can really jam if you want them to.

I think I want it for both really. Jamming at home, maybe when some friends come over we can play, etc...

Do Marshall amps have all the effects built in? Like I mentioned before, I think I'd like to get a basic good sounding amp and then get the effects stuff later, that way I can divorce it from the amplifier. (Is this not a smart thing to do? I really don't know).

Thanks for all the replies so far!

-Matt

Yes this is a smart thing to do - Line 6 and the lie can be good, but make sure you really like the amplifier without effects before you consider the advantage of having them built in; most of your playing is going to be done with minimal effects other than maybe overdrive and reverb (which nearly all amps do). I'm a bit traditional, but I would look for a sweet-sounding 2- or 3-channel amp, probably all-tube, and go from there.

agreed. effects to me are the least of my concerns. how overdrive and clean sound are the most important to me.

I have a small Marshall practice amp that has overdrive, reverb, echo, chorus, and flange built in, but their standard ones mostly are just purely an amp, with no effects. If the model number has DFX at the end of it, you know it has the effects channels. My bigger amp is a Marshall AVT112, and it sounds clean and beautiful. I have a board with a few foot switches on it that I use if I want effects though that one. Edit: I'm sorry, I don't remember the head model for that speaker cab.

 

[JulesMaximus]

A quiet one.

 

[LikeLinus]

Peavey 5150 are some badass amps. I have a full stack myself.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: NL5
Peavey only made one good product in there entire history, and they didn't really make it! (VMP-2)

Sorry, but peavey is great for a begginner on a budget, but the CAN'T run with the big boys.

That's funny. Never seen Van Halen live then? Ever hear of a guy named Joe Satriani? George Lynch? Ted Nugent? They all play some sort of Peavey.
Other big boys.