Guitar Amplifier Recommendations

[nakedfrog]

Yeah, my old Peavey Triumph was quite the beast.
I have 2 Marshall Micro Stacks that satisfy me pretty well now.

 

[NL5]

Originally posted by: 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.

Ummm, actually I have...Eddie played MARSHALL!

edit - funny thing about that peavey site - they show eddie playing a marshall (although you can't see it, that's what he's playing - too funny.

http://www.peavey.com/artists/browse.cfm/action/info/artist/16/van%20halen.cfm

BTW - I didn't say Peavey was crap, I just said you can do better for $800.

Also - look at the artist list on Marshall's site, or Mesa, or....

 

[KEV1N]

MESA

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: NL5

Originally posted by: 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.

Ummm, actually I have...Eddie played MARSHALL!

Eddie plays Peavey 5150's and has since around 1990-1992.

I've owned my 5150 since about a month after they came out (got it at Guitar Center in CA). I've also owned Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier head and a Marshall (forget the number). The 5150 has some awesome distortion and it's never failed me once in these 14 years.

Say what you want, but its obvious you know nothing about them. They are not as well known brand wise as marshall, but that doesn't make them any less of an amp.

 

[NL5]

Ok - I am NOT trying to get into a pissing contest. Eddie played Marshall for every GOOD VH album (putting my flamesuit on). I wasn't asked what he plays now, just if I ever saw him. When I saw him he was playing MARSHALL. The 5150 is a decent amp. Better than a Mesa triple rectifier? I don't think so. Besides a 5150 is more than $800 If I remember - even used.

 

[Triumph]

800 bucks top? You can buy alot of amp for that money. I just bought a Line 6 Flextone 3 2x12, they usually run $700. I've been playing guitar for 9 years and this amp is the culmination of almost everything I've wanted an amp to be in those last 9 years. It is a modeling amp and sounds absolutely fantastic on each of the settings.

I could go on for hours about this amp but really, you need to take your axe to a guitar shop and just plug in and try amps for yourself. Go to Guitar Center to get a wide variety of the typical modern day amps (everything from Fender, Marshall, Crate, etc). Then search out the small boutique shops that will have the used stuff/less common items you won't find at Guitar Center. There's really no way to do it other than do it yourself, but I suggest you at least try the Line 6 Flextones (the Spider line, on the other hand, sounds like crap as far as I'm concerned).

 

[mattlear]

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, I'm not a musical moron... I play alot of different instruments (trumpet, guitar, piano, sax) 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!

-Matt

 

[Platypus]

I would seriously consider Fender amps, they make some of the finest quality amps on the market. With marshall in the budget range, you're paying a premium for the name alone. Boogies aren't going to be cheap. Look for used Mesa Boogie gear or try out a Fender amp. If you want a perfect rock/blues amp, check out the Hot Rod Deville 4x10 or the 2x12 of the same amp. They've both got great tubes and amazing sound at any leve. They both CRANK for the price and are lightweight and have the preamp allready built in. Usually another thing to look for would be celestions for the speakers themselves. This is not always best.

Plus, nothing beats true Fender Reverb

 

[Platypus]

Also, if you want to chat on AIM or something or PM let me know, I've played most of the amps on the market

 

[Norton]

This is below your budget but I picked up a Tech21 Trademark 10 awhile back. They run about $250. Very cool little amp. To me it is the perfect practice amp but can be used as a preamp directly to a mixer, PA , computer, power amp , etc.

You can see their amps here Click me

I'm still finding new sounds in this amp and without pissing off the neighbors while I do it. All I can say is I wish I had this amp 20 years ago when I first started playing.

I love big beefy marshall tube amps as much as anyone , but in real world situations jamming at home it makes no sense to have a stack/half stack or even a hearty combo. You have to crank it to get the tone and I guess I'm getting old because I just don't need a billion decibals blasting away while playing around.

Anyway , thought I'd pipe in with a different opinion and thats all that it is. Best thing you can do is go play on the various amps.

 

[orion7144]

Line 6 all the way. You won't be disapointed.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: NL5

Ummm, actually I have...Eddie played MARSHALL!

edit - funny thing about that peavey site - they show eddie playing a marshall (although you can't see it, that's what he's playing - too funny.

http://www.peavey.com/artists/browse.cfm/action/info/artist/16/van%20halen.cfm

BTW - I didn't say Peavey was crap, I just said you can do better for $800.

Right but you said they couldn't keep up with the big boys. They obviously can.

Ok - I am NOT trying to get into a pissing contest. Eddie played Marshall for every GOOD VH album (putting my flamesuit on). I wasn't asked what he plays now, just if I ever saw him. When I saw him he was playing MARSHALL. The 5150 is a decent amp. Better than a Mesa triple rectifier? I don't think so. Besides a 5150 is more than $800 If I remember - even used.

No one said Edward never played Marshall either. But you implied he didn't play Peavey. He's played both. Both are excellent. Both are some of the big boys. Eddie switched to Soldano for awhile when his Marshall starting going south. Then Peavey. Of course he helped design the Peavey amps/guitar. BTW, I wouldn't have been surprised if Peavey dropped EVH after his drunken NAMM stunt. Guess they didn't.

EVH's entire setup circa 1997
EVH with lots of Peaveys and Marhall
EVH & Peavey
Other 5150 players

 

[NL5]

.

 

FWIW I use a Marshall MG30DFX. It has a really clear clean channel, the overdrive is nice, but the effects are pretty worthless (I pipe everything through an Mbox + notebook for effects anyway).

 

[silverpig]

Might be able to find a Marshall DSL 201 for that. It'll be pushing it though.

Tubes = good

 

[thomsbrain]

there is only one kind of amp worth spending money on: a tube marshall. you can get one used for that much money that will last forever. assuming you play rock, of course. if you play blues or jazz, a good fender is the way to go.

 

[broon]

Roland Jazz Chorus (JC120) would be a great amp combo for virtually any style. Plenty of power and a full range of sound.

 

[NL5]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
there is only one kind of amp worth spending money on: a tube marshall. you can get one used for that much money that will last forever. assuming you play rock, of course. if you play blues or jazz, a good fender is the way to go.

Good suggestion!