Any opinions on these amps?

fenderslash · Post by **fenderslash** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:31 pm

Hi guys,

A couple of weeks ago I started another thread about using a compressor to get the best sound from my 360 and Fender solid state amp, and one major thing to come from that discussion was that a tube amp would go a long way toward giving me the sound I was chasing. So... I've been spending the last couple of weeks researching a new amp.

Of course, the choice is mind-boggling, so to narrow it down a bit I took the "better the devil you know" attitude and have mainly been looking at the Fenders. After all, I've always been happy with the durability and performance of my two solid state Fenders.

One of the Pro series amps isn't out of the question (eg, the Twin), but it'll have to be lugged around a lot so the weight of them really turns me off getting one, and I don't really need that much power either.

My main choices in the Fender tube range are the Hot Rod DeVille and Deluxe. Anyone out there use one with their Ric? If so, are you happy with it, or any regrets getting it?

I also considered the Vox AC30 (of course), but I read somewhere that you can't change channels between clean and dirty on the fly with a footswitch, and that is a must to me because my band plays a few songs with the clean-verse/dirty-chorus format. If I'm wrong about that please correct me, as I've heard good reviews regarding the tone of these amps.

Also, another unexpected tangent happened in my research when I started reading about the Fender Cyber series of modelling amps. I read some user reviews which often repeated the call "Once you've tried these amps you'll realise tubes are a thing of the past". So now the Cyber-Deluxe is now on the short list too, as it has been getting some great reviews. I think it would actually be the best-suited to me as far as the features go, because I could dial in a clean sound, dirty rhythm sound, and a lead guitar sound, all footswitchable. But I'd still choose the tube amps if they gave me a better sound.

So, in a nutshell, anyone use the Hot Rod Deville, Hot Rod Deluxe, or Cyber-Deluxe with their Rics? And if so, are you happy or do you think you should have gone with another choice?

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:44 pm

I used to have a HRD, very nice but I wanted an all tube amp, as there is quite a bit of SS in it, so I sold it and bought a Mesa/Boogie DC-2 combo. Couldn't be happier!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:40 pm

Try a VHT ... about the price of a Mesa but it has a better sound ... great clean sound and a good crunch ... the guitar player in my band uses one ... they have more balls than a marshall ...

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:14 pm

The clean sound on the HRD is okay, if not a bit limited. I thought the amp had too much gain, not enough clean. Crazy loud though.

Since I've gotten one of my own, I have pushed everyone in the direction of Traynor. Class A tube... delicious tone. Yes, you can switch channels on the fly. Better reverb than Fenders (I have one of those too -I let my bandmate use it when he visits

).

49_degrees · Post by **49_degrees** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:30 pm

Carl - You might want to look into a Peavey Classic 30. I have a Classic 50 212 that I use with a 620/12. The result is great chime through the 12ax7s and four EL84s. The 12" speakers add a bit of low-mid beef. 2 channels, f/s, fan, presence, verb ... and very reliable. The 30 watter with 1-12 would be a bit more portable than mine.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 9:22 pm

I will say the Peaveys have an ok sound, and they are moderately reliable so far, but they are not built very well, with ribbon cables connecting stuff together inside like computers use, and cheaply made and badly laid out PCB's. With those amps, or any others built that way, its just a matter of time before they have problems, especially if you gig regularly with them.

The reason you hear a recommendation for an AC30 is because they fit the sound of a Rickenbacker VERY well. They don't switch between clean and dirty very easily, and are heavy, and loud, but they sound VERY nice, with any guitar really. You can always find a pedal or two for your dirty sound.

For a gigging musician, who needs different sounds and lots of flexibility, the modeling amps are a good setup. The Vox modelling amp is cool because it actually uses a real tube for its power output stage, and mixes that with a solid state output. So its a little more tube like. The Fender, and Line 6 amps also have a good reputation for a modeling amp, but are all solid state.

I'm a tube guy though, and if it were up to me, I'd always choose a tube amp over a solid state amp, even if its a modelling amp. Why play a copy when I can play the real thing? Besides, tubes just sound better and are more touch responsive. IMHO of course. Best advice I could offer would be to bring your guitar and play every amp you can get your hands on...and don't let them tell you to always play quiet. Tube amps work best when loud enough to get the power tubes working.

Also, if you've ever played a vintage Fender amp like a Deluxe Reverb, '59 Bassman, or Tweed Deluxe, and you've played them loud, you wouldn't even consider a Hot Rod anything. Just not even in the same league as the older amps. IMHO again of course.

qmoder · Post by **qmoder** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:13 pm

Ever run a Ric thru and old Kustom/ There is magic in that match up. Think CCR.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:16 am

Yes, thats about the only transistor amp that sounds pretty good when dimed. Interestingly enough, they were made pretty much like tube amps of the day and use an output transformer like a tube amp would to couple the signal to the speakers. The output transformer is a large part of why that amp sounds so good. Most transistor amps couple the signal directly from the output transistors to the speakers, which results in a completely different sound than a tube amp for a number of reasons.

winston · Post by **winston** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 10:20 am

Greg

I have a 1975 Sunn Model T head and a Sunn 610 bottom. My Rics sound superb through that rig. Lots and lots of jangle can be obtained dry, in other words, without the use of effects.

The Model T is an all tube amp with lots of power and lots of options for adjusting your sound output. They also are great for recording as they have a line out.

My Model T is great for guitars of all types and has proven to be virtually bullet proof over the years. So far I have not had to do any repairs. Oh, and I should add it along with it's mate (which I no longer have) were gigged extensively in large (and on occasion) small venues.

It's only drawback is that it is a bit of a heavy brute.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:14 pm

Gotta agree with Noel - the Tranynor YVC40 is a terrific little all tube amp! I believe our host Peter is a fan as well.

eggman · Post by **eggman** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:58 pm

Howdy,

For raunch I like my 1968 Fender Vibro-Champ. Great for "Get off My Cloud", "Born on the Bayou" or "Born to be Wild" on my 360-6. AlNiCo speakers help for overdrive, BTW.
For mellower tones my 1965 Princeton is good. For clean and 12-string applications I've got a Fender Super 112 (Red knob) and it's great. Forgive me for bragging a bit, but I really like my guitars AND amps!

Eggman

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:38 pm

Hey Brian, I didn't mean to leave out Sunn stuff, though I generally like them for bass better than guitar. I have a 2000S which is similar to the Model T in some ways, and a 200S also. Those Model T's are REALLY loud, and kind of clean too if I remember right. Haven't played one in awhile. Sunn tube stuff always was bulletproof.

I like different amps and guitars for different things. I brought my RIC 230 guitar to the blues jam I go to this last week and it sucked, so I played a friends gold top les paul with P90's. I don't really like my Vox for blues, but it works great otherwise, and my RIC fits it really well. I've found as long as its a tube amp, I'm happy.

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:45 am

Greg you are right, the Model T is a really loud amp, but only if intentionally used that way. I filled the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver with two of them running my Les Paul in stereo mode (custom wired). It has a very responsive pre-amp section that you can use for natural "tube" distortion. It is probably one of the cleanest, signal to noise ratio tube amps that I have ever played a guitar through.

The Model T sound is instantly recognizable to those who have them. I used a Les Paul for a lot of years and was able to get much more versatility out of that guitar because of my setup.

I also use mine for bass. It sounds great with my 4001.

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:02 am

Greg I also have a Peavey 212 Stereo Chorus which is another very loud amp. I do not recommend it though for use with Rickenbacker 12's. It is a very good solid performer with lots of punch.

It does sound particularly good "dry" (only using onboard chorus and reverb effects) with my Ric 350 with a HG/HG/HB pickup configuration and plus I am able to play blues with virtually any Strat or Les Paul dry, in the same manner.

It is a solid state amp and as such was very much a surprise to me how much it sounded like a tube amp. Peavey is known for tube emulation. They do a very good job in that regard.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:24 pm

Glad you're happy with your Peavey Brian. I've never liked any that I've played or heard and prefer my Vox AC30 any day over a Peavey. I just finished modifying my brother's Silvertone Twin Twelve 1484 and it sounds VERY nice now. Too bad its such a PITA to work on or I'd mod more of them.