Amp recommendations, please

bluespckr · Post by **bluespckr** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:39 am

Hope this is the right part of this site for this question:

I've been thinking of picking up one of those tweedy '59 Bassman Reissues by Fender (4x10 speakers, etc). Supposed to be a killer amp -- does anyone playing a 360/6 Ric have any experience with these -- howzitsound? Or can you guys 'n' gals suggest a good, reasonably-priced (whatever the heck that means) tube amp alternative?

Thanks.
Paul

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:49 am

I've been using a Marshall 'Bluesbreaker' combo. I like the heck out of it. It's really clean to a point, then you can get some nice overdrive tones.

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:52 am

I use a Mesa/Boogie Dual Caliper 1-12 combo that sounds great. You will find that there are a lot of good sounding tube amps out there and you will get LOTS of opinions.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:44 am

a great guitar amp ... VHT ... growl and modern crunch and a great clean channel ... and get a good processor with tubes in it ...

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:47 pm

I use a 1970s 100w Marshall head through 2 4x12s. It's nearly impossible to get a bad sound, but if you're into country, it might not be quite the sound you're after!

The guv' & a couple of my boys.

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:59 pm

Nice stack Tony, at one time I used the same rig for Bass, like you say, almost impossible to get a bad sound.

paul_shover · Post by **paul_shover** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:53 pm

I have never plugged my Ric into a Bassman reissue, but I had used my 65 blackface Bassman going through a Marshall 4/10 cab with great success. It sounded very nice. My wife who plays bass "borrowed" it once to push her Ampeg 4/10 cab when her solid state unit went out and has never bothered to give my amp back.
For the price, a Fender Blues Jr. does pretty well. Like the Bassman reissue, you might need pedals if you want a lot of different sounds. I kind of like how a Ric sounds when it goes through an set of EL84's. But then again, this is all personal taste.

bluespckr · Post by **bluespckr** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:04 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've been playing guitar for more than 35 years, so I know how personal sound and tone can be. Still, I love to read other people's opinions on equipment preferences, and why, so -- yes -- this has been very helpful. But, Wow! That stack sure brings back some memories (I just don't know if I'd have the back for it any more). I used to have the full Marshall MKII Super Lead 100 stack, bought new back in 1975. I still have the top cab and head, however the head needs major surgery. At the moment I'm running a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, modified with a Reverend Alltone 1250 speaker (that speaker is the best $59 you'll ever spend, for tightening up the sound and improving the clarity in a HRDx) -- and I sometimes runs the old Marshall 4x12 cab off it as an aux cab. Thanks again.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:25 pm

Those Fender '59 Bassman reissues don't sound anything like the originals. The reissue is much brighter and doesn't break up as much and isn't as well made. I'd suggest to go and play one and see what you think for yourself. I played one and was disappointed.

I would suggest to get a Korg reissue Vox AC30 with Celestian Blues speakers as they are VERY NICE for a RIC and are very well made too. Some other good choices would be most tube powered Marshalls, Hiwatts, most older blackface (1970 and older) or tweed Fenders, and many boutique things like Dr. Z, THD, Aiken, etc.

bluespckr · Post by **bluespckr** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 3:07 pm

Thanks, again, everyone ... I finally took a deep breath, packed it up, and brought in my (almost) 30-year-old Marshall head (Model 1959 MKII Super Lead 100) that I bought new in '75 to have a tech go through it and do whatever it needs to bring it back to life. I've been told that worst case is probably the output transformer, best case, caps or dirty contacts somewhere ... either way, I think it will sound awesome with the Ric. I still have the original top cab of that stack, with new Celestions replaced a couple years ago. They say it will be about two weeks 'till I get the old girl back, but I can't wait. The Ric, through that cab, powered by the HRDx (see above post) already sounds pretty damn good now -- I can imagine she'll sing when she's plugged into that head.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 6:47 pm

Paul, I'm glad you're going down the Marshall & 4x12 route....you wont regret it. The only problem is, that if you have an angled cab, you will need something to put it on, so you might as well get a bottom cab as well!
I totaly respect other users choice of amps, but personaly, combos have never really 'done it' for me. In direct comparison to a 4x12 stack, they always seem a little 'honky' to my ears.

wrattej · Post by **wrattej** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 3:26 am

Tony, Love the picture of your burgundy 350V63. I've got a mapleglo 350V63 and they are superb guitars (I've also go a jetglo 360 as my "workhorse")! I'm using an Orange AD30R combo which certainly doesn't sound honky ! However, I've never tried it through a Marshall stack. I can manage to sneak the odd eBay acquired Rickenbacker past my wife but I might get in trouble if a Marshall stack arrives in the post. Women are so unreasonable !

wrattej · Post by **wrattej** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 4:13 am

I couldn't resist it - here's a picture of my 350V63 along with its friends !

seaneldon · Post by **seaneldon** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 7:02 am

i used silverface fender bassman heads.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 7:31 am

Who you calling honky?