Best Practice Amp (under $500) for Rics

placebo62 · Post by **placebo62** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 2:28 pm

Hi guys,

I am looking at buying a new practice amp to go with my soon to arrive 360/6.

So far the easy standout is the Trademark 10 from Tech 21.

Does anyone else have any recommendations?

=w=

beatcomber · Post by **beatcomber** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:03 pm

I have a 40-watt 1x12" Traynor YCV40WR that sounds incredible with my Rickenbackers (and Gretches and Fenders). It's very chimey, especially after a tube upgrade to JJs. I paid $495 for it from Gear 1 Music.

Traynor also makes a 20-watt version, the YCY20WR.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:11 pm

I'll second the Traynor YVC40. Well priced and versatile. Plus it's Canadian - how can you go wrong!?

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:17 pm

Rickenbacker TR7!

Cole

placebo62 · Post by **placebo62** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 4:55 pm

I'd love to get a Traynor, I've looked at the YCV20-WR - its a bueaty, but its a lot more expensive here in Australia. The tech 21 TM-10 is around $560 AUD while the Traynors start at $1,200

mmm...

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:00 pm

I KNOW I'm gonna get a lot of flak for this one, but in addition to my Fender '60 brown Tolex Pro 15 (I've had it forever, it's mint but I like to give it a rest, and besides, it has only ONE basic but wonderful sound), I recently purchased a Line 6 Spider II 112 modelling amp. It's got all kinds of semi-authentic "classic" amp sounds, it's powerful, small and cheap, and it's built like a TANK.

$299.00 everywhere, less if you get lucky on eBay or with a discounter.

Now I'll prepare for the Attack of the 6L6 People...

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:08 pm

Paul: What are your favourite settings on the Line 6 Spider modelling amp?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:18 pm

I have 15 guitars but right now my only Ric is my new 660-12 MB. I go for the "classic" sound. I use either "clean" setting, with Drive at 3:00, Bass at max, Mid at 1:00, Treble at max, Channel Volume at 3:00, and Echo OFF. Reverb and Chorus to taste, usually a bit of Reverb and Chorus at halfway (9:00 or so...). I have other settings for my Gretsches, and a crazy Hendrix for my Fenders and Gibson Black Beauty rep with light gauge strings.

The Rick settings are kinda locked in. I often practice with wireless headphones, FWIW.

If I had a stereo Ric, I would probably have gone for a 212. The stereo effect on headphones I'd love to hear!

fading_fast · Post by **fading_fast** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:59 pm

My 660 loves my little Tech 21 Trademark 10.

That thing has a different personality for every guitar I own. From humbucking shred to acoustic. Quite the versatile practice amp.

placebo62 · Post by **placebo62** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:07 pm

Hey Chris, how does the Tech 21 cope at higher volumes?

beefandbones · Post by **beefandbones** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:56 am

I have a Tech21 Trademark 10, too. It's great because you can get so many different sounds and it's pretty cheap (around $250? I don't recall). Made in the USA, I believe. Solid State, but it records well and sounds like a lot like a tube amp. However, it doesn't get that 3D quality that a good tube amp would have. They are just 10 watts, so don't expect to raise the roof with it, unless you plug it into the PA in which case it'll do the job.

They just raised the price by $50, to $549, but I'd also look into a Reverend Goblin 5/15. Those look pretty cool. Also, you could try to find a used TopHat Portly Cadet or Prince Royale, too! (I've been looking, that's for sure!) For that matter, you can find Fender Champs from the 70s for well under $500, and that's the king of the practice amps. I guess it depends on the sounds you want.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 9:30 am

Fender Blues Jr. is a decent tube amp for around $385. Unfortunately they moved production to Mexico sometime in the last year or so. Mine is US made.

paul_shover · Post by **paul_shover** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 5:13 pm

I have both a Fender Blues Jr. and a Fender Champ and both of them make great practice amps. The Blues Jr can actually get fairly loud, so you can even do small gigs with it. The only thing I have against my Blues Jr. is the reverb can really hum sometimes. Pity. It detracts from a good sounding, inexpensive amp.

fading_fast · Post by **fading_fast** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:29 pm

Yeah, the Trademark 10 will **** out if you pin the volume. The good news is it's a basically a "sans-amp" the direct out will deliver the unmolested signal to a PA, mixer or slave amp and the skies the limit as far as volume goes. As a stand alone amp, it's not very loud and loses it's very good articulation if you push it too hard. I use mine as a bedroom amp, and it kicks butt.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 5:59 am

Is a traynor (either 20 or 40) really practical as a bedroom amp? Will the "tube" factor ofset the fact that most of the amp's power won't get used?

One non-traditional rig I have been contemplating seriously (as opposed to a traynor or a modelling combo) is the Vox tonelab + a good, clean, multi-channeled keyboard amp. In that setup you can run a vocal or utility mic direct to the amp without guitar amp coloration where it's unwanted. You can also upgrade the actual amp fairly flexibly. (Or downgrade for smalle venues).

I've also looked into the reverend Goblin, which looks like a great amp. Unfortunately they are backordered

.