Practice amp recommendations please..

clearblue · Post by **clearblue** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 4:04 pm

I purchased a VOX AD15VT and it was DOA. Should I take another chance on the same model or get something else? I want the traditional RIC sound out of my 330 6 string.

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 4:57 pm

Get a small Mesa/Boogie, you won't be dissapointed.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 5:01 pm

My lead guitar player back in the mid-90's had a 50-watt Mesa combo that was the best guitar amp I've ever heard.

longhouse · Post by **longhouse** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 6:52 pm

Here lately, my little 15 watt Class A Traynor has been getting a lot of play time. Beautiful sounds. Does EVERYTHING I expect of it and more. Haven't used my Roland JC120 in a while.

If you're looking to spend a few less shekels, I would look toward Fender (for practise amps). Lots of great options. *I still have my Fender 1X12

Noel

clearblue · Post by **clearblue** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 7:11 pm

Thoughts on the Fender G-DEC?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 8:31 pm

I get a video game vibe from it.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 8:35 pm

I use an AD30VT in my office and a Line 6 Spider II 112 at home; both cool modelling amps.

Just picked up an awesome ART 825DST for low bucks, and this will become my main amp, with the Spider II doing keyboard duty.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 11:00 pm

IMHO a very inexpensive option would be a Roland Cube 30 or Cube 60.

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:40 am

Paul,

Please tell me about the ART. I wanted to check into those awhile back but it got off my radar screen. How do they sound? How versitile are they?

Tube or Solid State? Thanks.

JKC

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:16 am

Jim, I'll either post here, or send you a link off-list as soon as I've had some time with it. Just remember that sound is a personal thing. But it IS quite versatile, I can assure you.

Speaking of versatility, anybody else here have a Tonelab SE? I just got mine yesterday and didn't sleep much last night...it is quite the stayawake machine!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:33 am

If you want a nice sounding practice amp get an old Fender Champ. Although they are probably pricey nowadays. Any old small tube amp will beat any of the new SS amps IMHO.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 4:51 am

This is an ongoing debate, with good points on both sides. To me, it's a "CD vs. vinyl" type thing, and will probably not be resolved anytime soon.

I've bought $100.00 off brand 60s tube amps on eBay. You know, the kind with 8" speaker and TREMELO but no tone controls. They are lightweight and crunchy, and it's hard to go wrong with 'em.

Fender Champs ARE pricey due to the collector's market.

jcreasy · Post by **jcreasy** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:09 am

I know what you mean about CD vs. vinyl. The first CD I ever listened to was Brother's In Arms by Dire Straits. I remember thinking the recording sounded so perfect it was synthetic. I lost that impression over the years but I recently bought a turntable with a decent stylus and revived some of my old vinyl. There is a difference. Single Malt vs. Blended.

As for practice amps, a buddy has a Fender Bronco that has a really neat clean sound... I borrowed it for awhile and used Dano pedals to get the clip I wanted at low volume. Small, light, and decent sound.

Paul, please let me know about that ART.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 5:17 am

I use a 1959 Ampeg Bassamp 835 (is the correct name) for practice, it has one 15" speaker and 35 watts, was made before the B-15's. I'm not going to be playing any clubs with it that's for sure but the warm tone makes me want to play and play.
I payed about $350.00 for it, was a little high for a practice amp and I probably could have gotten a new 100 watt SS amp for the money, but it sounds so good that I consider it to have been a bargain. It has both bass and treble too!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 6:44 am

Im thinking of giving one of these a try.

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=PB100-10&CID=BA

Even has compression!

Carvin makes some good middle of the road stuff, the only problem is resale value.