Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just purchased a 360 Carl Wilson Limited 6 string. Now I need to get an amp that compliments it. Since I also have an old Gibson SG, I was considering a Line 6 amp that has emulation modes that mimic Vox, Marshall, etc. The other thoughts are a tube amp, perhaps a VOX or Fender. Any Suggestions.

IMHO the perfect amp for any Ric is either a Vox AC30 or AC15. Doesn't necessarily have to be vintage; the reissue AC30 and Korg AC15 are great. The only downside with the 30 is that it weighs a ton and may be overkill unless you're gigging with it, it is WAY loud. To me, the AC15 is perfect...loud enough to gig with in all but the biggest places but small and portable enough for home use. I have two of the AC15's, one with 2x10 speakers (hard to find anymore) and one with 1x12 Vox Blue...both super amps; I'm even thinking about getting rid of some of my Fender amps....lol...

I too have a 360 Carl Wilson Limited 6 string, and I use a Vox AC-15 with Blue Alnico 12. To me it sounds fantastic. I don't need the power of an AC-30, and I would miss the fact that the AC-15 has a master volume control while the AC-30 does not. You can get many great sounds from it at a level that doesn't blow you out of the house. I play through the AC-15 with a 660-12TP and a 381V69 with equally great results. I had a Line 6 amp, it was cool to a point, but sounded too "digital" to me and I spent more time playing around with the controls than I spent playing. I was trying to get the real Vox sound from it, got a little frustrated, sold it and just got the Vox. It is a simple amp with great tone in my opinion.
Enjoy your Carl Wilson, I know you will. Good luck with your amp choice.

From a "bang for the buck " view you can't beat the POD. I love the VOX sound , it's the amp made for electric guitars but try and find one for $349. You also can get pretty close to the sound of piles of other vintage amps. Not perfect, but the thing only weighs a couple of pounds, can go direct into a board, and has a headphone jack so you can keep the peace around the house. If I can twist the knobs and find useable sounds , anybody can.

Bob, if you can try out the new Fender Cyber-Twin amp. Our guitar player bought one and they do just about anything and sound great doing it. IMO a step beyond a Line 6 which is a great amp too but go play through a Cyber-Twin.

I'm very pleased with the sound that I get by running my CW through a Deluxe Reverb.

Hi Bob (Walrus), I have some of the amps above,
but what I have been hauling around in a trailer
is a tweed 1 12 Carvin. It has chiming treble,and
a good range EQ. It's not heavy and a good EL84
bang for the buck.

I think all the amps mentioned will probably be good. Myself, I actually really like the Roland Jazz Chorus amps - the JC-120 combo (60w x 2; dual 12" spkrs) and its smaller brother the JC-90 (45w x 2; dual 10" spkrs).

For an AMP, after I bought a 325 v 59, I shopped around a lot and finally settled on a FENDER HOT ROD DELUXE tube amp with 1 - 12 inch speaker. This gets a lot of nice sounds, it is versatile and loud, is nicely portable, and I think nicely captures the essence of the instrument. About $450. It also sounds great with my 360.

Has anyone played through the new generation Vox amps, specifically the Cambridge 30 Twin??? I'm thinking about one for my 370/12.....

Tried the POD and at last decided for this little silver ZOOM box, GM 200 Amp Modeler. It's great, I play stereo over the PA with all my guitars and it sounds so fantastic. No more carrying around 10,000 tons of equipment.

Lefty,

Had a twin and took it back the second day due to a "blown speaker" sound out of it. The sales guy broke four more out of thier boxes and they did the same thing!! Dont know if they just shipped a bad batch or what. Took a Tech 21 Trademark 10 instead. This little puppy's only 10 watts but it still rattles the windows !! Amazing little amp and its made in the USA, another plus !!

Wow....it is early for those, so maybe there are some growing pains going on...I'll bet the store was peeved that none of them were right...

Yeah the store owner was a little hot with Vox/Korg. The store had just suffered an Arson a few months before and this was the 1st batch of voxes since the fire.

Call me eccentric----Tried my '68 370/12 through a Trace Elliot Acoustic amplifier and a Boss compression/sustain foot pedal. What a great sound!!! They dont have much power, but it faithfully replicates the sound we all know and love (Byrds) and would be great in the studio. Just one more angle to consider.......