AMPS!!

[HEART-BEAT]

CAN SOMEBODY NAME A FEW AMPS I CAN TRY OUT AND THE KIND OF SOUND IT BRINGS? 

[funkStrat_97]

That is a loaded question.  If you want something that will give you lots of sounds in a convenient package, you may want to try some of the modeling combos out there.  Here's my "short list" for your consideration:

Analog Solid State (non-modeling amps)

Tech21 Trademark Series
Peavey Transtube Series
Fender FM Series or their Dyna-TouchIII amps (these have built in effects, but are not modeling amps).

Analog Tube Amps

Mesa/Boogie Express 5:25 and 5:50
Peavey Classic Series
Crate Palomino Series

Modeling Amps

Line6 Flextone III
Roland Cube Series
Vox Valvetronix

There are many many more options including excellent tube amps from Fender, Marshall, Vox, and others.  So try some of these out and see which one grabs you.

[gtrdave]

It's probably easier to find out what you're looking for in an amp and then we can make suggestions.

Like, do you want a clean amp or a dirty amp or one that does both? If you want distortion then how much of it? A subtle tube overdrive or a heavy metal crunch?
Do you want built in effects or are you going to add your own pedals and effects?
What size room will you be playing in and what context? Church, rehearsal space, bedroom practice, etc...?
How loud do you need to be?
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want a short term amp or something for the long haul?

[HEART-BEAT]

It's probably easier to find out what you're looking for in an amp and then we can make suggestions.

Like, do you want a clean amp or a dirty amp or one that does both? If you want distortion then how much of it? A subtle tube overdrive or a heavy metal crunch?
Do you want built in effects or are you going to add your own pedals and effects?
What size room will you be playing in and what context? Church, rehearsal space, bedroom practice, etc...?
How loud do you need to be?
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want a short term amp or something for the long haul?

I'm definitely looking for something CLEAN Dave. Something with a jazzy sound. As far as price goes, as long as it's WORTH it. 

[gtrdave]

Roland Jazz Chorus is what comes to mind when I hear "clean" and "jazzy".
New, they come in 120 and 90 watt versions and used they also come in 77 and 50 or 55 watt versions.

I used to own a 77. Very clean, beautiful chorus and reverb, great for smaller rooms or if you're going to be mic'd.

The 120 version is going to run around $850 new with used models and smaller models coming in under that.

[Rown]

         Are you looking for something for gospel music only?Just like buying a car,you got to TEST DRIVE THEM.Go to your guitar center,and buy the one,that sound good to your ears.Fender,Line-6,try Peavy,Tubes are the best,if your wallet can stand the PAIN

[HEART-BEAT]

         Are you looking for something for gospel music only?Just like buying a car,you got to TEST DRIVE THEM.Go to your guitar center,and buy the one,that sound good to your ears.Fender,Line-6,try Peavy,Tubes are the best,if your wallet can stand the PAIN

To be honest, I really don't know what "gospel" music is  as far as a genre goes.. However, I am looking for an amp that will assist me in offering up a praise to the most high and Him only if that's what you're asking.

The Jazz chorus is what I had in mind though  I just wish they take the distortion off that thing. I mean why need a distortion on a jazz chorus amp!? 

[gtrdave]

To be honest, I really don't know what "gospel" music is  as far as a genre goes.. However, I am looking for an amp that will assist me in offering up a praise to the most high and Him only if that's what you're asking.

The Jazz chorus is what I had in mind though  I just wish they take the distortion off that thing. I mean why need a distortion on a jazz chorus amp!? 

You don't have to use the distortion at all, just run the amp clean.

[HEART-BEAT]

You don't have to use the distortion at all, just run the amp clean.

  For some reason I feel that if they didn't bother trying to add a distortion, the wonderully clean sounding jazz chorus would be even cleaner! lol 

[gtrdave]

For some reason I feel that if they didn't bother trying to add a distortion, the wonderully clean sounding jazz chorus would be even cleaner! lol 

Yeah, it would seem that'd be the case but thankfully amps are typically not designed that way.
If you've ever played through a Fender Twin Reverb then you'd know that their clean is like crystal but they also deliver a nice overdrive...loud, too.

That's another option: a Fender amp of respectable size. Fender has a rep for delivering an amp that does clean very well, both solid state and tube/hybrid.

[lilBB]

Yeah, it would seem that'd be the case but thankfully amps are typically not designed that way.
If you've ever played through a Fender Twin Reverb then you'd know that their clean is like crystal but they also deliver a nice overdrive...loud, too.

That's another option: a Fender amp of respectable size. Fender has a rep for delivering an amp that does clean very well, both solid state and tube/hybrid.

what about the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe? not the DeVille, but Deluxe? been readin up tryin to get an opinion on em. dont know heck of a lot bout tube amps. i know its 40w tube with 1 x12.

[funkStrat_97]

That's another option: a Fender amp of respectable size. Fender has a rep for delivering an amp that does clean very well, both solid state and tube/hybrid.

My main amp is currently a Fender Performer 1000 (they had discontinued it and re-relaseed it as a "new" amp under the Roc-Pro name...which has also been disontinued).  It is designated as a hybrid amp, but unless you use the drive chanel it's 100% solid state.  It does have a single 12AX7 tube in the distortion chanel which adds a little "tubiness" to the sound, but it doesn't really do the smooth clean to grind break up thing; the higher gain distortion sounds are what I would call respectable.  The amp really does a fantasic job on the clean, bell-like tones that Fender amps are renown for and it is quite loud.  At 100 watts, it's definately a stage amp moreso than a home practice rig - unless you've got a huge jam room! 

[gtrdave]

what about the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe? not the DeVille, but Deluxe? been readin up tryin to get an opinion on em. dont know heck of a lot bout tube amps. i know its 40w tube with 1 x12.

It's a decent all-around amp but I prefer the Peavey Delta Blues over the HRDx.

I used a HRDx on my CD as I didn't have an amp I considered good enough back in 1999 and the Fender got me most of what I needed, both clean and overdriven, so I still consider it a good amp for the money.

[jlynnb1]

just get a Line 6 Spider Valve, best of both worlds.......

[gtrdave]

just get a Line 6 Spider Valve, best of both worlds.......

meh...I'm hearing mixed reviews on them from some people whose opinion I trust.
I'll try one out soon but I'm in no market for another amp so it'll just be to settle my curiosity about the things.

[JayP5150]

It's a decent all-around amp but I prefer the Peavey Delta Blues over the HRDx.

Isn't that Peavey the one that came available in a 4x10 (or 2x10???) with built in tremolo?

I wanted one of those so bad when I was younger. Based on my experience with Classic 30, I would still want one.

[trackman]

Why has no one mentioned any CRATE products? I'm starting to feel bad about my 2x12...

Also, does anyone have any experience with that Epiphone Tube amp? I've been thinkin about purchasing that to compliment my Epi L.P.

[gtrdave]

Isn't that Peavey the one that came available in a 4x10 (or 2x10???) with built in tremolo?

I wanted one of those so bad when I was younger. Based on my experience with Classic 30, I would still want one.

The DB was available with either a single 15" or two 10" and featured built-in tremolo.
I got the 210.
I still love it. 

[JayP5150]

Why has no one mentioned any CRATE products? I'm starting to feel bad about my 2x12...

Also, does anyone have any experience with that Epiphone Tube amp? I've been thinkin about purchasing that to compliment my Epi L.P.

The little Valve Juniors get great reviews, but seem to beg for modding... although I've heard that the new ones being released have some of the components changed to address this. I have no personal experience with those, but they're only 5 watts...

I've read good reviews about the bigger Epi tube amps. I might have to go toy with one today...

Hey, Billy Gibbons uses Crate now, don't get too mad lol.

[Sonar]

I'm the old guy that always shows up with the weird amp.   

I don't mean expensive boutique stuff...mostly I use older amps
that simply proved their worth, but had bad business situations that
didn't allow them to be marketed well.

I still rely on a pile of Gibson /Norlin produced LAB SERIES amplifiers that were manufactured by MOOG in the late '70s. Very musical, easy to service and they'll hang in there with any Twin Reverb I've ever owned. Still good enough for B.B. King and I'll go along with his opinion.   

Also, the Pearce G2r 1-12" combos are another favorite for lots of different sounds. Built by Dan Pearce after MOOG folded as a company. They were the next step in the LAB SERIES story into the mid '80s.

I typically use a small VHT 1-12" combo (4-EL84/two channel/effects loop/reverb) that has a direct out driving a Leslie Combo Pre Amp into a Leslie 825 cabinet. Heavenly sound in church...but rather a problem to move on a nightly basis...so it's my regular church rig that doesn't move.

For YOU, I say look to the current amps you typically see on professional contract riders. Amps like Fender Twin Reverb, Peavey Classic, Fender Deville/Deluxe/DeJour (whatever has 2-6L6 power), Roland Jazz Chorus 120, etc.

You'll never see a modeling amp on a professional touring contract rider for a reason. Do yourself a favor and sink your money into an amp that will serve for years and keep some value into the future. Most of the modeling amps are considered disposable from a service standpoint...if the board burns, it's far more cost effective to toss the amp and replace. My best gauge of current value and demand is the local pawn shops....which are filled with unwanted modeling amps and Squire guitars.

As a related item...but different instrument...you should see the pile of KORG Triton Extreme models (the one with the 12AX7 in the bubble on top...whatta joke) I have with holes burned THROUGH the board. KORG wants to argue endlessly about warranty because they ask $800+ for the replacement board! These things are piling up around here! Just remember that expensive DOES NOT mean better with guitar amps either

Just judging by your other posts, I'd say you can't lose with the Roland Jazz Chorus 120. You could always buy a smaller edgier amp to augment the "pretty" Roland in the future if you decide you want more dirt in your sound.