This is bad.

[Mark Wein]

I woke up this morning wanting a new amp. BAD. I have a bunch of good amps, although I need to get the good stuff worked on.

I probably won't buy anything but here's how "Fantasy Amp Camp" is going this morning:

I've always wanted one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180499863082&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

This is also something I've always wanted since the first time I heard one at NAMM a few years ago:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DEAD-MINT-FARGEN-MINI-PLEX-GUITAR-AMPLIFIER-EL-34-/170477910935?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b1467b97

I need another Deluxe like a hole in the head but:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140402442369&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Also a contender:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blackheart-BH5H-and-BH112-Little-Giant-Half-Stack-Amp-/200465896129?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eacb2d2c1

[Mark Wein]

ok..the Silvertone was bidded past what I think its worth already:

Current bid:US $305.00

[mosiddiqi]

I'm very impressed with all the Fargen demo's I've heard...pretty much my ideal sound. At the moment, I'm GAS'ing for the Vox ACTV4..4 watts of Vox valve goodness, 10 inch speaker and switchable down to a half watt..perfect for home practice.

763

[Mark Wein]

I'm very impressed with all the Fargen demo's I've heard...pretty much my ideal sound. At the moment, I'm GAS'ing for the Vox ACTV4..4 watts of Vox valve goodness, 10 inch speaker and switchable down to a half watt..perfect for home practice.

763


The Fargen is awesome in person. We tried to get a demo of the little Vox at NAMM but no one could be bothered to talk to us.

[Kerouac]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Budda-Superdrive-II-18-Watt-Guitar-Head-2-x-12-Cab-/280498286378?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414f002f2a

:love:

[Mark Wein]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Budda-Superdrive-II-18-Watt-Guitar-Head-2-x-12-Cab-/280498286378?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414f002f2a

:love:


I've never played that model but i've hated every other Budda I've heard in person.

[Kerouac]

I've never played that model but i've hated every other Budda I've heard in person.

:cry:

[Mark Wein]

:cry:


:idk:

Personal preference...

This is also interesting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120562698290&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

I know a couple of guys who love their Magnatones. I think Tom Harkenriders dad was a rep for them back in the 60's and he's got a couple. Probably a little too 50's sounding for what I normally do, though...

[mosiddiqi]

Another low wattage candidate..JeremyGreen raves about these..I love his tone and he credits Dr Z for a big part of it!..there's actually one UK dealer quite close to me..so I'm hoping to check this out next week...they do a 5w version too!...the "mini Z"

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv110/mohsinvhou812/3ac37351.jpg

Power Output 18 Watts Output Tubes 2 - EL84 Preamp Tubes 4 - 12AX7, 1 - 12AT7 Rectifier 1 - GZ34 Controls Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, Master Volume, Reverb Configurations Head, 1x12, 2x10, 2x12 Combo Colors Black, Blonde, Red Dimensions
& Weight Head: 19" W, 9 3/4" H, 9 1/2" D; 22 lbs.
1x12 and 2x10 Combo: 23" W, 20 1/8" H, 10" D; 47 lbs.
2x12 Combo: 27 1/2" W, 22 1/8" H, 10" D; 65 lbs.

[Mark Wein]

Another low wattage candidate..JeremyGreen raves about these..there's actually one UK dealer quiet close to me..so I'm hoping to check this out next week

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv110/mohsinvhou812/3ac37351.jpg

Power Output 18 Watts Output Tubes 2 - EL84 Preamp Tubes 4 - 12AX7, 1 - 12AT7 Rectifier 1 - GZ34 Controls Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, Cut, Master Volume, Reverb Configurations Head, 1x12, 2x10, 2x12 Combo Colors Black, Blonde, Red Dimensions
& Weight Head: 19" W, 9 3/4" H, 9 1/2" D; 22 lbs.
1x12 and 2x10 Combo: 23" W, 20 1/8" H, 10" D; 47 lbs.
2x12 Combo: 27 1/2" W, 22 1/8" H, 10" D; 65 lbs.


I've tried to like the Dr Z stuff because I'm such a Brad Paisley fan and love his sound but they are so "Class A" they don't really fit my playing style...:(

[jelloman]

I can't help my Fender ChampXD gass anymore...I'm gonna have to start selling stuff so's I can gets one...

[ellengtrgrl]

:idk:

Personal preference...

This is also interesting: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120562698290&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123

I know a couple of guys who love their Magnatones. I think Tom Harkenriders dad was a rep for them back in the 60's and he's got a couple. Probably a little too 50's sounding for what I normally do, though...

I'd LOVE to have a Magnatone! Their vibrato (yes, they do actual vibrato/pitch change) is sooooo cool! And I've recently learned that they have great sounding overdrive! If you ever watch Phil X's vintage guitar demos on YouTube for Fretted Americana, the amp he uses for the dirt is a Magnatone. SRV (I've been SRVed out for a looooong time!), used a Magnatone for a lot of his dirt on his first couple of albums.

The only problem - in recent years, players have caught on to the coolness of Magnatones, and the prices are going up,up up! :( Also,their physical construction isn't as good as a Fender's, and they oftentimes use funky tubes, requiring you to use NOS for replacements (which may or may not be hard to find, and expensive), or rewiring the amp /making component changes, so you can use more common tubes. Still, every now and then, when I think I might have the cash to pull it off, I put a watch on a Magantone that strikes my fancy. I could have gotten them soooooo cheap years ago! :facepalm: But I didn't know they could do great overdrive. Like Gretsches to a large extent, all I could think when I saw a Magnatone, was Duane Eddy sound, since he used a Magnatone in the 50s, and I'm NOT into twang!

[Mark Wein]

I'd LOVE to have a Magnatone! Their vibrato (yes, they do actual vibrato/pitch change) is sooooo cool! And I've recently learned that they have great sounding overdrive! If you ever watch Phil X's vintage guitar demos on YouTube for Fretted Americana, the amp he uses for the dirt is a Magnatone. SRV (I've been SRVed out for a looooong time!), used a Magnatone for a lot of his dirt on his first couple of albums.

The only problem - in recent years, players have caught on to the coolness of Magnatones, and the prices are going up,up up! :( Also,their physical construction isn't as good as a Fender's, and they oftentimes use funky tubes, requiring you to use NOS for replacements (which may or may not be hard to find, and expensive), or rewiring the amp /making component changes, so you can use more common tubes. Still, every ow and then, when I think I might have the cash to pull it off, I put a watch on a Magantone that strikes my fancy. I could have gotten them soooooo cheap years ago! :facepalm: But I didn't know they could do great overdrive. Like Gretsches to a large extent, all I could think when I saw a Magnatone, was Duane Eddy sound, since he used a Magnatone in the 50s, and I'm NOT into twang!


I've thought it would be a cool addition to my collection but since I'm not doing much in the way of paid sessions or blues gigs I've thought that it wouldn't be the best purchase for me. I kind of need something newer and more reliable in the 20-40 watt range for gigs but I can't find anything that sounds better than my Silverface Deluxe for how I play...

[telecaster911]

If I were looking for something on the cheap, I'd buy the Epi Blues Custom or see below

http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Valve-Senior-20W-Tube-Combo-Amp-Spring-Reverb-/110527842250?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bbf907ca

[Mark Wein]

If I were looking for something on the cheap, I'd buy the Epi Blues Custom or see below

http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Valve-Senior-20W-Tube-Combo-Amp-Spring-Reverb-/110527842250?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bbf907ca\


:hmm:

I wonder what they sound like? It looks good on paper...

[ellengtrgrl]

\


:hmm:

I wonder what they sound like? It looks good on paper...

YMMV, but I didn't like the one I tried (I thought it sounded kind of thin and buzzy on the drive channel) - although supposedly, with some minor mods, it can be turned into a very good amp.

[telecaster911]

I've played the 30 as part of a supplied backline. I used my pedalboard on the clean channel and it was pretty dang good. Id like to try the 20, I bet id like it even better. I wouldn't worry that the drive sounds bad as long as the clean works out to be a nice palette, which I thought it was. Especially for the price.

[Denverdave]

I almost bought a SF Deluxe Reverb last week. It seemed to be in very good shape and only sold for $800.00. My DRRI is (I think) in need of new tubes (maybe) and a new speaker (for sure). That is about $350.00 right there. I can probably sell it for about $500.00 so technically I could buy something for about $800.00 and justify it pretty easily.

I hate the way GAS causes creative thinking.

[ellengtrgrl]

I've played the 30 as part of a supplied backline. I used my pedalboard on the clean channel and it was pretty dang good. Id like to try the 20, I bet id like it even better. I wouldn't worry that the drive sounds bad as long as the clean works out to be a nice palette, which I thought it was. Especially for the price.

Yeah, I guess if you use it ala the Hot Rod Deville - as a clean power amp, then you're good to go. Still, it always bugs me when I can only use half of an amp's capability (it's clean side). And yes, they sure are stupid cheap. The one I tried out (the 30 watt head), was only going for $270 - new.

But, IMO, the Epiphone SoCal is a better sounding amp.

[Mark Wein]

YMMV, but I didn't like the one I tried (I thought it sounded kind of thin and buzzy on the drive channel) - although supposedly, with some minor mods, it can be turned into a very good amp.


I've played the 30 as part of a supplied backline. I used my pedalboard on the clean channel and it was pretty dang good. Id like to try the 20, I bet id like it even better. I wouldn't worry that the drive sounds bad as long as the clean works out to be a nice palette, which I thought it was. Especially for the price.


Yeah, I guess if you use it ala the Hot Rod Deville - as a clean power amp, then you're good to go. Still, it always bugs me when I can only use half of an amp's capability (it's clean side). And yes, they sure are stupid cheap. The one I tried out (the 30 watt head), was only going for $270 - new.

But, IMO, the Epiphone SoCal is a better sounding amp.

I usually never use crunch channels on amps...I'm a pegal guy so if I could find something that takes edals nicely I'd probably jump on it..

[Mark Wein]

I almost bought a SF Deluxe Reverb last week. It seemed to be in very good shape and only sold for $800.00. My DRRI is (I think) in need of new tubes (maybe) and a new speaker (for sure). That is about $350.00 right there. I can probably sell it for about $500.00 so technically I could buy something for about $800.00 and justify it pretty easily.

I hate the way GAS causes creative thinking.


Makes sense to me :idk:



:o

[Help!I'maRock!]

if you want a Fargen, then there can be only one:

http://www.fargenamps.com/pictures/fargen-bastage-guitar-amplifier-wood-01.jpg

[Mark Wein]

if you want a Fargen, then there can be only one:

http://www.fargenamps.com/pictures/fargen-bastage-guitar-amplifier-wood-01.jpg


I've never even seen that one before.

On the good news front, Scott is going to take my Deluxe up to Lon Cohen next week so I can finally use that again for gigs. I'm seriously considering a cheap amp to use around here for work, though...

[Help!I'maRock!]

I've never even seen that one before.

On the good news front, Scott is going to take my Deluxe up to Lon Cohen next week so I can finally use that again for gigs. I'm seriously considering a cheap amp to use around here for work, though...

the Bastage was one of Ben's first amps. very cool for recording. went out of production quickly.

[Mark Wein]

the Bastage was one of Ben's first amps. very cool for recording. went out of production quickly.


I really like the amps I heard at NAMM a few years ago. If I was looking for a new "High End" ap I would probably looks at what he has first.

[Gary Blanchard]

I've never played that model but i've hated every other Budda I've heard in person.

If you see a Budda on the road, kill it. :p

[ellengtrgrl]

I usually never use crunch channels on amps...I'm a pedal guy so if I could find something that takes edals nicely I'd probably jump on it..

Hmmm, if that works for you, then you have a lot more options than I do ampwise. Me? I'm not a fan of relying on distortion/sound in a box.

[Help!I'maRock!]

I'm not a fan of relying on distortion/sound in a box.

IMO, it's all distortion in a box.

[Mark Wein]

Hmmm, if that works for you, then you have a lot more options than I do ampwise. Me? I'm not a fan of relying on distortion/sound in a box.

I do pretty good with the amps I've got....

here is my '66 Bassman with the pedals:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfBV624746o

here is the 1971 Deluxe Reverb


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhfz11vTYsI

[ellengtrgrl]

IMO, it's all distortion in a box.


I do pretty good with the amps I've got....

here is my '66 Bassman with the pedals:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfBV624746o

here is the 1971 Deluxe Reverb


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhfz11vTYsI

Yeah, yeah I know.... :idk: I used to do the same thing with my old blackface Showman, and blackface Bandmaster. It's just that I like amp clipping (unless I'm running a distortion or overdrive to boost a clipping amp, into the deathtone zone). It's more of a personal preference thing, and it's not to say that my preference won't change down the road (sometimes I miss the way those old blackface Fenders of mine used to sound with a good stompbox).

[Mark Wein]

Yeah, yeah I know.... :idk: I used to do the same thing with my old blackface Showman, and blackface Bandmaster. It's just that I like amp clipping (unless I'm running a distortion or overdrive to boost a clipping amp, into the deathtone zone). It's more of a personal preference thing, and it's not to say that my preference won't change down the road (sometimes I miss the way those old blackface Fenders of mine used to sound with a good stompbox).


Thats pretty much it, though....it's all just personal preference. I think if I had a metal or hard rock gig I would end up rethinking my whole rig because I know it wouldn't be convincing for a whole night of that stuff....for what I do now though it's pretty much perfect to my ears

[Help!I'maRock!]

Thats pretty much it, though....it's all just personal preference. I think if I had a metal or hard rock gig I would end up rethinking my whole rig because I know it wouldn't be convincing for a whole night of that stuff....for what I do now though it's pretty much perfect to my ears

i can cover pretty much anything with the bottom row of this board:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/howieneil/Photo25.jpg

[Mark Wein]

I get alot of variety from my rig too, although I'm not really heavy enough on "teh bruutulz" side of things.

I'm really thinking of building one of these, though: http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/content/view/105/26/

[Help!I'maRock!]

I get alot of variety from my rig too, although I'm not really heavy enough on "teh bruutulz" side of things.

see: Tube Zone

[Mark Wein]

see: Tube Zone


Based on the clips I can't get myself to pull the trigger, though. I also need a couple of different pedals "preset", too...

[Help!I'maRock!]

Based on the clips I can't get myself to pull the trigger, though. I also need a couple of different pedals "preset", too...

this dude is running at 18v, but i can cop all those tones at 9v.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18SjPtJWJJo

[Mark Wein]

* listening *

[Mark Wein]

thats the best clip I've heard so far.

[Help!I'maRock!]

thats the best clip I've heard so far.

agreed. everybody else is either a 14 year old butchering Iron Maiden or a blooz lawyer.

[Mark Wein]

I'm suprised they don't have some bitchin ones on the site....