Looking for a new amp

Deadicated Phan · July 10, 2014, 10:33:15 PM

Hey guys,

So I'm leaving for college in a month (UVM, phuck ya!) and am in need of a new amp since the twin won't fit in a dorm

I'm looking for a smaller one, something that will have a good all around tone, specifically good for trey stuff but I want something that's also good for jazz since that's what I'm majoring in, 1x12 would be ideal cause I just got a celestion gold that I've been loving. I've sorta narrowed it down to a Deluxe RI, or a Mesa Express 5:25, but I'm not sure either are exactly what I want, since I've heard pretty mixed feelings about the RIs and I'm not sure the express is what I want tone wise, so I'd love to hear your opinions on it!

Down_With_Sco · July 10, 2014, 10:45:23 PM

I was gonna say a Princeton Reverb, but yea a Deluxe Reverb or Express 5:25 would both be great selections. I'd recommend the Express if it's in your price range; they're pretty versatile.

No Nice Guy · July 11, 2014, 09:21:50 AM

Quote from: Deadicated Phan on July 10, 2014, 10:33:15 PM
Hey guys,

So I'm leaving for college in a month (UVM, phuck ya!) and am in need of a new amp since the twin won't fit in a dorm I'm looking for a smaller one, something that will have a good all around tone, specifically good for trey stuff but I want something that's also good for jazz since that's what I'm majoring in, 1x12 would be ideal cause I just got a celestion gold that I've been loving. I've sorta narrowed it down to a Deluxe RI, or a Mesa Express 5:25, but I'm not sure either are exactly what I want, since I've heard pretty mixed feelings about the RIs and I'm not sure the express is what I want tone wise, so I'd love to hear your opinions on it!

Blues Jr.

Hoody · July 11, 2014, 09:25:44 AM

Dedicated Phan - Tried sending you a message, but says your inbox is full. Think you need to delete them to receive more.

Blues Jr. is a good amp for those needs, too. I think any of those are good, DR, 5:25, Princeton, BJ. One amp that in my opinion is really under priced and fantastic at low volumes and can handle higher volumes is the Fender Bandmaster. You can get a blackface for around 600-750. They sound identical to DR's, just less break up at low volumes, which can be awesome. If you have a Celestion Gold, that would actually pair the best. The market hasn't really caught up to the value of those amps, pretty hard to beat the exact same circuit (AB763) as the DR for about 2,000 less.

Buffered · July 11, 2014, 09:32:53 AM

How about a 5:50+? You'd want clean headroom for the Jazz. Plus the wattage settings will come in handy at a dorm. Or, are you looking at getting dirt from pedals? If that's the case the GT Soul-O 45 I had was great for clean jazz so that's another option. Bandmasters are great, but they would need to be rehoused for the 1x12 application.

Heady Jam Fan · July 11, 2014, 09:45:14 AM

Just try as much as you can before you buy. Its really personal preference, but I'd suggest really trying to test out a Silverface DR thats in playing condition (the caps are new enough, tubes aren't beat, etc).

Any of the suggestions can work, but I personally thought the DRRI sounded pretty weak and uninspiring and I quickly grew tired of the Express line of amps after owning one.

If you just want a decent, cheap, portable amp for college, I'd even look at something like an old Roland Cube.

Hoody · July 11, 2014, 09:51:02 AM

Since you're going to UVM you'll actually be close to 2 of the best Fender amp doctors in the country. One is in Burlington and the other in Bristol. The guy in Burlington is incredible.

If you can get a good silver DR, he can get it in incredible shape and voice it perfectly for about $150. I'd go that route. you'll never regret having a great DR, but the Boogie would give you some nice diversity w/ your Twin, and DR in a lot of ways would sound similar.

Jkendrick · July 11, 2014, 11:47:30 AM

I actually don't likenthe Blues Jr for Trey - like tone. I've actually got one for sale right now. I'm not sure why you'd want a DRRI over a used SFDR. Same price range. On advice from this site I compared the SF to the RI and it wasn't even close.

Stiles12 · July 11, 2014, 01:19:20 PM

anyone ever check out some of the Kemper amps... I was reading some things about them and they seem great for recording. any one ever try one?

Deadicated Phan · July 11, 2014, 01:25:24 PM

Thanks for all the info guys!

Hoody- I did get your message, let me know if mine sent

As far as the SFDRs go, I just don't think I can afford it. I see RIs for between 600 and 900 on craigslist and eBay, but I've never seen a SF for less then 1200 or 1300.
The bandmaster is a really interesting option, I've never played one before, and while I was preferably looking for a combo I could be persuaded

Has anyone here done Trey stuff with one? What exactly are the differences between them and the deluxe?
I think the 5:50 is just a bit to much for what I'll need, I think 25 watts will get me all the headroom I need.

Jkendrick · July 11, 2014, 01:33:46 PM

I just got a SF for $900. It had had a cap job within the year. I still put a new speaker in it, but I had one already so that was no additional cost. I think they can be had by keeping an eye on Craigslist if you're patient. It took me about a month. I would guess Burlington would be a good place to find one too.

Down_With_Sco · July 11, 2014, 01:50:24 PM

Pretty sure Trey used a Bandmaster at one point, might be before he got the Mesa.

sour d · July 11, 2014, 02:57:16 PM

You could get a champ and a 12" speaker like this http://strangedesign.org/forums/index.php?topic=1951.msg11575#msg11575

dontpanic · July 11, 2014, 04:01:55 PM

You could go for a Superchamp X2 or XD. For around $225 with an all tube clean channel, it's not a bad option. 15 watts on the superchamps or 5 watts on the vibrochamp xd, which is only like $150 on the bay, and they also have the digital voicings for various fender amps which can be fun. I plan to use one to power my leslie.

Hoody · July 11, 2014, 04:12:50 PM

The Bandmaster is a great option, and yes Trey did have one. Think Jon Mayer uses one all the time, too. They basically sound just like a blackface DR, except you can get the head for $600 and it has 40 watts and not 22 watts. But they sound amazing.

Another option is actually a Fender 30. Very little known, but a tremendous amp. Trey used one of these forever, too, and I think he still has it or gave it to Paul.

Both of those are great amps and you could get them for around 600/700. They can do bedroom or gigs.

You definitely do not need a 50 watt Express. the 25 is VERY loud.