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recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:47 pm
by jimi
Not that I need another amp, but there's always a bit of GAS bubbling away wondering if theres something else out there that can meet my needs a bit better.

Playing in a pretty casual covers band doing mostly back yard parties and weddings.

Head or 2x12 combo
2 or more channels - one of them in the 18w marshall space, and the other like a cranked JCM800
Switchable lead boost that works with both channels
50-100w for those outdoor gigs where the 18w just doesnt cut it
reasonable power scaling for those indoor venues where the 18w can't get loud enough to hit the sweet spot

could be tempted by a modeller, but a little put off but the cost of a decent one + powered speakers, on the chance it doesnt work for me. tempted to check out the Boss Katana 2x12 too for a reasonable cost, reliable, high headroom amp, that should work well at a range of volumes.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:25 pm
by GrantB
London Pro type thing? On the 18 Watter, you could get a nice PPIMV mod done for master volume. Or, you could use something like this to go both ways...power up or down https://www.badcatamps.com/products/unleash-v2

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:33 pm
by godgrinder
Yeah I'd say something like the Unleash too. Or even better, Fryette Power Station.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 7:41 pm
by werdna
Sounds like the Slash Marshall AFD to me. Power scaling. Footswitchable lead boost. One channel is a JCM800, the other a hot rodded plexi. Goes to 100w should you need to play outdoors. Huge range of cool Marshall sounds.

I have one if you are interested.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 12:31 am
by Mr Davison
There's a few Splawn models that would fit your requirements very well & are generally well priced when they (seldom) appear on the used market. New option would be Friedman :thumbup:

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:41 pm
by jimi
werdna wrote:Sounds like the Slash Marshall AFD to me. Power scaling. Footswitchable lead boost. One channel is a JCM800, the other a hot rodded plexi. Goes to 100w should you need to play outdoors. Huge range of cool Marshall sounds.

I have one if you are interested.
Played Ed's one a few gearfests ago, great amp. Definitely interested, but probably not cashed up as I'd need to be.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:23 pm
by godgrinder
If you're not looking into spending much, a Marshall DSL40C would do (if you don't mind it being a 1x12" combo), or an old JCM2000 head (but you'd need to make sure it's not from that problematic period with bias drift issues).

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:06 pm
by chur
I have an Unleash (2 currently) and it seems to do o.k. usual story thou, once enough grunt stops hitting the speakers the mojo diminishes. I havent done much/anything with modelling but I suspect this helps in this area.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:49 pm
by jimi
GrantB wrote:London Pro type thing? On the 18 Watter, you could get a nice PPIMV mod done for master volume. Or, you could use something like this to go both ways...power up or down https://www.badcatamps.com/products/unleash-v2
the unleash does look pretty awesome. Effectively getting a lead boost with a little more volume to the same sound would be brilliant, and being able to connect a 2nd speaker would mean I can just add the bellbird extension and not have to go shopping for another cab/same wattage speaker. Pretty tempted, will keep an eye out.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:37 am
by GrantB
I had the v1 unleash. I felt it took away some sparkle. I hope they fixed it for v2.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 6:48 am
by sizzlingbadger
I have a Soldano Reverbo O Sonic 2x12 that I haven't decided whether to keep or not.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:54 am
by chur
jimi wrote:
GrantB wrote:London Pro type thing? On the 18 Watter, you could get a nice PPIMV mod done for master volume. Or, you could use something like this to go both ways...power up or down https://www.badcatamps.com/products/unleash-v2
the unleash does look pretty awesome. Effectively getting a lead boost with a little more volume to the same sound would be brilliant, and being able to connect a 2nd speaker would mean I can just add the bellbird extension and not have to go shopping for another cab/same wattage speaker. Pretty tempted, will keep an eye out.
Exactly the reason I got mine, dual switchable volumes as I tired of trying to boost my JCM through the mix for solos using eq's etc. Still use it for my Jet City for this purpose also as it just makes life easier.
I did want a Fryette, but never seemed to get any support replies from them, and then I'd effectively have two tube amps to worry about when playing. The Unleash also weighs nothing, and is about the size of a 6 pack of beer.

That said, not perfect for sound (good though), and I've mentioned my grounding problems previously on the line out / effects loop etc so its not without gotchas. Bad Cat rock for support though, they even shipped me a new unit after I had issues with the first even though I brought my first off of an online store in the USA.

Re: recommend me an amp... again

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:16 am
by hamo
sizzlingbadger wrote:I have a Soldano Reverbo O Sonic 2x12 that I haven't decided whether to keep or not.
Swap for 100w line 6 and a quad? :P :lol: