Vox? Marshall?

Danger Mouse · Post by **Danger Mouse** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:28 pm

I've found with the Valvestates that the sound they produce varies hugely with the model of Valvstate you're plugged into.

I used to be good mates with a band in which both guitarists used Valvestates (a VS102R and an 8280). With 2x12 extension cabs, I don't think anyone would have considered their sound anything less than big, fat and ugly, they sounded great live. However, I've found that the lesser 30-40W models in the Valvestate range have been really disappointing and sound nothing like the higher wattage brothers.

fraser · Post by **fraser** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:41 pm

zdali wrote:IMHO, Marshall valvestates are highly overrated. Personally i'd go for a Valvetronix, and from that range an AD60VT or AD120VT. Couple of those i've played vere pretty good once you dial in the knobs. AD50VT and AD100VT fall in the same category as Valvestate.

On the tube front, i reckon you can't go wrong with Laney LC15 or LC15VC.

Or you could hang out on trademe for a rockit/jansen/holden/gunn valve amp which would be both louder and have better tone than the valvetronix/valvestate (YMMV, IMHO etc).

Another line to check out could be Line6 Spider2 series. Those seem to be able to dial in a large range of different tones and sound reasonable.

I'd love to pick one of those up, an AD60VT, but I have a feeling that they'd be out of my price range if the AD30VT is just in my price range.

I've looked at a few of the amps that have been mentioned, and forgot to tell you, that I really want an amp that has distortion on it, because I mostly play Metallica songs, but so far they've sounded crap with no distortion. Also, anyone know where a good, cheap place is for buying an amp? The only place I know of is MusicWorks or the Rockshop, but the Rockshop doesn't sell VOX amps.

fraser · Post by **fraser** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:37 pm

I was looking at this amp,
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=85158087

Tell me what you guys think.

b · Post by b » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:58 pm

MusicPlanet up Queen St have all the Vox amps..

Vorbis · Post by **Vorbis** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:19 pm

fraser wrote:I was looking at this amp,
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... d=85158087

Tell me what you guys think.

There are'nt many solid state amps in your price range that will sound as good or as be as versatile as the Valvetronix, they do metal just fine on the jcm2000 or mesa models. You can get a nice vox-ish crunch and pretty cleans too. The 30 wont keep up with a drummer, the 50 would. Either are great for around the house, and sound good thru headphones too.

zdali · Post by **zdali** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:35 pm

Well if you need distortion and volume to keep up with a drummer i reckon any of these http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchR ... Region=100 will do

Post by Bg » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:06 pm

zdali wrote:Well if you need distortion and volume to keep up with a drummer i reckon any of these http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchR ... Region=100 will do

Having heard DC's, I second that

fraser · Post by **fraser** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:04 pm

That one looks sweet.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instrume ... 121902.htm

Not sure about it though, 10 years old? 120W is awesome though. Does that thing have overdrive/distortion and all those other effects?

If you can't tell already, I've never bought an amp, or owned a proper guitar amp, so I have no clue about anything.

Post by Bg » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:18 pm

It has overdrive - i.e. you crank it up

They sound good with a bad monkey in front of you don't want that level of volume...

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:27 pm

They generally sell around $250-$300. I've had a couple of them and imo they're a pretty decent amp. Plenty of balls. I currently have the valve version - the Superlead 130. I think I'll hang onto it just for the hell of it.

DaNextSlash · Post by **DaNextSlash** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:28 pm

One warning.....

Wattage doesnt mean to much....a 30 watt valve amp can kill a 80-100 watt SS......I highly doubt u need anything bigger than a 30w tube amp.

I run my Classic 30 at 1.5 clean when i practice....knobs go to 12...
Do some research.....google is your friend

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:32 pm

Not always, mate.

My old guitarist had a vintage Marshall 100W halfstack and I was able to drown him out easily with my Fender Studio 85 (65W). Why? He use untold distortion and I played clean. Makes a HUGE difference.

fraser · Post by **fraser** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:11 pm

What do you guys think of this?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instrume ... 666512.htm

Not sure if I could get it shipped up to Auckland though.