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Another Amp Discussion Thread, This One for a Small Amp
I am a pilot and get involved in lots of “which airplane for me” discussions. I have learned that to suggest the right airplane you have to define the mission. So... I will take a similar approach here.
I am in the midst of trying to fix up a German Schaller Amp that I bought there in 1969. So I want a small amp to use while I have the Schaller torn apart. The eventual mission will be a practice Amp in a man cave room I am putting together. I don’t need much volume, but I would like to have it be able to sound good at low volume, that is, not cranking it up to be heard at the other end of the house. The guitars I will use with it are my Framus electric I also bought in Germany in 1969. For lack of a better description it is much like a Telecaster with primitive pickups. I am looking get a Mexican Strat or Squeir, or maybe even ultimately an American Strat. I also might be dabbling with my acoustic/electric Martin that I have never connected to an Amp. On an electric I play soft rock like Wonderful Tonight and Stairway to Heaven and some barre cord rhythm. I don’t mind spending some money for the right setup, but my thinking is to limit the money I put into this until I see how the German Amp comes out when I am done. I read in a thread about buying a Fender Champion 40;and then putting a decent driver in it. That sounds like it might be worth trying since it wouldn’t be risking much money. I live in the boonies 100 miles from the nearest GC, so it would be awhile before I could have a chance to spend a few hours there. I may be ordering something without hearing it. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions. Edit: I am not stuck on a tube Amp, but if it really brings something to the party, I am good with one.
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1969 Framus Solid Body Electric 1969 Schaller KV25 Amplifier 1997 Mexican Strat 2017 Les Paul Tribute Model Bugera V22 Tube Amplifier 1969 Oscar Teller Classical Martin DRS2 Yamaha FG700S Last edited by MBDiagMan; 11-09-2017 at 10:20 PM. |
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How much you want to spend? I like the Vox AC10 or the Vox AC 4c1
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I will spend what It takes if I can find a really good choice.
All I have close at hand is a Sweetwater catalog and I see an AC10C1 and an AC4C112WB. I get the idea it will take some study to understand their numbering convention. BTW, thanks for the reply!
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1969 Framus Solid Body Electric 1969 Schaller KV25 Amplifier 1997 Mexican Strat 2017 Les Paul Tribute Model Bugera V22 Tube Amplifier 1969 Oscar Teller Classical Martin DRS2 Yamaha FG700S |
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Quote:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
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The AC10 really is a killer amp.
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Steve,
It is very nice of you to offer such a detailed and thoughtful response. The Bugera looks interesting. Is the speaker good enough that it would not need upgrading, at least right away? IOW, will this be good to go out of the box? That is not to say I would not be interested in tweaking, but if it would be good out of the box I am very interested. It seems like what I am looking for at a reasonable price. Thanks again!
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1969 Framus Solid Body Electric 1969 Schaller KV25 Amplifier 1997 Mexican Strat 2017 Les Paul Tribute Model Bugera V22 Tube Amplifier 1969 Oscar Teller Classical Martin DRS2 Yamaha FG700S |
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Non-tube recommendations:
The Boss Katana series is getting very decent reviews for its price and its flexibility. I have not played one, but very attractively priced. My son and I have owned and played a Tech21 Trademark 60 for many, many years. They also make a Trademark 30. These are very flexible amps that are rock solid and do not get their due. (no real acoustic potential there, though) Just a couple of ideas.
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=== "Don't let your baby down" Storm Windows, John Prine '66 Gibson J-200, '55 J50, JB Model 1; Martin M-36; Micheletti Osprey Rigid Rim; Collings OM2H, GR Bear OM C; Emerald X10 Slimline; Gretsch HOF Country Gent & G6120CMHOF; Gibson ES-165; CP Thornton Improv; Veillette Flyer 14 & Lyric; Anderson Crowdster++ .... |
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Thanks G! I will try to look closer at the VOX numbering system to see if the AC10 variation I found might be what you’re talking about.
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1969 Framus Solid Body Electric 1969 Schaller KV25 Amplifier 1997 Mexican Strat 2017 Les Paul Tribute Model Bugera V22 Tube Amplifier 1969 Oscar Teller Classical Martin DRS2 Yamaha FG700S |
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Quote:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
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If I read you correctly, you need a good amp for low volume cleanish tones. And given your musical preferences, my guess is that gainier sounds are not a priority.
While more powerful amps have good cleans I think there is little reason to go above 10ish watts on a tube amp. Staying smaller will also save some $$. With that as a parameter, I think there are several amps you will want to try Blackstar HT1 or 5 Vox AC4 or 10 Fender Bassbreaker 007 VHT Special Ultra Marshall DSL5 If you decide to go solid state Fender Mustang Boss Katana 50- maybe the most flexible amp that I have tried Roland Blues Cube Out of this list I have my favorites but my ears are not yours. I would definitely take the time to hit a GC despite the drive. Hopefully some local shops will have some inventory to shop out of this list. |
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Good advice...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
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The advice to go play different amps is very good advice, but it will be weeks before I get a chance to make it somewhere to try Amps. I love living in the peace and quiet of the boondocks, but there are disadvantages to it. I get in a lot of traveling, not to big cities.
Thanks to everyone for taking time to offer suggestions and advice. I will probably order something this weekend. If I find something noticeably more desirable when I finally get to GC, I will buy it. I am very fortunate at this stage of my life to be blessed with resources that I did not have in my earlier years, so if I have to buy something different, I will probably give the rejected one to my daughters boyfriend who is a great guitarist and not so flush with cash.
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1969 Framus Solid Body Electric 1969 Schaller KV25 Amplifier 1997 Mexican Strat 2017 Les Paul Tribute Model Bugera V22 Tube Amplifier 1969 Oscar Teller Classical Martin DRS2 Yamaha FG700S |
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Thanks for all the great responses. I wish I could have followed them all. I ordered the Bugera that Steve recommended. If I don’t like it for some reason, it will work for me until I make it to the city and have time to listen to a bunch of the other amps that you guys recommended.
This is a great forum with great posters that seem to get along well and not snipe at each other. I have had wonderful discussion and received great suggestions and advice here. Thank you to all.
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1969 Framus Solid Body Electric 1969 Schaller KV25 Amplifier 1997 Mexican Strat 2017 Les Paul Tribute Model Bugera V22 Tube Amplifier 1969 Oscar Teller Classical Martin DRS2 Yamaha FG700S |
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If you don't like it, I can just about guarantee your daughter's BF will...
Sent you a PM...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |