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  #16  
Old 05-30-2004, 11:23 AM
Steve314 Steve314 is offline
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With two grand, there's no reason in the world not to go with a tube amp and an American-made electric (that said, I agree with Randall; there are some GREAT Japanese, and even Korean, guitars out there right now).

I recently got two Hamer Artists, and they're outstanding. They ain't cheap, but they're sweet. A used one would probably be in the $800.00-$1,000.00 range. They compliment my Strats rather well, being that the one of the Hamers has P-90's, the other has humbuckers.

For an amp, check out some of the Marshall combos. The DSL 401 or 601 could be a nice way to go. A buddy of mine in Texas has the 401, and he swears by it. I'd recommend a Bluesbreaker (also by Marshall), but they just jacked the list price to well over two grand, so it likely wouldn't fit the amp+guitar budget.

Mesa Boogie makes some nice stuff, too. Their Lone Star is sweet. One thing to remember about Boogie, though, is that they have "pro-net" pricing. Essentially, the list price is what you pay; Boogie's position is that their products are discounted from the factory. Boogie isn't discounted at the retail end, nor are their authorized dealers permitted to ship their products.

For me, an amplifier has to have a great clean sound as its' base. Overdrive and distortion can be added with any one of a bajillion quality stomp boxes out there. A good, true clean sound, though, is something that just can't be replicated with a stomp box.

It's like when my Aunt Gloria used to make lasagna. "Steven", she'd say, "You gotta' start with the right sauce."

If I could make only one recommendation, it would be to play as many combinations of amps and guitars as you can get your hands on...

Steve
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  #17  
Old 05-30-2004, 11:39 AM
Heliman Heliman is offline
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Just a couple things to consider:

Have you ever played an SG for any period of time? They are great looking guitars and sound fantastic, but are very neck heavy. I would definitely try one standing up for a while before you decide. I have one and love it, but that "neck thing" is a pain! If you are not suffering from "headstock envy" you might take a look at the Epiphone Elitist Series. They are made in Japan from the same hardware and materials that the USA Gibsons are made from. They are significantly less expensive, however. For example, if you shop around, you can get a new Elitist Les Paul Custom in the $800 range. A Gibson LP Custom will run you almost $3000!!! Again, ... same materials!

Regarding tube amps: Some people are not all that familiar with tube amps. They respond entirely different from solid state for different volume situations. You really need to match the power to the venue. To get creamy, usable overdrive, you need to be able to crank them up. If you have never played through a 15 or 20 watt tube amp, I think you will be amazed at the output. For example, I have a 40 watt Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, and unless you are in a pretty large room, it does not sound very good. To get "that sound" from a 100 watt Marshall setup will require cranking it. Marshall makes a device call a Power Brake Inductive Speaker Attenuator, which loads the amp so you can "crank it" at low volume outputs. There as several amps on the market that allow you to vary the output wattage. Vox comes to mind.

Best of luck with your choice!

Respectfully yours,

Heliman

P.S. I did not read Steve's post before I responded. He has some great advice, particularly the part about having a good, clean sound available, first and foremost!

Last edited by Heliman; 05-30-2004 at 11:43 AM.
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  #18  
Old 05-30-2004, 11:46 AM
WoodNut WoodNut is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve314
For the price, they oughta' be...

Steve
The cliche is true in this case. You do get what you pay for. I had the pleasure of playing through one this weekend and I've NEVER heard a better sounding amp. It was loud and clean, and it was down and dirty and everything in between. The price, however, is high, but in line with the quality.
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  #19  
Old 05-30-2004, 12:03 PM
Steve314 Steve314 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WoodNut
The cliche is true in this case. You do get what you pay for. I had the pleasure of playing through one this weekend and I've NEVER heard a better sounding amp. It was loud and clean, and it was down and dirty and everything in between. The price, however, is high, but in line with the quality.
The best sounding amp I've ever played (and I've played just about all of 'em, from Fender to Dumble and Matchless; talk about an over-priced amp!) was a Speedster. The thing looks like a Buggati roadster. Unbelievable sounding amp. Again, not cheap, but an incredible sound...

Steve
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  #20  
Old 05-30-2004, 12:53 PM
meridian meridian is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve314
The best sounding amp I've ever played (and I've played just about all of 'em, from Fender to Dumble and Matchless; talk about an over-priced amp!) was a Speedster. The thing looks like a Buggati roadster. Unbelievable sounding amp. Again, not cheap, but an incredible sound...

Steve
I think Dennis used to have a very cool pic of his Speedster amp (and a K22!) on the Forum. Lemme see if I can find it. I love the "Bugatti Roadster" thing. How many of the 20 sumptin's have a clue as to what that is? hehehe

Are those TGF pics still up somewhere???
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  #21  
Old 05-30-2004, 01:40 PM
WoodNut WoodNut is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve314
The best sounding amp I've ever played (and I've played just about all of 'em, from Fender to Dumble and Matchless; talk about an over-priced amp!) was a Speedster. The thing looks like a Buggati roadster. Unbelievable sounding amp. Again, not cheap, but an incredible sound...

Steve
I think Matchless amps are a little over hyped, and priced, as well. I'm not familar with the speedster though...
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  #22  
Old 05-30-2004, 02:34 PM
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Chicago Sandy Chicago Sandy is offline
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If you're going with a Pod, why not look into a Parker Fly (or if you don't mind the weight, the cheaper Nitefly)? You will have a very easy-playing guitar that will sound like your choice of dozens of electrics with the tap of a toe and the flip of a switch--even acoustic for those "power ballad" intros.
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  #23  
Old 05-30-2004, 02:50 PM
LarryH in Texas LarryH in Texas is offline
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If you want a Gibson-type guitar without the Gibson price, look at Heritage. The company was started by Gibson employees who wanted to stay in Kalamazoo, rather than move to Nashville.

Epiphones can be good, but quality control can be spotty. More than a few people buy an Epi and upgrade the pickups, pots and pickup selector switches to get a near-Gibson for much less than a Gibson.

Gibson also makes electric guitars that aren't Les Pauls or SG's. Look at the semi-hollow models, such as the ES330 and ES335 (and their Epiphone equivalents, the Casino and the Riviera). The Epiphone Sheraton II also deserves a look.
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  #24  
Old 05-30-2004, 03:26 PM
Heliman Heliman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryH in Texas
Epiphones can be good, but quality control can be spotty. More than a few people buy an Epi and upgrade the pickups, pots and pickup selector switches to get a near-Gibson for much less than a Gibson.
The new Epi Elitist are made with Gibson Made In USA parts. The pickups are even made a Gibson's facility in the US out of the same wiring and materials used in their other pickups. Also, from what I have seen, the Elitists are almost shoulder to shoulder with Gibson, Nashville quality and are a notch or two above Gibson, Memphis quality control.

Now if you are talking about the made in China version Epiphones, that's a WHOLE different animal!!!

Respectfully yours,

Heliman
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  #25  
Old 05-30-2004, 03:41 PM
LarryH in Texas LarryH in Texas is offline
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Thanks, chopperguy.

The Epi's from the Samick factory are the only ones I've seen. Wonder if the Elitist lines make the Joe Pass model; wouldn't mind having a jazzbox.
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  #26  
Old 05-30-2004, 03:54 PM
meridian meridian is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LarryH in Texas
Thanks, chopperguy.

The Epi's from the Samick factory are the only ones I've seen. Wonder if the Elitist lines make the Joe Pass model; wouldn't mind having a jazzbox.
Here's the website . . .

Epiphone Elitist
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  #27  
Old 05-30-2004, 04:13 PM
LarryH in Texas LarryH in Texas is offline
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Thanks, Joe.

No Joe Pass model, but they do list the Broadway and the Byrdland.

Have to doubt the claim of 24K gold (even if it is plating) on the hardware. Pure gold is too darn soft and will probably wear away all too quickly.
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  #28  
Old 05-30-2004, 06:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve314
The best sounding amp I've ever played (and I've played just about all of 'em, from Fender to Dumble and Matchless; talk about an over-priced amp!) was a Speedster. The thing looks like a Buggati roadster. Unbelievable sounding amp. Again, not cheap, but an incredible sound...

Steve
ive heard a dumble amp is the best amp ever made by far. is that true steve?
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  #29  
Old 05-31-2004, 08:18 AM
Steve314 Steve314 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aggie182
ive heard a dumble amp is the best amp ever made by far. is that true steve?
Well, that's subjective, really. I do believe they're just about the most expensive. I think there's a 100 watt head that sells for about $12,000.00. But is it "the best"? I dunno'. I'd have a hard time giving up my Bluesbreaker for one; I like the sound of the Marshall that much. And, even at the price, the Dumble wasn't the best sounding amp, to my ears anyway, that I've ever played. That distinction goes to Speedster. Here's a link to a Guitar Player article on one of their amps: Speedster.

No, both the Dumble and the Speedster are hand-built; hand-wired, yadayadayada, and you can only do so much hand-wiring on an amp before it's completely handwired. The variable then becomes the proficiency of the person doing the wiring, and the components they use.

Is a Dumble worth it? Well, they were worth it for Stevie Ray, but he had a bit more of a robust checking account than I do...

Steve
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