HELP!! Small amp for new archtop for $500or less

[hotroad]

Just acquired my first archtop, a Peerless Monarch with floating humbucker at the neck. So, now that is out of the way I need to think about a small size two channel amp that I can easily haul around. I want my tone to be as much acoustic as the typical mellow jazz tone. I want both. And might go dual source so need it two channel. And of course I can use pedals as well to get the tone I want. I have several to choose from.

Is there anything near $500 that is still good quality for small gigs or a stage monitor?

I really do need ideas. Tried the Roland Jazz Chorus 40 and a couple of other Roland amps. Also the Fishman Loudbox 100. Any other ideas?

What do you use??

[CASD57]

Originally Posted by hotroad

Just acquired my first archtop, a Peerless Monarch with floating humbucker at the neck. So, now that is out of the way I need to think about a small size two channel amp that I can easily haul around. I want my tone to be as much acoustic as the typical mellow jazz tone. I want both. And might go dual source so need it two channel. And of course I can use pedals as well to get the tone I want. I have several to choose from.

Is there anything near $500 that is still good quality for small gigs or a stage monitor?

I use an Mugig.amp or a Korg MM130 thru a DigiTech Rp80 with my Epiphone ES339 P90 and it sounds great

[Chickee]

Sounds like you're a perfect candidate for a Roland JC40.
Not 2 channel, but stereo input L/R and you can blend your sound to taste at the source(i.e. piezo/magnet pickups). It takes pedals really well too.
I'm sure you can find one used around $500.

[hotroad]

I just played a Roland JC40 today and loved it. Much better tone than other ones I am testing out. It feels heavy though to my tired body. But to get the fullness of tone, it seems that the larger amp is called for. Even my Loudbox 100 lacks big time in the bass and in the full musicality that I look for. Of course, its not meant to be a sound system or a Rivera 400w.

[Hurricane Ramon]

Mackie FreePlay is my go to acoustic/electric guitar/synth guitar/P.A. amp.

• 2X XLR/TRS
• Stereo BLUE Tooth or Aux inputs
• Smartphone controllable
• 150 watts RMS Stereo
• FX are really good
• .05 THD
• Mono line out to front end of house P.A.
• Great personal monitor

Small rooms it excels in . With 150 watts split , 75 watts summed to mono
go to the 8" driver & 35 watts each to the tweeters .

Small compact and very efficient . I have a T.C.Helicon Voice Live 3 X that I use for FX ,
I get jazz tones /blues / rock-a-anythang out of it when looping guitars , harps or vocal .

It's not as killer as my 60 watt tube for my guitars but then the clarity for vocal's on a P.A.
and acoustic nylon/steel guitars is it really great . I use a Godin LGXSA electric . It's got SD's
SH II jazz in the neck and a Custom III .


I'm happy with it .

EZ :

HR

[Woodstock School Of Music]

Originally Posted by hotroad

Just acquired my first archtop, a Peerless Monarch with floating humbucker at the neck. So, now that is out of the way I need to think about a small size two channel amp that I can easily haul around. I want my tone to be as much acoustic as the typical mellow jazz tone. I want both. And might go dual source so need it two channel. And of course I can use pedals as well to get the tone I want. I have several to choose from.

Is there anything near $500 that is still good quality for small gigs or a stage monitor?

I really do need ideas. Tried the Roland Jazz Chorus 40 and a couple of other Roland amps. Also the Fishman Loudbox 100. Any other ideas?

What do you use??

Look for a used a Scherlter Jam. Excellent for jazz

[Puerto Player]

Richard Goodsell (Goodsell amps) has a couple of his small, single tube, hand made amps for sale right now. I've owned one in the past and they are stellar. You can call and actually talk to Richard, he's the nicest guy you'll ever talk with. That's what I'd do amp wise.

[hotroad]

Goodsell amps are awesome but too expensive for me at this time. But thanks for the idea. Love to have one if the price was lower.

[hotroad]

Used my Fishman Loudbox 100 today with my archtop and got great results. In fact, I used my Fender Pro Junior tube amp and the Fishman sounded better by far. Might sell the Fender. Its such a nice tube amp, small, blonde tolex, like new, hardly used at all.