I don't wanna buy it because it's ugly

[bfm612]

Just wanted to vent that I'm having the toughest time figuring out which amp to buy. I'm looking for cleans and low wattage, and among the options are the Roland JC-22 or -40, and a handful of Fenders. However, I'm having trouble deciding among all my choices even beyond these because I'm finding some of these options just aesthetically unattractive. The JC-22 in particular and the silverface Fenders are not pretty to look at, in my opinion.

Yes, I should be ranking tone, affordability, and practicality among many other things ahead of the look, but my amps do need to sit somewhere in the house, the house I share with my wife and kids, so my stuff have to look somewhat pleasant, and look not too out of place among everything else in the room. Some of these just won't make it to the swimsuit competition.

Anyway, just thought I'd come out in the open and announce how impractical and superficial I'm being. I'm hoping others can relate!

[Rudy4]

I owned a JC-120 and the look was at least part of what I didn't care for.

You do realize that Justonwo's Humphrey Espresso 15 has your name written all over it?

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by bfm612

...I'm looking for cleans and low wattage... However, I'm having trouble deciding among all my choices even beyond these because I'm finding some of these options just aesthetically unattractive...

Yes, I should be ranking tone, affordability, and practicality among many other things ahead of the look, but my amps do need to sit somewhere in the house, the house I share with my wife and kids, so my stuff have to look somewhat pleasant, and look not too out of place among everything else in the room...

One of these:



https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ss-a-tube-head

- and one of these:



https://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...peaker-cabinet

Small, unobtrusive, solidly-built both structurally and electronically, loads of clean all-tube tone and dynamic headroom - I own one and it really is that. good. - and if you (or your better half) have a creative bent you can pull the Randall logo, cover the industrial diamond-steel grille with the grillecloth of your choice, and it'll have the look of a baby Ampeg Portaflex (or some of the classic 1950's McIntosh audio equipment); BTW if you're OK buying used the cab can be had for as little as $100 in primo condition, and the head for $175 if you're a good haggler (or you hit a Holiday/Coupon Day sale, as I did at Sweetwater) - simple, no-frills, old-school WYSIWYG controls, and tone you can't touch for anywhere near the price...

[Chickee]

I’m not recommending the snake skinned beauty shown here(that’s mine!), but MojoTone can build you a custom cabinet for under $400(without speaker) and you pick everything you want your cab to be. The tolex, grillcloth, piping, handle, feet, corner guards. The world is your oyster. Match your home decor!

There are tons of mini amp heads on the market. Pick one to power the cab, and when not in use place the mini head in the bottom of the cab. Crisp and clean, sight unseen.

frank d.

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[rollypolly]

Try a fender champion 600.

[1neeto]

I’ve bought guitars for their looks. Amps? Not so much. What makes an amp good-looking? It’s a box with knobs and rivets, some tolex and a carrying handle.

[rmp]

you don't like the look of fenders?

hmmm..

[bfm612]

Originally Posted by rmp

you don't like the look of fenders?

hmmm..

Actually, that Tone Master DR in blonde is in the running! (It’s the silverfaces that I don’t like.). I think it looks great, and I like the idea of the solid state version with an attenuator. I think it sounds great and at the lower price.

@1neeto: It might not matter to some people, but you can’t deny that amps have different looks, which is especially important since they’re typically on display and not as easily hidden away in a case as a guitar. If I have an amp sitting in a midcentury modern living room, then a Tone King would blend in better than a Marshall. But not everyone cares and it’s a little shameful that the look is a big consideration for me, but it is.

[rokdog49]

There’s an excellent 5 watt Fender Custom Champ for sale in the classifieds for $799 shipped.
Thats a steal.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by rmp

you don't like the look of fenders?

hmmm..

That one needs a set of creme barrel knobs and a flat-aluminum '63 logo - and why Fender didn't make them that way from the get-go is beyond me...

[CASD57]

Kind of the reason I am not buying a spark amp....It looks like furniture lol
it does not look like a guitar amp...

I wish that T5 came with a EL34 or 6L6 I'm not a big fan of EL84's

[rmp]

Originally Posted by bfm612

Actually, that Tone Master DR in blonde is in the running! (It’s the silverfaces that I don’t like.). I think it looks great, and I like the idea of the solid state version with an attenuator. I think it sounds great and at the lower price.

The attenuator is 100% the coolest thing about this amp It works great!

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by 1neeto

I’ve bought guitars for their looks. Amps? Not so much. What makes an amp good-looking? It’s a box with knobs and rivets, some tolex and a carrying handle.

I was going to say the same thing. I can understand a person buying a guitar because they like the way it looks. I wouldn't worry about the way an amp looked though.

I'll admit I love the look of a Marshall stack.

[bfm612]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

There’s an excellent 5 watt Fender Custom Champ for sale in the classifieds for $799 shipped.
Thats a steal.

The Champ is neck and neck with the Tone Master DR!

[Chickee]

Ive always been drawn to the VOX classic design ethic. Beautiful black leatherette with gold piping and a stylized tartan grillcloth. Vox were the real merchants of cool way back when.

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