Help me find my next amp...

[trumpus]

Over the past 2 years that i've been a member of this site, I've added new guitars and way too many new pedals to my rig. The one constant has been my amp situation. I'm currently running either a Mesa/Boogie DC-3 for gigs and jams or a stock Fender Blues Junior for practice, smaller jams and rehearsals.

I've been thinking a lot lately about my tone and the time has come (well, not immediately, but soon) for me to get a new amp.

I have become smitten with the chimey, Fender cleans, and as a result, the Mesa is just not satisfying my needs right now. I love it for it's drive, but I'm looking for something else in the way of cleans. Here are the things i've identified so far that are important to me:


Relatively simple - the Mesa just has too many knobs to turn and some even pull double duty depending on the settings. This cxan make for some complicated tweaking - especially when switching guitars. I'd like something a bit simpler. Not necessarily fewer knobs, just something a bit more intuitive.
2X12/2X10 or a head and cab with either layout. My other amps are 1X12's and i'd like to try something new
Effects loop - not important
Trem/Vibrato - not important, but would be nice
Reverb - not important, but would be nice
18-35W (or something that has selectable wattage or something close...)
Chimey, bell-like, round, fat, buttery clean tone, nice gritty breakup (at what point would be determined by wattage, but figure some decent headroom).I've started looking, and here's what's sparked my interest thus far:

SF Fenders: Vibrolux Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, Princeton Reverb
Allen: Encore, Accomplice
Dr. Z Maz's
Bruno: Cowtipper, UndergroundThis is by no means a complete list - which is where you guys come in! What else should I look at? What have been your experiences with these or other similar amps? If you were looking for a new amp - which would you pick, what configuration, what options?

Now, the sticky part - I could realistically see myself parting with a max of $1600-1800, however, if I want my new marriage to succeed, I would prefer to stay around $1200-1400.

Any help, recommendations or anything i've missed would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Brian

[JamonGrande]

bump, i'm interested in the almost the exact same (would do 1x12, 2x10 but not 2x12)

don't know how much of a difference it makes to the circuit, but perhaps a regular Princeton should be added to the mix?

otherwise, tried a Gomez 1x12 that seemed to have a bigger top and bottom, with reverb and trem in the $1500 range that i'm still curious about.

I have a Maz 1x12 (reverb). i'm quite happy with it. it's a middle weight amp (47 lbs) and I'm looking for something much lighter in the 20~30 lb range, but with similiar characteristics

maybe the Gries 5 or 18?

joe

good luck!

[trumpus]

Bump - anyone?

[FFTT]

Take a look at the VVT Amps Lindy Fralin model.
also the Zinky's

Also the Jule Amps Benda K

I would honestly try to save just a bit more or try to find something in a clean used amp.

[trumpus]

I would honestly try to save just a bit more or try to find something in a clean used amp.

Yep - used would be ideal - but I guess i'm confused at why i'd need to save more to get a used amp? Save more to get an amp that is normally more expensive than what i'm looking at?

Brian

[FFTT]

Unfortunately these days a well made amp in that power range just barely starts at $1,200.00 and way up.

[trumpus]

Unfortunately these days a well made amp in that power range just barely starts at $1,200.00 and way up.

...and that's fine, and one of the reasons that I made this post - to get some other recommendations. The Allen and vintage Fenders fall in my current budget, the Bruno's way out of it. If I happen to fall in love with something more expensive, so be it - it will just require a bit more time to save.

I'm in no rush, i'd rather scrimp and save and end up with a really nice amp that i'm really happy with.


Brian

[swampstomper]

You can get the Maz Jr. NR 2x10 for $1429. It's a very simple one-channel amp that would seem to fit the requirements you've described. Great sounding, very well made amp.

[trumpus]

...off topic, but since i've never had an amp without reverb- what do people use? a pedal? A standalone unit? A rack verb?

Brian

[Gi-gi-giggity]

I have a Goodsell 2x12 that fits *most* of that bill. Sonically it's there, not as much on the features. I'm considering selling and it would be in that price point.

Let me know if you're interested.

[billm408]

Check out the Uptown 33. Not sure of the price range, but...
There's mp3 clips on Val's site.

http://www.kingamplification.com

[meterman]

...off topic, but since i've never had an amp without reverb- what do people use? a pedal? A standalone unit? A rack verb?

Brian

You could check out the TopHat Ambassador 35, 35w 2x12 w/ 4x6V6s in Class A. Based on a BF tone stack, reverb, loop, there is one for sale used over on the TopHat forum for $1300. Fender cleans with more midrange content available for overdriven tones....

not mine, I just love TopHats :)

http://www.tophatamps.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=660


BTW I don't have reverb on any of my three amps, it was weird at first but now I use a little bit of analog delay instead.....

[bard2dbone]

I love the SF Vibrolux and SF Princeton options. But that's just me. Give us more detail on what you're trying to achieve sound-wise.

[trumpus]

I love the SF Vibrolux and SF Princeton options. But that's just me. Give us more detail on what you're trying to achieve sound-wise.

Sure - I play mainly rock/funk/jammy/spacey stuff (typical rock-oriented jam band style).

I am not currently in a band, so I do most of my playing at home, but occasionally get together for jams or sit in with friends' bands. I am hopeful that I will be playing out more in the future, so i'm not as interested in a "bedroom" amp as I am one for gigging, though the ability to sound good at lower volumes is a definite plus.

Brian