help me choose an amp for 80s rock

[yoyohomieg5432]

i want to make this clear for everyone in case they havent read: i only play at my home, although i still play pretty loud

hi, sorry another thread on this. i have several amps that i am intersted in and instead of asking about just one i would like to put a poll in this thread and if everyone could, say why they would choose the amp they voted for.

i really only play in my house, but i play pretty loud most of the time.

im looking for boston, guns and roses, etc tones.

im interested in:

two rock ruby- 35 watts w/ halfwswitch and master volume. 2xel34's, supposed to be a pretty high gain two rock.

bad cat hot cat 30- el34's, amp sounded pretty good. this is the most volume i would want is an amp like this.

divided by 13 ldw 17/39- el34's, MV, 17 watts. supposed to be modeled after amps from the 60's to mid 80s.

reinhardt storm- el34's, 30 watts i believe with powerscaling. supposably meant to sound like G'n'r s apetite for destruction, havent got to heard the amp though

i am also open for any other suggestions as well. once again, if you could please state why you would choose that amp.

[Griz]

You may have to compromise, tone-wise. Boston and GnR guitar tones are quite different from each other, to say nothing of the 80's bands that may be lurking in the "etc." category.

Slash is associated with JCM800 "Silver Jubilee" Marshalls, whereas I think Tom Scholz (sp?) incorporated his own custom design hi-gain preamp into the Boston sound.

A lot of other 80's bands would have likely been using rack-based guitar rigs. The ADA MP-1 (I think that's the model) was omnipresent. As uncool as rack systems are these days, something like that might just be your best bet.

[murkat]

Jcm 800 owend the 80's :)

[Serious Poo]

The definitive rock amp of the 80's was the Marshall JCM800, so... :rolleyes:

[Scott Peterson]

Jcm 800 owend the 80's :)

+1 - and I was there to hear it. :D

[yoyohomieg5432]

i know the 800 did, but wont that be too much amp for my house?

[Bo Faulkner]

Jcm 800

[Hamertoe]

Some fine amps are mentioned but I had to pick "other". I saw allot of shows in the 80's and gigged a few. It was Marshall wall to wall. It's been summed up here already but can't be said enough. Marshall has pretty much filled the bill for signature rock tone in each decade, so far.

[Zootallures]

Splawn- Quick Rod!!
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd93/Zootallures316/SplawnQuickrod.jpg

[jezzzz2003]

The Reindhardt or an early Marshall amp.
think about it, what were most 80's rockers playing?..

[MBreinin]

Boogie MkIII.

The EQ takes you from Whitesnake to Boston...and more than enough gain for any '80s tune. I have a MkIII, I had a Ruby. A great choice on the cheap is a Marshall 3203. '80s in a box for about $400..they KILL.

Mike

[yoyohomieg5432]

bump to my previous question.. wouldnt 50 watt jcm 800's be too loud for HOME which is where i'm playing?

[FFTT]

Yes, that's why /13 has the RSA 23 and the LDW 17/39

[Serious Poo]

i want to make this clear for everyone in case they havent read: i only play at my home, although i still play pretty loud

bump to my previous question.. wouldnt 50 watt jcm 800's be too loud for HOME which is where i'm playing?

Well, you said you played pretty loud... :rolleyes:

The 35 watt amps you listed will put out appx 90% of the volume of a 50 watt Marshall JCM800, so either way you're going to be pretty loud. If volume's a concern, I recommend getting a THD HotPlate.

Output difference calculated as (35 watts / 50 watts) ^ .30103 = 89.8% output, rounded.

[bosstone]

Fargen Mini Plex II

[clunk]

JCM 800's were the amp for that era. There are alot of other choices today like Splawn, Roccaforte, Wizard, THD, Soldano and other plexi based amp makers that will put you in that ball park. Some of them make lower wattage amps too. Good luck

Clunk

[GuitarTone]

bump to my previous question.. wouldnt 50 watt jcm 800's be too loud for HOME which is where i'm playing?

Obviously it would be way too loud, but no one read your post. :)

So you'll never be wanting a clean tone from this amp, you'll never be playing some Jimi stuff, or Gilmour stuff, just 80's rock all the time?

[Iceman8.6]

How about the Tophat Emplexador MK II. I've read those can get some good 80's Marshall tone and have a good master for low volumes. I've never heard one so can anyone that has say for sure?

[crwnedblasphemy]

My Splawn Comp is for sale. Sorry for the plug, but it will suit your needs.

[gainfreak]

bump to my previous question.. wouldnt 50 watt jcm 800's be too loud for HOME which is where i'm playing?

Not if you use a boost pedal to get your distortion. 99.9 percent of the 80's tones generated from a Marshall were either from Modded Marshalls or Marshalls with a boost or box in front of it.

Here are some options

Get a MKIII or MKIV boogie They sound great at any volume and you've got 80's tones for days
or
Get yourself a JCM800 or JMP Marshall and slam the front end of the amp with a pedal. or you could get a JVM
or you could go the Preamp poweramp combo. A cheap Peavey rockmaster preamp and a good poweramp will do 80's sounds all day long at any volume

You have many options.

[Axeplyr]

I voted JCM800.

I have a 2204, stellar rock amp. Runs best at high volumes, but can be tamed with the master volume or a Hotplate. Also takes pedals really well!

[Thwap]

1. JCM 800
2. Soldano slo
3. Egnater Mod50

Any of these, and personally, I'd take the Mod50, as you can do tons of other stuff as well.

[Hackubus]

One more vote for the JCM800.

[bluesmain]

+1 on the Mesa

Boogie MkIII.

The EQ takes you from Whitesnake to Boston...and more than enough gain for any '80s tune. I have a MkIII, I had a Ruby. A great choice on the cheap is a Marshall 3203. '80s in a box for about $400..they KILL.

Mike

[Old Tele man]

...look for an "old" SUNN, KUSTOM, or PLUSH!

[yoyohomieg5432]

Obviously it would be way too loud, but no one read your post. :)

So you'll never be wanting a clean tone from this amp, you'll never be playing some Jimi stuff, or Gilmour stuff, just 80's rock all the time?

for this amp i plan just 80's rock tones only.

i plan to get another amp sometime for my bluesier stuff.

[gainfreak]

for this amp i plan just 80's rock tones only.

i plan to get another amp sometime for my bluesier stuff.

If you get a Boogie MKIV you will be done period.

Sounds great at any volume and can go from 80's metal to blues, to JAZZ no problem.
It can be a great practice amp or live amp.
You have a graphic eq in the amp where you can custom tailor your tone. You want a Boston type tone?, no problem, Crank the mids on the eq. You want metallica, scoop the mids a bit. You want classic rock, hit channel 2 with a boost pedal or go straight in to channel 2.
There are infinite things that you can do with this amp and its probbaly cheaper the all of the amps you listed.

[FloridaSam]

+132548 for the JCM800.

[michael patrick]

bump to my previous question.. wouldnt 50 watt jcm 800's be too loud for HOME which is where i'm playing?

That's why they have a master volume... ;)

[loudgtr]

The 2 channel with reverb JCM 800 from the late 80's.

I've got one from '88 and it does the '80s better than anything I know. I also own a Soldano I love big time; but this JCM 800 owns the '80s. Just crank the gain and preamp volume and then master volume to taste. Great for home use.

Good luck!

[Don L]

JCM 800 or Jubilee. Jub is my favorite Marshall of all.

[Fixxxer]

/ 13 JJN 50/100 will do it for you.:Devil, with an OD pedal it will go into the 90's!

[Lance]

Hmm, 80's rock. I haven't played through a few or even most of what you have listed. But if you're looking for the 80's rock, and volume is a problem, I'd go with the rack stuff. Those Peavey Rockmasters & ADA MP-1's. or the Marshall JMP-1. For heavy eq'ing mid scoop or boost, get a Furman PQ-3. Power it with whatever you want. Like a Boogie 2:90, or ADA tube power amp, McIntosh MC-2300 or 2105, and run it into some high fidelity JBL E-120's, and you'll have more tonal shaping ability than any stand alone amp. Even a 2Rock Ruby. AND, since you're a bedroom rocker, you won't have to cart it all over town for gigs.

[MBreinin]

I want to mention again that the Marshall 3203 is "only" 30 watts and sounds just like a JCM800 with a pedal pushing it. And, they have a loop, great master and reverb...oh, and they are under the radar and available in head form (3203) and combo form (4203) for under $500 on E-bay all of the time. I have one right here in the office, they are great amps at a great price.

Mike

[Sniper-V]

JCM800s rock and are one of my favorite Marshalls.
But,
They are loud pretty loud for most homes,
And,
Expect to run a pedal to get into "high" gain,
Especially,
If you can't get the back end hot enough.


I think you should stick to something with a killer master
And,
Possibly at least 2 channels for versatility.


I still like the Hot Cat for versatility at home and not just because I'm selling one...;)
But,
I got a 2203x if you go the JCM800 route too...:AOK

[pinchegordo]

get a boogie,they have some that are switable like the 5:25,great little combo

[yoyohomieg5432]

JCM800s rock and are one of my favorite Marshalls.
But,
They are loud pretty loud for most homes,
And,
Expect to run a pedal to get into "high" gain,
Especially,
If you can't get the back end hot enough.


I think you should stick to something with a killer master
And,
Possibly at least 2 channels for versatility.


I still like the Hot Cat for versatility at home and not just because I'm selling one...;)
But,
I got a 2203x if you go the JCM800 route too...:AOK

what do the x's mean? (2203x)

[rastaman]

what do the x's mean? (2203x)

Reissue

[guitarslinger21]

Egnater seminar amp, used.

[rastaman]

I agree on the 800s and also on the Artist 3203. I have and/or have had all, they do what you're asking perfectly.

[juicehead2072]

Splawn Quickrod- 2 channels,3 different gears for your overdrive from plexi to super hot rodded JCM 800. No pedals neccesary!!!

[waylay00]

+1 on the Splawn. I was set on a JCM800 until I tried one. It absolutely KILLS for 80s rock.

[orangewizard]

How about a slightly different suggestion...Orange Rocker 30. I think there are some 80's ish tones in there.

[JamesHealey]

Im not a fan of the Splawn Quickrod, I don't think it sounds very good at all.

I'd suggest a Roccaforte or an old JCM800 2204.

[FFTT]

I'm glad you're taking the time to research this purchase before you
spend your hard earned savings.

I'm trying to stay focused on the better amps that will deliver great tone
at volumes suitable for home use.

You're looking for an amp that delivers not only 80's rock tone, but
also SRV blues tones as well.

Sounds like you've got a pretty good local store that carries some finer
amps. I'd just trust my own ears until you find the amp that sounds best to you.

[HoboMan]

Mesa F-30.

[FFTT]

I know where I'd be putting my money!

Really appreciate the clips Pete posted.

Komet Concorde with a divided by 13 2X12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB76UqCYxgs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKkFb5HQwxo

[waylay00]

Im not a fan of the Splawn Quickrod, I don't think it sounds very good at all.

I'd suggest a Roccaforte or an old JCM800 2204.

That's interesting. I don't see how one could like a 2204 and not like a Splawn. :NUTS

[MBreinin]

I know where I'd be putting my money!

Really appreciate the clips Pete posted.

Komet Concorde with a divided by 13 2X12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB76UqCYxgs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKkFb5HQwxo

My Lucky 7 into a Mojo 4x12 with G12Hs and Greenbacks sounds so much like that it is scary.

Mike

[Sniper-V]

what do the x's mean? (2203x)

rastaman's right...

Its a reissue JCM800 with effects loop.

[232cap]

Another vote for a Splawn Quickrod.

[Eskimo_Joe]

not the Hot Cat

[NatDeroxL7]

Bogner XTC

[BadAssBill]

JCM 800 owner...love em, and they work pretty good with pedals. The volume can be fairly controlled. However, if I was looking for a fairly reasonable volumed Marshall inspired amp I'd look at the Fargen Mini Plex. At least look at the video demo on there...I think they are really great.

[ChrisGS]

I didn't read through the whole thread, but if your looking for an amp to do JCM 800 type sounds in your house, The Budda Twinmaster is an 18 watt amp with the first two preamp stages set-up like a JCM 800...The amp really does ROCK.