Amp for home and away

[jimmybcool]

OK. Let's assume someone wanted an amp (that hadn't been drinking and his typing was all screwed up) for mostly home playing. They like rock, southern rock, santana, stevie Ray, led zep. They don't want to buy 2 amps.

In order to get the right tone they need to drive the amp. This means if they get one too powerful they will piss off the significant other and face possible divorce. But, if not powerful enough no funtimes when the SO is out of the house. And who knows, maybe this hypothetical loser will get good enough to actually go play with some other losers that like rock. And he will need more amp.

Taking all these drunken hypotheticals in mind, what to do?

I like the concept of the Mesa Lonestar Special. You can turn it down to only 5 watts and rock out at home - or go full bore and get 30 watts. It seems to have the right features with reverb and 2 channels.

Am I missing something? Is this the right idea? and if so - who else does this kind of stuff?

And hey - have a good night.

 

[decay-o-caster]

Well, SPAM Maven Peal SPAM is known for its ability SPAM to go down to SPAM 1-watt, or up to SPAM 100 for the SPAM Ganesha or 50 for the Tuscadaro.

 

[jpage]

Sounds like what I was looking for in a combo--one that would sound great at home at night (low volume) and even better blowing out a drummers arms trying to keep up.

Mesa Lonestar Classic was what I decided on. Best sounding, most versatile combo I've ever owned. But damn, t's heavy.

 

[jimmybcool]

Originally posted by decay-o-caster
Well, SPAM Maven Peal SPAM is known for its ability SPAM to go down to SPAM 1-watt, or up to SPAM 100 for the SPAM Ganesha or 50 for the Tuscadaro.

What happened to your post? Was it somehow filtered by the site or is there a deeper meaning here?

 

[jimmybcool]

Originally posted by jpage
Sounds like what I was looking for in a combo--one that would sound great at home at night (low volume) and even better blowing out a drummers arms trying to keep up.

Mesa Lonestar Classic was what I decided on. Best sounding, most versatile combo I've ever owned. But damn, t's heavy.

I like the concept and am wondering if other vendors have done the same thing. Store near me carries Zinky and Fender mostly (a small store but with a following among performing guitarists in the area). I am assuming he has some clue as to better amps.

But if the Zinky Blue Velvet only runs at 25 watts that could get pretty loud.

 

[Unburst]

Even 5w is loud enough to PO the SO.

My suggestion is buy an amp you like and get an attenuator.

 

[jimmybcool]

Originally posted by Unburst
Even 5w is loud enough to PO the SO.

My suggestion is buy an amp you like and get an attenuator.

OK, ignorance calling. What is an attenuator?

Will this allow me to run any amp I get into the better power range AND reduce volume? This would open the range of amps I can get up.

 

[fyler]

Will this allow me to run any amp I get into the better power range AND reduce volume?

yes- like the THD hotplate, Dr. Z Airbrake, Weber Mass, etc.

FYI i have a Fargen Bastage, which is FOUR WATTS, and it's still loud enough ( through a 1x12") to piss off friends, neighbors, and significant others.

 

[jimmybcool]

This is good information. I can select ANY power amp I want not limit myself to those within specific power ranges. Or those with selectable power ranges. Kewl.

I am kind of confused why some amps come so stripped. Like some have nothing but volume and gain. Period.

It doesn't seem that difficult to add the curcuits to offer reverb and the like.

I also wonder (newby talking) why they don't all have a tuning function. My only ever amp the Fender G-Dec has this feature and it is fantastic. Way faster for me than tuning by ear.

I understand working for vintage TONE, but not vintage lack of features.

 

[fyler]

one man's lack of features is another man's streamlined perfection.
there are many, many amps out there. probably more than there ever have been. find the amp that suits you best, with the features you require/desire, then have fun.

 

[jimmybcool]

Thanks.

BTW, as a former homegrown Ferguson boy - GO CARDS.

(hey, I can get biased on baseball can't I?)

 

[fyler]

GO CARDS.

indeed. i'm going to the game tonight, as a matter of fact.

 

[jimmybcool]

Last year the Cards were all hitting and weak pitching.

Not this year. This is the best balanced cards team I can remember since the 60s. Deep pitching and hitting. good D and excellent managing.

I look forward to a WS victory this year. I hope.

I might even have to go when they come to town next. Been a long time since I went to a ML game.

 

[fenderbender4]

Well, keep in mind that watts are linear, while decibels are logarithmic. So even at very small wattages, the decibels will still be loud.

 

[decay-o-caster]

Originally posted by jimmybcool
What happened to your post? Was it somehow filtered by the site or is there a deeper meaning here?

The deeper meaning is that I have one for sale on the Emporium. So I self-filtered the post, since talking up the perfection of the gear you're trying to sell is Just Wrong.

 

[jimmybcool]

Originally posted by decay-o-caster
The deeper meaning is that I have one for sale on the Emporium. So I self-filtered the post, since talking up the perfection of the gear you're trying to sell is Just Wrong.

Ahhh. I see.

I am going to have to go hear some amps for myself so I doubt my first purchase will be off the board. When I have more expertise the board will be more valuable to me.

To quote that great thinker Dirty Harry - "A man's got to know his limitations".

My limitations are my experience and to grow that will require hands on testing.

I think I shall go listen to a Zinky and Fender today.

 

[cr8z4life]

Heres my 2 cents......

Buy the amp you really like.....preferably one with a master volume....(attenuator and masters work pretty well together) and play your heart out.....

Night time playing- guitarport through your computer.....or set the amp clean and use a pedal in front .....pedals can make you louder or actually work to attenuate ......

 

[jimmybcool]

Originally posted by cr8z4life
Heres my 2 cents......

Buy the amp you really like.....preferably one with a master volume....(attenuator and masters work pretty well together) and play your heart out.....

Night time playing- guitarport through your computer.....or set the amp clean and use a pedal in front .....pedals can make you louder or actually work to attenuate ......

If you mean the guitarport product I can't use that. I have a Mac and they aren't compatible.

I'm thinking the attenuator AND a headphones jack. Best of both worlds.

I sure wish I knew what a "pedal" is. I mean, I KNOW what the concept of a pedal is, but how many different kinds there are and what they actually DO is still a mystery to me.