Help with new amp....

[Muse-ic]

Haven't bought a new amp in quite a while. Right now I have a Carvin Nomad 50w all-tube (el84s I believe) 1x12 with 1x12 extension speaker. Actually it's a really good amp for the price etc.

I'd like to get something new. Only need clean, as I use pedals for overdrive. No more than 50 watts. Nice clear "vintagey" sound, but the must is a really sweet reverb. My alternative is to get a Stymon Blue Sky or something, but I'd like the reverb to be in the amp....

And of course I don't want to spend an arm and a leg.... like to keep the cost reasonable/down....

I haven't looked at amps in several years, anyone have any suggestions?

 

[jcat5503]

How much you looking to spend?

 

[Muse-ic]

Well, the Carvin cost me under $300.... but let's say around $1K? Is that unrealistic these days?

 

[terrapin]

Well, the Carvin cost me under $300.... but let's say around $1K? Is that unrealistic these days?

Not at ALL unrealistic.........You have a ton of options open to you especially if you are willing to buy used. based one your desires my thought immediately goes to Fender. The right one will give you all the great cleans you need, drive an OD pedal great and (the right one) will have great old school reverb (accutronics long tank)........

maybe you said but how much wattage do you need? Your current Carvin at 50 watts could drive a large club or hall.......I bet you could get by with Alot less wattage.

You will get TONS of advice here on specific amps, but I would recommend you find a good shop and go play them..........

And YES If you truely like reverb then DON'T rely on getting a pedal. It will only disappopint you.

 

[Muse-ic]

Yea, I was thinking maybe Fender as well. Actually, when I was gigging five nights a week years ago, I had a pristine original blackface '64 Fender Twin with EV's. It was heavy, but it was a great amp. Wish I still had it. Got it in a pawn shop in the Colo. mountains on some gig for $300..... those were the days....

You don't think much of the Blue Sky pedal??

 

[TheBigAngry]

The New Hot Rod Deluxe by Fender is killer for the price. They use a celestion now and also, finally, put an audio tape pot on the volume. For an extreme value, the Bugera V55 and V22 kills. Check out Allen Hinds playing his and if money were no object, the Matchless Avalon 30 is simply the best I heard.

 

[Muse-ic]

Hmmm - the Bugera V55 looks interesting - how does it really sound?

 

[Brazen]

How about a Fender Deluxe Reverb?

 

[jcat5503]

Frenzel has some cheaper fender type offerings

http://www.frenzeltubeamps.com/

 

[lang.murphy]

Hmmm - the Bugera V55 looks interesting - how does it really sound?

I've heard good things about how Bugera amps -sound-... less glowing things have been said about their reliability. I don't have personal experience with them but you can use the search function here to find some Bugera related threads. I haven't looked, so not sure if there are any V-55 threads... there have been at least three V-22 threads that have been about 1,000 posts in each thread...

I tried a V-5 at the local GC and was very impressed. I liked it WAY more than the small Vox 5 watter and I'm a huge Vox fan, so... ultimately, though, I'm a bit concerned about the reliability issues I've read about.

 

[Muse-ic]

Thanks for that info....

Also not sure if a Fender Deluxe Reverb will be quite enough for me....

 

[Brazen]

Thanks for that info....

Also not sure if a Fender Deluxe Reverb will be quite enough for me....

I suggested it because it uses 6L6 tubes which is really good for cleans. I have a Bogner Alchemist 112 which is also 6L6 and have a lot of tonal possibilities so maybe you'd want to check out that one.

 

[Muse-ic]

I suggested it because it uses 6L6 tubes which is really good for cleans. I have a Bogner Alchemist 112 which is also 6L6 and have a lot of tonal possibilities so maybe you'd want to check out that one.

I will check it out. Thanks. I'd need a 1x12 extension cab for either one too....

 

[gstan]

I suggested it because it uses 6L6 tubes which is really good for cleans. I have a Bogner Alchemist 112 which is also 6L6 and have a lot of tonal possibilities so maybe you'd want to check out that one.

A Deluxe Reverb has a 6V6 power section, not 6L6.

 

[LesMesa]

As you mentioned being interested in a clean channel, you may want to look into the Mesa Lone Star. The combos seem to sell below $900 now. Excellent cleans though the drive channel takes more tweaking if you choose to use it.

 

[GCDEF]

The Nomad has a decent clean channel. What are you hoping to get that it doesn't provide?

Traynow YVC-40WR is two channel. The drive channel is pretty weak, but the clean channel is outstanding.

 

[Brazen]

A Deluxe Reverb has a 6V6 power section, not 6L6.

So it does. My mistake.

 

[Muse-ic]

The Nomad has a decent clean channel. What are you hoping to get that it doesn't provide?

Traynow YVC-40WR is two channel. The drive channel is pretty weak, but the clean channel is outstanding.

Richer-sounding reverb basically....

 

[GCDEF]

Richer-sounding reverb basically....

How about a Fender Super Reverb? Sounds like you're talking about one of the classic Fenders.

 

[Tommy Biggs]

I really like the cleans in the Genz Benz Black Pearl 30 Watt 1X12.
It's heavy though, (53 lbs) and the reverb is not Fender-like at all. More like a delay with the signal mix turned way low.

I also have an old Fender BandMaster reverb and a USA hot Rod Deville, I think both have nice cleans. For the moment I prefer the Genz Bez clean (but I don't really do ultra clean gigs) so am not sure about headroom at 30 watts.

No channel switching, but it does have a switchable boost, and seectabl power levels (8 watts, 15 watts and 30)

I saw a floor model in Kansas City for $550, but I paid way more new, but less than on Flea Bay.