I'm done buying amps. Really. (But I do have some to sell)

[wrxplayer]

I've purchased and sold way too many amps and guitars over the last 3 years. I've wasted a lot of time, looking, thinking, shipping, etc. Finally figured out what I like best (Marshall and Tweed) and have two amps on the way will cover everything I need and more.

1. Aiken Invader 18. Marshall tones (many of them), reverb, built-in attenuation, in a 1x12 combo package that weighs 43.5 pounds. EL84 based (my favorites). After everything I've tried I cannot think of a better combination of features. This should be the amp that NEVER goes unless I'm dead broke or quit playing.

2. Blankenship Fatboy w/ Sour Cream. 15" speaker. Runs on 6L6 (for 36 watts) or 6V6 for 22. Will provide more power when needed and nice blackface to tweedy tones. Also has reverb. I've got a Brake Lite waiting for it which should make it the perfect complement to the Aiken.

I will be putting two amps and cabinets in the Emporium later. Please check.

If anybody catches me buying another amp for over $400 dollars here in 2012 or 2013, call me on it and name your charity as I'm betting everyone $50 that this really will be it.

Only question: what do I do with the time I used to use scouring ebay and the emporiums.

I hope to go through the same exercise w/ guitars by the end of next week.

 

[ROKY]

I just bought 2 great amps, and will probably buy more down the road .

Fender Super Twin Reverb and a Traynor YBA-1A - - both are louder than bombs !

 

[blackba]

My advice is to stay off the forums, they just breed GAS. I haven't purchased an amp in a few years, but I have more than 2. I haven't had just 2 since the 90's...

 

[ickywoods]

If anybody catches me buying another amp for over $400 dollars here in 2012 or 2013, call me on it and name your charity as I'm betting everyone $50 that this really will be it.

So there's a qualifier here . Anything under $400 is fair game??? Never say never man...it's TGP.

 

[trower]

Aiken sounds nice. Iv'e never had any luck getting (at least my idea) of great Marshall tone out of any EL84 based amp however, and like you Iv'e tried too many, to many to recall actually. They have always been a Voxy sounding amp/tube to me.

 

[wrxplayer]

I made the OP about a month or so ago. Since then I've had the opportunity to play both the Aiken and the Blankenship a fair number of hours.

More important, I've had a chance to gig with both of them. Made two "tweaks": I put a Scumback H55 in the Aiken and a Brake Lite on the Blankenship to quiet the very loud 36 watts.

My conclusion? Same as my first post. I have no need to replace either. They both sound really good and they sound different.

I also had a chance to put 6V6s in the Blankenship. It creates a totally different amp; really sweet cleans are replaced by grind and headroom is diminished substantially - more than I expected. It sounds really good but I prefer the 6L6 and the clean tones they produce.

I could use a few more gigs in larger and smaller rooms to fully enjoy them but thought I'd post an update.

 

[stevel]

Only question: what do I do with the time I used to use scouring ebay and the emporiums.

Practice?

 

[digiTED]

If anybody catches me buying another amp for over $400 dollars here in 2012 or 2013, call me on it and name your charity as I'm betting everyone $50 that this really will be it.

LOL; right on, man. I should take a stab at this myself!

Only question: what do I do with the time I used to use scouring ebay and the emporiums.

PLAY YER GITar!

 

[riffmeister]

Fret not.......amp boredom and then curiosity will soon set in.

 

[onemind]

Two great choices for your target tones.