Suggest some rockin' 1-channel heads

[Geek USA]

I'm not really sure what's out there. I want to spend less than 1500, better yet, less than 1000, and I'm fine with used prices. I'm not really into boutique brands either, so larger or at least more well-known companies are preferred. I play alternative/hard rock, lighter but crunchy indie rock, and sometimes thrash-inspired metal. I'm a fan of amps around 50 watts, 100 watts is usually too much power for me.

I've been looking over the Orange OR50 and Rockerverb 50, and also considering a JCM800 since it's a classic and I've never actually owned a Marshall. Fryette Deliverance is on the radar too. I play an EVH 50w at the moment, basically only using the blue channel. I don't need gobs of gain and I usually boost when I need heavy distortion, so a simple and good crunch channel that responds well to changes guitar volume is what I'm after. It needs to work well with Vintage 30s too. Heads preferred, combos are a maybe if it sounds really good, but only 1x12s, 2x12s are way too heavy.

Just name some amps that I might not have considered yet, even some of the obvious popular amps I might've looked over.

 

[Geek USA]

Oh, and I'm also interested in possibly doing an amp kit that fits the criteria, but it would need some decent instructions and support because I can't read schematics.

 

[jrjones]

A jcm800 would do the job.

 

[joe_k]

If you can get one in your budget an Engl Blackmore is brilliant otherwise a JCM800 or JCM900 SL-X.

 

[Geek USA]

A jcm800 would do the job.

Definitely, but still looking for some other suggestions since the JCM800 is such a standard. Always hear about how they need to be cranked, and while I use my amps on stage and band practice, they also spend a good amount of time at reasonable home volumes.

 

[walterw]

the single-channel marshall 2204, either the 800 or the earlier "JMP" model, is your obvious answer (they're the "standard" for a reason); you basically described that amp exactly in your list of requirements. 900s are pale shadows of the real thing.

they'll work OK at quiet home volumes, but you'd be better off getting something entirely different for that.

also, while v30s might work for you with one of these, the magic speaker for them is really the G12-65, which reduces the volume and the sizzle, letting you open it up that much more to "wake it up".

(i'm a proud 100w 2203 user myself, of the earlier but basically the same JMP version.)

 

[Peteyvee]

I'd go for a 70s NMV JMP era Marshall models 1987 or 1986 and an attenuator. In fact, I did...

 

[ungarn]

Fryette Deliverance 60 watt
Marshall JCM 800 50 watt

 

[FFTT]

Reeves Super 78 or Custom Jimmy.

Not much more than you have budgeted for and totally top shelf.

 

[Sirloin]

I really liked the 50 Watt Fargen Olde 800 I played recently. You can find them used in your price range. Killer refined JCM tones

 

[HoboMan]

A jcm800 would do the job.

Definitely, but still looking for some other suggestions since the JCM800 is such a standard. Always hear about how they need to be cranked, and while I use my amps on stage and band practice, they also spend a good amount of time at reasonable home volumes.

JCM800 is the standard because it's arguably the best.
The one that so many people have been trying to copy for many years.
You can use an overdrive pedal for lower volume playing.

Another one to consider is a Budda SD45.
It's a two channel amp but nothing says you have to use both channels.
The gain channel cleans up really well with just your guitars volume knob.

I have a JMC800 & an SD45 and both are GREAT amps.

 

[sharpshooter]

See if you can find an early '70s Ampeg V2, 60 watts, superior tone controls, great 'verb,,well under a grand.

 

[Evansexcellent]

Are you looking for a mainly dirty head or clean and use pedals to get dirty. Jcm800, vintage modern, thd flexi (can go either way) an are great amps.

 

[dave_mc]

laney gh50L (though v30s wouldn't be my first choice with that)
vht deliverance
soldano avenger (maybe too high gain, but killer)

off the top of my head

 

[RGB]

Check out Adam's amps:

http://www.satelliteamps.com

 

[Geek USA]

Are you looking for a mainly dirty head or clean and use pedals to get dirty. Jcm800, vintage modern, thd flexi (can go either way) an are great amps.

I need a dirty head, something more on the beefy side rather than thin. I mostly use teles with high output single coils, need an amp that compliments a single coil, the beefy/fuzz sound to Oranges is partly why I'm considering them, haven't been able to play those particular amps though. I don't really need pristine cleans, I roll back on the volume knob to get by when needed. I need a good range of usable gain, and if I need to go wild I kick on an overdrive, but 90% of the time I'm straight into the amp. I don't need onboard 'verb or even a loop isn't necessary. I like things to be very minimal.

I appreciate the suggestions guys, some of them are a little out of budget though, like the SD45 which might be close used prices but not really common enough to consider. I'm looking more around the 1000 buck range, I can stretch 1500 if the amp is spectacular but not really wanting to go that high.

Also, strongly prefer NON-vintage amps. I like being able to find things in stores to tryout, not really search around online. I can do used but it can't really be something that only pops up once in a blue moon.

 

[Geek USA]

laney gh50L (though v30s wouldn't be my first choice with that)
vht deliverance
soldano avenger (maybe too high gain, but killer)

off the top of my head

I was actually checking out some of the Laney Lionheart demos online, seem like decent amps, but not all the demos were that flattering really. I would like to plug into one if we cross paths though. I'll look up the GH50L too.

 

[ROKY]

http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Used-USED-VHT-FRYETTE-D60H-DELIVERANCE-HEAD-107806976-i2543241.gc

If you don't like it, drop it off at your local GC within the 30 day trial.

I'll bet you'll like it, based on what you seem to be looking for .

 

[HoboMan]

I need a dirty head, something more on the beefy side rather than thin. I mostly use teles with high output single coils, need an amp that compliments a single coil, the beefy/fuzz sound to Oranges is partly why I'm considering them, haven't been able to play those particular amps though. I don't really need pristine cleans, I roll back on the volume knob to get by when needed. I need a good range of usable gain, and if I need to go wild I kick on an overdrive, but 90% of the time I'm straight into the amp. I don't need onboard 'verb or even a loop isn't necessary. I like things to be very minimal.

I appreciate the suggestions guys, some of them are a little out of budget though, like the SD45 which might be close used prices but not really common enough to consider. I'm looking more around the 1000 buck range, I can stretch 1500 if the amp is spectacular but not really wanting to go that high.

Also, strongly prefer NON-vintage amps. I like being able to find things in stores to tryout, not really search around online. I can do used but it can't really be something that only pops up once in a blue moon.

Here's an SD45 for under a grand (no affiliation) https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/1142127&highlight=budda

My Gibson SG has coil splitting options & when I play thru my SD45 I usually stay on the single coil setting.
Budda amps LOVE single coils.
Cleans up with the guitar volume better than my JCM800.

 

[LPMojoGL]

I'll suggest the Soldano Hot Rod 50. Add a depth knob for beef with single coils. Cool amp.