What amp to buy?

I think you may need to get into more specifics of what you are looking for.
1x12, 2x12, head?
Power rating?
Effects loop?
reverb?
How important are some of these features to you? Do you have any amps in mind that you are looking at?
The options in the States are almost unlimited for $2000 and buying either new or used.

 

HMM, Queen=VOX, Van Halen=Peavey, AC/DC=Marshall,

How much are looking to spend?

I just picked up a Vox AC30... I was pretty shocked at the tones. You can get a really close AC/DC tone with it(and a great Brain May tone too)

 

B52 AT100 half-stack

 

What do you NOT like about your present amp? What tones are you missing?

This is all very subjective, and in the end nothing replaces trying out amps even if just quickly to thin the herd. Are there stores in your area that carry amps other than the usual mass market Crate, Fender, Peavey, low-end Marshall stuff? What about Hughes & Kettner, Egnater, Mesa, not to mention truly boutique stuff?

 

I would check out the Matchless CLubman:

http://www.matchlessamplifiers.com/match23_club.html

If Dr. Z made the KT 45 with an effects loop it would be perfect for you.

 

Laney makes a very versatile VH100R head that can probably be more easily tracked down since they're British made. Has a very flexible effects loop too.

 

What size venues do you play?

 

I would definately check out some of the higher wattage Dr. Z heads.

KT-45, Prescription, and Stang Ray I would try out.

Do you have a store that carries Z?

 

You could check out the Engl Thunder. It's actually a real versatile amp, the most classically voiced of the Engls. Plenty of gain, nice EQ, effect loop, decent reverb (if you get that model). And it should be regularly available to you.

 

Hi Kraen, and welcome to the forum.

I am in a very similar boat to you. I have a Classic 30 and have been looking to upgrade it. I too want to avoid something that's going to break my back. However, I'm just guitar -> wah -> amp currently, though I do occasionally plug my PODxt Live into the effects return for some different sounds. I play blues/classic rock stuff mostly.

Anyway, I'd say your budget should get you something that's a step up from the C30 ... I started looking for amps that were twice the price of the C30 (new) and found nothing that was much better. Anyway, I'll stop rambling ... my current short list includes:

- Hughes and Kettner Duotone
- Orange Rockerverb 50
- Fender Super Reverb Re-issue (+ a quality OD pedal)

All of these amps produce really great tone. All of them sound relatively good at lower volume. I think I'd be happy with any of them, and I think I could forgive the Super Reverb combo it's 29kg weight 'cos it sounds SOOOOO good ... and for OD I recently tried a Blackstar Overdrive pedal which sounded superb ... it has a tube in it and so produces OD that is just like a built in tube amp OD channel.

If you're really after a head though, and you must have an effects loop, then the Duotone 100W head or Orange Rockerverb 50/100 head would give you that. I'd recommend trying both out. To my ears the Duotone's clean channel is amazing ... very chimey (more Fender than Vox) and has an uncanny amount of sustain for a clean channel.

Incidentally, and this is purely my own taste, I also tried a few Mesa Boogies (5:50, 5:25, Lonestar, Recto-verb) and none of them really grabbed me. The closest was the 5:50, which had a good clean, but I couldn't get an OD sound that wasn't muddy sounding. You might want to check out a 5:50 though ... you might like it.

Good luck! :AOK

 

Another amp with a tone options is a Mesa Stiletto...

you can get pick 1 up for about a grand, and buy a use mesa 2x12.

 

??????

Van Halen=Marshall

 

Hi and welcome.

With the budget you've mentioned I would first try to survey the local
builders to see who does custom builds.

If you're into Gilmour, I'd be looking for either a good used 70's Hiwatt 50 or 100 watt or if you must buy new, then look seriously at Reeves amplification.

http://www.reevesamps.com/

For more of a Marshall tone, I'd go to Ceriatone and talk to Nik.

You guys get killed on import duties and VAT, so really your best bet is to
buy used and have it refurbished or go with a reputable local builder.