Your thoughts on head-amp known for stellar clean tones?

[Aran]

I am looking to get an amp after the first of the year in the 50 watt range which has clear 3D like cleans. Strictly a modern build head and I could care less about any gain and not looking for vintage. I have an amp know which covers the gain tones and dirty/cleans well now. I want something what really has great headroom and cleans. So far I am thinking of a Reeves or Hiwatt in the 50 range. Any other suggestions would be welcome. A loud thirty watter would of course work and I love Cathode biased amps.

What's your thoughts on this?

 

[FFTT]

You have excellent taste!
Reeves if you are going new.

For more of a Fender clean, also consider the VVT Amps Fralin 6L6 Build.

 

[riffmeister]

For more of a Fender clean, also consider the VVT Amps Fralin 6L6 Build.

Good idea! (I just ordered one....a combo)

 

[devbro]

If you're not looking for gain then 100 watts won't matter and will give lots of headroom. You might try a CAA OD-100. The clean channel is excellent! Also, the Fuchs TDS will deliver amazing cleans. Some may recommend the Shiva but unless you like your sound compressed, I would stay away. I've owned all three including a stable of vintage Fender's and lately I'm into the Vox clean. Its a different clean than any of the rest including Fender but I love it. The chime and bell tones I get from single coils is stellar!

 

[sfarnell]

40 Watt Fargen Blackbird.

 

[ebenezer]

Star Sirius Reverb 30 loud watts, Cathod Bias, EL-34's, made by Mark Sampson, and a clean tone to die for! I had one for 3 years and it is by far the best clean I have ever heard!

 

[gldtp99]

Hiwatt-type DR504 head----- Reeves, VHR kit are fine choices------the 50 watters give great cleans up to a certain vol level----- if you need extremely high vol level cleans then get a 100 watt DR103 or 200 watt DR201------ there were also 400 watt heads made.
BS/SF Fender Showman heads aren't bad either----but in stock form they start to break up a little earlier than most 4-holer Hiwatt-type heads---- this can be adjusted inside the Showmans for later break-up, if desired.
100 watt Marshall Superlead-type amps also have highly impressive clean tones before break-up occurs.....................gldtp99

 

[Aran]

Thanks for all the input. I will be starting to look soon on the Emp too for all those sellers.

 

[fusionbear]

I have a Red Iron Mil-Spec. Beautiful cleans, My head is the one used in this video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmg6zBRbd0A

 

[VaughnC]

Best tone & feel cleans I've experienced with a Strat (in 40+ years in the game) is a Komet 60 with a pair of 6L6GC blackplates, fast mode, biased around 25ma..

 

[TDJMB]

Alessandro

 

[StratStringSlinger]

Aran, based on your description you may want to also look into the Two Rock Custom Clean/Sterling Signature, Two Rock Classic Reverb, Fuchs Clean Machine, or Bludo High Plains Drifter. I've got the Sterling and Classic Reverb and it fits what you are describing and beyond. Good luck!

 

[dspblues]

Check out a Pure Sixty-Four MeanStreet 50w.

 

[melven62]

I think Matchless heads would have a great clean that is 3D, I don't believe there is a 50 watt model though.

 

[splatt]

i'd def suggest trying a fryette sig-x.

its dedicated "clean channel" is still my favorite to-date,
& the remaining 2 channels can also be "clean channels", of varying nature,
if you so choose.
all 3 (clean) channels can be set, individually,
at either 40w (tube-rectified) or 100w (SS-rectified);
yeah, that's wattage per channel.
killer.
easy to set-up, great w/pedals..... and capable of truly beautiful tone & response, imo.

dt / spltrcl

 

[vchizzle]

Divided by 13 FTR 37....best clean tone I've heard from an amp in a long time. Clear, 3D and dynamic.

 

[wsaraceni]

Best tone & feel cleans I've experienced with a Strat (in 40+ years in the game) is a Komet 60 with a pair of 6L6GC blackplates, fast mode, biased around 25ma..

what preamp tubes did you use/favor?

 

[BobbyRay]

Blackface with a splash of Hiwatt =

EZG-50 Fantastic big, bold, clean tone, and like most Z's takes pedals very, very well!

Don't forget the Maz Senior. Rated at 38 Watts, but much, much bigger sounding than that.

 

[5881]

Bogner Shiva 6L6. Wonderful cleans and more.

 

[DannyG]

Fuchs Clean Machine all the way. TONS of clean headroom and sweet Fuchs tone.