The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Amps: Need a clean and reliable amp

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Need a clean and reliable amp

- Rated: 2 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 1:57 p.m. Johnboy:

Some of you may be familiar with my sorry tale of woe regarding 2 brand new Traynor amps that have gone wrong within days of ownership. Well, f* 'em,I'm getting a refund from the shop where I bought it and I'm going to get something that's NOT a Traynor!

So, I'm after something that's chimey and clean. Don't mind a bit of break-up but it needs to have a fair bit of clean headroom.

It needs to have balls in the lower end, so that the bass notes are articulate and cut through the mix. Kind of Fender twin sound, but not necessarily as glassy.

It needs to be a combo - no bigger size-wise than something like a Hot Rod deluxe.

It's very important that it MUST be reliable. I've had both Traynors fail me in a gig, which is just unacceptable. (Yeah, I know that sh*t sometimes happens, but surely not within a couple of months of each other with the same manufacturer!).

Finally, due to back problems, I really don't want it weighing more than around 50lbs - not as much of an issue if it has castors, or can have castors added.

I'm in the UK, so bear in mind that American gear costs a lot more over here (eg Fender 65 Twin is around £900).

So guys, please help me out here. I need an amp that sounds great (just like my Traynor YCV40T and YCV50 Blue did before they died!) and that's reliable. Tube amp only, please.

thanks

John

PS Have played a Hot Rod Deluxe and a Fender Twin Reverb and liked both, but am open to suggestions.

PPS Oh - guitars are Tennesse Rose with Filters and a 5129 with Dearmond 2000's. No effects other than echo or reverb.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 2:14 p.m. RhythmMax:

Try a Tech 21 Trademark 60. Super reliable and very versatile. I've used mine for years on tours with well-known artists in different styles.
- Rated: 11 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 2:39 p.m. Tux:

Johnboy,

With that back problem, you may want to find an amp with a free roadie.

I was very happy with my brand new Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, but ultimately prefered the vintage tube sound of blackface Pro Reverbs, Tweed Deluxes & Twins of both varieties. But the amp performed flawlessly for quite some time, and was purchased in one of the first years of production (if not the first; 1997-98?). As I spoz you know, most medium-large Fender amps are caster-adaptable...but don't try to castrate them; the feedback is deafening.

Any amp can go south on ya, but I've had very good luck with Fenders. Access to a good tech really helps, of course. That's the first thing I do in the case of a used amp; have my tech go thru it. Am invariably golden from there, tho.

Good luck, bud! Er, I mean...Cheerio & Cheers!
- Rated: 66 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 2:47 p.m. Walter Broes:

If you want Fendery, loud, and clean, ànd light, I'd look for an old bassman head, a 50 watt one. Blackface or silverface, doesn't matter much. they're loud, clean, and extremely reliable if they haven't been messed with too much.

And I don't know about the U.K., but in most parts of the world they're still extremely affordable, keeping in mind they're non-pc-board amps with high quality components and wiring, "boutique", really.

Pair that with a 2X10 or 2X12 cab, and if you really want light, get speakers of the "neo" persuasion.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 6:17 p.m. gusto:

how much money are you willing to spend? Are you playing through a PA system or do you need over 40 watts?
- Rated: 11 ↑
Sep 29, 2008 8:02 p.m. ziess:

Johnboy, you may remember I offered to build you and amp in your original amp thread. That offer still stands if you're interested.

Tommy.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 1:20 a.m. wildrat666:

try a fender deluxe reverb
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 1:34 a.m. wpgjazzman:

The Roland Jazz Chorus 120 (JC120)is an excellent amplifier. It pleanty of very clean power, is well constructed and reasonably priced.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=249
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 1:41 a.m. wpgjazzman:

Sorry - I didn't notice that you specified a tube amp.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 2:30 a.m. Johnboy:

THanks for all the replies so far, guys.

wildrat666 - does the fender deluxe reverb stay clean enough?

Gusto - we mike up at bigger gigs but kind of go it alone in smaller ones. Thing is, I like a bit of volume on stage so that the amp "sings". Price wise, I'm trying to stay below £600, but if everyone told me a 65 Twin Reverb with castors was the way to go, then I could probably find the extra cash somewhere.

Zeiss - what kind of clone? What kind of price? Is it PCB or point to point, etc. PM me if you prefer.

thanks

Johnboy
- Rated: 53 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 4:52 a.m. Ratrod:

How about a Fender Dual Showman?

It's clean and very loud. Dick Dale uses 'em.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 9:35 a.m. boytbpc:

Deluxe Reverb Reissue is big enough. I own a 74 Twin and it is and always been too loud. A DRRI is prefect.
- Rated: 3 ↑
Sep 30, 2008 11:39 a.m. KuuKOO:

I have a Carr Rambler which is likely plenty pricey on that side of the pond. That said, for cleans it is amazing.

Still, if I was recommending a not-too-heavy desert island amp, I'd say get a SF deluxe. You won't regret spending a little more than a new Fender for the "real deal".

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