Any recommendations?
Price isn't a huge problem as I'll be selling a Super Reverb, a Marshall 1987x head, Marshall 1960tv cab, and a Marshall Bluesbreaker to pay for the purchase.
It has to compete with a Vox AC-30 clone with Celestion AlNiCo Blues (super efficient=super loud).
Thinking about Swart AST Pro, Dr. Z Route 66 and 1x12 cab, Carr Hammerhead, Goodsell Super 17.
Bear in mind we play '70s era power-pop. Think Big Star, Badfinger, Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, etc.
Swart AST. Do it. Seriously. If you want to spring for the Pro, that'd be keeeeeen.
I've owned a Swart for several years, and I am still amazed by the sounds that come out of it. In fact, I just plugged in my new 6119-1959 with its single Powertron and O. My. God. What a beautiful sound.
Also, they are so light, and have such a tiny foot print, that they're perfect for gigging. The only down side is the more or less exposed tubes; I'd definitely get a cover or case. Now that I'm gigging, I'm investing in one for mine.
Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight. @5.6 lb, 12" speaker, 250 watts, and it sounds like your Super. Seriously: I A/B'd mine with a friend's '67 Super and the old tube beast beat it out only on the reverb sound.
I've had a long list of amps over the years, and this one is it. Classic Fender tone.
The hard part is trying one out. I had to order mine from the local dealer, and luckily it blew me away.
I'll second the Swart recommendation. I've got a Swart Space Tone Reverb. Small, 5 watter with a HUGE sound. Very spacious and big, but not overly loud, AND it has tube reverb. They run about 1300 bucks, but are so worth the tone.
edit of course you want more than 5 watts to compete with the AC30, so the bigger Swart is what you're after...
I see a typo in my post. The JM is 25.6 lb, NOT @5.6!
i love my little princeton reverb ri but the space tone would be pretty nice too. I think the prri is 34lbs.
I have both the AST and the Jazzmaster Ultralight. I definitely prefer the AST. It's not that much heavier, and the tone is better. And it truly has the tremolo of the gods.
Since you seem to like the Marshall sound, you might want to check out the Crate V-series amps. Like many Marshalls, they're powered by EL84s and 12AX7s. I love my Palomino; here's the link to a thread I started about it:
You'll see that weight was a consideration for me too. You might want to go with the next size up to compete with the other band members, I don't know, but mine weighs in at around 38lbs. I hope this helps.
Two Deluxe Reverbs.
Thanks, guys.
I'm pretty much going to have to purchase based on recommendations. I've heard nothing but good things about the Swart. I've never owned a solid-state amp, tho' the Jazzmaster Ultralight is intriguing.
I love my deluxe reverb, but I'd like to see something different in the stable if I'm going to sacrifice three amps that have been with me a long time.
