Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by Maggieo » Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:42 am

There's always Z Vex!

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by jthomas » Thu Nov 01, 2018 2:42 pm

The Silvertone 1481 on Craigslist... oh my. good price.

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by Fuzzbuzz » Thu Nov 01, 2018 3:08 pm

rumfoord wrote:
Thu Nov 01, 2018 6:20 am
And here's what I'd personally probably consider before along with PRRI. Don't forget that you can always take a guitar to test it! Some of these are even PR clones, which seems promising.


https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 10990.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 76616.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/m ... 98687.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 16701.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 47071.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 66589.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/m ... 96075.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/m ... 01153.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 27259.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/m ... 96412.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/m ... 02540.html
Dayuum! Some great options in that list. Something to keep in mind however when buying an old tube amp is you really should have them serviced right away if for no other reason than piece of mind that everything is tip top. I would factor a generous $200 for a retube and any other game incidentals when considering buying a tube amp. Best case scenario is your tech charges the bench fee and nothing needs to be done! That rarely is the case for these old amps however.

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by NateD81 » Thu Nov 01, 2018 7:43 pm

Fuzzbuzz wrote:
Thu Nov 01, 2018 3:08 pm
rumfoord wrote:
Thu Nov 01, 2018 6:20 am
And here's what I'd personally probably consider before along with PRRI. Don't forget that you can always take a guitar to test it! Some of these are even PR clones, which seems promising.


https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 10990.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 76616.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/m ... 98687.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 16701.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 47071.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 66589.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/m ... 96075.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/m ... 01153.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/m ... 27259.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/m ... 96412.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/m ... 02540.html
Dayuum! Some great options in that list. Something to keep in mind however when buying an old tube amp is you really should have them serviced right away if for no other reason than piece of mind that everything is tip top. I would factor a generous $200 for a retube and any other game incidentals when considering buying a tube amp. Best case scenario is your tech charges the bench fee and nothing needs to be done! That rarely is the case for these old amps however.

Thank you for all this work you put in - I'm such an idiot when it comes to amps, I feel like I'm in a masters class on amp hunting. Seriously thank you all for giving me food for thought. I think what I've discovered is that I need to consider all options. I think the first order of business is to drum up some spare cash so I have options. Seriously - so glad I found this forum, your help has been invaluable! Can't wait to start asking questions about upgrading the bridge and wiring harness on my JM! ;D

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by marqueemoon » Thu Nov 01, 2018 8:34 pm

Good list. I’d go for the Silvertone or Valvetrain Tallboy.

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by oid » Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:09 pm

The silvertone is a great amp, would not really call them clean amps though.

Swapping the 12AX7 and 6V6GT for a 12AT7 and a 6K6GT does clean them up a fair amout, and they sound better all around, toss in a better output transformer and a new speaker and you have an amp that gives a Champ a run for its money.

I learned to play guitar through the Airline version of this amp, learned how tubes work through endless modding, redesign, and rebuilding of it. You would be hard pressed thinking up something that I have not done to this thing.
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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by Jaguar018 » Fri Nov 02, 2018 7:11 am

I have a Princeton Reverb, and I like it a lot, but it's a little too OSG Golden Boy. It's not the super cleanest amp.

I agree with mbene085. Go digital. Get a Boss Katana or that Roland JC 22.

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by Larsongs » Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:25 am

NateD81 wrote:
Tue Oct 30, 2018 7:18 pm
Hello --

First-time poster, long-time reader.

My current situation is that I am playing a Fender 60th-anniversary JM and love it. Playing through a Fender Super Champ X2 with the Ragin' Cajun speaker and am decently happy with it. I'm a teacher with a 2.5 year old boy, so I don't have as much time to play around as I'd like, but I do love to jam in the garage and throw a SM57 in front of the amp and record. My question is this:

Does anyone have any recommendations for an amp that is a bit of an upgrade from an X2 that does cleans REALLY well? I'm not looking at amps in the 800+ range as I'm not sure my wife would welcome me back home if I did that! In my mind, I feel like I'd like an amp that really showcases that clean tone of my JM, but is something between an X2 and a Deluxe Reverb. Does that exist or should I just save my pennies? I'm open to a variety of amps, but my experience is that I've only really played Fenders plus a Vox Lil' NightTrain.

I'll also add that I primarily play in my garage and a moderate volume, can't get too loud, use looper pedals and record. I occasionally jam with others but I won't be gigging. Again, I'd like to appeal to the wisdom of this forum. Should I just be pleased with my X2? I'm not unhappy with it, but maybe I just have GAS for something new and shiny.

Thank you all!
Pretty hard to give suggestions not knowing your Price Range?

I have several Amps different sizes & Price Points. Fender, Vox & Marshall.

I'm currently liking smaller Amps for many reasons. One is great Tone & Breakup at less than ear shattering volumes. Next to my PRRI I bought a Vox AC10, which was great right out of the box, which new is in the $400 range.

The great thing is it's an inexpensive all Tube Vox Amp that sounds really good out of the box. Even though it doesn't need it if & when you have extra $$$$ & want to do some modding it can quickly & easily be upgraded to get just about whatever Sound you want....

I'm not great at modding Gear, & usually don't, but this one is so basic & simple to work on I gave it a try after watching a few YouTubes & what they had done to upgrade from Very Good to Great!

Over time I have upgraded it's 4 Tubes to Tung Sol's(About $50.00) making it sound even better & upgraded to a Celestion Greeback Speaker (about$100) making it sound even better.

Also, it's Lighweight, has a small foot print which is great for small Stages, doesn't take up a lot of room in the Trunk of my Car & is easy to travel with... Even more so than my PRRI....

Lars

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by wproffitt » Fri Nov 02, 2018 2:19 pm

I got my SF PR for 660 or so a few years back. It’s one hell of an amp. It does break up early, but it depends on how loud loud is for you. 3 on the volume dial may be more than you’ll ever need. It is for me. So it stays clean most of the time I’m playing it. I’ve had sound guys tell me to turn it up to 4 or down to 2(!!), so who knows?

Old Ampegs and Traynors from the 60s can also be had for well within your budget. With some basic service (and for the traynor, maybe a speaker swap) they’ll sound great and last forever.

I like Voxes, too, for the record. They can be had for cheap, are available everywhere, and can yield a variety of sounds. I think my next build will be an AC4!

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by Maggieo » Fri Nov 02, 2018 3:58 pm

If you're looking for headroom, you might want to look at a Deluxe Reverb II or Princeton Reverb II. They're from the Paul Rivera era of Fender amps. They're hand-wired, built like tanks, have loads of headroom on the "rhythm channel" and, with a speaker swap, you get a lead channel that's in early Mesa Boogie territory.

The PRII was Robert Quine's favorite amp, and I've had my DRII since 1983 and it's my most pedal-friendly amp.

Poke around Reverb. They're bargain priced when they show up.
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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by NateD81 » Fri Nov 02, 2018 6:53 pm

Larsongs wrote:
Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:25 am
NateD81 wrote:
Tue Oct 30, 2018 7:18 pm
Hello --

First-time poster, long-time reader.

My current situation is that I am playing a Fender 60th-anniversary JM and love it. Playing through a Fender Super Champ X2 with the Ragin' Cajun speaker and am decently happy with it. I'm a teacher with a 2.5 year old boy, so I don't have as much time to play around as I'd like, but I do love to jam in the garage and throw a SM57 in front of the amp and record. My question is this:

Does anyone have any recommendations for an amp that is a bit of an upgrade from an X2 that does cleans REALLY well? I'm not looking at amps in the 800+ range as I'm not sure my wife would welcome me back home if I did that! In my mind, I feel like I'd like an amp that really showcases that clean tone of my JM, but is something between an X2 and a Deluxe Reverb. Does that exist or should I just save my pennies? I'm open to a variety of amps, but my experience is that I've only really played Fenders plus a Vox Lil' NightTrain.

I'll also add that I primarily play in my garage and a moderate volume, can't get too loud, use looper pedals and record. I occasionally jam with others but I won't be gigging. Again, I'd like to appeal to the wisdom of this forum. Should I just be pleased with my X2? I'm not unhappy with it, but maybe I just have GAS for something new and shiny.

Thank you all!
Pretty hard to give suggestions not knowing your Price Range?

I have several Amps different sizes & Price Points. Fender, Vox & Marshall.

I'm currently liking smaller Amps for many reasons. One is great Tone & Breakup at less than ear shattering volumes. Next to my PRRI I bought a Vox AC10, which was great right out of the box, which new is in the $400 range.

The great thing is it's an inexpensive all Tube Vox Amp that sounds really good out of the box. Even though it doesn't need it if & when you have extra $$$$ & want to do some modding it can quickly & easily be upgraded to get just about whatever Sound you want....

I'm not great at modding Gear, & usually don't, but this one is so basic & simple to work on I gave it a try after watching a few YouTubes & what they had done to upgrade from Very Good to Great!

Over time I have upgraded it's 4 Tubes to Tung Sol's(About $50.00) making it sound even better & upgraded to a Celestion Greeback Speaker (about$100) making it sound even better.

Also, it's Lighweight, has a small foot print which is great for small Stages, doesn't take up a lot of room in the Trunk of my Car & is easy to travel with... Even more so than my PRRI....

Lars
I thought I posted my budget but I'm looking to spend under $800 -- however $400 bucks will keep me out of the doghouse and I gotta say you've got me curious about the AC10! Do you have any mods on it? I had a Vox lil' night train that I didn't hate but it broke up too quickly for me for my taste. to give an example, on my Fender X2 with the Ragin' Cajun, I'm rarely above 2.5 / 3 so I don't need to be too loud.

I've seen an AC15C1 going for 400 OBO near me - any experience with those?

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by Larsongs » Fri Nov 02, 2018 10:31 pm

NateD81 wrote:
Fri Nov 02, 2018 6:53 pm
Larsongs wrote:
Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:25 am
NateD81 wrote:
Tue Oct 30, 2018 7:18 pm
Hello --

First-time poster, long-time reader.

My current situation is that I am playing a Fender 60th-anniversary JM and love it. Playing through a Fender Super Champ X2 with the Ragin' Cajun speaker and am decently happy with it. I'm a teacher with a 2.5 year old boy, so I don't have as much time to play around as I'd like, but I do love to jam in the garage and throw a SM57 in front of the amp and record. My question is this:

Does anyone have any recommendations for an amp that is a bit of an upgrade from an X2 that does cleans REALLY well? I'm not looking at amps in the 800+ range as I'm not sure my wife would welcome me back home if I did that! In my mind, I feel like I'd like an amp that really showcases that clean tone of my JM, but is something between an X2 and a Deluxe Reverb. Does that exist or should I just save my pennies? I'm open to a variety of amps, but my experience is that I've only really played Fenders plus a Vox Lil' NightTrain.

I'll also add that I primarily play in my garage and a moderate volume, can't get too loud, use looper pedals and record. I occasionally jam with others but I won't be gigging. Again, I'd like to appeal to the wisdom of this forum. Should I just be pleased with my X2? I'm not unhappy with it, but maybe I just have GAS for something new and shiny.

Thank you all!
Pretty hard to give suggestions not knowing your Price Range?

I have several Amps different sizes & Price Points. Fender, Vox & Marshall.

I'm currently liking smaller Amps for many reasons. One is great Tone & Breakup at less than ear shattering volumes. Next to my PRRI I bought a Vox AC10, which was great right out of the box, which new is in the $400 range.

The great thing is it's an inexpensive all Tube Vox Amp that sounds really good out of the box. Even though it doesn't need it if & when you have extra $$$$ & want to do some modding it can quickly & easily be upgraded to get just about whatever Sound you want....

I'm not great at modding Gear, & usually don't, but this one is so basic & simple to work on I gave it a try after watching a few YouTubes & what they had done to upgrade from Very Good to Great!

Over time I have upgraded it's 4 Tubes to Tung Sol's(About $50.00) making it sound even better & upgraded to a Celestion Greeback Speaker (about$100) making it sound even better.

Also, it's Lighweight, has a small foot print which is great for small Stages, doesn't take up a lot of room in the Trunk of my Car & is easy to travel with... Even more so than my PRRI....

Lars
I thought I posted my budget but I'm looking to spend under $800 -- however $400 bucks will keep me out of the doghouse and I gotta say you've got me curious about the AC10! Do you have any mods on it? I had a Vox lil' night train that I didn't hate but it broke up too quickly for me for my taste. to give an example, on my Fender X2 with the Ragin' Cajun, I'm rarely above 2.5 / 3 so I don't need to be too loud.

I've seen an AC15C1 going for 400 OBO near me - any experience with those?
I do have a Vox AC15CC1X with Alnico Blue Spkr. Which is a great Amp & IMO are the best Sounding Spkr in these Amps. Creambacks & Golds sound good as well. Greenback would be my 4th choice & most of the other Spkrs I passed on.

Yes, I did some Mods to my AC10C1. I upgraded the stock Celestion Spkr. To a 30 Watt Celestion 10" Greenback Spkr. & the Sound was greatly improved. These Amps only have 4 Tubes which is great! 2 EL84's & 2 12AX7's. Unlike Fenders 6, 7, 8 or more... I replaced the Chinese Tubes with Matched Tung Sol's. The Sound was day & Night better as well.. The Tubes & Speaker cost about $150.00. But as I mentioned you don't need to do it or you can do it when you get extra $$$$.

Weber makes a Special 10" Alnico Blue Spkr for these Amps that I'm curious to try as I like the Alnico Blues in my other Vox Amp.. I may do that later...

It's so easy to change Speakers & Tubes in these little Vox AC10C1 Amps. You can do either Mod in about a half hour or less with simple tools..

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by shoule79 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 6:16 am

What's an example of a good clean sound to you? I play my PR 'clean', but a lot of folks would call my clean dirty.

Anywho, a PR is a good option. A blues jr. would likely also suit you. I keep one at a practice space so I don't have to cart my PR around all the time in a car that's usually filled with other stuff (not much room in the car after guitars, pedals and the kids car seats).

I don't have any experience with the newer Roland JC's, but I love my 80's JC77. That is definitely a clean sounding amp, to the point of being what some would call sterile. I dig it though, and it loves my Boss pedals.

For an out of left field option, i'd also recommend the Mesa Boogie 5:50 1X12. I bought mine to be my 'big' amp in case I needed more than a PR. I ended up liking it on the 5 watt setting at home. The cleans are of the Fender variety, and it gets fairly close to my PR if you tweak it, and has the second channel for other sounds. The effects loop is also great when i'm running my old 90's rack gear. They are a good value used, mine was $800 CDN in near mint shape.

If i'm being honest, at home i'm about 60% of the time the Mesa, and 30% of the time the JC77, due to them handling kids sleeping volumes better than my PR (10%).

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by Larsongs » Sun Nov 04, 2018 7:11 am

I hardly ever use my Marshall Half Stack, my Fender Twin or even my AC15 anymore... Too big, too heavy & take up too much room in my Car & on Stage. Why I keep them I don't know? Guess I'm a Hoarder!

If I need bigger I use an SM57 on my PRRI or Vox AC10C1....

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Re: Amp upgrade: Need some wisdom!

Post by øøøøøøø » Sun Nov 04, 2018 6:20 pm

To the OP--

I'd choose the black panel PRRI over the silver panel one. The silver panel one is paired with a strange speaker, IMO, and doesn't make the PRRI its best.

The DRRI is also a cool amp; I like the tremolo on the PRRI a bit more. The DRRI with its 12" speaker is a somewhat bigger sound, which in an ensemble context isn't always an advantage for me. Both are great amps. I personally am happier to see a PRRI show up than a DRRI for what I do, but many would just as easily feel the opposite way. The DRRI is a bit louder of an amp, but not drastically so. The main thing is that it has a bit more clean headroom.

For what you want, I would definitely skip all of the Rolands and all of the emulators. I have no doubt that some people like them and are happy with them-- I might be as well, in certain applications-- but in your case, and for the vast majority of things people consider "good guitar sound," you will be happier with a PRRI or maybe a DRRI.

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