What are y'all's dream amps?

[Nudger]

A tube Standel with that great tremolo.

So hard to find, so expensive when you do.

Went through a phase of wanting a solid state standel.. Only cos I read somewhere the 13th floor elevators used them on stage "occasionally".


Ive got my dream amp "model of"
Got a ltd edition blonde twin reverb reissue, spose I could live with an orig 60s one or a showman.

[Nudger]

I agree get an AC15C1 with a UK Celestion Alnico Blue Spkr.. Swap out the Tubes with some Tung Sols or JJ’s & your done! Great Amps..

Better yet, If you can find a clean used AC15CC1X with a UK Celestion Alnico Blue Speaker..

Good luck…

Had a Vox AC151TV that I moved on as im more a fender fan and it just wasnt getting used..

But, ran my vox pathfinder 15 through its alnico blue and Wow!! That little amp came to life.

Wouldnt slap one in a fender, I like ceramic in my twin.

[Dr Tony Balls]

Do you want both channels? Or just one or the other?

That's a good question. Having both the normal & TB channels would probably be nice.

AH so you're thinking more like a 15W AC30, then. A proper AC15 is juts the EF86 driven normal channel and then the "Vibrato" channel. In that case, yeah I agree that Mojotone NC3015 is pretty perfect. I found that when trying to help someone on this forum curious about amp kits and that one is just perfect for my tastes.

[OffYourFace]

AH so you're thinking more like a 15W AC30, then. A proper AC15 is juts the EF86 driven normal channel and then the "Vibrato" channel. In that case, yeah I agree that Mojotone NC3015 is pretty perfect. I found that when trying to help someone on this forum curious about amp kits and that one is just perfect for my tastes.

Oh yeah, definitely. I had a matchless nighthawk which is basically just a half powered EF86 channel only version of their DC30. I like the EF86 sound but it’s a bit too aggressive sometimes.

[cestlamort]

If we're dreaming....
My dream amp would be the three-dimensional, clean, visceral wall of sound of my old 1968 SF Twin Reverb with EV SRO speakers – but at a reasonable (or liftable) weight. And stereo.

[panoramic]

1966 pro reverb or 1966 vibrolux reverb. Either would be ideal for me but I prefer the 12's.

[marqueemoon]

I’ll add a small cab Matchless Spitfire to my list. This is a great looking one IMO:



I might solicit some opinions from y’all about something comparable I could actually afford.

[JSett]

If we're dreaming....
My dream amp would be the three-dimensional, clean, visceral wall of sound of my old 1968 SF Twin Reverb with EV SRO speakers – but at a reasonable (or liftable) weight. And stereo.

If it's imaginary amps then I'd like a mid-60s Bassman that's as light and portable as a VibroChamp

[HarktheUmpire]

If we're dreaming....
My dream amp would be the three-dimensional, clean, visceral wall of sound of my old 1968 SF Twin Reverb with EV SRO speakers – but at a reasonable (or liftable) weight. And stereo.

If it's imaginary amps then I'd like a mid-60s Bassman that's as light and portable as a VibroChamp

I don’t know anything about these amps, but at least on paper, I think this is basically what you’re looking for? 2x 6L6, 12ax7 preamp tubes, no in-built effects, about half the weight of a Bassman head.

I hate the way it looks, and you can probably find a pre-cbs Fender amp for that money, but the specs are great.

[JSett]

I don’t know anything about these amps, but at least on paper, I think this is basically what you’re looking for? 2x 6L6, 12ax7 preamp tubes, no in-built effects, about half the weight of a Bassman head.

I hate the way it looks, and you can probably find a pre-cbs Fender amp for that money, but the specs are great.

Yeah, there's a few out there that would probably sound fine. It's the transformers that add a lot of their weight.

I could probably build a smaller version by eliminating the 'bass' channel and all its associated fluff, plus house it in a little combo enclosure...but it'll never sound as good as the proper setup.

[HarktheUmpire]

Yeah, there's a few out there that would probably sound fine. It's the transformers that add a lot of their weight.

I could probably build a smaller version by eliminating the 'bass' channel and all its associated fluff, plus house it in a little combo enclosure...but it'll never sound as good as the proper setup.

Yeah. Unfortunately, I find I don't like to compromise on the power and output transformers. I foolishly tried combining more powerful speaker cabs with a small amp, and it obviously just can't deliver the power, especially in the low end.

But I find that, as long as you don't try to carry the head and cab in one go, weight isn't that big of an issue with old Fender heads. I have some serious back problems, but 14kg/30lbs I'm fine with. Still less than half a Twin Reverb. I've seen people housing heads in combo enclosures, and I don't really understand it. Doesn't the added speaker just make it heavier? Instead, why not build/buy a light 1x12" cab to go along with the head? Or better yet... just walk a bit more, carrying less.

[Dr Tony Balls]

I don’t know anything about these amps, but at least on paper, I think this is basically what you’re looking for? 2x 6L6, 12ax7 preamp tubes, no in-built effects, about half the weight of a Bassman head.

I hate the way it looks, and you can probably find a pre-cbs Fender amp for that money, but the specs are great.

Yeah, there's a few out there that would probably sound fine. It's the transformers that add a lot of their weight.

I could probably build a smaller version by eliminating the 'bass' channel and all its associated fluff, plus house it in a little combo enclosure...but it'll never sound as good as the proper setup.

The transformers would still be there, though. You'd save *maybe* a pound in parts by removing the bass channel? Not worth a lot. An aluminum chassis will save you a few pounds, though. Most of the ~50W head I build come in at around 24-25 lbs in aluminum chassis. Internet seems to think a blackface bassman is 30lbs.

[sal paradise]

I don’t know anything about these amps, but at least on paper, I think this is basically what you’re looking for? 2x 6L6, 12ax7 preamp tubes, no in-built effects, about half the weight of a Bassman head.

I hate the way it looks, and you can probably find a pre-cbs Fender amp for that money, but the specs are great.

Yeah, there's a few out there that would probably sound fine. It's the transformers that add a lot of their weight.

I could probably build a smaller version by eliminating the 'bass' channel and all its associated fluff, plus house it in a little combo enclosure...but it'll never sound as good as the proper setup.

The transformers would still be there, though. You'd save *maybe* a pound in parts by removing the bass channel? Not worth a lot. An aluminum chassis will save you a few pounds, though. Most of the ~50W head I build come in at around 24-25 lbs in aluminum chassis. Internet seems to think a blackface bassman is 30lbs.

Puisheen said you’re not allowed to use that acronym to reference a certain era of fender amps..!!!

[JSett]

The transformers would still be there, though. You'd save *maybe* a pound in parts by removing the bass channel? Not worth a lot. An aluminum chassis will save you a few pounds, though. Most of the ~50W head I build come in at around 24-25 lbs in aluminum chassis. Internet seems to think a blackface bassman is 30lbs.

Yep, which is why I haven't really given it much/more thought. My blackface one isn't particularly heavy at all anyway. I was just dreaming about a hypothetical dream world where you could build a 66 Bassman to be as light and portable as a Champ

[PapaB]

Fender Twin Reverb, Blackface. Best (clean) amp ever made, IMHO.