Cheap/Loud SS Amp

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:21 pm

I'll be getting my Tiny Terror within the month. The only thing my band needs now is a giggable amp for the other guitarist. He's not a massive tonefreak and basically just wants a useable clean tone. He really liked this when he borrowed one for a couple of our gigs, but I was just wondering if anyone can think of any better amps of a similar volume in a similar price-range?

Cheers!

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:37 pm

I don't like the new Fender SS line personally. Their 100W 2x12 is OK, the rest are junk.

Scrounge for used stuff. Old Roland Jazz series amps go cheap, and there are smaller combos like the JC-60 and JC-55 that are more manageable than the full JC-120. Polytones are good as well. I have an old 70s Yamaha G-series myself, which is similar to the JC-120 but doesn't have the white noise problem.

There were a lot of great, high-end SS amps made in the late 70s and early 80s that now go for a couple hundred dollars. Check HC reviews, though, because there was also a lot of junk.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:40 pm

In that price range your much better off going vintage for SS. There's some great 7-0's-80's amps that can be had for cheeeeeeaaaap compare to new junk.

Post by **Doog** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:42 pm

No specific amps, but it's definitely worth a scour of the Friday Ad style papers too, and the "pickup only" sales on Ebay- it tends to keep the price down and is worth it if you can score a lift or it's within trainable distance.

Maybe just get one of those Fenders he liked secondhand?

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:17 pm

I got my '79 Yamaha G100 for $75. It's amazing for jazz, has good reverb, and the distortion channel actually does a good job of copping tube crunch. It was one of Paul Rivera's early designs.

Something to look into, there.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:42 pm

i liek peavey transtube

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:45 pm

my peavey transtube does a good job.
invest in one of those.
i got mine for free.

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:53 pm

Old Peavey Bandits are good too if he's willing to spend some time learning how the EQ works.

SAVEStheDAY · Post by **SAVEStheDAY** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:14 am

Fender M80. There are always a couple on ebay and craigslist (At least by me) for dirt cheap.

chisa · Post by **chisa** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:30 am

Will wrote:Old Peavey Bandits are good too if he's willing to spend some time learning how the EQ works.

loud as fuck, sound good and pretty cheap

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:00 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys, I'll write all this down for him or something so he can look into some stuff.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:07 pm

H/H amps - cheap, great and loud as all fuck.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:40 pm

benecol wrote:H/H amps - cheap, great and loud as all fuck.

there's one kicking around our rehearsal room sometimes, it sounds really good. heavy though.

Boab · Post by **Boab** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:43 pm

Since you helped me out on my Laney Bass stuff thread Freddy, I'll give you my take on S/S amps.

I got a Fender Deluxe 85 (famed for its use by Johnny Greenwood) a few months ago for Â£80 and I don't think I could've got a better amp for the price. I believe they're from the 80's/early 90's and Paul Rivera had something to do their it's inception?

It's 85 watts, got a 12" speaker and, most importantly, has RED KNOBS

FTW

I noticed someone mentioned a Fender M-80 earlier, and I think they're similar kind of amps. Definitely worth checking them out.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:10 pm

Carlsbro make some cheap and loud stuff, Laney are more mid-priced, i had a Pro Linebacker combo back in the day- solid little amp. Peavey's unfashionable 80s range is great for little money. Fender and Marshall solid state amps seem overpriced to me and if he does'nt want the looks i would'nt waste the money on them.

There's the older stuff like Tim mentioned; HH, Wem, Sound City also made some SS stuff.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:18 pm

Any Fender solid states I've played have been absolutely awful. I remember having to gig with one last year and hating it so much. I'm not fond of Fender amps though, I prefer a bit of warmth.

People have mentioned the Peavey Bandit, and I can too. It's an excellent amp, and it's well known for being a first gigging amp for guitarists.

A bit more expensive is the Marshall AVT. They are pretty versatile, and he might be paying for more amp than he'll use with one of these. Having said that, the overdrive sound is very good as are the cleans, and the reverb is as good as it comes.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:20 pm

Also, just had a thought:

Would one of those Crate 50 watt heads plus a 212 come to much money? Surely if you shopped around you could put something together for less than three hundred quid?

It'd be a hassle, but the obvious advantage is that in a couple of years, he can pick up a valve head or two.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:21 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming. I should have mentioned before that he, like me, uses a fair few pedals, so I don't think he'll be too bothered about onboard gain, reverb, etc... I'll suggest all of these to him anyway.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 3:52 pm

i'd say be wary of those little fenders. i've got one and it's ok for cutting cleans, but it can sound a bit boxy.

i also hate peavey bandits, they sound like complete arse to me. depends what you're after though.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:04 pm

Which little Fenders do you mean? The link I posted or the ones Boab mentioned?