Apartment Amp? - Vox Pathfinder 15R IMPORTANT UPDATE

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:45 am

So I've all but moved into my apartment with Lady Haze. Everything but my guitars stuff...

Definitely needs a headphone out
No need for more than a single speaker, 8" or 10" would do
Something Fender-ish sounding
Can take pedals well [won't get that fizzy overload some amps get with lots of delay]
Valve amp but solid state might be better.

Maybe a Vibro-Champ XD? I have a Frontman 15 but frankly it doesn't cut it.

Any suggestions?

broncobuster80 · Post by **broncobuster80** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:32 am

man Ive got the small spider 3 line 6 amp that is great, I enjoy it more than my super champ.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:40 am

Could you compare the two? I have a 30w Spider 3 but its too loud and belongs to my sister technically so i should really leave it at the house for her.

The cleans on the spider are great but everything else sounds bad, like the "crunch" channel for instance. If the cleans on the Vibro/Super champ live up to the classic fender cleans that i love but with better overdrives then I'll take a muuuuuch closer look

bob the r0bot · Post by **bob the r0bot** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:42 am

you could try one of those zt lunchboxes

broncobuster80 · Post by **broncobuster80** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:06 am

I wont have time to demo the fender tomorrow Haze but I can demo 3 or 4 other amps for ya including the spider 3 (have a couple of those at work as well). Also have an Epi Jrcombo at work, I'll add that to the list to demo.

What kind of guitar do you intend on playing through it mostly? Got everything from pauls/strats/shorties/weirdos/etc etc that I can use to get close to what you would be hearing from yours.

SpaceFace · Post by **SpaceFace** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:07 am

I got a Marshall G15RCD which is perfect. I dont know if they make these anymore or what the equivalent to it is, but the thing is great. Good output, headphone jack, input to play cd player, etc. Really nice cleans (which actually rival my fender tube), and overdrive sounds and a nice sounding reverb too. As much as I love my tube amp I think the marshall is my favorite just for convenience and the fact that I got it free. So if you can find that, or something close to it, its a sure thing.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:09 am

I'm a big fan of the Vibro XD. I haven't talked about mine much on here but I got one right after they came out. I bought it specifically for imitating classic Fendery cleans but I've been recording/jamming with it as a DI box/monitor more and more, it has a super useful acoustic-electric setting too.

I used it on my submission to the 60s comp if you want to hear it (it's a CIJ Jaguar with JB Jr in bridge position for lead track, rhythm circuit with stock neck pickup for rhythm track which is what you first hear).
I used setting #4 ("Blackface") with the reverb on about half-whack, which is meant to be a sort of TR-ish sound. used the line-out jack for both tracks but the lead track also has a Behringer large diaphram condenser on the amp's speaker.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W43Y3T7E

The only other setting I use on there usually is #3 which is like a champ and sounds BRILLIANT if you back off the preamp volume all the way and just crank the master, like a boxy old crunchy tweed. I don't like the Marshall/Mesa settings on it, too multiFX "metal distortion".

However it does not have a headphone jack and the line out jack does not silence the speaker (though i suppose you could just unplug it?)

I'll try and make a demo of other cool stuff it does and some delay pedal action and PM it to you sometime tomorrow.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:20 am

Hey thanks for offering your time gentlemen. Ill mostly be playing a tele and a jaguar with some pedals. The headphone jack had too silent the speaker, no question about that. Probably not wise to disconnect the speaker given its a tube amp and should probably always have a load attached to it. Would grounding the speaker be alright? If so I could always wire a switch up to the back...

SpaceFace · Post by **SpaceFace** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:23 am

I know the headphone jack on mine silences it completely. I usually keep it at a low level and it doesnt bother anyone where I live. thats mainly why I like mine because the output levels are really good, you can keep it pretty low and its still loud enough to hear whats going on but not loud enough to disturb anyone.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:33 am

I can get that sort of volume out of my bassman but it doesn't around as good at lower levels and I'm afraid it'll get nicked if I keep it at my new place (its a nice area but I've only been here a week so I'm playing it safe)

I'd like to be able to play it normally at a low volume out of respect for my neighbors, yet still have a good sound, and be able to play silently at night via headphones.

broncobuster80 · Post by **broncobuster80** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:41 am

yeah, the need of headphone out will be a problem with most of the tube amps out there. We sell THESE with student packages and for home practices. I dont personally have one yet but Im thinking about getting one, they sound real good, have headphone outs (silence speaker) and accept pedals very fluidly (we actually have one of these hooked up for use with our used fx).

Check out the black with white stripe down the center, they are the coolest looking practice amps I think ive ever seen.

OHH and you can get it for 60 - 70 bucks

SpaceFace · Post by **SpaceFace** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:43 am

well all I can say is if you ever come across the amp I got or one that is like it, try it out. I mean at a low sound the thing sounds good (the cleans have a really nice warm sound yet you can dial in some jazzy sounds too) and when cranked (I know you probably wouldnt crank it at an apartment but still) the thing is a beast, I mean super surprising for a little practice amp. also another funny thing with this amp is when I tuned to c to play stoner shit, the 2 gain channels on the amp gave me a better stoner distortion/sound than any other thing I have used. I know thats a bit off topic but I mean I guess that might give some indication to the versatility of it.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:50 am

Bugera V5 has 3 wattage settings( 5, 1, .1W) , is tube driven and has a headphone Jack. Not to mention cheap.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:56 am

Dope! ENDS!!Z DOES HEADPHONE JACK SILENT TEH SPEAKERZ?

broncobuster80 · Post by **broncobuster80** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:57 am

Do you have one of the Bugera amps Taylornutt? Ive had a chance to check out a couple of the half stacks but none of the combos at all... I dont think that their halfstacks live up to the amps they are trying to emulate but they for sure have some cool vibe to them.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:05 am

the v55 and v22 are great amps, loved them both when i played them. haven't had the chance to play one of the 5 watt combos though. I'll have a look into those.....

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:11 am

I have a Bugera V5 and a Marshall JTM 30 along with my Fender Acoustisonic Jr.. The Bugera is great for a small travel amp and the headphone jack works great. The adjustable wattage is handy and takes my pedals smashingly. Got it on the Bay for $95. My JTM 30 has an immulated XLR output that allows me to turn the master volume off while sending it to my Digidesign Mbox where I can record or practice with headphones. It's my baby. Not made anymore and will run at least $400 on ebay. But it's the clean is the most Fender sounding I have ever heard come from a Marshall amp.

cur · Post by **cur** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:11 am

The Roland Cube series may be good for you. I have the cube 20x and it has a very nice clean channel. The effects channel on it is good if you go to 11 o'clock, but muted under that IMO. If the micro cubes sound similar at lower volumes than it would be a good choice. I love playing my pignose as well. Lots of sounds when you mess with the volume on the amp and guitar.

I am still looking for a quiet overdrive sounding amp for myself.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:51 am

Does the Bugera get a good tube overdrive going on with the .1watt mode?

foofoo982 · Post by **foofoo982** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:53 am

I've used my Deville and Bandmaster wherever I've lived. I just don't play when every one will be asleep. Most people I've lived next to are very understanding about musical instruments I guess.