Amp Heads? help!

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:36 am

Hi all, I've been meaning to get new gear for a while since I've started playing bigger clubs now and then, and I decided it was time to get cabinets and an amp head. I'm currently using a Behringer V-Tone GMX212 2X60 Watt Stereo Guitar Combo amp, and it's been a help, but now i need something better. I've already decided after going to guitar center today that I'm going to get either one or two of the Marshall MC412 4X12 200W cab. I really hate Marshall gear, but they make a hell of a cabinet. So in that case, I'll need an amp head. Now, like i said before, i hate Marshall, and that "Classic British roar" (No offence to anyone) and i go more towards the 80's and 90's sounds of Flipper, Nirvana, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees, Zero Boys, ect. So if you can help out with this situation it'd mean a lot to me, thanks guys.

mickie08 · Post by **mickie08** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:58 am

first off. there are other cabinet makers and the mg/mc series marshalls are crap. I would look at avatarspeakers.com and check pricing from them. they are great built and you get the high end quality for the lower end price.

As far as heads, that is way too vague. Alot of those people got their tones from Pedals. Cobain was known to use fender twin combos alot which is pure clean tone., etc....

Also, you NEVER need 2 4x12 cabinets. In fact, most people I know stick to 2x12 or smaller. Spend more money an a smaller, but higher quality cabinet. It will sound better, last better, and keep better resale.

As far as heads, My favorite is fender bassmans from the 70's You can pick them up for around 400-500 and they have amazing tone. Add a good pedal or two and you can cover whatever sound you want.

If you want to go all crazy you can go with like the Mesa triple recs or the Marshall jvm series (I had a JVM 410H and it was a great amp).

Classic fuzzy rock tones and an JCM 800 would be a great choice.

Me personally, I like a good single channel head that takes pedals well. I like tieing my tones down to pedals (which are cheaper/easier to repair/replace) and it makes it easier when your amp craps out and you end up gigging with a backup or a friends amp becuase you just dial in a clean tone ond go for it.

Also, you could try one of the new Bugera amps. They are owned by Behringer but are suppossed to be way and above the old Behringer amps. The reviews are good and the price is cheap. Even if you spend the extra 50 on an extended warranty to make sure it lasts. it is 1/3 price of a comaprable name brand.

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:12 am

hiwatt.

Post by **Doog** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:36 am

Need more info, Watson:

-Do you use pedal or amp distortion?
-What's your budget?
-Do you hate on Marshall amps because you're basing your opinion on being all "anti big rock and roll" rather than having tried a variety of Marshall amps? I use a Marshall DSL50 as a clean sound and it's not "classic British roar" because I don't use it as such. And with the right pedal, it can sound like all of your favourite Cobain-approved 90's bands.

And yeah, don't bother with even one 4x12- they're just a massive pain in the arse. Get a 2x12 and a few beer cratess; save money, your back and your pride.

the isaac eaton · Post by **the isaac eaton** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:47 am

This is true, 4X12's are not worth it at all, way to big to haul around. I personally go the high powered combo route, but if head and cab is what you do then I would say fender silverface heads that mickie suggested are wonderful. I am also a big fan of sovetek heads, you can get them fairly cheap off of ebay and they sound great. But yeah pretty much as doog said there is a lot of options and more info is needed to solve your problem. Based on what bands you are into I would say a silverface fender or a sovtek.

Post by **Mike** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:50 am

Doog wrote:And with the right pedal, it can sound like all of your favourite Cobain-approved 90's bands.

haha BURN.

1. You don't need a 4x12"
2. Get an Avatar 2x12" and a half decent tube head and you'll be plenty loud.
3. Or you could get 2 Marshall 1960 4x12"s, a Mesa Preamp and a Crown Power Amp. Sond Kool?

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:00 am

Doog wrote: -Do you hate on Marshall amps because you're basing your opinion on being all "anti big rock and roll" rather than having tried a variety of Marshall amps? I use a Marshall DSL50 as a clean sound and it's not "classic British roar" because I don't use it as such. And with the right pedal, it can sound like all of your favourite Cobain-approved 90's bands.

Aye. Marshall cabs are great for that sort of thing. Plenty of mids, and they can handle the fizzy stuff too.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:02 am

get a rare but underpriced tubeworks.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:48 pm

Sovtek

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:12 pm

plaid shirt and a shotgun.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:16 pm

Reece wrote:plaid shirt and a shotgun.

I change my vote.

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:19 pm

Reece wrote:plaid shirt and a shotgun.

LOL'd