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Anyone ever try one of these?

Don't get me wrong; they're ugly. But they're also small, affordable and none-too-heavy. I'm fairly interesting in having a loud clean portable amp that takes pedals well. Plus a built in "SOLO" volume channel? Yes please. Plus I could easily wire in a speaker output for use with more beefy cabs when the option arises.

Admittedly, I don't need the amp modelling side of it, so any chunky but small solidstate combo would do me well. Any other recommendations?

go for the ZT lucnhbox..

I'd really prefer to try one out first and the only stockist in the UK seems to be a webshop:

http://www.dv247.com/guitars/zt-amplifi ... mbo--66085

..plus, I'd be slightly dubious about lack of low end in such a small cabinet and speaker.

I've also been eyeing up the 120w Laney LV-300 which can be had for a similar price to both the Roland and the ZT:


Certainly a lil' sexier than the Roland and, since it's UK-made, priced a lot more reasonably for the features. It's pretty fuggin' big for a 1x12 though, even if that scantily-clad lady is tiny. The 65w versions are a wee bit smaller but... 65w...

i've found almost all 1x12 solid states i've tried to be really boxy sounding, that's why i had to bite the bullet and get that JC120. there's a peavey something or other in our rehearsal space that's actually ok, can't remember what type though. PEAVEY ANGRYSOUNDINGSOMETHING.

Yeah, that's it- the whole "boxy" vibe I can't get on with. While I don't dial in much bass at all in my guitar sound, I'm just so accustomed sort of full low end 2x12 or 4x12 cabs put out generally. Maybe I DO wanna go for something oversized like the Laney above; it'll still be portable but without sounding tiny.

Doog, digital village do have shops but you have to call to arrange to try out stock (well at least with the Bristol one) as they need to get it from the warehouse.

Ah shit, I didn't realise DV247 was Digital Village! There's a store a few miles from me, but I'm still not overly sold on the ZT as a concept- 6.5 inch speaker and no proper tone stack doesn't make me too excited, no matter how loud and how small.

i take it the reason you're looking at combos is because you're sick of the head 'n cab lugging about thing?

Aye, switch to a luggable 1x12 combo and Line 6 M9 so I can tube/bus/train it to gigs- having a 2x12 cab, valve head and large pedalboard is no fun when you don't own a car. I thought about staying in the valve domain, but it just makes things heavier, more fragile and generally pricier.

I'm gonna sell my Marshall setup shortly and then go amp demoing/shopping; I've got no guitar-y gigs lined up and it's nice to know your exact budget.

I'd recommend the Crate Power Block in this situation but it does'nt have a speaker (most venues have a cab lying around) or 'SOLO' channel, still, its a great blank canvas, loud as hell, has DI out and insanely portable. With a decent pedal or two your laughing.
I use mine extensively now for almost everything, when you turn up at a venue you can almost hear the "rofflez" but by the end of the night everyone wants to buy one.

i've been after one of those at various times but they don't make them anymore and tracking them down is a royal pain. they seem to be going up in price too.

They're pretty handy, but I am looking to replace the Marshall rig completely (cab and all) so I'd have no way of plugging a Powerblock in at home, short of using a bass or PA cab.

There is a headphone socket on them. I go through a PA cab in one band and a Bass cab in the other, sounds good. My 4x12 is loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s and although there is an improvement on the sound it does'nt justify dragging it about everywhere.
When you want portability and volume at low cost there will always be sacrifices, but to be honest im happy to watch the other bands struggling in the car park for the sake of their tube-tone and whatever else mojo.

If you wanted to trial one out Doog i have two and i dont mind borrowing you one for a few weeks.

Cheers dude, I really appreciate the offer but it's just not what I'm after- having to secure a cabinet every where I got isn't worth the reduced size and weight to me.

I've spied a Marshall VS100 for £150 BIN on Ebay, pickup only from S.E London which happens to be more-or-less where I am; I'm giving it a serious consider. There's also a sexy blue/pepper speaker cloth one for sale up in Scotland, mmmm:



Gonna keep my eye on that..

Doog wrote:They're pretty handy, but I am looking to replace the Marshall rig completely (cab and all) so I'd have no way of plugging a Powerblock in at home, short of using a bass or PA cab.

I have a light 1x12" Harley Benton Cab if you want to go this route.

Valvestates are gewd, loud and light. Get an 8080! Less than a ton on ebay generally.

a guy i used to be in a band with had one of those vs100s, i think he sold it for £80 if i remember. pre-ebay though (actually, might even have been pre-internet).

Mike wrote:

Doog wrote:They're pretty handy, but I am looking to replace the Marshall rig completely (cab and all) so I'd have no way of plugging a Powerblock in at home, short of using a bass or PA cab.

I have a light 1x12" Harley Benton Cab if you want to go this route.

Valvestates are gewd, loud and light. Get an 8080! Less than a ton on ebay generally.

Thanks for the offer mate, but I'm trying to keep it strictly GIGBAG ON BACK + AMP IN RIGHT HAND + PEDALBOARD IN LEFT HAND for maximum gig-strolling potential.

My mind did immediately go down the 8080 route, but seeing as this VS100 currently has no bids at £100 and is local to me, I'm gonna keep an eye on that. I'm more than likely gonna upgrade the speaker (waaay common mod for the Valvestates apparently, makes some difference to the headroom and tooone), and if I can pick this VS100 up for less than it's BIN, I'll be laffing.

Doog wrote:

Mike wrote:

Doog wrote:They're pretty handy, but I am looking to replace the Marshall rig completely (cab and all) so I'd have no way of plugging a Powerblock in at home, short of using a bass or PA cab.

I have a light 1x12" Harley Benton Cab if you want to go this route.

Valvestates are gewd, loud and light. Get an 8080! Less than a ton on ebay generally.

Thanks for the offer mate, but I'm trying to keep it strictly GIGBAG ON BACK + AMP IN RIGHT HAND + PEDALBOARD IN LEFT HAND for maximum gig-strolling potential.

My mind did immediately go down the 8080 route, but seeing as this VS100 currently has no bids at £100 and is local to me, I'm gonna keep an eye on that. I'm more than likely gonna upgrade the speaker (waaay common mod for the Valvestates apparently, makes some difference to the headroom and tooone), and if I can pick this VS100 up for less than it's BIN, I'll be laffing.

Indeed, that sounds like a good way to go. Those amps are seriously good for the coin.

Fran wrote:I'd recommend the Crate Power Block in this situation but it does'nt have a speaker (most venues have a cab lying around) or 'SOLO' channel, still, its a great blank canvas, loud as hell, has DI out and insanely portable. With a decent pedal or two your laughing.
I use mine extensively now for almost everything, when you turn up at a venue you can almost hear the "rofflez" but by the end of the night everyone wants to buy one.

Glad you're still using it Fran! Has gone to a good home!

Doog - I gigged a VS100R for many years through Uni and after and it was really quite impressive.

Kudos indeed!

Just been messaging back and forth with the seller about picking it up and possibly demoing it briefly, nice chap. An hour and a bit to go, no bids at £100!