Amp advice: Twin Reverb, AC30, pedals... hmmm
Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2012 2:47 am
I've been playing through a 1972 Twin Reverb for about 7-8 years now, and it's been serving me superbly... but, I want some good tube overdrive, which it just doesn't offer, it's clean, clean, clean and a tiny bit of grit cranked. I like my tone to be a bit sparkly, and the Twin gives me most of what I want, just without the drive. Right now I have a Fulltone DP-1 and a Marshall Jackhammer for my drive/distortion, neither of which are quite the character I want (especially the Jackhammer, decent for bass, shit for guitar).
To this end, I've been craving a Vox AC30 for a while, and their Voxy sparkling overdrive goodness. A cranked AC30 is an absolutely beautiful thing. Problem is they're expensive
There's currently one in the locally owned music shop in town, and AC30C1, for $900, which, AFAIR is a decent price. Unless I want to wait another year or so, I'd have to sell something, or a few somethings to get it... most valuable thing I have is probably my Twin. If I were to sell my Twin, I'm kinda scared of seller's remorse... I mean, an AC30 is a great classic amp, but, I really do like the Twin!
Alternatively, I could go with an amp in a box solution, like the new ProGuitarShop Catalinbread Galileo and just run it through my Twin... that might give me the Voxy dirt, with the same basic chime/sparkle, and all the clean headroom of the Twin, at a cost somewhat less than buying a whole new amp. Anyone have experience with this, or similar pedals with Fender amps? Are they convincing enough? Responsive? Other good suggestions?
I primarily play a Schecter Hellcat VI and MIJ '66 Classic Jaguar through my Twin and play moderately sized bars and all-ages shows mostly in church or community halls. I do want a fair bit of clean headroom to play clean in these sorts of venues unmiced at stage volume, so, while I've been considering the AC15 route to save some coin, it might not cut it.
I use reverb extensively, and I also use the amp tremolo on the Twin a fair bit, so those are both features I want to maintain if I were to lose my Twin. Luckily, the AC30 has these! But, if other options are suggested, the reverb, in particular, is quite important, the tremolo I only use for fun, and in one song in my band.
To this end, I've been craving a Vox AC30 for a while, and their Voxy sparkling overdrive goodness. A cranked AC30 is an absolutely beautiful thing. Problem is they're expensive
There's currently one in the locally owned music shop in town, and AC30C1, for $900, which, AFAIR is a decent price. Unless I want to wait another year or so, I'd have to sell something, or a few somethings to get it... most valuable thing I have is probably my Twin. If I were to sell my Twin, I'm kinda scared of seller's remorse... I mean, an AC30 is a great classic amp, but, I really do like the Twin!Alternatively, I could go with an amp in a box solution, like the new ProGuitarShop Catalinbread Galileo and just run it through my Twin... that might give me the Voxy dirt, with the same basic chime/sparkle, and all the clean headroom of the Twin, at a cost somewhat less than buying a whole new amp. Anyone have experience with this, or similar pedals with Fender amps? Are they convincing enough? Responsive? Other good suggestions?
I primarily play a Schecter Hellcat VI and MIJ '66 Classic Jaguar through my Twin and play moderately sized bars and all-ages shows mostly in church or community halls. I do want a fair bit of clean headroom to play clean in these sorts of venues unmiced at stage volume, so, while I've been considering the AC15 route to save some coin, it might not cut it.
I use reverb extensively, and I also use the amp tremolo on the Twin a fair bit, so those are both features I want to maintain if I were to lose my Twin. Luckily, the AC30 has these! But, if other options are suggested, the reverb, in particular, is quite important, the tremolo I only use for fun, and in one song in my band.