Lord-of-the-strings Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I'm looking for a good amp with a really nice lead-tone. I want lots of gain but still to be a very smooth. Any suggestions? I've been looking at tons of amps lately but I can't seem to choose one. Help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Well, for starters, what have you been looking at, and what don't you like about those amps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gripper Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Genz-Benz, Carvin and Crate. Try before you buy. All three have great dynamics but the Crate may be a little too sharp for you and the Carvin a bit tame. Genz-Benz ROCKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skatz Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 crate is allways able to be dulled with some effects tho. i think that crate is one of the best bang for yer buck amps out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 The big question. How much do you wan't to spend? Of course a bogner or soldano or mesa are going to sound awesome but I doubt you can afford any of those. Marshall is always good. I agree with the carvin and genz-benz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3Va1L Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 marshall is over-priced... +1 for a Carvin or a Crate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 marshall is just another one of those brands that counts on their name and not the product to sell units cough gibson cough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtjdx Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 marshall is just another one of those brands that counts on their name and not the product to sell units cough gibson cough Tell that to someone with a JCM800 (non-master volume) + cab and a nice Les Paul getting amazing tone. While the newer Marshalls (and sometimes Gibsons) are definitely lacking in quality, it's hard to argue that 80s Marshall gear wasn't great quality and sounded great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord-of-the-strings Posted March 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Well, I had been looking at the line 6 spider II, but every sound clip I heard from them sounded disgusting, at least all the distortion ones did. I was also looking at the Marshall Mg100dfx or whatever it's called. So any other suggestions? I was looking at those Genz-Benz El Diablos,, and they seemed really nice. If I did go the Carvin direction, what amp would you guys suggest? Thanks again for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gripper Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Look at the Carvin models Belair(tube) SC212E(cheap) SX300C(lots of knobs) The Belair is my preference but you need to look at the features yourself. Carvin ROCKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoofnagle Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 What is your $$ range? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 He was looking at line 6 spider II and mg series marshall. So obviously not too high... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis P Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 take a look around in hock shops and a large variety of guitar stores and such, sometimes, you can find an older amp for a good price. Try looking into an older Marshall, or even a Fender, they both sound great (depending on models, and the model names are evading me at the moment) and sometimes you can pick them up real cheap. If you can find one, I highley recommend a Seymour Duncan amp, I almost bought one, but when i went back to the store with the money, it was gone, it sounded great with twin 12 inch speakers, built in overdrive, reverb and a few other little stuff, and it sounded awesome! Curtis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtjdx Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 If you're looking at anything by Line 6, I'd recommend staying away from almost everything except the Flextone II. Their stuff is generally unreliable and does not sound very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 Tell that to someone with a JCM800 (non-master volume) + cab and a nice Les Paul getting amazing tone. While the newer Marshalls (and sometimes Gibsons) are definitely lacking in quality, it's hard to argue that 80s Marshall gear wasn't great quality and sounded great. Yeah, they used to, thats how they get their good name, then they kind of stop caring and fall back on their name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Tell that to someone with a JCM800 (non-master volume) + cab and a nice Les Paul getting amazing tone. While the newer Marshalls (and sometimes Gibsons) are definitely lacking in quality, it's hard to argue that 80s Marshall gear wasn't great quality and sounded great. Yeah, they used to, thats how they get their good name, then they kind of stop caring and fall back on their name Personally, I think you're talking out of your kiester, Nitefly. Do you even own a Gibson guitar or a Marshall amp? Or did you play one for five minutes at Guitar Center? The Gibsons and Marshalls being produced today are some of the finest production electric instruments EVER produced. Gibson and Marshall are THE biggest names in rock. Period. Are there people who build higher quality stuff? Jury's out on that one. I see a lot of people who've started out on Gibson and Marshall, moved to other makes because of endorsements or just trying to be different, and they come right back to Gibson and Marshall. A PRS is a great guitar and Mesa builds a fine amp, but they can't quite match the classic feel and tone of the Gibson/Marshall combo. Not better or worse, just different. Do I like the JCM 900 or 2000 series? Not as much as a broken-in JTM 45 or JCM 800. But they still sound great--in some styles more than others sometimes. I love my Les Paul. Took me a while to find one that spoke to me, but I believe they are the best production instruments you can buy. I've played through PRS, Parker, and Hamer, and none of them can match my Lester in my hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitefly SA Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 dangle a 1964 les paul and a 2005 les paul in front of some one, see which one they go for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Sure, there are a lot of really nice Gibsons out there, but there are a lot that should never have been let past quality control when it comes to finishes and fretwork in particular. Some frighteningly bad detailing on guitars that expensive. I won't comment on the Marshall issue, because I've got almost zero time on one. I'll stick to my Rivera, thanks ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3Va1L Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Well, I still think the price of a Marshall speaks for itself... At that price i would much more go for a Mesa or something else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 dangle a 1964 les paul and a 2005 les paul in front of some one, see which one they go for If there was such a thing as a 1964 Les Paul, it'd probably get bought for investment value and never played, or it'd be parted out on the 'bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 If there was such a thing as a 1964 Les Paul ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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