Played Many Amps Today:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
Fallen Star
Country flag
Played 2x12 and 1x12 Boss Katanas, two different Riveras, a couple of Mesa's - a Lonestar and a Filmore 50, Bugera, Orange, Vox, Numerous vintage Fenders, a Tweed Re-issue, a Soldano and a Sunn.

All failed in one area - the palm muted F-sharp lacked clarity and definition....while other areas were great.

Only two amps passed:

AVT50 Marshall Valvestate Combo

JCM600 Marshall Head through a 1960 Cabinet

Both of these had such a clean, loud chug and without any muddiness....
 
Honorable Mentions:

The Boss Katana 100 had an absolutely phenomenal lead/solo tone and the onboard effects were simply perfect....but it was loose on the low end.

The Boss Nextone Stage really impressed me for its size. I would have bought it right then and there if it would have chugged...
 
So, I got a line on a one-owner Valvestate 2x12 combo. That's a must-have I think. I can't seem to get the "chunk-clarity" with anything but a Valvestate and mine is so old I'm a little worried about gigging it full time.

This less road-worn amp will fit the bill for the larger live venues.

Second goal is to score a super clean AVT50 H that can be paired up with my 200 watt 4x12 Jackson cabinets.

Maybe I can even score a smaller 2x12 cabinet that would make the AVT50 more portable???

What I like about the AVT50 is onboard reverb, FX loop and D.I. out features.

Funny as I think back, Chuck Schudliner used Valvestate's....
 
Speaking of China. I ordered some 4 ohm and 8 ohm resistors off ebay the other day and the seller posts US Stock. But when I opened the packaging, the inner plastic wrapper says Made in China on the it.
 
Robert Herndon said:
couple of Mesa's - a Lonestar and a Filmore 50
Click to expand...

It's a shame you weren't able to try one of Mesa's Metal amps. The Lonestar and Fillmore are literally the two models in their current lineup that I would have recommended you avoid knowing what kind of sounds you are going for. They are both "vintage" voiced (how I hate that term, but it does help to describe things) and purposely have a looser low end and spongier response.

If you get the chance you need to plug into a Triple Crown or Mark 5. They'll give you more usable gain than a normal person could ever want with a bottom end tight enough to double as a jackhammer.
 
gball said:
It's a shame you weren't able to try one of Mesa's Metal amps. The Lonestar and Fillmore are literally the two models in their current lineup that I would have recommended you avoid knowing what kind of sounds you are going for. They are both "vintage" voiced (how I hate that term, but it does help to describe things) and purposely have a looser low end and spongier response.

If you get the chance you need to plug into a Triple Crown or Mark 5. They'll give you more usable gain than a normal person could ever want with a bottom end tight enough to double as a jackhammer.
Click to expand...

I agree...I just played what was available, but realize there are amps I wasn't able to test.
 
I ordered 100 MOV from Taiwan only 4 were good the rest were trash. I have connections all over the world for vintage amp parts
but the price is off the charts now. I quit building amps. Once in a while I will get a amp to repair that has it going on it's rare now.

If I was looking for a first rate built amp Mezzabarba
 
67plexi said:
I ordered 100 MOV from Taiwan only 4 were good the rest were trash. I have connections all over the world for vintage amp parts
but the price is off the charts now. I quit building amps. Once in a while I will get a amp to repair that has it going on it's rare now.

If I was looking for a first rate built amp Mezzabarba
Click to expand...

Wow....that's quite an amp builder....!!!!

Say, what exactly is a MOV 100?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top