PLEASE HELP WITH AMP CHOICE

ysquared86 · Newbie Alert Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 3

Hi,

I'm a newcomer to the forum and have been playing the guitar for about...7 years now, although since I've never taken a single lesson I've plateau'ed for a while. After my MCATs in June, however, I'm looking to get back way into the guitar.

A couple of weeks ago my Marshall AVT50 broke down and now its clean channel isn't clean anymore. Though I know a lot about the guitar itself, I'm not too much of an expert when it comes to amps. I know stuff like its basic electronics, but as far as differences in each brand and pricing go, I am almost clueless.

My impression is that either something broke when I was transporting the amp, or the boss metal zone pedal I newly acquired fried something inside. Either way, I'm looking to get a new amp.

I'm looking for something around $1500, +/- $300.
Since I have acquired a lot of stompboxes, I would like something that can handle the worst sonic distortions. What I definitely need to be able to do with this new amp is:
1. Killer lead tone for both clean and distorted tones.
2. Ability to handle metal distortion.
3. Good hard rock distortion.
4. Sturdier the better.
5. I'm thinking about a half-stack. I don't like the way combos look.

The new amp, in combination with my effects, should be able to achieve the above, if possible. My effects collection includes boss metal zone, blues driver, noise suppressor, phase shifter, compressor sustainer, acoustic simulator, and crybaby 535Q wah.

I know this is pretty specific but please give me some advices.
Thanks.

MikeM · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject:

So you need an amp that sounds good with pedals and not so much on its own?

ysquared86 · Newbie Alert Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 3

Not exactly what I meant...
The amp doesn't need to be one way or the other, but as long as I get all the sounds I want out of the setup I would be content. These include killer solo tones and a wide range of distortion. If the amp's inherent sound is better than what I get out of effects, then I would most certainly want an amp that sounds like that. At the same time, I don't have much more money than what I have stated, so I'm just looking for the best solution. I just don't want the effects screwing up the amp, so that's why I wanted something that can handle the effects.

tw001_tw · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: PLEASE HELP WITH AMP CHOICE

troy · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:03 am Post subject: PLEASE HELP WITH AMP CHOICE

Hi,

I'm a big Soldano fan. If I were to pick out something given the parameters you've set, I'd choose a 50 watt Lucky thirteen. Channel one is Fender clean, channel two is gain. Seperate tone and reverb controls on each channel.
The truth of the matter is that we don't all hear things the same way. One writer will say the high end allows you to cut through the loudest band, another writer will say that same amp sounds like an ice pick in the ear. Though the readers of this forum can offer advice none of us can tell you what sounds good to you. My recomendation is take your favorite guitar and test every amp you can. Read all you can on the service records of the amp you're cosidering then let your ears be your guide!
Best of luck,
Troy

MikeM · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:12 pm Post subject:

Try to test drive your amp choice at the volume you're most likely to play at.
More than once I've gotten something that sounded good at music store volume only to be disappointed at practice/gig volume.