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If I do order my electric soon, I will need an amp very quickly. Basically considering three different routes:
1) A basic low end modeling amp. Yamaha THR 10c, Fender MustangIII, Blackstar ID 30 TVP, Marshall Code50 or the like. I want headphones out, direct recording to the computer, editing through the computer, good clean tones and convincing crunch. Would also like the possibility of taking the thing to a Blues Jam. I can get something in this range, used, for $200-250
2) Pod 500x or Firehawk FX, or the Roland or Zoom equivalent, with a powered speaker. This bumps me up to about $500. Gives a lot more flexibility, and has a much steeper learning curve. End result might, however, be better.
3) A cheap tube amp. I could get the Fender Vaporizer, for example, for about $250. Would probably give the best sound for what it does. Question is whether putting a digital multi effects pedal (like the Zoom G3) would ruin the tone. I have no idea on that. Also, no headphones – (but I think a multi effects pedal would cover that, but take the amp out of the loop.) Finally, I’m concerned that tube amps have sweet spots for volume, and I will probably want the ability to play more quietly at home (and more loudly if I took it to a Jam somewhere).
Any thoughts?
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I tried a zoom g3 effects .. sold the pedal pretty much what I paid for it on ebay.. i generally don’t like effects and think you are right about ruining the tone using a class A tube amp and good wood tone guitars. If I played out , I wouldn’t play effects,, I’d keep it simple and listen to the tubes and guitar adjust them as needed. btw..PRS are nice but there are lots of them out there about the same price as the one you linked here.
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i’m also interested in the yahama thr 10c as a bedroom amp or possibly jamming out somenight in small bar,, but i want to listen to one before owning one. My Laney cub 12 R classic 15 watt 12″ celestian driver is big enough to play out.. pretty soon i’m going to compare it to a few other tube amps like the fender junior and a blackheart which i understand went out of business but are incredible amps
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Blackstar all the way!!!
I have a Blackstar ID Core 20 practice amp that amazed me to the point that I bought a used ID Series 260, which is so versatile.
Long before Yamaha introduced their THR amps, Blackstar decided to emulate output tubes instead of amp models. It is surprising how tube like these amps sound and the 6 tube types are very useful in dialing in a great tone.
Couple that with the 6 voices, plus Blackstar’s ISF control (Infinite Shaping Feature) gives a lot of versatility. Turn the ISF control totally counter clockwise, you get an American sound; progress clockwise with it and the tone is more British.
4 types of delay, 4 types of reverb, 4 types of modulation – all useful and quality effects. I get enough OD from the amp, especially on the ID 260 that a pedal is unnecessary. The 260 also has a Resonance and Presence control in addition to a Master Volume.I’ve been using the ID Core 20 with the Washburn resonator guitar that I recently bought. Once I learn some slide, LOL – that small amp can easily give me the small tube amp OD tone that I’m looking for.
Yes, I’m totally sold on Blackstar amps. At some point, I want to try some of their tube amps. In the You Tube demo videos they sound really sound good
The ID 60 & 260 are the only 2 of the modeling amps that have an effects loops
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i’m also interested in the yahama thr 10c as a bedroom amp or possibly jamming out somenight in small bar,, but i want to listen to one before owning one. My Laney cub 12 R classic 15 watt 12″ celestian driver is big enough to play out.. pretty soon i’m going to compare it to a few other tube amps like the fender junior and a blackheart which i understand went out of business but are incredible amps
John
Before you buy the Yamaha, I suggest that you look at the Blackstar ID Core amps. Depending on the model, they can be roughly half the price of the Yamaha. I know that the Yamaha sound really good but don’t overlook these little gems by Blackstar
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=Blackstar+ID+Core+&Go=Search
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I have the Fender super champ 11
its part tube and part SS
has 16 different voicings 17 with the clean channel ,tremolo,vibrato,delay and reverb
also everything is tweakable through the free fender fuse app
i think its 15 watts,10 inch speaker,has a usb port on the back to record to the computer and for the fender fuse app
the only thing lacking is the headphones
I think they run about $350 unless you catch a sale -
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I have a Koch Amp Jupiter JUP45-C
“Despite the compact enclosure, the Koch delivers a tight, punchy bass that flatters single-coils and humbuckers alike, with a sweet treble response that produces exactly the right kind of edge to add articulation without the awful tinfoil fizz that afflicts many hybrid designs.
Using a Strat, the Cool channel was actually quite warm thanks to the pair of 12AX7s, but stayed really clean, even with the gain control maxed out. A touch more gain to add a subtle edge of overdrive would have improved this channel’s versatility, but even without it the Cool channel is still a thing of beauty – a perfect fit for country, jazz and blues.
The Hot channel is equally impressive; the valve preamp adds plenty of harmonic depth and a smooth overdrive that can growl when needed just by digging in a little harder.” -
I had a Blackstar ID40. Nice sounding amp although a little boomy on the bass side. The sounds from it really fill a room. Acoustic/electrics sounded awesome through it.
You might want to look at a Fender Blues Junior if you go the tube amp route. Loud enough to play small venues and quiet enough to play at home. I have one (a 1999 version) and its reasonably versatile tone wise. You can find them all over the place for less than $400. -
I love amp discussions….
I seem to collect small amps…..I have the Blackstar, Yamaha and Fender Super Champ X2 that are discussed here as well as the Marshall code 25 and Line 6 Amplifi…..I also own one of the Vox Valvtronix models that goes for less than $200.
They are all very very good…..But I spend most of my time playing in clean tones and in my opinion, nothing beats tubes for “cleans”. This is why I seem to use the Fender Super Champ the most….it fronts its tube sounds but has mucho digital versatility and fx….for just north of $300….Coming in second would be the new Marshall Code 25 that interfaces with Apple and Android devices for easy access tone selection and editing. Very ingenious when it all works as advertised.
We all have our favorites for sure……
Marty
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