Tube amp alternatives to Fender - Page 4

FrankLearns · #91 12-05-2011, 11:13 PM

That might be a bit of a useless question. It seems like people like the deluxe and princeton reverbs but have concerns to keep up with a drummer. Has anyone experience with the Mustang models? They come with tons of power and emulate these amps (and many others). Some say in a great way, some say poorly so. I haven't heard it - they seem to be too cheap to really deliver the authentic tone of the modelled amps. But maybe that is a prejudice (i am also rather put off by five million options that i don't need) can anyone comment on that?

bborzell · #92 12-06-2011, 02:16 AM

The I & II models can be very clean. The III, IV and V continue to be subject of reports of unwanted digital sound artifacts at clean settings. Made me pass on getting a III.

CHeck out Fender's forum for a terribly long thread o this issue.

skiboyny · #93 12-06-2011, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Clare

I also have a Palen guitar that I got from Lou (# 35 ). Lou and Vince are great to work with for sure! I use a tube amp made by Vintage Sound VS112-JZR 40
I really like the sound, it's expensive but I think worth it. I also have a Henriksen and Roland cube 60x and 80x. Amps are always an adventure.

That looks perfect Pat. When you think about the cost of the guitar, the amp price seems very reasonable!

Jazzman301 · #94 12-06-2011, 07:49 AM

For my needs $2,000 for an amp is way more than I would ever want to spend. Honestly I know of countless awesome guitar plyers who have awesome tone and are not playing through a $2,000 amp. While I understand that its hand made PTP etc... I think that most of us on here are not ever going to be honestly looking to spend that kind of money on an amp.

cjm · #95 12-06-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

For my needs $2,000 for an amp is way more than I would ever want to spend. Honestly I know of countless awesome guitar plyers who have awesome tone and are not playing through a $2,000 amp. While I understand that its hand made PTP etc... I think that most of us on here are not ever going to be honestly looking to spend that kind of money on an amp.

Which is why actual purpose built solid state jazz amplifiers exist. I really don't feel you can compare them to the Roland Cube in your quest for something more.

Back in the 1960s and early 1970s there were solid state amps. Yes, they were for the most part horrible amps. Tubes were better even for strictly clean jazz sounds.

But that was then and this is the better part of half a century later.

If you're after a clean amplified jazz guitar sound for a reasonable price, purchase a professional quality solid state jazz amplifier on the used market for a fraction of the cost of a boutique or vintage tube amplifier, and for a lot less hassle than a cheaply built new tube amp will typically give you.

You want to play distorted rock...tubes are the way to go. You want to play jazz...and if collecting amps isn't a hobby of yours...then buy a solid state amp designed with the needs of jazz players in mind and be done with it.

Pat Clare · #96 12-06-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

For my needs $2,000 for an amp is way more than I would ever want to spend. Honestly I know of countless awesome guitar plyers who have awesome tone and are not playing through a $2,000 amp. While I understand that its hand made PTP etc... I think that most of us on here are not ever going to be honestly looking to spend that kind of money on an amp.

Thats a good point, I sold 3 amps that I havn't used in years to get the money for the VSA ( fender deluxe reverb, mesa boogie, polytone mini brute iv) all good amps, but never quite had the carisma to use as my main amp. Over ther years i've spent ton's of money on all kinds of gadgets to make my amp sound better and it's all sitting in a box. l

Pat Clare · #97 12-06-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skiboyny

That looks perfect Pat. When you think about the cost of the guitar, the amp price seems very reasonable!

Some guitars and amps are a liftime investment.

robertm2000 · #98 12-06-2011, 10:53 AM

High quality mic preamp with a DI input (FMR Audio RNP), a modest power amp (40-50 watts) and good speaker. It was my dream amp - with a guitar that had really good pickups! (Pete Biltoft Vintage Vibes in my case.)

Jazzman301 · #99 12-06-2011, 12:01 PM

I can see that Pat. I guess like any serious purchase or investment you just have to know its right and act.

'Mike

Jazzman301 · #**100** 12-06-2011, 10:32 PM

Well I just picked up a late 60s Ampeg Reverberocket II GS 12R for $478 shipped. I hope this will fill my need and if not its a neat amp to have around and I can still grab a Princeton Reverb if needed.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Special thanks to hammertone for suggesting this amp in another thread.

'Mike