A good sounding cheap amp - Page 2

opusdefunk · #31 01-26-2010, 02:56 PM

Buy a Peavey off of craigslist or something, a bandit or something, you could probably get one for less than a 100 dollars.

Big Ron · #32 02-16-2010, 01:53 PM

Now that someone mentioned my favorite tone trick of playing through a bass amplifier, has anyone tried the LINE 6 Studio LowDown 110. [I've never been a big Line 6 fan because to me LINE 6 just screames metal distortion and feedback] but this little amp is a 75 Watt 25 lb 12" box with four bass amp models two of which might sound OK with a guitar. Anyone tried one of these little buggers?

Ron

Tom Karol · #33 02-16-2010, 05:31 PM

Another choice:
Vox Valvetronix VT15 15W 1x8 Guitar Combo Amp.
Currently on sale at Musician's Friend for $170.
I also agree that small bass amps often make good jazz guitar amps.

randyc · #34 02-16-2010, 06:43 PM

I agree with the bass amplifier concept. I've used Standel, Univox and (my all time favorite) Fender Bassman - still have two out of the three. All work exceptionally well for jazz unless one demands icepick highs!

Big Ron · #35 02-18-2010, 09:02 AM

Well to wrap this up I hit the register at GC and got the Line 6 Lowdown 110 bass amp. See my new post The Secret Jazz Amp for some detail.

Ron

Big Ron · #36 02-19-2010, 02:56 PM

Check out my new post on The Secret Jazz Amp. I think I found a real sleeper. They are on eBay all the time.

Big Ron

woyvel · #37 02-19-2010, 07:20 PM

I just scarfed this up today at a pawn shop for $70:
Polytone mini-S15B guitar amp.

mongrel · #38 02-19-2010, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woyvel

I just scarfed this up today at a pawn shop for $70:
Polytone mini-S15B guitar amp.

That's a sweet score. I though I got a good deal for the $25 I paid at my local pawn shop for a no-name 15" SS combo amp that was sold by Montgomery Wards decades ago. I feels like 50-75 watts but that Polytone looks killer.

randyc · #39 02-19-2010, 08:30 PM

In the San Francisco area, where I lived for many years, the "normal" jazz guitar setup is Polytone + H575. Seems to me that about 1/3 of the working musicians are using that setup.

heavyblues · #40 02-19-2010, 10:20 PM

wow, thats awesome. looks like a vintage beast too. i love pawn shop stories. especially when people get a vintage roland synthesizer for like $50 and sell it on ebay for $900 haha.

moheio · #41 08-23-2011, 05:47 PM

just in case (i know this post is quite old!), i own three amps, and one of thems, my favorite practice amp, is a really really REAAAALLY crapy small bass amp, it sounds just amazing with a jazz guitar, super clean and clear and with a lot of body, the brand is marathon and the model MBA-25, i tell you, it is indeed the cheapest amp ever, i don't even know the price 'cause i got it for free when i bought some second hand stuff!!! but if you have the chance to try a marathon, DO IT!!!

jorgemg1984 · #42 08-26-2011, 06:19 AM

80s solid state amps - cheap, reliable, clean and loud.

moheio · #43 08-26-2011, 06:25 AM

Hi jorgemg1984! can you give me some brands of 80 amps so i can watch more carfully when i go to the second hand stores?? thanks!

jorgemg1984 · #44 08-26-2011, 06:42 AM

Sure!

If you do a search here on the forum you will find threads on the subject.

I am not an expert but here it goes: Yamaha G series (used by Mike Stern and Pat Metheny back then); Peavey Bandit 65; Fender M 80; Music Man RD (hybrid solid state / tube); 80s Polytones and Roland Cubes are also well regarded;

These are the ones I know. I have an M80 and a Bandit and like both (I have upgraded some stuff on the amps but they already sounded good stock). I have tried a Music Man and like it a lot but they are usually more expensive. I know people who played 80s Polytones and also loved them (heard it from guys that I respect a lot).

About the M80 and the Bandit they are not what I would call brilliant! But they are very cheap, last forever, are usually loud and clean all the way. With a good pedal board behind them they are killer (a speaker upgrade usually helps also). But stock they provide all the cleanness you need for jazz pratice or gigs (they also come with a good reverb tank usually). You can score one for less than 100US sometimes... and I bet there are many other good options out there!

BobD · #45 08-26-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

About the M80 and the Bandit they are not what I would call brilliant!

Why is the Bandit only really praised for it durability and volume? Is it not a good sounding amp for jazz?

jorgemg1984 · #46 08-26-2011, 07:37 AM

They sound good but not as good as my Jazzmaster Ultralight or a good Fender amp. But they cost 1/10 of those two...

bryharrell · #47 08-26-2011, 08:04 AM

I worked alot in restaurants and one of the best jazz amps I have used is the Fender music master (bass amp) . weighs like 10 lbs and sounds clean and warm. Isn't that what we all want for most jazz anyway. I have also had great luck with cheap peavy and crate solid state amps that cost next to nothing. The cool thing about jazz guitars is that you can get away with cheap amplification and still get a killer tone. I was concerned about appearances for a while but then I went out and saw Tim Fitzgerald and Bobby Broom here in Chicago and they were both playing through 100.00 peavy amps. If it sounds good, then it sounds good.