Looking for a new amp ($1000 range)

[informal1]

Im not quite happy with the sound i get out of my current amp. Im wonderingt if anyone has any recommendations in the range of 1000 dollars

[Spook410]

So.. what amp is it you don't like and what players do you like the sound of?

[informal1]

i currently play a catalyst 100 but i can never manage to get that traditionaly beautiful tone of players like kenny burrell, Cecil alexander and Gerge Benson. It just always sounds a bit to flat adn like somethings missing

[AllanAllen]

BAM200 into a Toob. End of thread.

[Cunamara]

I haven't tried one of the BAM 200s but they are spoken of very highly and Allen's recommendation is apropos. The BAM and the TOOB have become a standard for small portable amplification.

I have a TOOB speaker that I am delighted with (6.5" Metro BG+ which sounds much, much larger than it is). It's a bass speaker and a friend of mine has played his upright through it, which also sounded very good.

The amp I use with that is a DV Mark EG250 Raw Dawg which has a tube in the preamp, giving it a very nice and "natural" sound (I have mostly used tube amps for the last 40 or so years, so it's homebase to me).

My other primary amp is a clone of the Fender 5E3 circuit, aka the tweed Deluxe, which is a classic in its own right in several genres of music. Kenny Burrell's Blue Note albums were recorded with one of these amps; it was what they had in the studio. These are not noted for extensive clean headroom and they go from no volume to about 80% of full volume with a small twist of the volume knobs. There are two channels, four knobs and they're interactive so there are endless possibilities for tweaking tone before reaching for any pedals; you can also jumper the two channels together for further variations. Rob Robinette has an excellent website about amps, with some great information about these.

[DawgBone]

Thousand bucks? Twin Reverb.

[Stringswinger]

Quilter Cub US

Any of the 3 preamps (Tweed, Black face or Brownface/Blonde) will get you the sound you want for a great price.

[213Cobra]

If I am to spend $1000 on something, I usually find it worth it to spend 50% or so more to get something better. I did. Sequel Vermont. $1599. It's easily the most beautiful, musical, toneful sound I've heard from a modern amp that happens to be hybrid. It's the Johnny Smith tribute amp, with responsive EQ, 12" speaker. Toneful tube front end; clean Class D power section. Never dull; splendid at low or room-filling volumes. -Phil

[Freddels]

Is the Sequel Vermont dual voltage?

[DMgolf66]

I have a Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master in the Tweed version, if interested. Not sure the physical size amp you are looking for, so I thought I'd mention it. It's in like- new condition. Comes with papers, cover, etc.

[alltunes]

i’m a big fan of tube combos…. this one comes just under your budget with a lot of thoughtful features

Montauk - Supro USA

[213Cobra]

Is the Sequel Vermont dual voltage?

You might have to order for 115VAC or 230VAC. The associated marketing language is a little confusing. From the Raezer's Edge website:

"Universal power main. Works with both 115v and 230v models for worldwide operation."

This might mean the amp has an IEC power cable input on either voltage model. My amp is 115V for North America and doesn't have a dual-power switch at or near the IEC power socket. Or there's an internal voltage switch or PT tap change that I don't know about, since I haven't opened up the chassis (yet). Raezer's Edge can clarify. Usually "...for worldwide operation..." would mean one model usable anywhere with a user-accessible voltage switch. I put in a question to Geoff Felcher to get clarity on what he means and will circle back when I hear from him.

Phil

[Freddels]

You might have to order for 115VAC or 230VAC. The associated marketing language is a little confusing. From the Raezer's Edge website:

"Universal power main. Works with both 115v and 230v models for worldwide operation."

This might mean the amp has an IEC power cable input on either voltage model. My amp is 115V for North America and doesn't have a dual-power switch at or near the IEC power socket. Or there's an internal voltage switch or PT tap change that I don't know about, since I haven't opened up the chassis (yet). Raezer's Edge can clarify. Usually "...for worldwide operation..." would mean one model usable anywhere with a user-accessible voltage switch. I put in a question to Geoff Felcher to get clarity on what he means and will circle back when I hear from him.

Phil

Many of the new amp that are dual voltage don't require a switch, they just somehow "know" the difference. I noticed that all of their other amp heads do run on both voltages. Some amp makers like DV Mark intentionally do not have dual voltage as I guess they want you to re-purchase the amp if you move or travel to a different country.