Best Guitar Center Amp for Jazz

**RoyaleT** · 04-10-2012, 06:30 AM

+1 on Retro's call on the Princeton Chorus. Later black knob versions very reasonable, I bought a mint condition one with original 2 button switch, cover and amp stand for $166 shipped on E-Bay. Earlier red knob versions a bit higher priced.

**srlank** · 04-10-2012, 07:09 AM

More lovers of the Princeton and Cube 80s!

As far as Peavey, maybe that can be found at Sam Ash if not GC? Because I think that they also might let you break up your payments at Sam Ash....like GC does.
Also, GC has used equipment, so any given brand name can show up.

**gary mitchell** · 04-14-2012, 08:31 PM

I use a Roland 80XL, and like it real well, I also find the Fender Blues JR. a nice amp. My Pastor is a Jazz guitarist and his Blues Jr works very well, pretty loud for a 15 watt amp. I say go try them out, my GC has a room I can take amps into and try them out. And don't you have so many days.

**HighSpeedSpoon** · 04-14-2012, 09:02 PM

I'm another happy Mesa Boogie Customer - TA-30 head and cab. I use the "Vox" channel for great cleans w plenty of headroom, and it works. BTW, as time goes on and I have tried various cabs, I am also more and more impressed with the TA-23 cab and its Black Shadow 12".

I'm not sure how many watts of clean headroom you need, but the Boogie Mini Recto 25 and the H&K Tubemeister 18 are two cheaper options than the TA30. I don't know much about these amps, but if it were me, I would play them if they are in stock.

**Jazz_175** · 04-15-2012, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by zigzag

I love my Express 5:50, but to me, it doesn't have cleans that are what I think of when I think jazz tones- too bright, round, ringing, and pretty. If that is what you want, it really is a great amp. Great "crunch" channel, too.

I am using a Cube 80XL for clean jazz tones (and it's almost $1000 less). I've only had it a couple of months and I'm very happy with it for cleans. I like a couple of the modeling settings if you take the time to tweek them, but that is not why I have it, and I hardly ever use them.

Hey Zigzag, how do you think the Express would go with a Gibson 335?
Would you get a nice modern jazz tone? I mean round, fat and warm but with an electric quality?

**jorgemg1984** · 04-15-2012, 06:42 AM

A friend of mine playing an 80s AS-200 (similar to the 335) with an Express 25 combo. Not exactly straight-ahead jazz but you might get an idea... (he's going to the PA and using tons of pedals)

**krueger** · 04-16-2012, 06:17 AM

I've posted a demo over in the Showcase section that will give you an idea of how the Bugera V22 sounds for jazz.

(Directly on YouTube

)

If you are on a budget I recommend at least trying one.

There are plenty of demos on this amp on YouTube also (especially of the crunchier sounds). For instance

**srlank** · 04-17-2012, 02:24 AM

Very nice playing Krueger....and a unique style! The amp sounded real nice too, but I have had lots of amps that sound great in the living room........ah but when you take it out to play with others, what a friggin' disaster!

**srlank** · 04-17-2012, 02:29 AM

Well, you know I was trying to be frugal, but I read about an amp called the 'Quilter' put out by the maker of QSC on another thread and took one home for a 30-day trial....no money down. I've taken it out for a couple of trial spins, and really like it so far. I am hoping that I receive my tax return before my 30 days are up, or I might have to consider dipping into my cat's medical fund.

**krueger** · 04-17-2012, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by srlank

Very nice playing Krueger....and a unique style! The amp sounded real nice too, but I have had lots of amps that sound great in the living room........ah but when you take it out to play with others, what a friggin' disaster!

Thanks!

I agree, it's not easy to know how it will sound and feel at higher volumes. I have used it live (miked) and at band practice and it sounds good when you turn it up also. I play mostly rock so it is the crunch channel that is used the most.

Good luck with the amp-hunt! So many choices out there...

**Rmcali2** · 04-17-2012, 10:57 AM

While not frequently mentioned, give the Vox AC15 a try. The older custom classics had a wharfdale speaker, were too bright and were terrible. The new ones were redesigned and have a Celestion 12", reverb, tremolo and it can be dialed in for jazz, despite what you may hear.

By simply adjusting your tone/volume on guitar in concert with the amp, you can get a number of tones. Also, the Vox actually maintains clean sound almost all the way up and can get LOUD.

**HighSpeedSpoon** · 04-17-2012, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by srlank

Well, you know I was trying to be frugal, but I read about an amp called the 'Quilter' put out by the maker of QSC on another thread and took one home for a 30-day trial....no money down. I've taken it out for a couple of trial spins, and really like it so far. I am hoping that I receive my tax return before my 30 days are up, or I might have to consider dipping into my cat's medical fund.

Well, three cheers for Patrick, and that's really great to hear. What genres have you played through it? Jazz, blues, rock?

**srlank** · 04-17-2012, 11:48 AM

Hi HighSpeedSpoon,

So far I have focused on mostly getting a good jazz tone with a newly-acquired 15" hollow-body Eastman. I used it last Friday night in a Starbucks with a combo playing standards, and everybody loved the tone of the amp. Last night I used it with a big band, and the bass and piano players both agreed that it sounded better than the JC120 that the band supplies for the guitar chair.

The amp however was built with a great rock-and-roll sound in mind, with a 2nd channel with gain and a limiter. And I think the sound is fantastic, but I haven't had the opportunity to jam with others with it.....maybe in the next couple of weeks.

And it is small and light at around 19 lbs! I walked in on Friday with all of my gear in 1 trip! I have 3 1/2 more weeks to test it out.

Sharon

**pingu** · 04-17-2012, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Rmcali2

While not frequently mentioned, give the Vox AC15 a try. The older custom classics had a wharfdale speaker, were too bright and were terrible. The new ones were redesigned and have a Celestion 12", reverb, tremolo and it can be dialed in for jazz, despite what you may hear.

By simply adjusting your tone/volume on guitar in concert with the amp, you can get a number of tones. Also, the Vox actually maintains clean sound almost all the way up and can get LOUD.

I used to have a 60's AC15 (my first amp)
It was a monsterous (in a good way) sound for rock
didn't play clean much in those days but it was a good clean too
Celestion Blue Bulldog speaker Grrrrrrrrr !

Vox liked el84s when they designed the AC30
they doubled up the el84 cct in the 15 and put in 4 x el84s
rather than use a bigger tube like el34

I dig el84s too and now use a Blues jnr
that (and Pro jnr) have 2x el84 ........ good amps too

**srlank** · 04-17-2012, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Rmcali2

While not frequently mentioned, give the Vox AC15 a try. The older custom classics had a wharfdale speaker, were too bright and were terrible. The new ones were redesigned and have a Celestion 12", reverb, tremolo and it can be dialed in for jazz, despite what you may hear.

By simply adjusting your tone/volume on guitar in concert with the amp, you can get a number of tones. Also, the Vox actually maintains clean sound almost all the way up and can get LOUD.

Hi Rmcali2,

What are your settings on the guitar and the amp?

Thx,

Sharon

**Section Player** · 04-17-2012, 02:30 PM

There seems to be some sentiment here in favor of small, low powered tube amps and I can understand that. But, people would do well to keep an open mind towards some of the modern, solid state amps with power ratings north of 50 watts. Several of the latter are mentioned favorably in this thread.

We're fortunate that there is now a fair amount of product out there in the solid state category. As has been noted, you need to be choosy about it because some of them are "voiced" for rockers and you have to fight the amp to get a good jazz tone.

I tried extensively the Henriksen 110 and the Phil Jones AG150, neither of which are found at Guitar Center, and bought the latter. So far I'm really happy with it, but I haven't played out with it yet. I still like the Henriksen, though, and wouldn't be surprised if I own one at some point not too far off. I also am drawn to the ZT Club but haven't experimented with one enough yet.

**srlank** · 04-17-2012, 02:41 PM

Thx for the reminder Section Player. And btw, the Quilter is solid-state.

Another reason I like GC however, is because they have a 30-day return policy--no questions asked, at least where I live.

**Rmcali2** · 04-17-2012, 02:57 PM

The AC15 has two channels and a master volume. The key to getting the clean sound is keeping the master high, and the channel volume lower. This enable more head room.

1. Normal - Just one volume control, plus the Master volume, and "Tone Cut". Tone cut works counter intuitively, turn it clock wise and and it drops the highs. I typically keep the tone cut between 6 and 12 oclock for jazzier stuff.

2. Top Boost - sounds treble-heavy right off the bat, but using the bass, treble and volume controls makes it customizable. See control panel here. The cool thing about this amp is that turning up the Bass, also lowers the top end a little, and vise versa with the treble. Tone Cut also works on this channel. I keep the treble around 12, bass around 2-3 pm.

Reverb and Tremolo are self explanatory. The Reverb is a little too cavernous on the upper end, but usable.

I recommend seeing what tone you like best. The AC15 was probably the last amp I ever thought I would buy, but the tone just won me over. Should also point out that I do some R&B/soul guitar on the side and this fits that bill too.

**HighSpeedSpoon** · 04-17-2012, 05:13 PM

The left channel of the Mesa Boogie TA-30 is modeled after the Vox. The TA-30 left channel Normal setting gives a great jazz tone. I don't use the Top Boost for jazz (too much treble for my taste).

**HighSpeedSpoon** · 04-17-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by srlank

Hi HighSpeedSpoon,

So far I have focused on mostly getting a good jazz tone with a newly-acquired 15" hollow-body Eastman. I used it last Friday night in a Starbucks with a combo playing standards, and everybody loved the tone of the amp. Last night I used it with a big band, and the bass and piano. players both agreed that it sounded better than the JC120 that the band supplies for the guitar chair.

The amp however was built with a great rock-and-roll sound in mind, with a 2nd channel with gain and a limiter. And I think the sound is fantastic, but I haven't had the opportunity to jam with others with it.....maybe in the next couple of weeks.

And it is small and light at around 19 lbs! I walked in on Friday with all of my gear in 1 trip! I have 3 1/2 more weeks to test it out.

Sharon

Thanks very much Sharon. One last question if I may: How is the sound dispersion out of the 8" speaker?

**jorgemg1984** · 04-17-2012, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by srlank

Thx for the reminder Section Player. And btw, the Quilter is solid-state.

Another reason I like GC however, is because they have a 30-day return policy--no questions asked, at least where I live.

Henriksen has a 7-day trial period.

**Section Player** · 04-17-2012, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by srlank

Thx for the reminder Section Player. And btw, the Quilter is solid-state.

Another reason I like GC however, is because they have a 30-day return policy--no questions asked, at least where I live.

Yes, I do know the Quilter is solid state and it's great of you to try it and post your reports here. Very interesting.

I agree with you about GC's return policy.....it is a major reason I do business with them.

**srlank** · 04-17-2012, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by Rmcali2

The AC15 has two channels and a master volume. The key to getting the clean sound is keeping the master high, and the channel volume lower. This enable more head room.

1. Normal - Just one volume control, plus the Master volume, and "Tone Cut". Tone cut works counter intuitively, turn it clock wise and and it drops the highs. I typically keep the tone cut between 6 and 12 oclock for jazzier stuff.

2. Top Boost - sounds treble-heavy right off the bat, but using the bass, treble and volume controls makes it customizable. See control panel here. The cool thing about this amp is that turning up the Bass, also lowers the top end a little, and vise versa with the treble. Tone Cut also works on this channel. I keep the treble around 12, bass around 2-3 pm.

Reverb and Tremolo are self explanatory. The Reverb is a little too cavernous on the upper end, but usable.

I recommend seeing what tone you like best. The AC15 was probably the last amp I ever thought I would buy, but the tone just won me over. Should also point out that I do some R&B/soul guitar on the side and this fits that bill too.

Thx for a great explanation!

**srlank** · 04-18-2012, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by Section Player

Yes, I do know the Quilter is solid state and it's great of you to try it and post your reports here. Very interesting.

I agree with you about GC's return policy.....it is a major reason I do business with them.

Thx Section Player. I take away such an abundance of information from this forum, that it's great to be able to contribute once in awhile.

**srlank** · 04-18-2012, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by HighSpeedSpoon

Thanks very much Sharon. One last question if I may: How is the sound dispersion out of the 8" speaker?

Hi HighSpeedSpoon,

I just caught this question! If you are asking if it can be heard throughout a room, I will have to check more carefully next time. But when I played at Starbucks on Friday, I had positive comments about the sound of the amp from a gentleman sitting close by on my left, and also from the drummer who was way to the right, with the bass player in-between. I did not get any comments about the amp from anyone in front of me.

Is that what you mean?

But thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'll try and get some more feedback on this issue if I can.