Solid state amp with a soft feel and tube-like depth?

[ooglybong]

So you're saying that the compressor helped soften up the feel of the solid state amp? I've never used a compressor before, so I don't really know what they do. I really like playing with dynamics (picking hard and light) to make different sounds and I heard that compressors took that away, that's why I've always avoided them.

They can, but that would really depend mostly on how you chose to set one up. Mild compression might be more your cuppa tea to (theoretically) imperceptibly soften the attack you're possibly hearing in a SS amp. (In a country-rock situation, for instance, that 'squished', overly-compressed sound is very popular.)

There's also the Ego Compressor pedal by Wampler pedals (who make great stuff) that also has a Blend control on board so that you can mix in as much of the dry signal as you like if you want to keep your original attack -plus- add in the (fully adjustable) compressed signal to whatever degree you like.

EDIT ADDITION: Just tried one yesterday. You can also thereby set Blend over to the 100% uncompressed, dry sound and then set the Volume control higher for a transparent clean boost (no compression added at all if you like). No idea of the dbs involved, but it made quite a difference when set and engaged to full volume. I would think, even on a 100% clean 'jazz' tone, that it would be more than enough for a solo/lead voice, all whilst keeping your guitar's tone the same without having to turn the guitar up. (Hope that's clear.) So the Ego Compressor acts as either a compressor, a clean boost, or both via that Blend knob.

[Frank67]

Which compressor are you using? No matter how much I tried I never bounded with compressors...

Vahlbruch Fuzionizer ... Expensive but really improves the sound.

[ChrisDowning]

Try an inexpensive one to see what they will do - say an Alesis 3630 - mess with the attack, decay, slope, etc.. There's a sort of compression that happens with valve amps that is subtle but noticeable. You might find slight compression is just the job. But get a rack one at first because that will be cheaper and have more control parameters.

Compressors are quite nice on rhythm guitar and tighten everything up - but they can be dreadful on lead. Yes Greaser you are right.

Or you could mess with the effect of compression within a DAW - a PC based recording app. I tellyou though - it is a hard device to use well and invisibly. Get it wrong and you'll sound like you are backing a rapper. I've gotone on the DG Stomp that is a one knob sort and a fully controlable Alesis 3630 - not the bestinbthe World, but I use compression VERY sparingly.

[jorgemg1984]

Vahlbruch Fuzionizer ... Expensive but really improves the sound.

Thanks Frank, At that price point the Wampler seems like a better option... but I am very happy with my sound, no need for compressors

[Uncle Meat]

They do, but so do tubes. Too much compression is restricting, but a little in the right situation is just right.

So you're saying that the compressor helped soften up the feel of the solid state amp? I've never used a compressor before, so I don't really know what they do. I really like playing with dynamics (picking hard and light) to make different sounds and I heard that compressors took that away, that's why I've always avoided them.

[Tech21NYC]

Yep and the older Yamaha DS60 is virtually the same piece of kit without the XLR input - only 1/4" jack. These can be found occasionally on eBay far cheaper than the Tech 21 amp because nobody seems to know what is. Using a Tech 21 Power Engine on a Yamaha DS60 raises some intersting issues about amps. Could a powered PA speaker do the job if it had a suitable pre- amp between the guitar and speaker? Certainly the Tech 21 Sansamp box, the DG Stomp, and the J-Station are all designed to fulfill that role.

I only have experience with the DG Stomp and DS60 - works wonderfully and I guess the Tech 21 Sansamp and Power Engine would be the same ( but without a whole array of effects like the DG Stomp). The DS60 and Power Engine could also be used to increase the volume of any small amp - I've used one to back up a micro cube and add an extension speaker to my DeLuxe.

Since these systems can model all the amps and speakers, surley it's possbile to set it up for the sounds you want and the job's done?

As Yamaha seem to have left the amp scene now, would Tech 21 NYC like to chip in with some comments?

The Power Engine provides 60 watts of transparent power. It can be used with our products obviously as well as modelers and even as an extension cab for a tube amp (line or efx send outs only.)

It is NOT a full range cab like a powered PA speaker. If you have a device like a modeler, SansAmp etc. that can be used for direct recording a full range cab can work. I use our Character pedals quite a bit for direct playing with my QSC K10's and it sounds really good. However, when possible I prefer using our Power Engine as I think it sounds better (for electric guitar applications) and has a more amp like feel. No right or wrong, just personal preference.

[rpguitar]

Speaking of Tech21, I have been using an AI Clarus for years and I just got a SansAmp Para DI on a whim. I'm very impressed with the way it transformed my Clarus to sound like a dynamic tube amp. I am running this setup with the 12" cabinet from the Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight rig. That cab is normally overly dark with the Clarus (I also have a Redstone). But it comes alive with the SansAmp, especially with so-called rock guitars like my Strat, LP, and so on.

[Greaser]

Well, I played one of the Fender Super Champ X2's yesterday. It sounded pretty good. It doesn't completely meet my objective (still has tubes), but it is small and light and I think it would stay clean at the volumes I would use it at. The modeling part sounded pretty good...it has 16 voices including several vintage Fender and some high gain stuff. You can connect it to your computer though and you get to adjust all of the parameters. You could even change the 16 factory preset voices to 16 different takes on a Twin Reverb. It had a Jazzmaster Ultralight voice that sounded pretty good. Has a line-out for going direct to PA if needed and I could also connect to the computer and do some direct recording which would be fun and easy.

I'm sort of undecided on the head or combo though...I played the combo and thought the small 1x10 made it sound boxy. The head is on sale right now for $275, so I'm thinking I may order one.

Anybody have one of these?

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Well, I played one of the Fender Super Champ X2's yesterday. It sounded pretty good. It doesn't completely meet my objective (still has tubes), but it is small and light and I think it would stay clean at the volumes I would use it at. The modeling part sounded pretty good...it has 16 voices including several vintage Fender and some high gain stuff. You can connect it to your computer though and you get to adjust all of the parameters. You could even change the 16 factory preset voices to 16 different takes on a Twin Reverb. It had a Jazzmaster Ultralight voice that sounded pretty good. Has a line-out for going direct to PA if needed and I could also connect to the computer and do some direct recording which would be fun and easy.

I'm sort of undecided on the head or combo though...I played the combo and thought the small 1x10 made it sound boxy. The head is on sale right now for $275, so I'm thinking I may order one.

Anybody have one of these?

If you liked the modeling on the SCX2 but didn't like the power tubes, check out the Mustang series, which has the same software, I think, but is SS. The Mustang III hits a sweet spot: 1x12" combo, 100W and 36lbs. There is also a larger version that comes in a head.

[ooglybong]

If you liked the modeling on the SCX2 but didn't like the power tubes, check out the Mustang series, which has the same software, I think, but is SS. The Mustang III hits a sweet spot: 1x12" combo, 100W and 36lbs. There is also a larger version that comes in a head.

Agreed. Plus having the open-back cab with Celestion (noting this as a huge improvement over the Mustang I and II), along with more effects (if I'm reading the SC2X panel correctly) plus a *vastly* improved GUI. Love mine, albeit I do tend to use it more as a rock/fusion amp. Don't miss tubes at all with this amp. (The Mustangs have been reported to get some really good jazz tones, too, but I haven't much explored those since I have other amps for the cleaner jazz tones I prefer.)

[Iska13]

I'll have to give one of the new Line 6 amps a try.

I played a buddies about 4-5 years ago and it was "OK" (e.g. Better than a tubescreamer through a SS amp) but not "great", It did not have the picking dynamics, feel or the ability to go from clean to overdriven based on touch like my tube amps when playing the blues.

Trying one, unfortunately involves visiting a Guitar Center which usually makes me a bit mental...:-)

I'm playing an Epi Dot and Telecaster through a Line6 Flextone III. I was pretty satisfied until I played through a Fender Twin Reverb. I must agree, the picking dynamics, or the ability to go from clean to overdrive based on touch is not there using the Flextone. Could I accomplish those nuances if I place a Sansamp Classic or Para in front of the amp. I've been looking at tube amps but I'd rather add-on to what I currently own. I played Sax for about 30 years, dynamics are very important to me. I'm a Larry Carlton fan and I was able to duplicate his subtle dynamics using a Fender Twin. I would appreciate any and all suggestions.

[Gibouille]

I am thinking of two options myself :

buying a mambo amp for clean and later, maybe add a Amt Electronics SS-11 lamp pedal as an alternate preamp for crunch.

Alternatively I could plug the guitar into the AMT preamp and the DI output of the AMT preamp pedal straight into an active speaker.(no actual guitar amp or cabinet there)

My weak link is currently the guitar (a borrowed ibanez) which I will fix soon, then I'll look into my amp problem (my current amp is a vox mini3 which doesn't quite do the trick)

[oldane]

Speaking of Tech21, I have been using an AI Clarus for years and I just got a SansAmp Para DI on a whim. I'm very impressed with the way it transformed my Clarus to sound like a dynamic tube amp. I am running this setup with the 12" cabinet from the Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight rig. That cab is normally overly dark with the Clarus (I also have a Redstone). But it comes alive with the SansAmp, especially with so-called rock guitars like my Strat, LP, and so on.

Also my experience, I use the same setup at present (though I have a Mambo head on order). The problem with the AI is the center frequencies of the tone controls. While they work well for neutral, full range PA like use, they are far from ideal for magnetic pickups. Bass 60Hz (I would want it around 150Hz), mid 650Hz (I would want it around 1-1.4 kHz), high 10kHz (should have been around 3-4 kHz). For that reason, I set the controls on the AI head flat on 12 o'clock and dial in the tone on the Sansamp Paradriver DI, which has the center frequencies in the right place - and has a semi parametric adjustable center frequency for the all important mid range. In addition the Paradriver can add everything from an almost barely perceptable break up to a wild death metal distortion. I'm not sure it sounds exactly as a tube amp, but with an ever so slight break up, it adds a tad of nice and warm "velvet" to the tone which most SS amps lacks. It will also work directly into a PA system or a recording mixer.

The Mambo Amp has the tone control center frequencies in just the right places for magnetic pickups, which is likely one of the reasons - though not the only one - for it's popularity with jazz guitarists.

[rpguitar]

Oldane, it was your posts - found in various and sundry threads - that hipped me to the Sansamp. So, thanks.

[kawa]

Super 400 floating
Peterson P-100G mkⅡEv
Settings ; Gain 1, EQ (center ZERO, ± 5 type) L and M1 and M2 are almost of Center, H -3, Reverb 3, Master Max.

at the Love Notes by Bingo
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...65l2-1.5-1l2l0