Jazz Guitar Amps Survey Results

**Dirk** · 03-26-2014, 10:45 AM

Here are the amp results of the recent survey:

The Most Popular Jazz Guitar Amps

What are your thoughts?

**0zoro** · 03-26-2014, 10:52 AM

I didn´t realize that members here were that interested in equiptment! lol

**monkmiles** · 03-26-2014, 01:38 PM

I'm not surprised Fender amps are #1.

However, I am very surprised the Blue Junior is one of the most popular on the list? Or I'm I misunderstanding the ordering of the Fender amp explanation section? I would expect a Princeton, Deluxe, or Twin Reverb to be way more popular in jazz than the Blues Junior.

**GNAPPI** · 03-26-2014, 09:37 PM

I wouldn't have expected Marshall, Mesa or HK to be on there, even their little combos are what I'd consider less about tone than others like Fender. But having Fender up there at the top is no surprise at all.

**Ged** · 03-27-2014, 07:07 AM

I use a Fender Jazz King, an amp that I understand is difficult getting hold of these days which I guess is the reason why it wasn't mentioned. Like all amps it has positives and negatives, although for me, it's former that dominates the latter. Used with a Gibson L5 it produced a wonderfully warm jazz sound. You've got to be a bit careful not to push the bass up too much as it can really 'boom'. The only downside (and I suppose that this is a serious drawback) is the weight. As I am not built like Charles Atlas I need a hand trolly to get it anywhere. I simply can't lift it. And if you do try, use your right arm rather than your left otherwise you won't be able to play the gig! So, this also led me to buy the Henriksen Jazz Amp, much more manageable and a really good sound with its EQ system. Mind you, the Fender is still great.

**Al Br.** · 03-27-2014, 07:33 AM

I was surprised to see Mesa down low in numbers. I guess the cost is a factor but the amount of sound control is hard to beat whether its rcok, Jazz, or the blues Mesa can cover it all. Another amp to consider are those put out by Quilter.
Small compact and lightweight. For a solid state amp they deliver a fantastic range of sound control. Also, of the botique variety amp they are one of the best values for the dollar as they are cheaper by a stretch than most. And if it matters, they are U.S. made.

**mr. beaumont** · 03-27-2014, 07:49 AM

Mesa's have too many knobs. They make me nervous.

**Al Br.** · 03-27-2014, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Mesa's have too many knobs. They make me nervous.

Can't argue with that, that's one of the reasons I got the Quilter.

**pingu** · 03-27-2014, 08:20 AM

Mambo not there ??

**Klatu** · 03-27-2014, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I wouldn't have expected Marshall, Mesa or HK to be on there, even their little combos are what I'd consider less about tone than others like Fender. But having Fender up there at the top is no surprise at all.

I bet that a good percentage of voters who selected "other" own amps that are based on Fender Blackface or Tweed circuits. If this is the case, then Fender and Fender derived amps completely dominated the poll.

I play Heritage amps, which are tweeked versions of Fender Blackface designs, and I would have chosen the "other" category had I voted, but the reality is that they are Fender variants.

**Woody Sound** · 03-27-2014, 05:09 PM

Very surprised to see Vox at #3. I've only played through one once, and just for a few moments. But I always had the assumption that they are high distortion amps.

**bob dullam** · 03-28-2014, 12:51 AM

not suprized to see gibson at the top. this is what i would want if I had the bucks.
was suprized to see Benedetto so low. and the D'angelico excel so low. Glad to see the joe p.
eppy faired well.

**bob dullam** · 03-28-2014, 12:55 AM

opps thought it said guitar survey...

**mres165** · 03-28-2014, 08:07 AM

Surprised not to see more Gibson amps in the survey. I play a 175 through a Gibson GA15-RV (valve) at our local jazz guitar society. There are some seriously good jazz guitar/amp combos (possibly up to 20 different versions) at these evenings and this week a guy came up to me at the end and said, completely unsolicited, I had the best sound of all !!! Hope that doesn't sound too boastful...just relating the story...fascinating survey.
MrEs165

**So What** · 03-29-2014, 01:33 PM

In the end the type of jazz you play plays a crucial role in the selecting the amp. Many of my gigs call for an acoustic sound meaning you hear a lot of string. I find the Henriksen hard to beat in this aspect:

**Klatu** · 03-29-2014, 02:42 PM

Joep,

Thanks for posting that video. It is quite different from most of what is heard on this forum, and I thought that the title translating to "Boggy Ground" was perfectly chosen.

What is your background as a musician? It sounds as though you have extensive experience in composition as well as performance.

**So What** · 03-29-2014, 04:14 PM

Thx for you response Klatu.

my back ground indeed is playing and composing, especially interested in composing stuff where composed sections and improvisation meet.

as a player i enjoy solo guitar (

.

John Abercormbie wrote the liner notes to my solo cd: http://www.joepvanleeuwen.nl/uploads...innennieuw.pdf

My latest cd was Jazz Guitar Meets Church Organ. This one got a nice four **** write up in Down Beat: http://www.joepvanleeuwen.nl/uploads...hurchOrgan.jpg

the organ cd ranged from a jazz fugue (

Both cd at CD baby: Joep van Leeuwen | CD Baby Music Store

**Klatu** · 03-29-2014, 05:16 PM

You've got some heavy hitters vouching for you, Joep. Both clips sound great, even though the trio was more up my alley. Which amp did you use on them?

**So What** · 03-29-2014, 06:17 PM

On the trio - if I remember correctly - i play the JazzKat amp, which is a good small amp.

with the organ in munich it's the Henriksen (12 or 10 inch, i forget). the synth guitar goes thru the Fender Ultra Light Jazz amp. I don't like that amp for a jazz guitar sound because it gives to many highs and sounds a bit too electric to my ears but because of the freqeuncy range it is great to deal with all the frequencies from a synth.

The Henriksen souds great with the string quartet too:

on the solo guitar recording for dutch tv i used the old poytone:

but the sound guys also miked the guitar and mixed that with the amp sound and got what i think is a great sound.

**Hyppolyte Bergamotte** · 04-26-2014, 03:18 AM

Don't forget the Rivera amps!

He worked at Fender for years before he began to create his own amps.
I have a Rivera TBR-1 from dec 1989, and this amp fits perfectly well jazz !
cheers !

Hyppolyte Bergamotte

**allanploth** · 05-04-2014, 12:28 PM

Anybody have/like the Ibanez Wholetone? I have one on the way and wonder what to expect, as I've heard varying opinions of its overall sound. I'll be playing a Guild X150 Savoy through it (also on the way), most likely.

**vinlander** · 05-04-2014, 12:42 PM

I also read mixed review about it, but the 15 inches speaker is appealing...

There was a discussion here before
https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...etone-amp.html