A good jazz amp without tubes

**Hatim** · 11-03-2009, 06:00 AM

I am looking for a really good jazzamplifier and I am not tight on a budget, so it may cost quit a bit. It can't be tubes because the amp must be fairly light, max. 18kg/36lbs to haul around town(with my bike). I play a '54 Gibson es-125 and I am a serious sem-proffesional player and play just pure 50ties cool jazz.
Polytone doesn't work for me,I need a bit more sparkle, Hendriksen jazzamps, I miss a bit of life and body in them. Roland 60, miss life also.
The only candidate I came across was a Evans JE-200.
Is there any other amplifier that lives up to these high expectations?

Hans

**Hatim** · 11-03-2009, 06:06 AM

I forgot to mention that I tried the AER Compact-60, but again didn't work for me.

Hans

**gazda** · 11-03-2009, 06:45 AM

Have you checked the AER Alpha?

**Hatim** · 11-03-2009, 08:06 AM

Yep, AER Alpha is too little in the sound, miss the weight/ oomph in the single notes.

**theo** · 11-03-2009, 08:13 AM

Hatim, can you say why you did not like the compact 60? i´m interested in buying one for a duo with a singer.
best,
theo

**Scolohofo** · 11-03-2009, 08:51 AM

the phil jones

**GodinFan** · 11-03-2009, 08:54 AM

Acoustic Image head with some type of extended range cab would probably suit your needs. Raezer's Edge makes some nice ones.

**Tom Karol** · 11-03-2009, 09:09 AM

You could try a Henriksen with the add-on tweeter or even a different speaker, but it seems like you've already found what you're looking for - the Evans JE200.

**Bill C** · 11-03-2009, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Hatim

The only candidate I came across was a Evans JE-200.

the Evans RE200 will save you some weight at 25lbs with a 10" speaker ... http://www.evansamps.com/cusamps01.html

here's a couple of jazz tube amps that are about the right weight ...

VS112-JZ

Matamp Adrian Ingram Signature all valve guitar amplifier combo (IIRC Matamp told me this weighs about 40lbs)

Archie · 11-03-2009, 09:28 AM

Have you tried a Tech 21?

**bkdavidson** · 11-03-2009, 11:04 AM

Phil Jones CUB. Weighs 11.5 pounds and is barely bigger than a briefcase. It also comes with a soft case that has a shoulder strap, so you can have it and your guitar slung over your shoulder, if your guitar's in a gig bag.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-03-2009, 12:04 PM

You may find Phil Jones AG-100 similar in sound to the AER Compact 60 (maybe a little less trebly). Not a criticism of the PJ -- I have one and love it, but it sounds like you crossed out the AER 60.

More sparkle? I was going to suggest the Henriksen with the tweeter (= extended range) or you could try the Polytone Mini Brute V, which has a tweeter as well, but good luck finding one, and it may be a little over your weight limit, but you do get a 15" speaker.

**Bill C** · 11-03-2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

you could try the Polytone Mini Brute V

I used to use a Polytone MegaBrute with an ES-125 - tended to bring out the earthy/gritty sound of the P90 quite well ...

... ah, just saw the OP had ruled out Polytone ...

**derek** · 11-03-2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by GodinFan

Acoustic Image head with some type of extended range cab would probably suit your needs. Raezer's Edge makes some nice ones.

This would be my choice also. I plan on getting this set up some day. In addition to Raezer's Edge cabs, Redstone and Leonardo make great cabs for this application.

J. Hale Music Supply - Premium Jazz Guitar, Jazz Bass, Amplification Equipment And Accessories

**wizard3739** · 11-03-2009, 12:47 PM

I second the nomination of an Acoustic Image/Raezer's Edge combination. I found that system to be the only amp I like better than my old(1977) Polytone Minibrute IV. The Acoustic Image head (Clarus II series lll model) weighs about 6 lbs and the Raezers Edge Stealth 12ER Speaker Enclosure weighs about 32 lbs. I'm saving my gig money to buy this combo.

wiz

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-03-2009, 12:58 PM

I know the head/cabinet combination of Acoustic Image/Raezer's Edge is very popular but I wonder if that's partly because Acoustic Image started out just making heads only. I'm curious about the AI Ten2 2x10" amp:

Acoustic Image Ten2 Combo Amp Review - Premier Guitar

It weighs 28lbs.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-04-2009, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

You may find Phil Jones AG-100 similar in sound to the AER Compact 60 (maybe a little less trebly). Not a criticism of the PJ -- I have one and love it, but it sounds like you crossed out the AER 60.

It just hit me that you could try the 250W, 28lb, Phil Jones AG-300:

**mr. beaumont** · 11-04-2009, 01:00 PM

i have to admit, it sounds to me like you don't like solid state amps marketed to jazzers...how big are the gigs you're playing? A fender princeton might work--it'll certainly be light enough, and if you can find a silverface non reverb model, they have more clean headroom than the ones with 'verb.

personally, if i was traveling by bike, the phil jones or the zt lunchbox would be pretty much all i'd consider...maybe the heinreksen, but even that's getting heavy...i mean, if the guitar is on your back, where's the amp--handlebars?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 11-04-2009, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

personally, if i was traveling by bike, the phil jones or the zt lunchbox would be pretty much all i'd consider...maybe the heinreksen, but even that's getting heavy...i mean, if the guitar is on your back, where's the amp--handlebars?

I was wondering about that, too. I assumed the OP had a trailer behind the bike. A guitar slung on you back sounds too tippy for me.

**derek** · 11-04-2009, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

I was wondering about that, too. I assumed the OP had a trailer behind the bike. A guitar slung on you back sounds too tippy for me.

And by bike are we talking mountain, road, or motor?

**Pequod** · 11-04-2009, 07:42 PM

the best non tube amp out there is AER - I bought 40w AER Alpha the other day (playing ES 335 and Taylor T5) and it beats jazz chorus, peavey classic and similar hands down - try the 60w combo if you like, worth every cent - Pequod.

**mr. beaumont** · 11-04-2009, 07:58 PM

pequod, just so you know, the peavey classic series are tube amps.

**lpdeluxe** · 11-04-2009, 09:03 PM

I'll continue to advocate the Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight. Versatile, light and powerful. Great clean sound, excellent distorted sound (which I don't use that much); digital effects, including a convincingly Fender-ish reverb (including the fact that it can't be turned up above about 2!).

It's pricey, around $1200 new, and you'll probably have to order it, but for me, it was well worth it.

**riovine** · 11-04-2009, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Hatim

I am looking for a really good jazzamplifier and I am not tight on a budget, so it may cost quit a bit. It can't be tubes because the amp must be fairly light, max. 18kg/36lbs to haul around town(with my bike). I play a '54 Gibson es-125 and I am a serious sem-proffesional player and play just pure 50ties cool jazz.
Polytone doesn't work for me,I need a bit more sparkle, Hendriksen jazzamps, I miss a bit of life and body in them. Roland 60, miss life also.
The only candidate I came across was a Evans JE-200.
Is there any other amplifier that lives up to these high expectations?

Hans

I would have to go with my standard recommendation for your requirements. Evans RE200, ~25lbs, great sound.

**randyc** · 11-05-2009, 02:25 AM

My word !

Twenty-something opinions, mostly well-considered and thoughtfully expressed. But not a wink or a nod from the OP. (Who posted a couple of times, at the beginning of the thread, then went away.)

It's irritating, to take the time to "help" someone who doesn't bother to provide feedback or express a little gratitude for the assistance, isn't it ?

Genuine seeker of knowledge or just another troll ?