amps

[jakeazon8374]

I am looking for a new amp with increadibly awesome distortion. I can't quite decide if I want a Marshall or a Mesa/Boogie. I've played different models of both brands, but I can't decide what I would be happier with. Maybe if someone could tell me the pros and cons of these amps or if someone could give their thoughts, expiriences, or advice I would really appreciate it.

[Elmo45]

Also, what kind of amp are you playing through now?
Oh yeah, what kinda music are playing?
That way we might have a better idea how to approach your query.

[nanode]

Is there such a thing as a good "all around amp"? I've always figured if an amp had good, natural clean power and tone, that was the single best attribute. Couldn't you always throw some FX into an amp and achieve new sounds that way?

[Raskolnikov]

Have you tried a Soldano?
(if you're looking for distortion).
I'm personally in the "get a good clean sound and stomp box for distortion" crowd.

[minofifa]

Well I don't really know what you mean by distortion. Well I mean you can distort any amp sound with a distrotion pedal. If you are looking for a really heavy sound I would suggest a Line 6 spider or Flex 2. I have a Flex 2 and it pumps out some huge sounds.

[jakeazon8374]

Oh Yeah! I almost forgot! I am currently playing though a fender princeton chorus (there's one of your answers Elmo45). It's got a very good clean sound for a solid state amp, but the distortion channel isn't really to my liking. I figure that I should keep the amp that I have now, buy an amp that has a very good distortion channel, and then switch between the two with an A/B switch box. And if I get enough money saved up in the future, I can replace my princeton chorus with an all-tube Fender to get really nice clean sounds.
The kind of music that I play is rock, but nothing heavier than metallica, which is why I am leaning toward buying either a Marshall or a Mesa/Boogie(2nd answer for ya, Elmo). I'm not big into stomp boxes or pedals. I would rather have a good sound comming right from the amp. I think it sounds more natural that way.
Let's asume that I am talking about Marshalls and/or Mesa/Boogies here. Everyone knows that these tube amps can achieve amazing sounds when they're cranked. I've been thinking that I should maybe buy a combo vs. a half stack because that way, I can crank the combo and get awesome sounds without completely becoming deaf. Now, my question is; should I really go with the combo instead of the half stack? Does the half stack have any capabilities that the combo dosn't? Hopefully I can soon find an answer to my first question at the top of the page, "Marshall or Mesa/Boogie?"

[Lordathestrings]

A lot of gigging bands are moving away from the 'wall of amplifiers' approach. A small (15-25 Watts) all-tube amp with a DI port, and/or a mic in front of the speaker, has been a common studio rig since forever, but this setup is making its way onto more and more club stages.

You can lug this rig around from gig to gig without bustin' yer arse, or praying for the day you can afford a roadie!

You can get the same sound on stage that you worked so hard on in practice. You can drive the power stage of the amp into the 'sweet spot' without melting the first four rows of your audience.

Your sound man can finally balance the FOH monitors with the house sound so that :D everybody :D can hear clearly.

And with a lot of clubs crowding the maximum number of tables into the room by reducing the stage area, you just can't strut your stuff in front of a half-dozen 4x12 cabs anymore! (as if!)

If you're playing the Dome, or Wembley, you're in a position to rent enough gear for the occasion to fill several trucks. The rest of us have smaller-scale scenes to make.

I have an Ampeg VT-22 2x12 combo that weighs 100 pounds before I stuff all kinds of cords, stompboxes and such into the cab. The sound stays clean right up to the point where I need a 20 foot jack-cord to keep from hurting myself.

It makes for gorgeous, ballsy, distortion in the studio, but its just stupid loud in a club. I usually settle for 'front-end' distortion generated by my Peavey Rock Master preamp.

I'm in the planning stages of designing a single-tube Class A power amp combo. Would you believe 2x8? Output will be about 5 or 6 Watts. (For Blues, I expect to spend more time enjoying the 'sweet spot' than playing clean'n'dry). It will have a small equipment rack for my preamp, and whatever.