Best amp for Boss GT 8 ?

I have just bought a Gt 8 and I am wondering which is the best amp to use with it for live. I have heard that tube amps warm it up...however when I do this...the clean seems a bit muddy....Then I have also heard that solid state amps were the way to go. They got very clean tones. I love tube amps and do not want a sterile sound. My tones I like are SRV, Eric Johnson, Steve Luthaker, Billy Gibons. I have a les Paul 1981, SG 61 reissue, Parker P-40....with a piezo pick up...I have tube amps, but no solid state yet...Advice please.

Hey Wayne, Let me start off by saying that I use a Boss GT-6 and so does my fellow Guitarist. We both went through a lot of amps until we each found what we were looking for. We tried all kinks of tube and solid state amps, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (tube), Vox AS100 watt Modeling (tube and solid state) THD class A 15 watt head and 212 cab (pricey sucker), Roland Cubes and a Roland Key Board amp. We also tried going just through the PA system. Now some of these didn't do to bad, like the Fender, it had a nice clean channel but not enough punch and low end, and the Roland Key Board amp nice and clean but a bit cold.
After lots of research It was pretty clear a tube amp was the way to go. But it had to have a great clean channel and good distortion too. I chose the Carvin V3 100 watt Head and a Carvin 412 Legacy cab loaded with Vintage 30s. This set up works great for me. This amp has a ton of features, one of my favorite being the two effects loops (yes two). I run my GT-6 and a Bad Horsey Wah through the first which is in Series and the second which is in Parallel I run a BBE Sonic Maximizer Stomp. The Parallel loop has a pot which lets me dial in just the right amount of the BBE. I absolutely love this set up. I have also found that using the amps distortion channels and the GT-6's effects works real nice. I always keep the expression pedal on the Volume setting so I can have control of the overall sound level, this lets me blend with the band in all situations.
My fellow Guitarist chose the Peavey JSX 212 combo it also has high end sounds and features. He also runs the GT-6 through his effects loop. We both agree that the versatility of the Carvin V3 sets it slightly ahead. But both amps have wonderful overdrive and distortion settings with all the gain you could ever need, and the clean channel lets you use the GT-6 settings/patches without sounding muddy.
My advice is to buy a high end tub amp with a great clean channel so you can get every bit out of your GT-8.
Hope this helps, Bill Kelley

Bill, Thank you so much for the reply, I have a Marshall DSL 50 and 100 watt, and a 1959 reissue,Fender Twin, Fender Super Reverb, Vox AC30CC2X, Fender Bassman from the 70'S and now I will get the Carvin amp. With my Marshall's, I have the full stack with Vintage 30's in it now. That should be ok....Right? Then I have an Avatar 4 X 12" cab, loaded with 4 Celestion Golds.....wired for 16 ohm. Which model of BBE should I get? I saw so many different ones. And one final question, do you hook your Gt-6 up with 4CM method? Or do you go right into the front from the out put of the GT-6.Thanx again for all your help.

Wayne

I just heard one on line....through e-bay, a Carvin V3 set up.....wow to say the least. Did some reading about it as well....way cool. But where to get one....e-bay only had one.....head and cab....just like you were saying...but I must wait until I hear back from you about my Marshall cabs with the vintages 30's I already have....plus here comes x-mas....I have to spend my money on the kids.....Do ya run stereo as well.

Thanx again Wayne

Wayne, Man sounds like you have some nice gear. I think your Marshals with the Vintage 30's should work just fine. I did find my Carvin V3 on E-Bay but it took awhile. I plug my Guitar directly into the front of my amp and run the GT-6 through the effects loop (send to input of GT-6, return to output of GT-6). I do the same thing with the BBE. I use the BBE Sonic Stomp, it's the guitar foot switch model. Hope this helps. I know you'll love the Carvin V3. Oh yeah, I don't run stereo, mono seems to work fine for live gigs. Were just finishing up are studio "Alaska Art and Music Project" (www.akamp.biz) and we'll be doing all sorts of cool recording, life's good. Merry Rockin Christmas to you and yours,
Bill Kelley

Bill, Thanx again for the info. I am for sure going to get a V 3....just not sure when. That would be a great amp to add to my collection. I do alot of different things so I have ended up with a lot of gear over the years...but I also have been looking for that great sound. When I heard the GT 8...wow, and as an "all in one" unit...very cool. Even if you run just the effects, comps, noise supressor, so on and no pre amps, the unit is worth the money. At least what I paid for it....I have a floor board which has a bunch of stuff on it already....Love that set up as well. But the GT was so cool as I thought about the amp combineing and other tricks it has. I have been doing that already for a couple of years with my other floor board....which has a George Lynch trippler. I could send to three different amps at once or separate. But like I said the Gt seems to have so much flexibility. Also I will get the expression pedal. I will get the BBE. Again Thanx for all the advice....Love the web site...I will vist it again...good luck with the studio...When finished, it sounds like it will be awsome. God Bless and Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.

Wayne Carlson