Amp Suggestions

samring · #1 05-08-2005, 10:44 AM

Heya, im fairly new to jemsite since i only just got my Jem. At the minute i have an Orange Crush 15R driven through an AX1500G pedal...but now i need something that does the Jem justice! Any suggestions on amps/pedal combos that would get a good lead tone and also a nice clean sound (i know Vai uses a Boss DS-1 so that's pointed me towards that). You're all Jem owners so clearly have great taste :-p, any ideas? Oh yeah my budget sucks! I've only got about £350 ($660-ish) so second hand stuff is an option!

Edit: Home use mainly/Jamming so 50-100W max

Bumble · #2 05-15-2005, 12:19 PM

As you're apparently baes in the UK, i'd try out a laney VC30 / LC30...I think those go for £250 second hand. Then use the extra dosh to get a Keeley modded DS 1 if you can...that should set ya on the right track, you'll get beautiful cleans and a rockin' lead at a very realistic cost.

Solo Hero · #3 05-16-2005, 05:06 AM

I suggest getting a Laney

I have the TT50 Combo and its a versatile amp, it doesn't have enough gain on its own to do instrumental rock like Satch/Vai. To get the extra gain and smoothness for my lead tone I use a BOSS SD 1 with the lead channel and I get a really smooth shred/lead tone. The clean channel is awesume as well, crystal clear.

You might want to give the TT series a go

I'm not sure how much they cost around in the UK though, I live in Australia ! lol

nightfiend14 · #4 05-16-2005, 06:16 AM

Just like Solo and Bumble said Vai's Ds-1 isn't used for straight distortion, it is used to give the distorted channel of the amp that extra push and drive to get to his final tone. It also isn't a regular ds-1 but one that was modified by Keeley, you can find the website buy searching google or something and buy the pedal from them or ship one of your own to be modified and sent back. Don't let some people tell you that Vai doesn't use the ds-1 anymore, I was on the stage during the recent tour and was looking at his pedal board and could see it was there and was the keeley modified one.

red5 · #5 05-16-2005, 07:49 PM

Get a Keeley modded DS-1 too. As nightfiend14 said, the DS-1 is used with the amp for distortion, but the Keeley modded DS-1s are pretty mean sounding.

And to my knowledge he has used the Keeley since he got it.

Should be able to pick up an older (JCM 900, JCM 800 if you look hard enough) Marshall Combo used or a Peavey in the price range. Not the best cleans though, but they can work.

Solo_Hero · #6 05-17-2005, 02:36 AM

maybe also try getting your hands on a second hand Peavey 5150, should provide enough gain for any shredders ! lol

red5 · #7 05-19-2005, 12:57 AM

^^ What he said!

**jemaholic** · #8 05-22-2005, 09:24 AM

Welcome to the family.
I've used Marshall tube amps for 25 years- can't go wrong if you can score a deal on one. The 401 has a history of overheating so I'd pass on one of those, but the 601 kicks *ss and the some of the older out-of-production combos are excellent. Haven't tried a Laney as I'm over here in the Taliban Target Town and they're not that popular.

Just make sure you go with tubes to do the guitar justice.

red5 · #9 05-24-2005, 11:18 AM

^^ I have always liked the Marshall sound but not all of them. Plexis are good sounding amps, but too commercial without any mods (Lee Jackson, right?!!!!). The JTM45 and Majors have great cleans (think Gary Moore!), and JCM800s with various distortion pedals or mods can do it for me.

What I like about my SL-X, is I can get a more commercial sound with it but what it does best is that mean 80S modded Marshall sound (Iron Maiden's Aces High) or a pretty damn good Passion and Warfare era Vai tone (a lot better if HE was playing it, I am sure!)... what's even better is I still have all Sovtek tubes in it... the older Sovtek EL34s (pretty low end heavy at least!) and some 12AX7LPS in the preamp. I know I can do a lot better than that, I just need money to do it with.