Cheapest Gig Amp with an Effects Loop

JKao · #1 07-29-2008, 02:06 AM

Hi folks,

I use a Boss GT-8, but I really need to find something that amplifies it..
I'm having trouble finding a cheap amp less than $400 that meets two specifications:

- at least 1x12 (giggable)
- effects loop

The only thing I could at the store find that was cheap was a mini colossal, and I'm pretty sure it's not very good for gigging. I've been looking at the Tech21 power engines but the only problem is the shipping cost since I can only find it online and not elsewhere! Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Jeffrey

PS: If anyone is in Toronto and knows a good place to find this sort of stuff, please help

mi2tom · #2 07-29-2008, 03:07 AM

To gig you need at least a 100watt, I recommend you the marshall mg100 it goes at around 460usd. Some amp do have an effects loop but they don't have poweramp master volume, and it'll be pain in the arse and you can't hear anything onstage. But however too I recommend not using the effects loop, any amp will sound good if you plug it straight away to the input and tweak your bass, mid and high control from there. It sounded better and it can cut through better than when you plug into an effects loop. I use to do AB comparison with my zoom g9.2tt straight to the input and effects loop and seriously though straight into the input sounded way better.

nosi0 · #3 07-29-2008, 05:23 AM

I have a Vox AD100VTXL which is a great amp. has an effects loop, 2 footswitch jacks for channel and fx, a huge range of sounds. the XL version is more higain based where as the normal AD100VT has less gain based sounds. i believe it goes for less than 400 us but i'm not sure *******.

My second choice when buying my amp was the line6 spider III and spider valve series. the spider III would fall into your price range.

Last on my choice list was the marshall MG series I found that they lacked the mojo

using the effects loop can sound better than straight to the input. it all depends on how you want your rig to work. if you want to use your amps pre-amp for tone and distortion. then you will probably be better of putting the gt-8 in the effects loop as distorted delay sounds bad but dellayed distortion sounds good.

I put my distortions and wah before the pre-amp and then put my noise-gate, modulation, delay/reverb and lastly my loop station. so in my case i use the amp's pre-amp like another distortion effect.

mi2tom · #4 07-29-2008, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosi0

using the effects loop can sound better than straight to the input. it all depends on how you want your rig to work. if you want to use your amps pre-amp for tone and distortion. then you will probably be better of putting the gt-8 in the effects loop as distorted delay sounds bad but dellayed distortion sounds good.

I agree and don't agree, if you were to use the GT8 mainly for delays and chorus or other effects flanger etc etc then I agree with you it sounded better in effects loop but if you were to use the GT8 as a distortion pedal and etc etc then IMO direct to the input is much much better, besides I'm sure the GT8 can model a delay after the preamp thingy, my zoom can and my ex pod xt can do so as well.

dark_void86 · #5 07-29-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mi2tom

To gig you need at least a 100watt, I recommend you the marshall mg100 it goes at around 460usd. Some amp do have an effects loop but they don't have poweramp master volume, and it'll be pain in the arse and you can't hear anything onstage. But however too I recommend not using the effects loop, any amp will sound good if you plug it straight away to the input and tweak your bass, mid and high control from there. It sounded better and it can cut through better than when you plug into an effects loop. I use to do AB comparison with my zoom g9.2tt straight to the input and effects loop and seriously though straight into the input sounded way better.

Just wanted to say that a 100watts may be the case with a transistor amp but if you go with a valve amp then a 100watts is just insane and not necessary. A 50 watt valve amp could blow the lid off small to medium size venues especially if its something like a boogie. And if your at a big venue then you should be expecting to mike up your amp anyways. However my opinion is that if you simply wish to amplify your GT8 then plugging straight into a single channel clean amp would be your best option. I have a GT6 lying around somewhere and all my best sounds were gotten out from directly at the front of the amp into a single channel valve amp. I think with your budget your really being a bit of a masochist for tone.

slashrox · #6 07-29-2008, 09:40 AM

The Peavey Valveking 1x12 is a 50w and should be plenty for gigging.

chaos731 · #7 07-29-2008, 09:52 AM

Carvin SX200;
It's solid state, but it's a great great amp; 2x12, 100 watt, two channel, reliable effects loop, very nice speakers, made in USA, built like a tank, LOUD (anything above 1.5 is almost deafening), inexpensive ($329USD).

Perfect for your needs.

ScottB · #8 07-29-2008, 10:03 AM

+1 on the Carvin SX series for solid state amps. If you can find a used Carvin XV112 or XV212 combo, they are great platforms for effects as well.

JKao · #9 07-29-2008, 12:38 PM

Cool

JKao · #10 07-29-2008, 12:46 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll make sure to check them out

But I have a question... How exactly would I plug in my Boss GT-8 into it? Apparently there is a 4-cable method, but it only makes the unit an effects unit and not the total preamp..

Thanks!

Jeffrey

j.arledge · #11 07-29-2008, 12:54 PM

peavey xxl. Great amps , sound very tube like and have a lot to offer. very cheap as well

mi2tom · #12 07-30-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark_void86

Just wanted to say that a 100watts may be the case with a transistor amp but if you go with a valve amp then a 100watts is just insane and not necessary. A 50 watt valve amp could blow the lid off small to medium size venues especially if its something like a boogie. And if your at a big venue then you should be expecting to mike up your amp anyways. However my opinion is that if you simply wish to amplify your GT8 then plugging straight into a single channel clean amp would be your best option. I have a GT6 lying around somewhere and all my best sounds were gotten out from directly at the front of the amp into a single channel valve amp. I think with your budget your really being a bit of a masochist for tone.

Yes indeed that's why I say a 100watt would be a better idea, cos you can get a transistor amp at around 400usd. Can't find a 50watt tube amp with the price tag of 400usd

Valhalla · #13 07-30-2008, 12:51 AM

You don't need 100 watts if you want to get a real tube amp...You could probably find a gently used Peavey Classic 30 for close to what your budget is, and it has a great effects loop and killer tube tone to boot...It's 30 watts, but it is one LOUD mutha****a! All of the knobs go to 12, and it's a great amp for gigging with and will really cut through the mix. Try one out!

Jemma_Ann's_man · #14 07-30-2008, 03:27 AM

I own a Boss GT-8. It collects dust because I'm a purist, and rather spend more time playing than tweaking. I only use it for home recording song demos, but nothing beats the cranked tube amp's sound. I use the GT-8 for bar gigs when space is limited, with a smaller combo, but6 other than that it collects dust. its a useful piece of gear when needed, but the new GT-10 looks more useful and doesn't have as many buttons that can scare off many players.

I find it useful for small gigs or if transporation of a rig is hard.

though keep in mind, once you plug it into an effects loop, your wah will be useless in the loop. it'll suck up tone.

if you're using the GT-8 I wouldn't suggest using the amp's built in distortion, I'd use the GT-8's distortion, there's infinite tweakage with the GT-8. keep in mind that if you're using the GT-8's pre-amp that you the have 'output select' to the right amp settings, from "small amp" or 'combo amp" but if you're not using the pre-amp in the GT-8, and a built in OD effect, you don't have to worry about the output select setting.

Many people I kjnow who use a GT-8 plug direct into the PA or recording console. just be sure the output select is set to "line out/phones" if plugging into a PA.
though you're better off plugging into an amp that would get loud instead of the PA, which can also have an effect on the synthetic sound of the digital processor, especially because the GT-8 is made to be plugged into an amp more than anything to achieve quality effects, or direct into a computer recording system or digital workstation.

I suggest and back up the opinion on a Peavy Valveking 50 watt 1x12 combo. thing is about $400, loud as hell, but i suggest using just the clean channel and plug the GT-8 in front of it. its makes it an easy setup and once you find the right settings just save it on the GT-8 and you're set. you can also have diffren patch settings set for diffrent styles and etc etc. I know many people who own a Valveking amp and it roars. I have another friend who is gonna purchase one pretty soon too.

dark_void86 · #15 07-30-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mi2tom

Yes indeed that's why I say a 100watt would be a better idea, cos you can get a transistor amp at around 400usd. Can't find a 50watt tube amp with the price tag of 400usd

I only mentioned it because you were not specific about the technology and a noob wouldn't differentiate. And i feel that a tube amp would be a better investment with the better range of frequencies that would lend to warming up his digital tweekage with the gt8.