Going to Berklee, need to choose an amp...

[Smitty]

So, I live in Indiana and will flying to Boston in August to attend my first year of Berklee College of Music. I've currently got a Carvin V3 head (modded with 6L6s, oxblood grill) and an Avatar 2x12 cab with Vintage 30s. I'm thinking it may be too big to cart around Boston to gigs and am thinking about selling it and replacing it with a 1x12 combo.
My tastes have changed anyways and I'm more attracted to very creamy, organic overdrive provided by pedals (think John Mayer's current solo tone). I'm also thinking about revamping my guitar collection (Schecter Custom Shop and Ibanez Metheny) with a Strat and a 335, again, because my tastes have changed. I'm a jazz/funk, fusion, blues, jamband-y guy. I play no metal anymore, and the V3 doesn't really serve my "barely broken up Dumble tone" (yeah right...) needs. I do like to get up to Andy Timmons/Guthrie Govan gain levels sometimes, which makes me think I may need an overdrive channel on the amp. Also, I plan to do as much studio work as possible, so an amp overdrive channel would help.

So...I need amp ideas! I don't really want to go for a Fender Twin, it being so normal and a 2x12 and all. My basic needs are:
1x12
30 to 60 watts (around that)
1 or 2 channels (the second channel being a tastey, not too high gain overdrive channel...think the amp that Scott Henderson plays, or Andy Timmon's Lonestar...hmm, maybe an idea?)
6L6 tubes, unless it's a very cool unique EL34, like how Vox actually pulls off a clean EL34 tone without making it suck.

And that's about it. My price range is around under a grand, and anything over $1200 is out of the question unless it's really remarkable.
If you're interested in the specs and/or prices for my V3, Schecter Custom Shop, or Ibanez Metheny, hit me up. I've also got a 5 string Jazz Bass for sale.
Thanks in advance all.
Smitty

[LuredMaul]

Lonestar special?

[Andy43]

Lonestar sounds like a pretty good option.

If your talking about the ac30 when you mention vox then that uses el84's, not el34's. They are very different tubes. The lonestar special comes with el84's, while the lonestar classic comes with 6l6's.

[btangel]

I won a lonestar special 1x12 but haven't received it yet. There's a couple of youtube videos where AT demos the lonestar without anything in between and it sounds pretty damn sweet. When I get it I can post back here about what I think about it.

[Smitty]

The only problem with the Lonestar is that it's expensive as all hell. Do any of you know of any fairly unknown but really nice amps?
Alex

[nato101010]

The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is a nice 1x12, and for a pedal, a old (really old) Ibanez Tube Screamer. Check it out.

[LuredMaul]

The Peavey Classic series is known to be good at alot of styles.....Classic 30 and the like

[Smitty]

Not a fan of the Peavey's, and the Hot Rod Deluxe breaks up a bit too early for my tastes. The reverb also blows nads. Those things are all over Berklee...when I was there earlier this year, I got sick of them real quick. Thanks for the suggestions, though.
Smitty

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Andy43

Lonestar sounds like a pretty good option.

If your talking about the ac30 when you mention vox then that uses el84's, not el34's. They are very different tubes. The lonestar special comes with el84's, while the lonestar classic comes with 6l6's.

Right, good point, my mistake. I've tried the Lonestar Special and it was pretty nice. I didn't spend that much time with it, though.
Could you explain the exact differences between EL34s and EL84s in terms of tone?
Alex

[btangel]

Originally Posted by Smitty

The only problem with the Lonestar is that it's expensive as all hell. Do any of you know of any fairly unknown but really nice amps?
Alex

I just snatched mine off **** for $1300 including S&H. Not exactly cheap, but not outrageously expensive IMO.

Most of the completed listings for the 1x12 go for around that price. I've seen a 2x12 that went for $1400+S&H. Just need to be patient I guess.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by btangel

I just snatched mine off **** for $1300 including S&H. Not exactly cheap, but not outrageously expensive IMO.

Most of the completed listings for the 1x12 go for around that price. I've seen a 2x12 that went for $1400+S&H. Just need to be patient I guess.

Really...that sounds good. That's an acceptable price, totally. Thanks man.
Alex

[ColinMmmmm]

Maybe look into the ENGL Classic combo - it's a 2x10 but probably about the same size as the lonestar 1x12. It sounds like what you're looking for, and I doubt many other players would have one. I've never seen one in person, but I've seen video clips that make it look sweet.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by ColinMmmmm

Maybe look into the ENGL Classic combo - it's a 2x10 but probably about the same size as the lonestar 1x12. It sounds like what you're looking for, and I doubt many other players would have one. I've never seen one in person, but I've seen video clips that make it look sweet.

That looks like an AWESOME amp, but it's too expensive. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

I've thought of a contender for the Lonestar...a Randall MTS combo. Two slots for modules. I played one a while ago and loved it.
Smitty

[AleTheNervo]

Mesa mark I

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by AleTheNervo

Mesa mark I

Oh god, don't even say it! Such an amazing amp. But, again...too expensive!
Let me state this one more time:
My budget is a little above a grand, preferably at or below.
Smitty