new amp and rack gear

[sirbrandon101]

I'm currently in the hunt for a new amp right now and some rack gear to accompany it. I was wondering if anyone has anything good or bad to say about a tube amp compared to a solid state with a tube preamp. Is there a big difference in the tone? The only reason I ask is because money is an issue for me, being 14 years old, lol. As for the gear, i've had my eyes on these things...

BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer

[img]http://img3.***************.com/dbase/pics/products/3/0/1/240301.jpg[/img]

Furman -1312V 31 band EQ

[img]http://img3.***************.com/dbase/pics/products/3/5/4/305354.jpg[/img]

Rocktron XPRESSION



If anyone has had any experience with these, please help me out here. Thankyou.

-Brandon

[sirbrandon101]

[jaxadam]

As far as components go, I wouldn't suggest getting too many your first go around.

Go for the sonic maximizer, that won't hurt. But to tell you the truth, I'd go for the new pedal version, the Sonic Stomp. Save a little loot and get basically the same thing, in easy to use pedal form.

I wouldn't suggest the 31 band eq, because any good preamp will already have one of these built in, so it is overkill.

I would focus on a good power amp or head, a decent set of 2 x 12 cabs to run stereo, and a good preamp.

That will minimize having a lot of components, and maximize your results.

Trust me, I used to lug aroung a bunch of stuff, and it was a real pain in the ass. I finally settled on decent combo amps.

But the rack stuff is fun every once in a while.

[sirbrandon101]

The rack mounted 362 Maximizer and the Sonic Stomp pedal are both $100. I would prefer to go rack because the only kind of pedals I want to have are distortion and effects. Would it be really necessary to have a tube preamp if I were to buy a tube amp though? Because i'm thinking about just going tube or going SS with a tube preamp. I was looking at the Peavey Valveking 100watt combo. It's got 4 6L6GC power amp tubes and 3 12AX7 preamp tubes. $560.

[img]http://img3.***************.com/dbase/pics/products/6/7/6/228676.jpg[/img]

A stack would be "cool" and all but I just don't see the point in spending MORE money for a SS half stack when I could get a tube combo for cheaper.

[sirbrandon101]

And the head is $500. I just don't know if I want to dish out more cash for a cab.