Practice amp?

slug · #1 05-22-2002, 06:14 PM

Hey all--

Diggin' the new layout of the site. Anyway, I was wondering what all you guru's out there like for practice amplifiers. I want something I could actually use but can stand to lug from spot to spot. I'm thinking something with 2X12's and a fair amount of power as I may want to use it for smaller clubs, but I don't want to pay a ton of dough and must have something reliable. I am slightly leaning toward Marshall's Valvestate series, but know little about them. I'm not terribly brand-particular, so offer any suggestions you may have. I really appreciate all the great advice I've received here in the past and have no doubt it will continue.

Thanks a ton!!

slug

musicdr · #2 05-22-2002, 09:57 PM

I use a johnson marquis jm60 for practice and have played a couple of small gigs with it.A decent amp.They can be had fairly inexpensive used,check evil bay.My normal rig is a rack with 4-12's(kind of heavy to lug around if you don't need the fire power).

darren wilson · #3 05-22-2002, 10:13 PM

Jeez... a 2x12 isn't a practice amp! (Unless you regularly play stadiums!)

slug · #4 05-23-2002, 09:39 AM

Heh!!

Yeah, I figgered someone would comment on the 2X12 thing. Let's just say I love the way my ears ring when I'm done with a gig. Keep the suggestions comin', 2X12 or not.

Thanks,

slug

Carlo · #5 05-23-2002, 12:39 PM

For practice, I'd go for a modeling amp all the way.

caprile · #6 05-23-2002, 02:22 PM

i have a marshall 10w valvestate (it's all i have btw). it's by far the best little cheap amp i've heard. on 4 it shakes my bedroom!

**jono** · #7 05-23-2002, 02:39 PM

I personally would try to root out one of the old JCM800 series combos before I went with a Valvestate. Unfortunately I know there are supposed to be "Good" ones and "Bad" ones from that era, I just can't say which are the good ones and which aren't. Use your ears is what Ill say on that.

Alternatively the Line 6 AXSYS 212 which has been replaced by the Vetta as their top of the line amp, is a fantastic unit and could well be found for a relatively low price and would do for both gigs and practice.

kent · #8 05-23-2002, 02:39 PM

If you're just going for the tone and not effects, Tech 21 amps are great. You can get a 10w, 60w or 120w and they all sound great and can get lots of different tones even though they're not really "modeling" amps. The 120 is two 12 and it's not terribly heavy but it's very loud and has superior direct outs.

Also, a friend from a music store recently borrowed the Marshall DSL 401 from his store for a smaller show and we were completely impressed. It's pretty small (40w, 1x12) but I liked it better than his DSL head and it seemed to get fairly loud. I must say that my friend is also one of those guys who makes gear he uses sound good.

Kent

ScottB · #9 05-24-2002, 01:50 AM

Check out Carvin's re-vamped SX series amps. Their SX200 is a 2x12 100 watter' that weighs in at 49 lbs and sounds great.

The rhythm guitarist in my band bought the 100w half stack model 2 weeks ago. It blows away the Peavy tube head he was using before.

See it for yourself here.

jeff l · #10 05-25-2002, 02:35 PM

Crate Vintage Club 5212.

john w · #11 05-27-2002, 04:55 AM

I have a Crate GX-40C that works great for me......
Sounds good direct into my soundcard for recording too!

John W

shredmaster · #12 06-04-2002, 12:19 PM

i love CRATE, always have. i love the tone and the crunch. i have a 2X12 .... GFX212...i think that's it. it has the DSP technology in it. i just love that sound. has 8 FX also...chorus, flange, reverb, delay. just enough to add some spice. a friend used that for recording his cd and i was impressed.

Black Napkins · #13 06-04-2002, 01:15 PM

I use pod 2.0 in my computer for training

and sound good with or without headphone, and my neightboor are happy

texshred777 · #14 06-04-2002, 01:27 PM

I went in to a music store a while back and tried out some small peavey 1x12..the bandit 112 i think..for a small solid state combo it sounded pretty decent. It gets some pretty good distortion tones. That's my opinion. They're noithing great mind you...but they can get pretty loud and for a practice/small gig amp they're not too shabby.