Which amp for cleans?

[scotte_za]

I have a choice of three amps to compliment my new Tele (see my previous thread for sexy pictures )

-A 50 watt 1966 Bassman head with a Marshall 4x10 cab from the same era (about $700 converted directly)
-A 1980's Fender Twin Combo (about $700), the 100 watt one with the 25% power switch
-A new Hot Rod Deluxe special edition 1x12 with a Celestion Seventy/80 speaker. I have read several bad reviews of this speaker though... (about $1100)

Which of these amps do you guys think would be most appropriate as a clean amp (or one where I'd only use the clean channel)? I'm looking for sparkling Fender cleans with headroom to spare at high volume, and possibly using an overdrive pedal between the guitar and amp when I need some oomph added to my sound.

I'm most tempted by the twin, going to try it out on Saturday, but the idea of owning a '66 Bassman kinda appeals to me too...

[TheMusicBucket]

The fender HRD is NOT a 1000 dollar amp. I bought mine a couple years back for like $450 used and I think at the time it was only $699 new. There is absolutely nothing that justifies the extra 300 or 400 dollars, unless there is just some magical thing they've chanced since I had mine.

A speaker swap and or mods/different tubes does help the sound according to what I read. But even through the cleans were very good/clear, the distortion channel like...I can't even describe how horrible it sounds lol. Especially the "more drive" option. Which is basically like, turn the 1x12 into a 1x6 speaker and add like 300% treble and upper mids and like zero note definition while playing chords...ect... For single note lead lines it sounded -okay- with a lot of reverb to tone down the ice-pick-ness. But yeah.

It took pedals okay, especially the Jekyl and Hyde. In hindsight I really think I shoulda kept it and swapped the speaker.

But since you want the amp soley for cleans...eh...for the price I think the Twin is a much better option. I've played one in a store and it has a HUGE clean sound that just fills up the room, or auditorium, planet, ect... I don't have any experience with the bassman but I have heard really good things about its tonal flexibility and how well it takes pedals.

Note: this isn't a hate rant against the HRD, I just didn't find it particularly great for what I wanted it for.

[theroan]

I'd say the bassman. 10's make for great cleans, but beware if you want to big distortion they will limit you.

[C.Thep]

Roland Jazz Chorus?

[mi2tom]

Any fender amps even the stage version is damn good clean.

[scotte_za]

Originally Posted by C.Thep

Roland Jazz Chorus?

I was also considering this at one stage, but I have a sweet spot for 12ax7/6l6 amps Thanks for the comments guys, it looks most likely that I will get the Twin. I will want some sweet overdrive sounds at some point, and if 10s limit that sound then the Twin looks like it will provide me with the best level of versatility. I will post pics when I get the amp

[YaYoGakk]

Mesa Lonestar ftw

[scotte_za]

Originally Posted by YaYoGakk

Mesa Lonestar ftw

I wish You should see the prices of Boogies in South Africa. If I could I'd just buy a Mark V

[kotornut]

If you want clean cleans then there isn't anything better than a JC-120. But that7s only if you want to be clean the whole time with tons of headroom. If you want the clean to get a twinge dirty and have a lot of dynamics when you pound on it, then you need tubes. I think fenders fit the bill for this. The Bassman and HR deluxe (good but overpriced IMO) will break up before the twin, or in otherwords they will get dirty at lower volumes much quicker. How much clean you want to have at high volume should determine which fender to get for that sound.

[Thrash]

Any fender is great and they are not bad priced compaired to some of the botique companies that don't sound any better.

[YaYoGakk]

Originally Posted by scotte_za

If I could I'd just buy a Mark V

You and me both. haha

[Andy43]

I'd say the twin only because I think combos have better cleans than closed-backs. I typically prefer bassmans, but not in head-cab format.

[scotte_za]

Well I just picked up a red knob Fender "The Twin", from 86 I think (same year I was born) and my face looks like this -> Wow! Pics to follow

[kotornut]

Originally Posted by scotte_za

Well I just picked up a red knob Fender "The Twin", from 86 I think (same year I was born) and my face looks like this -> Wow! Pics to follow

Cool that's a sweet amp.