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OK I have the Tweed Bassman 4X10 and Tweed Deluxe I built. I just scored a Traynor YBA-1 from the early 70's. All three are one trick ponies, but very good at that trick. I am looking for a modern amp with good cleans, great crunch and that singing violin/cello lead tone.

I have narrowed my options down to a Mesa MKIV, F50 also by Mesa, Peavey JSX or perhaps a head from Rivera. The Mesa's will probably be combos and paired with another Mesa 1X12 speaker cab. If I go with a head I will probably pair it up with a 2x12 speaker cab, perhaps a G-Flex, or an Avatar with Eminence Governors or Greenbacks if I end up with less than 100 watts.

Any help would be appreciated. I have a Ric 360-12 string, several Strats (my fave has Texas Specials), a Tele (3-pickup) and an 89 LP Standard with a Duncan pickup combo(Alnico Pro Humbucker (neck) and Pearly Gates (bridge)). I love the tones of Roger McGuinn, old ZZ Top, Nirvana, Audioslave, David Gilmour and Stevie Ray. If I had to pick one tone it lie somewhere between an overdriven Turn, Turn, Turn/8 Miles High and Comfortably Numb.

What amp would fit me the best. Thanks in advance for the guidance.

Brent

Send the traynor to Fuchs for his mod. I think that will get your pretty close to what your'e asking. Andy had stopped accepting mods several months ago, but it was supposed to be temporary.

The MKIV is a great amp. I've had mine for over 10 years and I still find tones I like in it. Its kept with me as I've changed tastes from playing metal to classic rock to jazz to blues and back to metal but this time downtuned. The only downs are its heavy (especially in a flight case) and you have to be patient and willing to learn how to tweak it. The knobs have a interaction about them that isnt like other amps but once figured out it doesnt take that long to dial in. Mine originally came with the 200w EV in it I swapped that out for a Celestion Classic 80. Paired with the boogie thiele 1x12 cab its a killer setup. With the EV it was pretty mid heavy the classic 80 gave it some highs back and the ported thiele cabinet really opened up the lows.

I havent played an F50 so I cant really comment on those. I have played with a JSX and I just didnt find it inspiring. To me the amp had no girth or dimension. Granted it was only demoed for an hour in a store, but it was with my guitar and in the isolation room you can get a pretty good idea of what its gonna sound like in most situations.

Hey Scott or others in the know what does a Fuchs mod run. I also have a worry about his trustworthyness, since I recall how Andy dissappeared when his Hi-End Audio business was in trouble in the early 90's.

Brent

how do your tweeds sound? I really want to build one too! Are they kits or did you get parts separately and use schematics?

The Bassman came first and I acquired a Victoria cab and Weber Chassis. Now has Allen\Heyboyer trannies. I got a few parts from my old stock, a few from Triode Electronics and Fender RI trannies from Angela.

The Deluxe was built using a Tubegarden chassis and a cab speced to fit a Red Fang from Eminence. Trannies from Triode and Allen again. A few parts from Weber too.
The Bassman has been tweaked to run 6V6s for now. 20 watts versus 40 or so, plus I lowered the B with a different rectifier tube so the JJ's would work and live. The Allen Bassman trannie has 2, 4, and 8 ohm output taps!!!.

Brent