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I'm slowly amassing funds to buy an upgraded amp from my broken Fender SS and Marshall SS amps. Though I wouldn't rule out a modeller, I do recognize that I like the sound of a good tube amp more. The main sounds I am looking for are fat (but not flubby) medium to high gain rhythm tones, with the ability to cut when necessary for a lead. A clean channel would be nice too. It doesn't need to be sparkly like a twin or anything, but usable. I've played a couple of the new Vox CC AC30 amps (a 1x12 and a 2x12) and I think this is a phenomenal base sound. Unfortunately, I want quite a bit more gain and flexibility on tap than it can provide. Recorded tones I am after are anything done by Porcupine Tree (Bad Cat Hot Cat 30) and a lot of A Perfect Circle's stuff (Marshalls, VHTs and Rectos).
What amp do you think I would like, keeping price in mind? My first inclination is to go for a 2 or 3 channel amp, but lately on my GT-6 I've just been using a Matchless model set for medium gain with a booster for more gain and an EQ (and volume knob) for a gain cut.
Also - I don't need 100 watts, or even 50 watts probably. A 2x12 combo would probably be good too.

Thoose Mesa F-50 look amazing for your purposes. I don't know if the price may be too high. You may consider selling your Fender and Marshall to get more money.

what's your price range bro?

If you want medium to high gain and a great clean channel, I recommend a VHT Pitbull. However, as Hoss pointed out, it all comes down to how much you're willing to spend. The beauty of the Pitbull 45 is that it just isn't as expensive as some of the other amps around and they're some of the finest amps around for higher gain.

if you can play a trademark 60 or 120 by tech 21, i recommend you do so ... i think you'd be pleasantly surprised ... you can decide if you prefer the 60 or 120 for your needs, remember ss watts are different in the way you consider your needs with respect to clean headroom and need to avoid power section distortion - dont be afraid of the higher numbers

good luck
t4d

i had a 120 and it was a great amp...simply awesome...especially for the $$$'s!!! (used for $400 or less)

you need a 5150 combo!!

I'd actually stay away from the F-50. It won't do quot;britishquot; very well except for a JTM45 like crunch on the clean channel...The Gain channel withs ome tweaking and the contour will get ya somewhat close...but it's won't crunch or sparkle like a Vox or Marshall.

I'd suggest getting a Vox, and a Boost if ya liek the Matchless and boost model...Duncan pup booster would help preserve the natural tone, just more gain.

Either that or one of the El84 Marshalls...

I would look into an Orange amp!

Hey all, thanks for the replies. As far as price range goes... I don't have one in mind. I want to get an amp that meets my needs and sounds good. If that means waiting a bit longer to afford it or selling off some stuff... then so be it.
The Tech21 stuff has always intrigued me, though I've never played any of it, and when it comes to looking for amps, I always forget about them. Maybe this time I will remember better. I've played f-30/50/100's and though they are not bad by any means, I know there is better out there for me. I've never had a chance to play through any VHT or tube Orange amps, unfortunately. I guess I should keep on looking for a place to play them. Oh, and do you think that the pickup booster would be enough to get an AC30 into relatively high-gain territory?

Get the money together quickly, and get this!
from : localhost/cgi.ebay.com/KRANK-Amp-Chadwi...QQcmdZViewItem

or this

from : localhost/cgi.ebay.com/PEAVEY-JSX-212-J...QQcmdZViewItem

Oh if only I could. Though I don't remember being all that impressed with the JSX. It was ok, but not great - about how I feel about the XXX. I'd love to test drive a Chadwick, but I've only played on Revolutions and Dimes.

I really like the new Vox AC30CC amps. I'd suggest grabbing one and pairing it with the new Vox Cooltron British bulldog od. That'll give you three stages of drive and a nice modern high gain tone.

Much depends on how loud you want to go. The power section of an AC30 will start getting involved at a certain point, and that may or may not be the tone you're after.

But overall, I reckon those two would be a killer setup for not much money. I already own the lower gain cooltron, and I'm getting the CC head sometime soon.

have you played a Mesa Maverick? It's a bequtiful sounding amp that has the class A sparkle of a Vox or Matchless, but is voiced a bit differently and has a touch more gain on tap.


Originally Posted by Hot _GritsI really like the new Vox AC30CC amps. I'd suggest grabbing one and pairing it with the new Vox Cooltron British bulldog od. That'll give you three stages of drive and a nice modern high gain tone.

Much depends on how loud you want to go. The power section of an AC30 will start getting involved at a certain point, and that may or may not be the tone you're after.

But overall, I reckon those two would be a killer setup for not much money. I already own the lower gain cooltron, and I'm getting the CC head sometime soon.

I went and checked out all the Vox pedal demos. That high gain one does sounds really killer, and may be what I am looking for (without having to drop a couple of g's on a Hot Cat or something) I'll have to check at the store that has the AC30s next time I'm out there to see if they have any of the pedals. I think the most expensive pedal they had out there last time was a Jekyll and Hyde.

You can see in my sig that I use a Marshall TSL 601 and a Jekyll amp; Hyde. I can cover pretty much all bases with that setup.