Amp recommendations

sticky1138

sticky1138

Well-known member
Seeking an amp rec (and avoiding TGP).

Currently, I’m using a Marshall DSL20 head. It sounds decent, but breaks up too early and is a little shrill. It’s JCM-flavored, but I think I’m looking for something closer to a Plexi. I get my drive from pedals and I want a clean platform for testing and recording. The wish list:
  • Tube head
  • Plexi/Marshall-voiced
  • Master volume
  • Low watts for bedroom levels
  • Lots of clean headroom, drive not too important
  • Light/compact enough for a 1x12 cab
  • EQ that actually does something, preferably 3-band
  • Ideally <$1000, used is okay
  • Onboard reverb is a plus
I haven’t seen anything recent from Marshall that fits the bill. I’m sort of interested in Friedman stuff, but its pricey are there are not many used options. I haven’t shopped for amps in a long time, so I have no idea what’s out there. What are you folks playing?
 
There are several Peavey Classic (20, 30, 50) iterations that are cheap as peanuts, work brilliantly as pedal platforms and err more on the Marshall than the Fender side of toanz. Fits the bill for what you are asking. Plus modding is fairly easy if you are picky on voicing/tonestacks.
 
You may want to look at the Joyo Bantamp series. They are lunchbox sized, lower wattage (20W i think), hybrid SS/tube, and each one has it's unique flavor based on a classic amp. They're also pretty inexpensive (sub 200). Downside is that there is only 1 tone control. A EQ pedal in the fx loop can solve that.

I think the model you want is "Jackman II" which is JCM voiced.
 
I tried a couple of the Bantamps a few years ago and ended up returning them. I am not a tube purist or anything, but I have never encountered a solid state that didn't sound thin and fizzy with a fuzz or cranked overdrive.
 
I've heard good things about the Marshall Origin 20, and it seems like it meets most of your needs (at least more cleans than the DSL20). I came very close to getting one myself but couldn't justify buying another amp.

I think @Blackboarcult is on to something though, peavey classics are pretty good.
 
I did test drive the Origin before I went with the DSL20 instead, but it might be worth revisiting since I didn't have a clear picture of what I wanted at the time.
 
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This is what I use for testing pedals and practicing. It only hits half of your bullets:

Stage Right by Monoprice 5-Watt, 1x8 Guitar Combo Tube Amplifier with Celestion Speaker - Monoprice.com

Stage Right™ by Monoprice™ 5‑Watt 1x8 Guitar Combo Tube Amp with Celestion® Speaker World's best reviewed and and most affordable 5‑watt 1x8 all&#
www.monoprice.com

I also have one of these I use a jam sessions. It hits a few more bullets:

In the 15w, the tubes starting going microphonic after about a year, but it's been fine besides that. I abuse it as hard as my AC15 and it takes it fine.
 
I built my own jcm800 front-ended but EF80 2 watt power stage.

What you could do is have the amp modded - bright cap removal?

Also another alternative is to look at a slightly darker speaker that’s lower efficiency.

The JTM is often quoted as the pedal platform. The key difference is the JCM800 gain stages cascade, the JTM45 is paralleled stage plus the cathode cap is larger and has a different tone stack.
 
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I think I'll try that Classic 20 if I can find a good deal used. I see a local one for sale, but it's Facebook so of course the asking price is delusional.
 
Psionic Audio did a video about this amp I think. He might have a couple of suggestions for improving the sound. Marshalls often have bright caps which can be removed to dramatically improve the sound as NickKUK suggested.
 
I have an Egnater tweaker 15 I like it. Marshall, Fender and Vox vibe in one.

It’s cool for checking out how pedals interact with certain amps.
 
CheapSuitG said:
I have an Egnater tweaker 15 I like it. Marshall, Fender and Vox vibe in one.

It’s cool for checking out how pedals interact with certain amps.
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I have a tweaker 30 and will second this. ^^^
A Randall RM50 (also a Bruce design) can be had for $400 or so and you can add modules as you go.
It's the original single channel version of Synergy.
 
The Egnator stuff is a really good bang for the buck. And it's not 20+ years old.
You can get a used 15w-30w head and a 112 cab for $600ish or less
 
My combo was like $300-$350 used.

I wish I had got the head and cab so I could have the head near the work bench and the cab elsewhere though.
 
I remember when the Egnaters first came out and they were a big deal, but I was skeptical if the amp emulations worked well or not. Never got a chance to try one, but I'm adding it to the list.
 
sticky1138 said:
I remember when the Egnaters first came out and they were a big deal, but I was skeptical if the amp emulations worked well or not. Never got a chance to try one, but I'm adding it to the list.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't call them emulations--they just allowed you to switch between different power tubes (rebel) or tone stacks (tweaker).

I don't know why they disappeared. Amp market too saturated maybe?
 
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