Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I recently got a Dot Studio and am completely in love. I think somehow this one got special treatment, the neck is as smooth as glass, the fretboard flies and the sound is amazing. I do have it hooked up to a Fender Squire amp tho, and know it can sound much, much better with a slightly better amp. I've gone to GC and plugged DS into This, but was wondering if this or this would be better Any, all opinions would be appreciated. Also, I got a chance to play a Casino yesterday, OMG, what a sweet guitar. Eventually that will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy1281734003 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 HI Sheik, get a tube amp if possible, you wont believe how much better your guitar will sound. As far as what brand of amp ,I would say try as many as possible or until the zit farmer at GC asks you to leave. My personal preference is Hughes&Kettner 20th ann. edition tube, played clean it's incredible and the hi gain is killer. I bought mine used for $350 and i could'nt be happier, but again it's all about what sounds good to you. Good luck and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 7, 2008 Author Share Posted February 7, 2008 Thanks. The Epiphone Jr stack sounded really, really nice, but the setups they had on the Dot Studios were garbage, one even had the rhythm, treble knob screwed off, and the necks felt like rough grit sandpaper. I have yet to find that Fender XD, but I think that and the Vox are going to be a pretty close fight. Has anyone tried that Fender VibroChamp XD? I like that there are so many effects built onto the system. I play for myself and hopefully will get together with some people who can tolerate my 'playing'. But for now, it's just me, and I'd like to keep it in the 250 ballpark. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MI_Canuck Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 7, 2008 Author Share Posted February 7, 2008 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe  About 400 more than I'm ready to spend right now, thanks though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 What do you want to make for sound..? how much volume..? jamming alone or with drums...? What effects do you think you'll typically use..? Â You say you liked an amp that had a lot of effects. so I assume that was a solid state amp. There are a lot of small amps, solid state, that are nice practice amps. but an 8" speaker vs even a 10" speaker can make the long haul appreciation short! Â I understand that a younger player, a newer player, will want the effects. For one thing, you think you sound better. Of course, turn them off and all your personal slop shows right up. Â That's why it's difficult to tell someone to go tube.. on the one hand, clean tube sounds will improve your technique pronto.. it wont hide a thing.. on the other hand, having some effects does a lot for your ego, and psychology isn't second rate or something.. after all your mood is supposed to be enhanced not reduced by playing. Â So.. for my money.. a small tube amp like the epi vj with even a zoom or korg or a used ebay multi effect is the way to go. For one thing, you'll always have a nice tube amp, that experience and taste wont lead you away from. and for another, you'll have a multi effect which will teach you it's shortcomings, and the shortcomings of solid state, for cheap, which you'll probably keep just to do some practice with. I've used a used digitech rp7 off ebay and I've had I think three of these and two rp3s.. pretty cheap.. lots of good sounds.. good quality.. headphone out and cd in..can even record from the cd and slow it down without changing pitch.. very handy! Â great sound? not particularly.. some of them are quite acceptable. plug it into my epi vjr and it's excellent..rp7s tube helps there... and not expensive. Â the vj has been modded so it doesn't need anything for TONE.. but it's effectless.. Â I've owned the hot rod deluxe fender and it's a nice amp for sure.. kinda spendy.. and very loud.. you wouldnt' get any more sound from it, practicing at home, than you would from the vj at less than half the price. the volume would drive the family/neighbors nuts if you crank a deluxe. Â and no effects except for reverb there, anyway. Â I really mean this. I started in the 60's and I only wish I had kept all those tiny sears amps we all had back then. Â You could most likely be very happy with a vj combo, a slightly better speaker and a used multi effect.. for a long long time.. long enough to develop a real appreciation for what you truly need, and you'd wind up with an amp you'd probably never sell. Â TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 7, 2008 Author Share Posted February 7, 2008 TWANG, Thank you, that's some great info. Playing the DS though the vjr sounded great, even with it's craptacular setup. I can probably get the Zoom 505 II pedal for around 50, so the combo of the two would probably be perfect for me. Clean tube sound when needed, and a zillion other sounds on the pedal. Thanks again, I am really looking forward to finally getting my guitar playing on track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcooper830 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I really recommend a Peavey Classic 30. Â You can get one here for $350 shipped!! Â http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320215796332&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011 Â Â My DOT Studios sound great through my Classic 30. Â They also sound great through my Marshall DSL 100 and 1960AV cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxst1281733995 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Vox Valvetronix gets my nod for price, value and tone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copper1281734000 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 There are many great amps. The valve junior, I hear, sounds good, but unless you can't always crank your amp (or mod it a ton), it isn't as versatile. I really like the Vox Valvetronix as mentioned before, you can get tons of choices. The Classic 30 and Hot Rod Deluxe are good suggestions. I'd recommend saving up money and getting a multi-channel tube amp. Â The valve junior or fender might be want you want though, I don't know your personal tastes, preferences, or anything else. If it were me, I'd save my money and get something really more versatile. My favorite amps are Traynor ( traynoramps.com ). I have a YCV50Blue and it sounds amazing. Â Just go to a store and try out as many amps as possible and pick your fav and buy it (or save up to get it). There are hundreds of choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwpete521281734008 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Well, I guess it all depends on the sound you like. I'm 56 years old. A big tube amp just weighs too much for me now. I bought my first Peavey amp back in 1970. It was head and shoulders above the Fender amp that I had at the time. Since then I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Peavey. I'd say buy a vintage Peavey because you can get a great amp for less $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyelcrrt1281733995 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Any of the major brand's 15 watt (or less) tube combo's will do you very well, depending only on the sound you want. So, take YOUR guitar and go to GC for an hour as soon as they open. Play 3 amps. Make notes. Next week, play the amp you liked best LAST week and play 2 new ones. Make notes. Repeat until you get a winner. Sometimes what you wind up with won't even make sense. Personally, I absolutely love the blues. Took until 2 years ago to buy a Tele. Just bought a Strat last year. Most of the amps I buy are Fender clean tone monsters, and I can't stand using pedals. Go figure. Â While you figure it out, spend $40 and buy one of the new Vox Amplug headphone amps. You can get them in AC30, Classic (Marshall), and Metal (who cares?). That way you'll have something new to play (and can evaluate that amp, too) while you exercise good judgement by determining which is the best bang-to-buck amp to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suho Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 My only amps right now are all Peaveys. I didn't set out to get Peaveys, but it ended up that way. Now, 2 are bass amps, of which Peavey is known for making tanks. My only guitar amp is a Peavey 1X12 Valve King. I forget if it has 50 or 100 Watts, but it is all tube and it has the same tube setup as some Fenders. It has great headroom for a wonderful clean tube sound, but it also has some pretty nice grit on the gain channel. I love it, and I got it used for $200! You can't beat that value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 If you are looking in the $400 range you will not beat the Epiphone Blues Custom 30! I purchased mine in NY and paid $425 for a brand new unit that I unboxed at the store. I did this right when they came out with the BC30. I have amps that cost almost 6 times as much and it can hold it's own ground quite well. Look for one on Ebay and you'll have an amp that'll last you for years to come. It's buiild quality (70 pounds) is matched by the killer tones that get pumped out of its dual 12 inch Lady Luck drivers. Â Click this for BC30 information! Â Â Gosh, I really need to plug into the BC 30 this weekend, she s a real beauty and at that price a flat out steal! Svet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderstruck507 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 tube tube tube is all I really have to say...I went through several solid state amps before I bought my Marshall on ebay for around $450...wish I had spent that $450 before the $3-400 I wasted on solid states Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwpete521281734008 Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Tubes? Well, there are many great solid state amps that sound just about as good as a tube amp. Try a bunch and see what you like before you take the plunge. Two great things about a good solid state amp: weighs less and less problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svet Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Less problems you say wwpete52? All 6 of my amps are valve driven and I've only had a problem with one of them. That was my Fender Blues Deluxe which developed a cold solder joint in the power supply. The amp was 11 years old when that happened! Solid State amps do not have the magic that the bottles do; Especially when it comes to guitar amplification. Svet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 Thank you so much for all the info. I am going to go to GC, bring my guitar and try a few amps. I really want to keep it around 250, so the 30W Vox Valvetronix and the Fender Vibro Champ XD seem like really good choices, only problem is that they never seem to have them on the floor. I tried the Epi valve jr stack (I think it was 249 as well). Only a volume knob, but if I want effects, I'll get pedals. The sound was rich and clean. I just want to give the Vox and Fender a test drive before making a decision. I know ultimately it's a matter of my personal preference in sound, I just don't want to drop 250 on an amp that some of you have owned and turned out to be crap. I really appreciate all the feedback and am trying like hell to take in all the info given here. Gracias Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderstruck507 Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 the crate palamino amps sound great and won't break the bank  I have NEVER heard a solid state that REALLY sounds like a tube amp. None of them ever really capture it properly IMO and the ones that come close cost as much or more than you can get a good tube amp.  Problems? What problems? The good thing about a tube amp is if it gets a problem its worth fixing instead of junking a regular amp when it burns up.  My Marshall weighs around 40lbs. Not light, but if you can't handle 40lbs lift some weights...I'm 5'7" and 130lbs...no whining allowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Thank you so much for all the info. I am going to go to GC' date=' bring my guitar and try a few amps. I really want to keep it around 250, so the 30W Vox Valvetronix and the Fender Vibro Champ XD seem like really good choices, only problem is that they never seem to have them on the floor. I tried the Epi valve jr stack (I think it was 249 as well). Only a volume knob, but if I want effects, I'll get pedals. The sound was rich and clean. I just want to give the Vox and Fender a test drive before making a decision. I know ultimately it's a matter of my personal preference in sound, I just don't want to drop 250 on an amp that some of you have owned and turned out to be crap. I really appreciate all the feedback and am trying like hell to take in all the info given here. Gracias[/quote']  At GC with your own guitar.. try the vj stack.. and then put an eq.. even the cheapest one in front of it.. The most common stock vj wish for is a treble boost..and with humbucks I think it would be a must.  That's why I say.. vj plus a halfway decent mulit effect.. Later on, you may want to mod it or have it modded to your taste, because the da%n things sound so good.  I had marshall and behringer and line 6 solid state amps previous to the vj.. *though I've had a lot more than that over the years being decripit and all get off my lawny* and none of them came close to the tone I get out of the vj.  It's main problem is not having drummer volume for clean sounds.. unless you put it up on a chair for you, and mic it for the crowd.  But it's really built to give you creamy tube gain.. plenty of grit and crunch.. a rock amp for sure, for my money. at low volume, you really can get from bakersfiled to where the heck john fogarty lives.. and it's jazzy, too, nice and warm.  I say again, I had the hot rod deluxe, and I liked it. great little amp for most gigs.. but way to freaking loud in my house. and the reverb pretty much sucked. *I even modded it but it wasn't much better*  I wont argue or belabor the point further.. solid state satisfied me right up until I got tubes again. ears may vary, but tubes tell the truth   8-[/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 Â At GC with your own guitar.. try the vj stack.. and then put an eq.. even the cheapest one in front of it.. Â #-o/ Â Ok' date=' so I'll let my ignorance shine brightly here, are you talking about an equalizer in front of this: [img']http://img3.musician.com/dbase/pics/products/8/5/3/501853.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 9, 2008 Author Share Posted February 9, 2008 Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyelcrrt1281733995 Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 He means plug the guitar into the EQ (equalizer) and then plug the equalizer into the amp's main input jack so you can adjust the signal before it goes through the pre-amp or the amplifier to the speaker. Some amp designs have an effects loop - usually with some kind of blend or volume knob - where you can plug in a pedal and add that effect to the signal after it has gone through the pre-amp, but before final amplification and transmittal to the speaker. Some people say different types of effects sound better depending on place in any multi-pedal chain as well as whether or not you run the signal through it before or after the pre-amp. Try moving it around and see where you like the sound best. Unless you do things like daisy chain 365 pedals and crank the gain and OD on all of them, you probably can't do any physical damage to them amp itself, but you can surely destroy your tone (and maybe speaker) with too many effects with too much gain, too little headroom and too much volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheik Yerbouti Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Great. Thank you very much. I really think I'm going with this amp and an effect pedal. Even at GC it sounded rich and warm. Then again, I haven't heard the Fender or the Vox yet B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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