Danno Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 As I showed in my other post I recently picked up a ES137 Custom. It sounds really good through my crappy equipment, but I'm afraid that my equipment is very old and very bad, and I'm not doing this guitar justice. Go ahead and laugh, but the amp I have is a ... Crate GX80... from like 12 years ago. Solid state, budget amp, sounds like crap. I sometimes use a Boss ME-50 multieffects pedal but I can't get "real" tone out of that thing. I am not a live player anymore so I don't need a real loud amp, just something with good tone and clarity that I can use for practice and recording. (I usually record direct from the ME-50... yes it sounds terrible). Any recommendations on what I can use for great tone that compliments the ES-137 for recording and practice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolongermike@gibson Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 As I showed in my other post I recently picked up a ES137 Custom. It sounds really good through my crappy equipment' date=' but I'm afraid that my equipment is very old and very bad, and I'm not doing this guitar justice. Go ahead and laugh, but the amp I have is a ... Crate GX80... from like 12 years ago. Solid state, budget amp, sounds like crap. I sometimes use a Boss ME-50 multieffects pedal but I can't get "real" tone out of that thing. I am not a live player anymore so I don't need a real loud amp, just something with good tone and clarity that I can use for practice and recording. (I usually record direct from the ME-50... yes it sounds terrible). Any recommendations on what I can use for great tone that compliments the ES-137 for recording and practice?[/quote'] How much do you want to spend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Probably no more than $500-$600. The ES137 cleaned me out :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N_MUNN Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I picked up a 1964 Fender Princeton for about $650 in 2004. I have been really happy with the tone and size of the amp. Its got enough power to play with a drum kit but it sounds good at low volume too. It is good for home recording as well. I got the Princeton not the Princeton Reverb. I would like to have the one with reverb but it will be a lot more money than your price range. http://www.blueguitarmusic.com/images/Inventory%20Pics/PrinceRev67.jpg For something more modern check out the Fender Hot Rod series. I have played with the Hot rod and Hot rod Deville. The Blues Jr is in your price range and has some good features. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Hot-Rod-Series-Blues-Junior-15W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp-481861-i1392207.gc I have a Vox AC-30 that sounds great too. Check out the new AC-15 I haven't played it but it should be really good and the price has come way down. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vox-Custom-Classic-AC15CC1-15w-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp-103635231-i1145854.gc Your better off to wait and buy a good tube amp then to make a snap decision and waist your 500 bucks on something that is not going to be a long term investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I picked up a Mesa Blue Angel combo for $650.00 with no speaker + freight. Stuck a ($100.00) V30 in it and it's THE BOMB. THE BOMB.... Take your time, read, shop around. Best of luck. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I'm very happy with my Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS ($550 at MF). Cool sound, easy to mod (I've added a Ruby Reverb and a Weber Beam Blocker for about S$80), lightweight, and it looks cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Nahum Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 What style of music Danno? Do you need breakup at bedroom volume levels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesburst Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Depending on your style, it's the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe all the way. Even if it means holding on for a bit, it's worth it. My 137C (w/Burstbucker 1&2 pickup combo) and the HRD is a killer combo for Blues / Blues Rock stuff. My HRD is a tweed one with teh Jensen P12N. It is different to the standard unit, much sweeter. You've gone to teh trouble of getting a great guitar, don't spoil it now with impatience. If you have to wait, then do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Depending on your style' date=' it's the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe all the way. Even if it means holding on for a bit, it's worth it. My 137C (w/Burstbucker 1&2 pickup combo) and the HRD is a killer combo for Blues / Blues Rock stuff. My HRD is a tweed one with teh Jensen P12N. It is different to the standard unit, much sweeter. You've gone to teh trouble of getting a great guitar, don't spoil it now with impatience. If you have to wait, then do it.[/quote'] Good advice, although the added weight of the HRD made me go for the Blues Jr. There's nothing like a Gibson electric guitar and a Fender amp.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. I am really looking for something primarily for studio recording, so it's likely that even a 5W tube amp would do the job (like the little Epiphone half stack - someone at GC tried to demo this for me and the head was DOA out of the box). I also played a Blues Jr and another similar Fender amp at my last visit and I really liked the tone, although because they were floor models they were quite crackly and poppy. I'm assuming that if you take care of your amp, that doesn't happen. Style of music, well, with the ES137 I would say "really clean tones" or "gritty blues," although the guitar sounds AMAZING in a rock context. My other guitars through my Boss pedal lineup are responsible for the metal and whatnot, so obviously I'm not going to be desecrating this guitar with gain on 11 :) There are 3 products that I'm really interested in right now. Maybe yall can help me narrow them down. I'm willing to wait and save up a bit to get something higher quality, but bear in mind that I have absolutely no use for a tube half stack because I don't want to blow the fur off my cat. Basically I want a tube amp that has pure, good tone. These three intrigue me. - Vox AC15 - $600 My first choice... love the way this thing looks and hear great things about it http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-AC15CC1-Custom-Classic-1x12-Tube-Amp?sku=482625 - Fender HRD - $700 I played one of these and loved the tone, but I didn't have my guitar with me. I can only imagine... http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Hot-Rod-Deluxe-Amp?sku=480510 - Epiphone Valve Jr. Half Stack. $250 Looks interesting because it is pure tone, and I have pedals. http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Valve-Jr-HalfStack?sku=481475 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Nahum Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Are you able to try out a Tweed Deluxe 5E3? 15W into a 12". I put one together to use with my Teles (and have a nice tube amp light enough to take to lessons) but it sounds great with my Lester and 345 as well. I bought the amp (made up) from Ceriatone in Malaysia, the cab and speaker from Weber and some nice tubes from Eurotubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzGtr Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Fender Blues JR! Enough said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoobla Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 I use a fender champ for those same applications($ 300 - 500), not the champion, although that may work too . I tried the blues jnr , I changed the speaker. still not what I wanted although a nice amp. The champ works great for all my gtrs and is loud enough for most recording apps. The princeton is a nice fender re issue. 15 watt. Definitely a step up from the blues jnr. Then there is the Princeton recording .?? good luck W champion http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=2330100000 princeton 65 ( love the is one) http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?section=amplifiers&cat=new vintage champ http://www.rocknrollvintage.com/proddetail.asp?prod=1965%2Dchamp i had mine retubed once in two years good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esch Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 My advice and you won't be disappointed: a great amp that trumps any mass market amp in the price range and most at a higher price range. Yes, it is THAT GOOD. Basically you can buy an Epiphone Valve Junior, ship your valve junior to randy bemis at bemis amplification, for him to rebuild: email him at randy@bemisamps.com or call 619-248-2362. Call and ask him to describe his mods for a VJ, or in particular ask for the "Custom 7” if you want one like mine. He basically rips the Valve Junior apart and rebuilds it with better components and does some other stuff - whatever hocus-pocus he did on it worked. If you send him the amp, he will probably only charge you for his mods, as he doesn't need to find a "donor amp" himself. He will transform your VJ into a blues / rock tone machine - and no dist/overdrive pedals needed and it could be within your budget. Here's a review: http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Bemis+Amps/Valve+Jr.+Custom+7/100/1 Dude! How can you argue with getting a custom made tube amp in this price range? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeladdie Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 How about one of the little Blackhearts?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespaulj45 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 As I showed in my other post I recently picked up a ES137 Custom. It sounds really good through my crappy equipment' date=' but I'm afraid that my equipment is very old and very bad, and I'm not doing this guitar justice. Go ahead and laugh, but the amp I have is a ... Crate GX80... from like 12 years ago. Solid state, budget amp, sounds like crap. I sometimes use a Boss ME-50 multieffects pedal but I can't get "real" tone out of that thing. I am not a live player anymore so I don't need a real loud amp, just something with good tone and clarity that I can use for practice and recording. (I usually record direct from the ME-50... yes it sounds terrible). Any recommendations on what I can use for great tone that compliments the ES-137 for recording and practice?[/quote'] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lespaulj45 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I too am a casual player, I use a 2006 Les Paul Standard and a new J-45 Modern Classic with a Epiphone Blues Custom 30 amp. I have done NOTHING to the amp and this is my selection for power. Because you are not playing live this is a good choice-it weighs 70 lbs-again if you don't haul it around its great-I haven't found anything that competes in the $550 range that even comes close!I have had it for a year and except for a preamp tube that worked loose-no problems-It is affordable,it sounds great and has a old vintage look to it 5 12AX7's on the preamp and 2 5881's make it howl. For any venue smaller than Shea Stadium its great, its a switchable 15-30 watt amp- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.