Guitar Amp question(s)

[cashflyer]

Probably because of the Christmas season, but I notice a lot of threads on guitar stuff recently. So I thought I would get one going on Amps.

Last year I picked up a Line 6 'Flextone II' on craigslist. Paid $200.
It's a 100 watt modeling amp, with more features than an engineering calculator.
I really like it.




My buddy says it's junk. (his opinion)
To him, the best amp ever created (in this size class) is the Fender "The Twin". To hear him talk, you would think God had designed it.


Red Knob "Evil Twin" pictured.


I know everyone has opinions.
Tube vs. solid state. Different types of music. Etc.

But there was a statement in the guitar thread, that technology is always changing, and what was a "rule" just a few years ago is not really "the rule" any more.

Does that apply to the amps also?
Have solid state modeling amps properly replicated a tube amp sound yet?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Have solid state modeling amps properly replicated a tube amp sound yet?

Does it matter?? Music is music, whether I sound exactly like you doesn't matter one bit.

If you can make cool sound from an empty pail, I can dig it. Opinions on sound are as varied as the ears that hear them.

I had a 1983 Peavey Stereo Twin that I think sounded better than the Fender pictured. But that's my ear.

[dhoward]

Yes it matters.
The blackface Twin was designed by God himself.
As far as Fenders go...

[Gogar]

Maybe this will help:

Line 6 Flextone II = 2011 Ford Focus


Fender "The Twin" = Nice DE car with 3.0 and carbs.


The Ford Focus (Line6) has Bluetooth phone link and an iPod jack, and radio station and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel; and for most purposes is a fine automobile for a large percentage of people out there.

The DE car (Twin) fufills a much narrower purpose, but fulfills it well. It can go fast and turn fast and stop fast. It has no air conditiong or cruise control, and smells like gasoline. It's likely miserable to drive every day.


So YES the technology has changed, but has it changed for the "Better"? Depends on your goal.

If you take that Line6 to a gig and turn it up past bedroom volume, you would have a long night. You would make it, but you'd have a long night, Much like taking that Ford Focus to the track.

The Fender does one thing well. LOUD, CLEAN POWER. like that fresh 3.0 with PMOs on it. Both are good building blocks for the end result, but neither here nor there on their own.

[nostatic]

Modeling is a hot topic on various gear boards. It has come a long way, and in the end it depends on the use and the user. For guitar, I still prefer a good tube amp as modeling, while it has pretty much nailed the sound, it hasn't yet nailed the feel.

And just for grins, the red knob Fenders were derided back in the day. They were/are certainly no original blackface. Then again, "vintage" has its own issues.

[cashflyer]

Well... I guess I have my answer.
I like the car analogy.... I can relate to it.
What would you say are the GT3 of amps?

Since the evil twin is out of production, are the current Fender ProTube amps as good?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

My main amp is a Line 6 2 x12 150watt stereo modeling amp. It is dead reliable, loud and never gives me any trouble whatsoever. It gets used daily, stereo output and I can even download patches directly into it from Line 6's website. All in all, a great amp.

However, it can't come close to the warmth of my other amp, a Fender Deluxe Reverb. This amp is temperamental, yet gives one of the richest sounds you could ever hope to have. It does only ONE thing and does it really well. It seems like I'm always having to do something to it as well (tubes, reverb tank, caps..) but there is something about these old amps that is magical.



The analogy of the Focus vs. DE car is right on. Thats how I'd be looking at this.

BTW, I second Rick Lee's opinion (in the other thread) of the Hot Rod Deville. That's a killer amp too..

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Well... I guess I have my answer.
I like the car analogy.... I can relate to it.
What would you say are the GT3 of amps?

Since the evil twin is out of production, are the current Fender ProTube amps as good?

There are a lot better tube amps than Fender being made right now. Nose around here:

Fat Sound Guitars Boutique Shop

cruise the amp section. Your visa card thanks me...

[IROC]

Originally Posted by nostatic

There are a lot better tube amps than Fender being made right now. Nose around here:

I'd like to have a Bogner Shiva.

I have a Univalve now (that I've owned for years) and the "honesty" of the pure, Class A tube power is astounding. I've never heard anything like it out of a solid state or modeling amp (and I've owned them, too). Depending on the tubes I install (part of the fun), the harmonics and tone is just incredible.

Amps are like loudspeakers or motor oils, though. Everyone has their favorite.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

What would you say are the GT3 of amps?

'59 Marshall Plexi
Soldano
Mesa Boogie

I had a Twin Reverb Silverface. It was nice, but so damn fragile. I really love my Hot Rod DeVille now. Best solid state amp I ever heard was my 25 yr. old Gallien Krueger 250ML. It's the size of a small boom box, weighs 30 lbs. and will blow out your windows.

[WolfeMacleod]

Three of my favorite amps.

THD Electronics The THD amps are interesting. They use a design which lets the user swap in any tubes... or any combination of tubes to get a very wide range of tones. I own a Univalve, which uses only one power tube so it's a little more limited, but still very versatile.

Reinhardt Amps
The Reinhardt amps are built by one guy. Bob. They're great!

Fuchs Audio Technology | Handcrafted Tube Boutique Guitar Amplification | Plush Pedals | Home
The Fuchs amps are glorious. Moslty Dumble clones, I believe. Just glorious tone.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by IROC

I'd like to have a Bogner Shiva.

I have a Univalve now (that I've owned for years) and the "honesty" of the pure, Class A tube power is astounding. I've never heard anything like it out of a solid state or modeling amp (and I've owned them, too). Depending on the tubes I install (part of the fun), the harmonics and tone is just incredible.

Amps are like loudspeakers or motor oils, though. Everyone has their favorite.

I had a Shiva for a couple years - best amp I've ever owned. And I've owned quite a few over the years. I very briefly had an XITS X10 which is a darling of many right now but I frankly didn't dig it. That said, I'm playing so little guitar these days that my ear really isn't interested in that spectrum/tonality.

[cashflyer]

Thanks, guys... this has been a lot more informative than my friend's "your amp sucks" comments. Glad to see at least one person isn't hating on my Ford Focus.

[targa911S]

Mesa's are nice but don't like to travel.

[scottmandue]

Seeing as I have no where as much nice swag as you guys I will show off a little.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

Thanks, guys... this has been a lot more informative than my friend's "your amp sucks" comments. Glad to see at least one person isn't hating on my Ford Focus.

Line 6 makes good stuff for the "less than professional" musicians like you and I. I knew some of the original people who worked there back in the day. (Line 6 was in my backyard). Bought my AX212 right out of the company headquarters and it's lasted over 10 years now. Good stuff as far as I'm concerned.

[LSA]

When I bought my amp I had considered the line6 spider3 but I thought it's tone was not as good as the ss Peavey Vypyr that I opted for. The line6 just sounded kind of tinny and washed out compared to other amps especially tube amps.

No, solid states are good for the average guitarist but tube amps just sound better. There was a little gizmo that you run somewhere in your gear that supposedly improved the sound of most any ss amp, made it sound more analog but I don't recall the name. I heard a demo and it did sound pretty good

[kaisen]

As long as it's okay to show off old gear, here's me in 1986 (?) playing my 1984 Gibson and Peavey Studio Chorus 212. They took this photo for my yearbook.

I sold the setup to a friend so I could buy a Fiat Spider. He still has the guitar, Gibson hardshell case, and the amp. I'll get them back one of these days

[nostatic]

Unfortunately the amp ('62 Fender Pro Reverb 4-12) is obscured, but the guitar is a '65 Strat - photo circa 1979

[kaisen]

Cool photo Todd!

It looks like it could have been taken last weekend, as that 'look' is big with the boogie disco cover bands. I think it's cool