Best jazz fusion amps for mid and high gain sounds.

[the rossness]

Have you checked out a Carvin Legacy 3 or a Soldano?

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Wasn't Al DiMeola usin Les Pauls into JMP's way back when?

 

[daretosoar]

Wasn't Al DiMeola usin Les Pauls into JMP's way back when?

I couldn't say, I wasn't alive back then XD; but yes I have seen videos of him using les pauls.

Have you checked out a Carvin Legacy 3 or a Soldano?

I've always been interested in the legacy amps actually. Never tried a Soldano, though I know they are held in high regard and I have seen a few live.

Also, Dual Fusion is a excellent excellent pedal for the tones you described.

I tried out a wampler euphoria pedal today actually, and ended up buying it. I'm going to try it at rehearsal tomorrow evening and if it doesn't work out I'll return it, but I really liked the "Smooth" setting.

 

[War Admiral]

Wasn't Al DiMeola usin Les Pauls into JMP's way back when?

I was alive and he was

 

[rbc]

What I'm using: Orange Rockerverb 100MK 1. Absolutely incredible amp. I think I might be looking for something a bit more percussive in the sound, or dynamic, if you will. I usually keep the gain low and boost the front end with a Suhr Koko boost to give it that boosted, cranked sound. The thing that I really like about the amp is that it's pretty dark, and has big thick mids. I HATE really bright guitar tones, especially with distortion. If the high frequencies are hurting my ears then the tone is unusable in my opinion. (I had a brief fling with a badcat and sold it as soon as possible for that very reason)

This might not be the most obvious choice, but you might find it interesting. The Peavey Delta Blues 115 is definitely more voiced toward the mid and low end sound. It's positioned for blues playing in the market, but you don't have to use it that way. You can find a good example of the Delta Blues being used for heavy rock here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tONjJuM_kE

Best,

--Bruce

 

[rbc]

Enough wattage to be heard over a prog metal drummer in a fairly large room without being miced. (So maybe 70 watts to 100. possibly 50 if the amp is actually of really loud design)

This is the one possible shortcoming of the Delta Blues 115. It's 30 watts. You would have to add a external speaker cabinet to make it louder.

 

[rbc]

This is a picture of my rather worn Delta Blues. I like it lots!

 

['63-Strat]

Here's me doing some fusion a few years back with my xtc classic. This video has the most views of mine too lol. Maybe time to focus on fusion again?

 

[C1-ocaster]

How about a Port City?

I know Tom Quayle uses one, he he has the best fusion tone I've ever heard.

A big part of his tone is his signature Wampler pedal, but maybe you could still incorporate that in a Suhr Badger rig?

WOW.
Sweet hybrid picking and a monster at hammer on and pull off.
I suck at hybrid picking, so much so that I don't even try anymore.
He's got a cool tone for what he does, I like it.
It's a bit too mid for me, but the that's why we all don't wear the same clothes or have the same haircut or buy "signature" guitar gear.....uh....doooohhhh!

 

[C1-ocaster]

I'm curious to start looking for a different amp. I play in a prog instrumental trio type deal and I'm huge fan of bands like The Aristocrats and Consider the Source, and acts like the old Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as the great Al Di Meola.

What I'm using: Orange Rockerverb 100MK 1. Absolutely incredible amp. I think I might be looking for something a bit more percussive in the sound, or dynamic, if you will. I usually keep the gain low and boost the front end with a Suhr Koko boost to give it that boosted, cranked sound. The thing that I really like about the amp is that it's pretty dark, and has big thick mids. I HATE really bright guitar tones, especially with distortion. If the high frequencies are hurting my ears then the tone is unusable in my opinion. (I had a brief fling with a badcat and sold it as soon as possible for that very reason)

My favorite guitar tone in the world is Guthrie Govan's live tone when I saw The Aristocrats. OH MY GOD. so perfectly dynamic and balanced, very articulate and thick honky mids (a must have for me). I have greatly considered the Suhr Badger 30 watt head but I just don't know about not having a footswitchable clean tone. I admire Guthrie's ability to use his volume pedal to clean up a single channel amp but my band is a tad different, and there are often moments where I need to switch tones immediately with one button.

I'm not really asking for anyone to suggest what amp I should look into, but more for people to inform me of amps and manufacturers in the semi affordable boutique range that I might not have known about. My budget is about 1700$. Enough to get say, a Suhr Badger 30.

Must haves include:

Fx Loop
Darker, more mid heavy tone
Fair amount of gain on tap
foot-switchable clean channel
Enough wattage to be heard over a prog metal drummer in a fairly large room without being miced. (So maybe 70 watts to 100. possibly 50 if the amp is actually of really loud design)

Thanks for any suggestions!

My Egnater Vengeance head is pretty mid heavy and darker in tone than most other amps.
I've found that I like it best with the treble nearly dimed and the presence at least at 3 o'clock, on the high gain channel.
On the clean channel treble is about 1 o'clock.
I tend to run clean mids about the same or a bit higher, and on high gain mids around noon.
The Vengeance has a good bit of mids control on both channels with a mids mini toggle with 3 positions; center, mid cut, mid boost.
Lots of mids control.
Playing around with pre tubes I've been able to modify the general tone to get more high mids.
Sovtek LPS 12ax7's sound great in this amp in V3 and V4 and V1.

It runs around $1000-$1100 without a coupon.
I lucked out on a new demo at GC.

I've been amp shopping and just ordered a Randall RD45H, and I picked up a new Bugera Trirec to give it a shot.
If you're interested in a Vengeance after checking it out let me know.
I bought it with a 3yr bumper to bumper warranty including damage coverage and the warranty is transferable, and it's got about 31-32 months left on it.
Sorry about the plug, but I thought it was relevant.

 

[C1-ocaster]

Wasn't Al DiMeola usin Les Pauls into JMP's way back when?

I saw him years and years ago when I was at college.
He came to the IU assembly hall for a concert around 1985-86.
Every guitar player I knew and probably in the surrounding counties came to that show.
I remember it being fantastic.
Yes, he was playing LP's, but I don't remember the amp/s.
Recall a black LP as well, custom I believe.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

drooling at the single cut nylon string ^^^^^^^

I saw Al in the late 80's early 90's. Dude is insanely good, love his muted fast picked stuff and he just looks at you and plays an incredible run and makes it so easy.