Never-Ending Amp Quest for Gigging - What's Next?

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donalddemon

donalddemon

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I'm on the hunt for the right amp for gigging in bar bands, mostly soul/funk/pop/americana/classic rock stuff. Nothing heavy, I cover that in other bands with other amps.

Right now I'm using a Mesa TA-30 that I've had for a few months now and the jury is still out on if it's going to work for me. The sounds are pretty good and the features are nice but I find it lacking a bit in the lows and low mids on both channels (mostly the gain channel), which I'm starting to think is a thing with EL84 amps. I've owned a Mesa Express 5:25, OR15H, Crate VC30, Peavey Bravo and they all have had the same issue and are all EL84 based. I always seem to enjoy amps more when they have EL34, KT88, 6L6, or 6V6 power tubes.

This head will only be used for gigging covers only, mostly with a 9-piece band, doing funk, soul, pop, dance, and some classic rock. I need a great clean channel with plenty of headroom and a great dirty channel. I don't like pedals into a clean amp, I've tried and it sucks to me. Here's what I'm looking for:
  • 25-50 watts that can sound good at lower volume, smaller club situations or at louder, outdoor venues. Global master volume would be great.
  • 2 channels w/ separate EQs
  • A clean that stays clean for funk and a good sounding British-style dirty channel that stays clear, not muddy, up to JCM800 levels of gain. I only play humbuckers.
  • Effects loop is a must. Serial loop is preferred.
  • Smallbox, lightweight head, preferably less than 23" wide and <40 lbs (needs to fit on my cabs)
  • Non-EL84 power section but tubes only (I already have a SS option with the Amp1)
This will be played though either a Splawn 2x12 with Weber Legacies or a Mojotone Slammins 1x12 with Scumback J75. Guitars used will be HH Strat, Reverend RGII, or Schecter S1.

I didn't list budget because I already narrowed down my search with all of my requirements but I will most likely be buying used and the cheaper the better, ie under $1500. I already have great high powered, high gain amps covered but I'm still searching for the right versatile mid-gain cover band amp. Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks.
 
Forgot to mention, I bought a Laney GH30R after the TA-30, which sounded decent but the clean channel couldn't stay clean at loud levels so it had to go. It was designed to add power tube breakup, which obviously doesn't work well w/ efx or loud cleans.
 
Your 'under $1500' might make it difficult, otherwise I was going to suggest a Bogner 3534 50W based on the reports so far.
Or a Mesa Triple Crown 50.

PRS MT-15 head on the cheap or a Driftwood Mini Nightmare?
Or even an EVH 5150III 50W 6L6 head provided that you put a 12AU7 tube in V4 to significantly tame the red channel.
 
If I were in an a cover band needing to cover a lot of ground tone wise and styles, and wanted transportability...that is probably when I would look into modelers/profilers.
 
I’d say 50 watt jvm410 . I’d look it up . It’s pretty cool for stuff you’re doing . I know the heavy metal guys hate it but I used one for a cover band and it was great
 
Funk, soul, pop, etc.: Fender Hot Rod Deville Combo.

60W

2x12

~ $1200 new
 
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Speeddemon said:
Your 'under $1500' might make it difficult, otherwise I was going to suggest a Bogner 3534 50W based on the reports so far.
Or a Mesa Triple Crown 50.

PRS MT-15 head on the cheap or a Driftwood Mini Nightmare?
Or even an EVH 5150III 50W 6L6 head provided that you put a 12AU7 tube in V4 to significantly tame the red channel.
Click to expand...
TC-50 or 3534 would be nice for sure, but the budget makes it tough. I've played the MT-15, it was just ok but won't cut it for loud cleans at 15 watts. 5150III...do they have great cleans?

japetus said:
If I were in an a cover band needing to cover a lot of ground tone wise and styles, and wanted transportability...that is probably when I would look into modelers/profilers.
Click to expand...
That's probably the most practical but I have little time or patience for that learning curve, plus I think I'm just old school and prefer a simple tube amp. I only need 2 sounds available, the rest I can get with my guitar volume.
 
Would've said Victory or even a DSL20HR but those won't do the separate EQ per channel.

For 50w maybe a Friedman Runt or a Mesa Fillmore? Badlander could also work but might be just out of budget.
 
If you can find one secondhand I’d look for a Bogner goldfinger superlead, love mine to bits, massively versatile amp
 
Mr. Chainsaw said:
Would've said Victory or even a DSL20HR but those won't do the separate EQ per channel.

For 50w maybe a Friedman Runt or a Mesa Fillmore? Badlander could also work but might be just out of budget.
Click to expand...
Runt 50 is high on the list, I wonder how clean the cleans stay at louder band volumes?
 
donalddemon said:
Runt 50 is high on the list, I wonder how clean the cleans stay at louder band volumes?
Click to expand...
I had one for a brief period of time and was able to crank it. I think it stayed clean enough for what I was using it for at the time, and I prefer clean-cleans, but I'm not 100% sure.
 
Fir that gig Id honestly just get a nice deluxe reverb or clone and some pedals.
 
donalddemon said:
Runt 50 is high on the list, I wonder how clean the cleans stay at louder band volumes?
Click to expand...
I was going to mention the Runt 50. The Clean stays clean, for sure. It would be an excellent choice! Can find used under $1500 all day long.

Other than that, I'd maybe look for a UK made DSL, or maybe a JVM205H.

A JSX would check the boxes too.
 
Wizard MC25. Twice as much as your budget and infinitely worth it. Buy once, cry once. Or buy my SLO30 for $1995 and only moderately stretch the budget
 
Traynor Ycs50
Orange AD30
Bogner Alchemist
H&k Grandmiester
Mesa ElectraDyne
Mesa Mark series
 
ZEEGLER said:
Rivera Chubster
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Having owned several Riveras in the past, always loved their clean channels and fought with their dirty channel. I'd be in the same position I am now with the TA-30.

napalmdeath said:
I was going to mention the Runt 50. The Clean stays clean, for sure. It would be an excellent choice! Can find used under $1500 all day long.

Other than that, I'd maybe look for a UK made DSL, or maybe a JVM205H.

A JSX would check the boxes too.
Click to expand...
Cool, good to know. I had a few DSL's and they were ok but not my jam. I'm not looking for Marshall cleans here. Haven't played a JSX in years.
 
donalddemon said:
Having owned several Riveras in the past, always loved their clean channels and fought with their dirty channel. I'd be in the same position I am now with the TA-30.
Click to expand...

Just curious what your issues are with the dirty channels?
 
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