"Perfect" Cover Band Amp?

[IndyWS6]

New Fender Supersonic Twin in a heavy duty ATA case with casters + a small pedalboard.

[/cover band rig search]

That's one I hadn't even considered. Thanks...

 

[NoodlerKS]

Some of the better tones I've heard from guys in your situations were a Fender Deluxe or even a blues jr with a few decent stomp boxes. I used to have a Line 6 Vetta II and even though it is a "pod with speakers" it would get the job done. I would say if you require a lot of fx and different patches it's worth checking out. Especially since your not wanting a "chugga chugga" sound. I would highly suggest buying used....for the price of a new one you could get a killer 1x12 combo and a small pedal setup. I've also seen and heard the Eleven rack stuff and they seem to get the job done.....your sound guy will probably be more than happy in the regards of it being a direct line instead of ripping everyone's head off!

 

[IndyWS6]

Some of the better tones I've heard from guys in your situations were a Fender Deluxe or even a blues jr with a few decent stomp boxes. I used to have a Line 6 Vetta II and even though it is a "pod with speakers" it would get the job done. I would say if you require a lot of fx and different patches it's worth checking out. Especially since your not wanting a "chugga chugga" sound. I would highly suggest buying used....for the price of a new one you could get a killer 1x12 combo and a small pedal setup. I've also seen and heard the Eleven rack stuff and they seem to get the job done.....your sound guy will probably be more than happy in the regards of it being a direct line instead of ripping everyone's head off!

Thanks for the comments...

Maybe I'm being a snob, but I just don't care for the majority of the Line 6 stuff (even though I own a combo). Granted, I haven't heard them all, but even the Bogner-branded Line 6 gear sounds rather unconvincing to me. Maybe I should open my mind a little more to it...

I would prefer a half-stack, but the "right" combo isn't out of the question. I have spent literally zero time on Fender amps - maybe I should take a closer look.

I don't really need a lot of effects, but I do use a few since I have them available in the rack rig. It's really just the standard stuff (delay, reverb, flanger, compression, OD, etc.). With the right amp (head or combo) and a small pedal board, I'm sure I could easily get by. Of course, the question is, which amp? Lots of options have been presented so far.


I actually have two Eleven Rack's; one in my live rig and another in my recording desk. I could easily put together a small rack for a "run straight to the board approach", but I know that I would miss having the cabinet on stage. Between a drummer that plays at "10" for volume and "0" for finesse, and a bass player that always thinks everyone else is too loud, I don't think I would ever be happy without a cabinet that I can aim at my head for stage monitoring.

 

[rlord1974]

Why not just do one of your Eleven racks in a 4 space ATA case with a Furman and a one rack space power amp, such as the Mesa 20/20, Marshall 80/80, Marshall EL84 20/20, etc. and run the little rack into a 2x12" cab?

 

[Robotechnology]

Quite a few touring pros have used the Spider Valves to great result. Don't close your mind to it (I have VHT/Brunetti/Mesa/Egnater to choose from and I still take the Line 6 out of the house sometimes). I would not use the all digital one though, only the tube power section models.

Ivan

Some of the better tones I've heard from guys in your situations were a Fender Deluxe or even a blues jr with a few decent stomp boxes. I used to have a Line 6 Vetta II and even though it is a "pod with speakers" it would get the job done. I would say if you require a lot of fx and different patches it's worth checking out. Especially since your not wanting a "chugga chugga" sound. I would highly suggest buying used....for the price of a new one you could get a killer 1x12 combo and a small pedal setup. I've also seen and heard the Eleven rack stuff and they seem to get the job done.....your sound guy will probably be more than happy in the regards of it being a direct line instead of ripping everyone's head off!

Thanks for the comments...

Maybe I'm being a snob, but I just don't care for the majority of the Line 6 stuff (even though I own a combo). Granted, I haven't heard them all, but even the Bogner-branded Line 6 gear sounds rather unconvincing to me. Maybe I should open my mind a little more to it...

I would prefer a half-stack, but the "right" combo isn't out of the question. I have spent literally zero time on Fender amps - maybe I should take a closer look.

I don't really need a lot of effects, but I do use a few since I have them available in the rack rig. It's really just the standard stuff (delay, reverb, flanger, compression, OD, etc.). With the right amp (head or combo) and a small pedal board, I'm sure I could easily get by. Of course, the question is, which amp? Lots of options have been presented so far.


I actually have two Eleven Rack's; one in my live rig and another in my recording desk. I could easily put together a small rack for a "run straight to the board approach", but I know that I would miss having the cabinet on stage. Between a drummer that plays at "10" for volume and "0" for finesse, and a bass player that always thinks everyone else is too loud, I don't think I would ever be happy without a cabinet that I can aim at my head for stage monitoring.

 

[IndyWS6]

Why not just do one of your Eleven racks in a 4 space ATA case with a Furman and a one rack space power amp, such as the Mesa 20/20, Marshall 80/80, Marshall EL84 20/20, etc. and run the little rack into a 2x12" cab?

I've considered that... I guess I just haven't done it because it would feel kind of like I'm playing a watered down version of the original. Sounds stupid, I know, but that's what I would be thinking.

I have a small rack rig (Mesa V-Twin pre, Midiverb III and Peavey Classic 60) that gets some respectable tones. With a small pedal board and a boost in front of the V-Twin, that would be a portable solution, I just favor the big rack and, similar to the above excuse, knowing that I have something that sounds better - and I'm not using it - would bug me. So, it sits and collects dust...

I could remove the V-Twin and Midiverb and shove one of the Eleven Rack's in front of the Classic 60 and, with my GCP, call it a day I suppose...

 

[NoodlerKS]

I don't think your being a snob at all. Personally I'm not a fan of anything Line 6...Just was relaying what I've seen on stage and heard from other guitar players. I think we are the same in that we don't really like Line 6 but for some reason we one them hehe.....

I'm sure it's kind of frustrating since I didn't solidify my answer to your question but if I had to pick for me it would be a Roland JC-120. It's the only SS amp I would ever own. But it also comes in handy for gigging in small venues and turning your volume down without sacrificing tone. You probably could find a nice one used in the 500-800 range. For a 2x12 it's very lightweight. I was lucky enough to run audio for Les Paul back in 2008 and this was the amp that he wanted. Super clean...... just throw your choice couple of stomp boxes or something like a Boss GT-10 on the front and BAM.

 

[IndyWS6]

Quite a few touring pros have used the Spider Valves to great result. Don't close your mind to it (I have VHT/Brunetti/Mesa/Egnater to choose from and I still take the Line 6 out of the house sometimes). I would not use the all digital one though, only the tube power section models.

Ivan

Some of the better tones I've heard from guys in your situations were a Fender Deluxe or even a blues jr with a few decent stomp boxes. I used to have a Line 6 Vetta II and even though it is a "pod with speakers" it would get the job done. I would say if you require a lot of fx and different patches it's worth checking out. Especially since your not wanting a "chugga chugga" sound. I would highly suggest buying used....for the price of a new one you could get a killer 1x12 combo and a small pedal setup. I've also seen and heard the Eleven rack stuff and they seem to get the job done.....your sound guy will probably be more than happy in the regards of it being a direct line instead of ripping everyone's head off!

Thanks for the comments...

Maybe I'm being a snob, but I just don't care for the majority of the Line 6 stuff (even though I own a combo). Granted, I haven't heard them all, but even the Bogner-branded Line 6 gear sounds rather unconvincing to me. Maybe I should open my mind a little more to it...

I would prefer a half-stack, but the "right" combo isn't out of the question. I have spent literally zero time on Fender amps - maybe I should take a closer look.

I don't really need a lot of effects, but I do use a few since I have them available in the rack rig. It's really just the standard stuff (delay, reverb, flanger, compression, OD, etc.). With the right amp (head or combo) and a small pedal board, I'm sure I could easily get by. Of course, the question is, which amp? Lots of options have been presented so far.


I actually have two Eleven Rack's; one in my live rig and another in my recording desk. I could easily put together a small rack for a "run straight to the board approach", but I know that I would miss having the cabinet on stage. Between a drummer that plays at "10" for volume and "0" for finesse, and a bass player that always thinks everyone else is too loud, I don't think I would ever be happy without a cabinet that I can aim at my head for stage monitoring.

Thanks...

I'm trying to be more open-minded to it - I've just had some bad experiences. A friend had the predecessor to the POD HD floor units and used it, along with a Fender rack mount amp into a 4x12. It was some of the worst, synthetic, digital processed tone that I have ever heard. Every single song sounded exactly the same - like ass. Another guy I saw play recently had the bogner-branded Line 6 head as a half-stack and he had essentially the same processed tones going on. Wouldn't think it was possible from that particular amp, but it really soured me. Again, that's just two tone-deaf people. Probably not the best sample size to base a judgment...

 

[IndyWS6]

I don't think your being a snob at all. Personally I'm not a fan of anything Line 6...Just was relaying what I've seen on stage and heard from other guitar players. I think we are the same in that we don't really like Line 6 but for some reason we one them hehe.....

I'm sure it's kind of frustrating since I didn't solidify my answer to your question but if I had to pick for me it would be a Roland JC-120. It's the only SS amp I would ever own. But it also comes in handy for gigging in small venues and turning your volume down without sacrificing tone. You probably could find a nice one used in the 500-800 range. For a 2x12 it's very lightweight. I was lucky enough to run audio for Les Paul back in 2008 and this was the amp that he wanted. Super clean...... just throw your choice couple of stomp boxes or something like a Boss GT-10 on the front and BAM.

I certainly wouldn't mind owning a JC-120. Solid platform...

Thanks for the input

 

[jharpersj]

A few things that have worked well for me over the years
H&K triamp Mk2
EVH3
Marshall JVM410

But my 2 favs are:
Carol Ann Triptik
AxeFx2 direct with a FRFR monitor

The Fortin meathead would be sweet but sadly I have not owned one

 

[IndyWS6]

A few things that have worked well for me over the years
H&K triamp Mk2
EVH3
Marshall JVM410

But my 2 favs are:
Carol Ann Triptik
AxeFx2 direct with a FRFR monitor

The Fortin meathead would be sweet but sadly I have not owned one

Thanks...

I've never played a Carol Ann. The clips I've heard sound fantastik, though.

I have an H&K Switchblade that I like quite a bit (even though there's not much love for H&K here) and I'm tempted to go back to it for the smaller gigs. It's a workable solution, but I guess I was looking for something different. All of the buying / selling / flipping / trading on this site is starting to work on me

 

[Gainfreak]

I hate to say this but when speaking about a stripped down rig, Lugging a head around with a 4x12 and a pedalboard still sounds like a lot to haul lol


I have 2 Coverband rigs that are really easy to work with.

One is a Fortinn Marshall JVM head, a Boogie 2x12 Cab and a digitech GSP1101 & Control 2 pedalboard.
It takes about 5 minutes to setup and I have infinite sounds and since the JVM has Midi, the GSP controls the amp switching and
all the effect. If I had to do teh setup again, Id ditch the head and cab for the Combo and that would make it even easier.
My current rig still is a lot to haul if you are looking it at that way and Im only saying that because rig 2 is the fastest rig ive ever used and its light lol

My second SUPER portable rig is a Digitech Rp1000 and 2 tech 21 power engines.
Talk about quick setup and light weight. If you are not fond of Digital Modelors Ive had amazing success with
a Blackstar DISTX distortion box , a TC delay, Chorus and Reverb pedal and the tech 21's.
Talk about quick rig!


The guitarist who I replaced in the Journey tribute used a POD/ POD floorboard and 2 tech 21's and he played a gig for 70,000 people.
It worked just fine! He was the one who mentioned the stripped down rig to me.

Then you have all the other options mentioned in this thread!

all the best!
~R~

Thanks...

A head, cabinet and pedal board is still a lot to haul, but it would at least be manageable by one person. My rack rig weighs somewhere around 150 pounds and is awkward to carry, even with two people. I could put casters on it, but there are several places we play where you're forced to carry it nearly all the way from the trailer to the stage. It would help in some situations, though.

You bastards (I say that lovingly ) have me wanting a Fortin or Cameron modded Marshall something fierce. It's killing me to not pull the trigger on the one Hollywood has listed, but I need a good clean channel to cover the range of tunes that we play. One of those monsters would be awesome, but I'd end up hauling even more gear to get all the tones I need. The JVM would probably be more appropriate.

I just can't seem to get along with a POD. I haven't heard one yet that didn't sound synthetic and processed, although I'm sure it's just the ones I've been around. Clearly there are some that can make them sound great - the people I know that have them, well, can't

Oh, and for the record, your avatar creeps me the f$^@& out!!

I can tell you whole heartedly that the POD always sounds that way to me to. The Guy who I replaced had the processed POD sound but even though I hate to say it, it worked and the audiance loved it and when I get lazy and just don't want to lug crap around it's a great solution even though Id take the Fortin rig over it anytime and day .

With that said, you could fare very well with a Stock JVM or any multi channel amp or even these days you could use the best of both worlds and change any Single channel amp turn into a multi channel by using something like a digitech RP1000 privided that the amp has an effects loop.

You could actually buy Hollywoods amp and a Digitech RP1000 and have one of the best rigs available (I know I'm bad for your wallet )

You could use that amp for all the distortion sounds and the RP for everything else

oh Yeah, My avatar creeps me out as well hahahha

 

[THEE HAMMER]

Many, many, many good suggestions here!

The only amps i've used in cover band situations are my old Lonestar 2x12 combo, my Titan, and a Roadking II. All with either Axefx for effects or my pedal board.

If I do any future cover band stints and i've got the scratch i'll be buying a Little Walter VG50 and using pedals. As cover bands around here do far more oldies/beach music than hard rock.

 

[NoodlerKS]

Forgot to mention a Yamaha T100C ...it is actually a Soldano amplifier (SLO100) but they were mass produced by Yamaha due to Soldano's size. I believe it has 12AX7 preamp tubes and four 6L6GC power tubes. Also it's a two channel 100w 1x12
Here is a link of a better description.....the only problem is they are hard to find ...keep your eyes peeled. http://www.harmonycentral.com/thread/1535303

 

[chunktone]

^^^ mod50 / Randall MTS. I have an Axe fx and a MTS Combo. The MTS winds up going to a lot of the smaller venues. Very versatile / great tones esp with modded mods and feels like a proper amp. get a line6 m13 or use you own pedal board and you are good to go. Right now a Randall MTS combo is the best value in gear IMO.

This!

I have a Randall RM100 I'd sell. PM me if interested.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Bogner XTC 20th or Shiva 2oth

 

[Carol-AnnAmps]

Greetings
I have a rack rig and a single 4x12 cabinet that I gig with. I love the tones and the flexibility, but it is a pain in the ass to haul. The band I'm in is playing a lot more often than we thought we would, which has me thinking about a more portable rig. I don't plan on ditching the rack, but it might be nice to have something a little smaller and lighter for the places with postage stamp stages and the back-to-back-to-back nights when your back is aching.

So, what amp would you recommend that would be a good fit for a cover band that plays everything from Matchbox 20 "Push" to "Man in the Box" and "Slither"? (no brutalz, no chugga-chugga). If I went this route I would still be using the 4x12, so I'm looking for a head (50 or 100 watts) and would likely put together a small pedal board as well. Consequently, suggestions on pedals that could be used to make up for anything the amp might lack would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance...

I have been doing what you do twice a week for <damn> over 25 years. I bet I probably know 80% of your set list....I certainly currently play all the tunes you mentioned. I play in one of the most popular and busiest cover bands in the NH/MA area and we play quite a variety of room sizes. Most are 250-500 capacity.

No offense, but you might want to eject the 4x12 bro, those days are really over in the cover band scene even in the largest rooms.....I can't help it but I usually laugh to myself if I see someone rolling a 4x12 on to a stage of a 250 capacity club. Being over-amped/cabbed is worse than being under-amped. A ported 1x12 mic'ed up is perfect, great tone, small footprint, less bleed over, better overall balance for the band. My preference is an EV equipped ported cab. 3 channel amp with an efx loop. Don't go above 50W......30-35W is actually absolutely perfect in a cover band even with a loud drummer. You will play it right in the sweet spot. What you lose from dumping the 4x12 will allow you to be able to push the amp a little more so it can breath. Even a 50W with 4x12 cannot breath on 99% of the stages people play. I 've seen it so many times. It may sound cool on stage next to you, but go out front and listen to the thin 2-3KHz overspill going on fighting with the PA. Most decent cover bands will obviously mic up...this is where individual speaker choice is far more critical than the cab you are using anyway. My choices are based on 2 things. Zero cone cry and ease of mic placement.

I'm not trying to sell you anything here, just take my advice generically. However, of all the amps I build (clearly I have open access to everything you can think of) , for my own personal needs in my cover band my fave is a 30W 6L6 3 channel amp with either an EV loaded 1x12 or a Port City 1x12 loaded with a Jensen Blackbird. I play all the amps we build live and the most frustrating to use are always the 100W's in small clubs. It always seems I've got an 100w on the block for testing the week we have a small room. You have to throttle them back so much that even with a great master they are not alive like a 30W or 50W.

These are our constraints bro, they are a reality, in order to get great tone you have work within them. We all love to crank a 100W, it's just not practical in our environment.

So you can get great tone with only 2 trips to your car/truck at the beginning and end of the night. Anyone in a working cover band that plays every week knows that's one of the most vital statistics !!

Hope this helps. Let your situation drive your gear choice and just be realistic about it. Keep rocking bro !!!

The cynical folks out there will cry...."you only play in a cover band, it doesn't matter". The reality is it does...if you feel comfortable and inspired, you play your best , the band sounds better and becomes more energetic and fun, which is addictive, the girls dance, the guys buy drinks and you get re-booked.

 

[Robotechnology]

By the way, for the past few years, unless I playe a larger gig, I used 2X12's exclusively (I agree with the Carol Ann amp builder). My 4X12's have mostly been collecting dust however, I'm going to purchase a DV Mark 4X12 (I borrowed the one I'm using) because it weighs the same as a 2X12 and sounds great so I will start taking a 4X12 out again even on smaller gigs. Let's face it, the look factor is way higher with a 4X12 but, without a roadie, the DV Mark cab will be the only 4X12 that leaves my house again (unless I'm lucky enough to play stadiums ).

Now if you don't mind cost here are the tube amp choices:

Marshall JVM 4 Channel (you can ge ta new one from Gainfreak by the way)
VHT/Fryette Sig:x or Ultra-Lead (I've owned both but, prefer the U-L)
Egnater Tourmaster 4 Channel (has some innovative power level switching for each channel so you can have a high headroom for clean and set a lower limit for the dirty channels if you wish)
Engl Special Edition (this is a NICE head)
Hughes & Kettner Triamp MK II (this is also a NICE head)
Brunetti 059 (this is a NICE head too)
Mesa Road King (I or II... these are NICE heads too)

I can be in any cover band using any of the above heads and be a very happy man with respect to my tone every night. I don't have any experience with Carol Ann amps so I can't offer an oppinion on them but, some of my friends whom I respect sure like them.

Oh and lastly, if you liked the Switchblade, you'd like a Spider Valve. I owned/own every amp in this post except for a JVM.

 

[Carol-AnnAmps]

I can be in any cover band using any of the above heads and be a very happy man with respect to my tone every night. I don't have any experience with Carol Ann amps so I can't offer an oppinion on them but, some of my friends whom I respect sure like them.

Oh and lastly, if you liked the Switchblade, you'd like a Spider Valve. I owned/own every amp in this post except for a JVM.

I was just answering as a cover band player who understands amps. Definately not spamming for sales. It's 7.30pm, I'm chilling out having dinner. I purposefully didn't even mention any amps by name. My advice works with any quality amps that are your own choice. I could make almost anything work for me if I had to...and have.....It's more the power thing I was getting at. The only thing I can't stand are modellers in a live siuation and guitar in my vocal monitor

Thanks for the kind words bro.

 

[richedie]

IndyWS6...bro,

Lots and lots of amps you couls use. First and foremost get an amp that fits you, your playing and your style. If you take this approach, like me, you should play better and that is key! It took me some years to realize my preference is a British style amp that is chewy, forgiving and not too tight or stiff. I like tight lows, but not stiff, super tight metal...not that there is anything wrong with that. I also tend to lean toward darker, thicker tones. I know how I want an amp to feel under my fingers and how I want it to sound. I need to be able to solo well on an amp and connect. Once I have that figured out, I bet I could get most amps to work in most situations. Obviously there will always be exceptions.

I was in a classic rock banc and I used my Bogner 20th Shiva with EL34s. I could also easily use my PWE Event Horizon. I also used an Egnater Mod 50 but ended up settling on a few modules that were very Bognerish so I moved on.I was also in a modern metal band for a few years and used a Line 6 Vetta, then a Dual Rectifier before my Mod 50.

I recently started a cover band that covers 90s and grunge. I am using one of three amps depending on how I feel - 1998 Mesa Rectoverb, Bogner 20th Shiva with El34s and PWE Event Horizon. Guitar of choice, I am back to LPs.

We plat some of the bands you mentioned plus Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, 3rd Eye Blind, Metallica, Tool, Fuel, Creed, Smashing Pumpkins, Gin Blossoms, pretty much lots of 90s material.

On a side note...I tried a SIG:X. Great amp but I couldn't make it fit what I play....classic rock to rock and grunge. A little too stiff and not chewy enough if that makes sense.

I tried the AxeFX and I just don't need all those sounds and the headache of tweaking. I also did not like the feel of modular amps. I moved back to pure, plain tube amps. Two channels, clean and dirty with maybe one switch on the amp for Vintage/Modern and some pedals. I find this the easiest and easiest for me, plus not having to tweak patches, banks and crap clears my head for playing! The audience could care less if you have one clean and one gain channel and just use your volume to adjust gain. My buddy gigged with a band that played 70s - current and only used his single channel Marshall and sometimes his JCM 800 and some pedals.

One thing as I have gotten older and wiser is to not get caught in the trap of thinking I need lots of choices, channels, banks, effects, etc. You don't. I don't! I say....go simple. Maybe two channels and use your volume to adjust gain or maybe a mode switch on the amp. Much easier and way less to think about. Some of my best gigs playing all sorts of things were with a two channel amp and living on one channel all night!

One thing on cabs. The cover bands around Philadelphia, still lots and lots still use 412 cabs. They are still popular. For me, I will never own one again and happy! I am happy with a Port City 212, Bogner 212 and Stone Age 212 all with different speakers and I rotate them.

However, if lots of options, banks, settings, modules, gets you off....that route is grea too. For me, give me less! Less is more. Personally, I will never use a digital modeller or amp again...I don't even use digital effects either other than my reverb.


Good luck brother.