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NFT: Guitar Amp Help

Sonic Youth : 7/29/2020 7:04 pm
Wondering if BBI's guitar contingent could help me out with a replacement amp issue I've been having.

Long story short, I'm trying to replace my "middle tier" amp, basically my recording/bedroom amp. I've already got a cool little Valvetronix for the living room and a Dual Rec and Marshall 1960tv with greenbacks at the practice space, so I'm covered on the "small practice amp" and "live music" portion of things, but I cannot figure out what the hell to do for the "bedroom recording" portion of things, and I haven't worked at a guitar shop since 2013 so I'm pretty out of date on the available tech.

The amp I had that occupied this space was a 10 year old line 6 Spider Valve (not the super low end spiders that you typically see - this one was fully tube with the poweramp and preamps designed by Bogner).

It was really heavy for a 1x12 and not very space efficient, but it had solid onboard effects for when I didn't want to pull out pedals, and more importantly, an XLR out, Line out, and, being a combo, a load connected at all times.

So essentially when I was demoing or working on electronic music, I had the XLR out go directly into my interface.

This was great, because when I play rock music, I'm using a lot of scooped mids metal-type distortion with hi gain and clarity (which the modeling and the pre-amp together covered reasonably well), but when I'm making electronic music, I want a really clean signal since I'm either recording chords to convert to midi or place the actual audio in a song (additionally, it's not like the things I was demoing had no cleans at all -- I could get good enough rock cleans to actually leave them in songs and not have to re-record them in our practice space).

The tube pre-amp added warmth, the modeling and preamp was solid enough that the gain sounded good, and I never had to worry about having a cab or cab simulator hooked up since the speakers were connected at all times and provided a load, even if I was just playing it in bypass to get the signal to my interface.

The amp broke when I was moving, and I've been looking for a replacement, but it feels like this thing was a unicorn.

There seems to be some good solid state options like the Boss Katanas, but I can't help but wonder if I'm missing out by not having any tubes at all. On the other hand, all the actual small tube amps I've been considering (Hughes and Kettner tubemeister mostly) are gonna require a cab, which I don't want to spend extra money on for no reason, and obviously don't have an XLR or line out.

I was almost set on the Yamaha THR desktop tube amps, since they are technically combos, but now I'm unsure if line out is going to work well for going straight into a DAW as opposed to XLR.

So from there, I was like "well, I don't really need any audio output from whatever I'm plugging my guitar into anyway, might as well get some sort of multi effect processor/modeler that I can just plug straight in the DAW" -- thing is, the stuff I'm seeing, like the Line 6 POD hd500s and the boss GTs, are the EXACT SAME THINGS I was selling in 2013 at the EXACT SAME PRICE.

So now I'm at a total loss, constantly changing my mind every day between the Yamaha, a processor/modeling foot-pedal style unit, or just getting a cheap solid state. Plus, it seems that nothing except the processor units have XLR.

Everything seems to have USB these days, but I've never used it before, don't have a lot of USB ports open given the fact they're used by hard drives, interface, midi controllers, and keyboard/mouse, plus using USB to go into a DAW just doesn't really intuitively make sense to my brain.

Beyond that, my use case is a pretty specific niche. I literally don't need a practice amp or a real rig, I have both of those covered.

Does anyone have any experience or advice for where to start? I'm so out of the game right now that I don't know where to start looking beyond what I've found, and can't find any good comparisons online -- PLUS, with covid, I can't even go try stuff out myself (one of the reasons that I was strongly considering the Yamaha - at least I'd played it).

any advice would be welcome! I'd prefer for this to be lightweight as opposed to a heavy combo, and would like to keep it under $600, though I would be willing to spend up to $800 on it.
On a budget  
Mark from Jersey : 7/29/2020 7:14 pm : link
Boss Katana and the Yamaha THR series are great, but more the small amp you are referring to IMO as a THR-10X owner.

If you have the $$$ check out Hughes & Ketner's Grandmeister 40. It is a tube amp you can record off of, has a ton of settings, and has adjustable amperages. You can blare it at 40, bring it down to 20, 5 or 1 amps if desired. Lower amps means you can push the amp more when practicing without killing your family or neighbors.

I am not good enough yet...I played on and off in my teens and twenties but just took it up again (COVID-19 time waster) and am enjoying playing, learning, having fun, etc. Happy with my Schecter and THR-10X (high gain) for mostly metal fun. I ordered a Charvel just so I don't have to tune up and down all the time but I am not quite there yet for the H&K. Once I can justify it, along with a 2x12 celestion cab, that would be my amp of choice for studio type work.

Tons of great demos on Youtube. This is my favorite one (see link). It can do ANYTHING.
Great Demo - H&K Grandmeister Deluxe 40 - ( New Window )
RE: On a budget  
Sonic Youth : 7/29/2020 7:20 pm : link
In comment 14940708 Mark from Jersey said:
Quote:
Boss Katana and the Yamaha THR series are great, but more the small amp you are referring to IMO as a THR-10X owner.

If you have the $$$ check out Hughes & Ketner's Grandmeister 40. It is a tube amp you can record off of, has a ton of settings, and has adjustable amperages. You can blare it at 40, bring it down to 20, 5 or 1 amps if desired. Lower amps means you can push the amp more when practicing without killing your family or neighbors.

I am not good enough yet...I played on and off in my teens and twenties but just took it up again (COVID-19 time waster) and am enjoying playing, learning, having fun, etc. Happy with my Schecter and THR-10X (high gain) for mostly metal fun. I ordered a Charvel just so I don't have to tune up and down all the time but I am not quite there yet for the H&K. Once I can justify it, along with a 2x12 celestion cab, that would be my amp of choice for studio type work.

Tons of great demos on Youtube. This is my favorite one (see link). It can do ANYTHING. Great Demo - H&K Grandmeister Deluxe 40 - ( New Window )


Love the Grandmeister (and all H+K actually), but I'm really trying to avoid buying a cab for whatever I get. At this point in my life, I won't be touring ever again, so I have no problem leaving the dual rec in our space for practice and moving it out for whatever random show we're playing. I feel like buying a cab is going to just eat up more $$ for something that won't be used too often, since even if I'm playing along to a song, it would be coming out of my studio monitors since my interface is the audiocard for everything on that computer. Your setup sounds sweet though, Schecters feel great to play. Guessing you've got EMGs in there based on everything else you mentioned? Sounds liek a great metal setup.

I REALLY wanted the THRx, but apparently the stopped making it. I guess the THRIIs that came out have those models built in, but you have to use an app to switch between the regular, THRc, and THRx modeling engines (there are 11 presets on the THR2 though) -- I wish guitar companies would stop trying to shove bluetooth, apps, and USB into anything that isn't a traditional amp.
..  
Named Later : 7/29/2020 7:20 pm : link
Have you been looking on craigslist music instr, just to get an idea of what's out there and at what price point ??

I don't stray too far from the Fender amps, there is a Hot Rod Deluxe on craigs down here for $300, and a little Champ Amp for $150.
For Research purposes only.... - ( New Window )
Amps  
Mark from Jersey : 7/29/2020 7:22 pm : link
I mean watts... :-P
Correct  
Mark from Jersey : 7/29/2020 7:28 pm : link
on the Schecter...I spent more on one than I wanted to (this was a few years ago...shit hit the fan and I had to put it down AGAIN until just recently) but the Hellraiser Hybrid just felt better than some of the more entry level models. The neck was thinner and I felt more comfortable playing it than their 400 to 600 dollar range guitars. Has EMG pick ups...not 85/81s but for me they do the job!

The Charvel will have SD's...I like playing a lot of 80's and 90's metal and the Shecter will be my Nu Metal/Metalcore downtuned guitar (Drop C is about as low as I go now...drop B I think I would need 12 -54's for it to feel normal to me)and I'll keep the Charvel at standard or tuned down a half a step most of the time.
This one caught my eye  
Sonic Youth : 7/29/2020 7:28 pm : link
particularly since I like a lot of Blackstar stuff... this might check off the boxes, so I'm debating between this and the THRII
Link - ( New Window )
RE: Correct  
Sonic Youth : 7/29/2020 7:30 pm : link
In comment 14940718 Mark from Jersey said:
Quote:
on the Schecter...I spent more on one than I wanted to (this was a few years ago...shit hit the fan and I had to put it down AGAIN until just recently) but the Hellraiser Hybrid just felt better than some of the more entry level models. The neck was thinner and I felt more comfortable playing it than their 400 to 600 dollar range guitars. Has EMG pick ups...not 85/81s but for me they do the job!

The Charvel will have SD's...I like playing a lot of 80's and 90's metal and the Shecter will be my Nu Metal/Metalcore downtuned guitar (Drop C is about as low as I go now...drop B I think I would need 12 -54's for it to feel normal to me)and I'll keep the Charvel at standard or tuned down a half a step most of the time.
Nice man! FWIW, I think you need to go even higher gauge than 12-54s to play in B. Hell, most of the time anyone even has a B is on a 7 string lol. 12-54 is what I would do when I went down to C, but I'm usually a 10-52 guy
.  
NY17NE14 : 7/29/2020 8:26 pm : link
I was down a similar road last year. I needed a combo or small stack amp for gigs and for home recording. In my search, I researched, tried, or bought (and returned) a bunch of amps including the Hughes & Ketner's Grandmeister 40, Blackstars, Boss Katanas, 5150s, Orange, Marshalls, etc. Nothing wowed me.

Then I heard a local band whose guitar player had an amazing tone that covered the spectrum. I talked with him between sets and he running direct through the board using a Fractal AX8. Historically, I am a huge tubes guy and never bought into the amp modeling thing but I found an AX8 on Reverb and bought it.

I have never looked back. It is absolutely incredible both live and direct into DAW via XLR. The sounds you can get and the set ups/possibilities are endless.

The AX8 is discontinued but you can get them online for $1100 range. Check out the vids on Youtube.
RE: .  
Sonic Youth : 7/29/2020 8:28 pm : link
In comment 14940762 NY17NE14 said:
Quote:
I was down a similar road last year. I needed a combo or small stack amp for gigs and for home recording. In my search, I researched, tried, or bought (and returned) a bunch of amps including the Hughes & Ketner's Grandmeister 40, Blackstars, Boss Katanas, 5150s, Orange, Marshalls, etc. Nothing wowed me.

Then I heard a local band whose guitar player had an amazing tone that covered the spectrum. I talked with him between sets and he running direct through the board using a Fractal AX8. Historically, I am a huge tubes guy and never bought into the amp modeling thing but I found an AX8 on Reverb and bought it.

I have never looked back. It is absolutely incredible both live and direct into DAW via XLR. The sounds you can get and the set ups/possibilities are endless.

The AX8 is discontinued but you can get them online for $1100 range. Check out the vids on Youtube.
Yeah, was looking at AxeFXs (and Kempers) but the price tag scared me off, but honestly, I'm starting to think it might just be worth the investment at this point. Thanks for the advice and sharing your experience, you were really in a similar boat to me!
But FWIW  
Sonic Youth : 7/29/2020 8:28 pm : link
AxeFXs always sounded fucking amazing. our guitar tech at the shop had one hooked up to a cab and 2 huge studio monitors and it sounded incredible
Maybe think outside the box (err... cabinet)  
sb from NYT Forum : 7/30/2020 1:06 am : link
...and get something like the Torpedo Captor X so that you can record silently with your Mesa? It's a attenuator/load box/cab sim/IR loader. XLR and headphone outs.

People love them.
Sweetwater page - ( New Window )
A few years ago, I sold my early 70's  
EricJ : 7/30/2020 8:01 am : link
Fender Pro Reverb which I owned since 1980. I purchased a Marshall JVM410 afterwards but still wish I had the Fender.

Depending upon the type of music you play, I would highly recommend an older Fender. They don't make them like they used to.
I have had a spider IV amp since 2010  
DC Gmen Fan : 7/30/2020 8:04 am : link
fun with the effects and such but isn't great at cutting through with other players.

Just picked up a Fishman Loudbox BT mini at Sweetwater along with Mic/stand for 370. They still have the deal going on.
Oh yeah I meant to say also  
DC Gmen Fan : 7/30/2020 8:06 am : link
I tried out a Line6 Helix and it's basically a cheaper/more user friendly AxeFx that is already build into a pedalboard.
I have a Katana 100  
Johnny5 : 7/30/2020 8:26 am : link
I have always been a tube guy but I actually really love this amp. Cheap and lots of great sounds to be had right out of the box. 100/50/.5 watt settings, plus headphone jack, so all bases covered for volume levels... gigs to home at night kids sleeping practice... lol. Plus it has an acoustic setting (which is mainly why I bought it).


It's literally one of my favorite pieces of gear I have ever bought.
Thanks for the advice  
Sonic Youth : 7/30/2020 9:17 am : link
I won't be gigging with this since I've got the mesa boogie and the cab, so I'm narrowing it down to probably a PODHD500, Helix, Yamaha THR10II, or Katana. The only thing that sucks is that due to quarantine, I can't actually try out a damn Katana before buying one. Guess I'll have to go to purchase and return route.

I'm also wondering if I'm putting too much emphasis on an XLR out. Wondering how much a balanced signal really matters, and if a line out would just suffice.
Love my Thr10x  
penkap75 : 7/30/2020 9:24 am : link
If you are going ampless, and want a Marshall plexi to Jcm800 sound, go get a Joyo British sound. Its is Tech 21 British clone and nails that Marshall sound. Its only $40 on Amazon. I find myself using that more than anything.
Yeah  
Johnny5 : 7/30/2020 9:36 am : link
It would definitely be good if you can try it, although I think the local GC here you can go inside with masks and only a certain amount of people. There are a couple of versions (head/1x12/2x12/Artist), and the new MK2 version is out which has a couple more tonal variations but better yet gives you more control over the built in pedal effects. Also there is an artist version that uses the Waza speaker and that has a nice full sound to it. I chose mine because it is a 1x12 and has this crazy kind of pleasing (to my ears) mid thing going on. First time I tried mine I was meh. I gave it another chance and really tweaked it a bit, finding the gain/vol/master are pretty interactive. Putting the gain and vol at mid level and cranking the master gives it great touch sensitivity. If you are a tweaker you can get lost for hours with this thing. Hook up your laptop and create all kinds of patches, different saved tones with different EQ settings, different saved sounds (it has pretty much every boss pedal modeled) for specific songs/artists. I have some killer tube amps but they have been collecting dust since I bought this. Not necessarily because it sounds better, but it sounds better at lower volumes and I can flip a switch and plug my acoustic in... lol.
Oh also on line out  
Johnny5 : 7/30/2020 9:58 am : link
Kat has one but it's std quarter inch. Honestly I'm not positive but I think the only thing XLR gives you over the 1/4 inch is longer distance. With XLR you can run over 150 ft, with 1/4 inch you can't really do more than 20 or 30 feet. Although I'm not sure if the Kat line out is balanced or unbalanced. I can tell you that I used it live a couple of times for a chorus effect on a couple songs and as a stage monitor for myself, when I did that I used the line out 1/4 inch to a DI Box, that went XLR into the PA. Sounded great and worked well.
consider  
cactus : 7/30/2020 10:52 am : link
https://reverb.com/p/fender-princeton-recording-amp-15-watt-1x10-guitar-combo-2006-2009
Depending on the type of  
Mike in Marin : 8/2/2020 3:19 am : link
sounds you need and the cleans, vs. crunch, I'm a big fan of Milkman's The Amp. Basically a double pedal-sized amp with tube preamp, reverb and tremolo. It does the fender blackface cleans up to od and is 50 watts, depending on the ohm of the speakers you use. It may be too fender-like for you though. It's also pretty expensive, but extremely versatile with XLR out for recording, cab-simulation. I use it as a practice/small gig back-up to my full Jerry Garcia rig, but it works great for anything in the fender realm.

And it is made by one of the top handmade amp makers in the biz.


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