Ok, the title might be a little misleading, because its a bit more complicated than that.
In January, I will have about $1000 to spend on a new amp (planning on trading my current 15 watt Vox and my old Ibanez that I don't play anymore and putting about $600 more on top of those)
Anywho.
I live in an apartment. I would prefer to be able to use the amp both while gigging, and at home, instead of using a practice amp everywhere but live.
The kind of music I'm doing right now is sorta heavily distorted and effected (mostly whammy) rock, sorta in the middle between Queens of the Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails. The a simplified version of my effect loop is this: Effect in -> whammy -> dry out goes to a Metal Muff, and then into a mixer, wet goes into the mixer (to get a about 30% clean wet blend)-> mixer out into amp.
Anywho, there are 3 amp's I have been looking at, that I can get with a cab for under a grand.
(in order of my current consideration)
1. Vox AD100VTH ($709 with cab) - I like this, because my current amp is a AD15VT, and I love it. But, I really need to crank it to get it to sound awesome (just sounds good otherwise). The 100 has a power attenuator built in, so I can cut it down to apartment levels, withough sacrificing that much sound quality. I haven't played with one yet, but Its just the bigger version of my amp, so I figure it has the same quality/sound as mine.
2. Peavey Windsor (679.99 with cab) - My dad had one of these, and it sounded really good. Full tube amp, with a lot of options with sounds. The main problem is using it at a low volume...
3. Marshall MG100HDFX (599.99 with cab) - Haven't played with this one yet, but I think I will next time I'm at the music store. I've always like Marshall's, but the big ones are a bit out of my price range. Its main drawback is that its fully digital, and the volume problem...however I saw a few reviews that said it sounds pretty good even at low levels, since it doesn't use a tube.
Anyway, those are the 3 I'm looking at right now. Any suggestions on other amps I should look at in this price range?
My dad was also pointing out that I could go with a good amp with lower power and run it though a PA, but I'm not sure about that. I figure a good 50watt amp should be plenty loud enough for anywhere I would play in, but I just figure when not get a 100 just in case I need it a bit louder?
You'll have a hard time hearing the difference between 50 and 100W if you play cranked. Both are crazy loud with efficient speakers. 100W is mainly better than 50W if you want clean headroom.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Stay clear of the Marshall MG. It'll haunt you forever as worst purchase of your life. Unless you replace it with a Line6 Spider ofcourse.
Sounds to me like you got your mind made up on the Vox. The built in attenuator should be just what you are looking for.
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
Yea, I was looking at the 2 speaker 50watt version of the Vox, and it might be better for me.
One nice thing about the AD100VT is that it has a separate effects loop. The 30 and 50 don't have that.
Isaac
Don't be afraid to get a sufficiently-loud amp to play out with. You can always use a power-soak at home, and even at smaller venues to keep stage volume under control while getting that sweet "cranked tube amp" tone and feel. If you can handle some basic soldering (or have a victim...errr, friend that can) you can save some major $$$ going with a Weber power-soak kit. They start well under $100. Here's the URL:
http://www.tedweber.com/atten.htm
I also have to agree with Ignar on staying away from the Marshall MG series. I actually bought one a while back for rehearsals, and they had to send me *4* amps before I got one (the FIFTH one!!) that worked/stayed working longer than a day/didn't make fan-grinding noises. Sold it as fast as I could.
Cheers!
Strat
Check this amp out, this is what I'm getting in about two days.
http://tinyurl.com/2ayvoq
If you want tubes for sure though, you may want this
http://tinyurl.com/3776w6
Music is one of the most powerful forces on this planet, why not put it to use?
Brandon Pace
http://www.brandonmpace.com
