Hi.
I'm scratching my head massively about what amp to get next.
I quite like a power scaled plexi type thing. 50w minimum. But I can't seem to find anything suitable unless it's off the peg.
I also need two master volumes. But I can get a Bad Cat unleash for that type of thing.
I already have a 1987x and a JCM800 which I both really like, but I'm not sure.
I'm thinking the reamping capabilities of the Unleash, i.e. Being able to make a 30w amp, a 100w one, is maybe a key to what I'm trying to achieve.
I've currently been looking at
Dr Z antidote, Suhr Badger, etc.
But I'm worried that the 100w class D power amp in the Unleash will be nothing like a 100w rms power section in an amp.
If it did an amazing job, I could maybe go for something like the 2061x or similar.
I've had a YJM, and whilst the sound of it was incredible, it was massive, and heavy!!
Maybe a Hiwatt? Orange?
Prefer that raucous Marshall upper midrange though!!
Any thoughts??!?
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Orange rockerverb is good, as is the Jim root terror. Very Marshall midrange snarl.
I'd maybe consider another, but again, it has the sounds I want, which is that driven plexi tone, but loads of unnecessary faff with it too. Not to mention when I ordered it, it came to me basically destroyed when it supposed to be new, it left a bit of a sour taste.
I like the power scaling on it, and I think it produced far more gain than my cranked 1987 does, but I still need volume boosts and whatnot, that that amp couldn't provide. So I'd still have to get a footswitchable attenuator. So I might as well just get a stock 1959HW or something.
If Marshall made a 1987 or 1959 head, that had power scaling, but two selectable volume pots, with an fx loop that wasn't affected by the power section being driven hard, so Delays and Reverbs sound sweet and defined, I'd buy it in a heartbeat...
As it stands, the Unleash is the closest device I've ever come across that allows me to take pretty much any amp and turn it into something that I'm happy to and is flexible enough to gig with.
I've then got the issue of running the absolute balls off a NMV amp which is going to make the amps components and valves last maybe half as long as they otherwise would do. Could an Unleash and 1987 be run basically flat out with no maladies regularly? Maybe yes, but let's be honest, the likelihood of popping something is severely increased.
Which is why I'm looking at lower volume/ wattage alternatives, which would mean less juice going into the Unleash, putting less strain on it, and maybe using its ability to amplify a signal up to my solo volume levels.
@Nerine I was after pretty much the same thing as you particularly the switchable master volumes. I really don't know why amp manufacturers don't provide this (@ICBM might offer an explanation) more often as I pretty much always need to put a clean boost in the FX to get lead boosts which in turn compromises the effects in that loop!
ENGL do some amps with switchable volumes but they tend to be 6L6 powered.
Edit: I got over my volume boost issue using a TC Nova System which is detailed here:
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/31977/#Comment_31977
No-one makes an effects loop like that, unless you place your effects after the power stage...
I’m so bored I might as well be listening to Pink Floyd
Mesa Dual Rectifier - original 2-channel version.
It has the control set you want, it's not heavy for a 100W amp, and if you set it up right you would be amazed how like a Marshall it can sound.
Forget everything you think you know about it being a scooped, buzzy nu-metal amp - it *can* do that, but only if you want to. That scooped 'chug' is a lot to do with the speaker cabs too - try it through a cab with Greenbacks and it's a very different beast.
(How to set it up right - EL34s, solid-state rectifier or fit GZ34s, bold mode, modern channel cloned to vintage. Then just trust your ears .)
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
There is the Marshall JCM900 SL-X, though...
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein