So due to some space saving issues I've cleared out a lot of junk.
Part of that will be swapping my 1x12 peavey bandit for something small.
I'm lucky - I'm no longer massively into metal. I'd like an amp that takes fuzz and dist pedals well, but good primarily for a responsive Marshall vibe.
Ideally, it'll have a GOOD headphones out. I'd rather it not have one but be great than a really shite one but a less good amp.
To that end, my options are as follows:
Yamaha thr 10 - when tested, I preferred blackstar ID core 20 for high gain and clean cleans, but the thr was better at the mid gain I am aiming for
Blackstar ID core 20 - great sounds, great price, not as good sounding at responsive plexi as thr
1x10 5 watt valve combo, I have an l pad attenuator but frankly I think this option is out of budget - I'd rather do it right if taking this route.
Hotone purple wind - slightly different choice, but basically it sounds like a great solid state amp. Which would be cool.
Marshall lead 12 combo - cool sounding, but needs speaker upgrade - maybe a ten inch greenback? I can't remember if these are even that small really.
I'm leaning towards the thr - are there any great downloadable presets with a plexi tone in mind? It was crap for high gain dual rec tones compared to the blackstar but if it takes pedals well I have a good metal distortion should I fancy being silly. However I'm happy to listen to long term user reviews.
Particularly as I generally felt the id core 20 was better in almost every way, but the responsive drive tone thing. Main guitar is a strat with vintage pickups.
Bonus points if it has a bass amp model on board.
Comments
"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
Super kind, and I like these but if it can fit a 12 inch speaker in, it's too large... @icbm I sort of considered the ht1r but when I tried other stuff (ht5, ht5r which was better) I found they didn't have the responsiveness I like. Sound was good. Maybe I'll try one again though. There is not desperate hurry here, got a good few weeks.
"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
As regards a valve amp, on the off chance you ever see a Marshall DSL5C combo, it has a lot of features and is a good sounding amp which covers a lot of ground. Has a headphone out which is okay. Dwitchable output down to one watt. I think they were trying to pack a lot fo features in and, IMO, by and large succeed. Second hand prices are pretty favourable too.
You definitely wouldn't fit a 12 in this one! It's bloody tiny!
The first version 'taller than it is wide' can definitely take a 12", I've done a couple of them. Only just, but it does fit.
"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
... and just ignoring the headphone jack, or getting some sort of outboard speaker emulator/headphone driver - there must be one.
"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
Trading feedback: Previous (+18) and Current
Pm you in the morning then! I'm so rock and roll, I'm going to bed. But so long as it does a good vintagey Marshall sound that goes dirty and cleans up on volume knob/pick attack, it may be a winner.
"and just ignoring the headphone jack, or getting some sort of outboard speaker emulator/headphone driver - there must be one."
You would think so IC but AFAIK there isn't. I recently bought a Behringer HA400 headphone amplifier. Seems very good to me and at under £20 surely someone could take that basic circuit and build in an "emulator"?
It could have a line level/HP input and also a high level in for jacking across loads. There are SO many simple gadgets needed for the HR and guitarist market I am continually surprised no one seems to be doing it.
Oh! To be 30 again!
Dave.
"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
The laney sounds great...(assuming it saves you space too)
The zoom at the end of your pedal chain to do delay and verbs etc which its great at...and a headphone jack that will sound better than most amps.
Actually, physical size is more relevant than power really.
It occurred to me to try a USA peavey studio as they're 1x10 and should sound similar to my current choice, but I'd like to get closer to a vintage Marshall (lol I know).
There is the lead 12, but also Marshall valvestate 15 and 30 - the 80 watter is definitely good, but never tried the smaller models. No interest in paying extra for the" beam" but I am interested in the id core. I may see if I can find a shop with the id core 20 and the thr 10 for a shootout again - I did prefer the blackstar last time, but was testing mostly high gain which the thr10 was not good for.
The ht1r looks good, too. Would need a small cab - any such thing as a decent 8 inch speaker or should I opt for 10?
"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
Thanks for all the help so far chaps. I've found the newer vox av15 which looks good. There is also the old Laney lc/vc15 amps with 1x10 cabs, but again... May be too big (almost certainly too big actually).
Which brings me to @timmysoft's lead 12. Any decent amp tech folk who won't run scared from a solid state amp in the Cambridge area?