Spending frenzy and Tube amp quest
So, I recently got back to playing on a regular basis. I am a hobby guy and change my current hobby (obession) on a regular basis, I have many. I have always kept a Les Paul around for kicks and kept my GNX1. Last time I got out of the mood, I sold my GNX3, my 5150 combo, my Strat, and my two Crate Classic tube amps (connected in Stereo to the GNX3).
I decided I should upgrade some equipment so I purchased a GNX3 ( wanted a GNX4 but got a really good deal on the GNX3 $100), a set of Behringer truth's, and an new Epiphone Prophecy SG GX. Started a strict training schedule using several DVD based instructional lessons and it is all good. Sound is great, not sure if it is perfect.
So I decided to go on a tube amp search with a wife budget of $500, which I interpret as no more than $1000. I have tried the Line 6 Spider valve 2x12, Peavy ValveKing 2x12, Crate V-33 2x12, Begura 6260, Bugera 333, Bugera 333XL, and a few others. The Bugera's are excellent on both clean and distortion, and also extremely loud. The Line 6 is excellent (the effects are limited) and I can get a used one for $500 from a friend. The Peavy clean is great, not really a fan of the distortion. The Crate has excellent clean and great crunch.
I only play mainly at bedroom levels, once in a while I like to venture into concert volumes so I can feel like a Rock Star alone in my studio.
I love the GNX for the variety of sounds and I have the Supremodels CD which is amazing. What I feel is lacking is the picking dynamics of the tube, especially on the clean channel. I am having a very difficult time justifing the purchase just to acheive this. Is there any way to get closer to the picking dynamics of the clean channel on the GNX?
If I was to purchase an amp it would probably be the Line 6 for flexibility and price or the Bugera for power, great distortion and price, Crate for clean and buy two for stereo with the GNX3, or maybe even wait to see the new Peavey Vypyr.
All thoughts are welcome.
...And Shredd, I already have a beautiful California blode beach babe boxed up and ready to ship Fedex to you after your reply.
I decided I should upgrade some equipment so I purchased a GNX3 ( wanted a GNX4 but got a really good deal on the GNX3 $100), a set of Behringer truth's, and an new Epiphone Prophecy SG GX. Started a strict training schedule using several DVD based instructional lessons and it is all good. Sound is great, not sure if it is perfect.
So I decided to go on a tube amp search with a wife budget of $500, which I interpret as no more than $1000. I have tried the Line 6 Spider valve 2x12, Peavy ValveKing 2x12, Crate V-33 2x12, Begura 6260, Bugera 333, Bugera 333XL, and a few others. The Bugera's are excellent on both clean and distortion, and also extremely loud. The Line 6 is excellent (the effects are limited) and I can get a used one for $500 from a friend. The Peavy clean is great, not really a fan of the distortion. The Crate has excellent clean and great crunch.
I only play mainly at bedroom levels, once in a while I like to venture into concert volumes so I can feel like a Rock Star alone in my studio.
I love the GNX for the variety of sounds and I have the Supremodels CD which is amazing. What I feel is lacking is the picking dynamics of the tube, especially on the clean channel. I am having a very difficult time justifing the purchase just to acheive this. Is there any way to get closer to the picking dynamics of the clean channel on the GNX?
If I was to purchase an amp it would probably be the Line 6 for flexibility and price or the Bugera for power, great distortion and price, Crate for clean and buy two for stereo with the GNX3, or maybe even wait to see the new Peavey Vypyr.
All thoughts are welcome.
...And Shredd, I already have a beautiful California blode beach babe boxed up and ready to ship Fedex to you after your reply.
Comments
Myself, I use the GNX4 when my amps can't produce the tone I want. Mainly that means it gets used for the rectifier-type sounds. For clean work, I have a Rivera Sedona, for mild crunch, I use an Epiphone Valve Junior. For more Fender-like tones, I have a THD univalve. I also use a Marshall Valvestate, which has the tube pre section. It get real loud with good tube sounds. But, if I want a Mesa, Bogner, or a 5150, or some other amp I don't own, its the GNX4 through a pair of Mackie SRMs.
And send the girl to Shredd. :twisted:
You could go with an AT212 combo amp, or an AT100 half stack, and still stay under $1000 either way, with the clear sound you expect, and more power than you'll need!
I use my GNX4 through an AT100 Full Stack, because I didn't want to choose between Solid State or Tube.
The AT100 amp has a 3 position selector switch that includes: Solid State, Tube A, Tube A/B, for whichever sound you want, besides adjusting gains/volumes/brightness/eq/etc.
I personally will ONLY build my own solid body electric guitars and Amps.
Ceriatone is a good place to get pre-assembled circuit borads for amps if you don't want to do a complkete build from scratch.
I have found that all amp modelers,like the GNX4, are best played thru a PA system or Keyboard amps. Flat response is a must.
The whole idea of Amp modelers is that you don't need an amp.