Hello everyone, to get things started budged is around 3000EUR. Rather buying used in europe.
I was stuck for too long when it comes to amps. When I was going through an acoustic phase my previous tone accomplishments were still satisfying to me. But now the more I'm looking into it the more lost I get. Important stuff:
Mostly strat player, have some amazing guitars, love them to death. But in spite of this choice I like warm, creamy, smooth tone.
As far as sound is concerned, I'm after stuff like Eric Johnson's violin tone, fusion/jazz rock leads, say Al Di Meola. Also love the sweet, warm, crispy crunch. Clean doesn't matter too much, but won't mind it, especially if it's warm and round. Still I'm mostly after the lead tone. Also enjoy the tone of Andy Timmons(who doesn't? and many others. But I don't want to copy, just point in a general direction where I want to develop my own.
Wattage is not too much of an issue. Small wattage amps are always nice but I can work around the beasts aswell. Channels don't matter as long as I can get the tones I need. Spring reverb on board nice but not a dealbreaker, will get some rack spring unit if needed, I really like the amps that feel almost like "singing", with smooth sound, not too harsh. Some amps feel "clunky: in a way to me, especially when not boosted with an od, I hope you get the idea.
As for pedals, I never used too much of them. Probably a drive or two in front of an amp, maybe delay, either eventide or strymon I guess. Tubescreamer, some xotic stuff(bb/ac/rc maybe small ones), depending what would work best with the chosen amp. Zendrive and giggity are also on my list. And maybe a tube driver if I can get one. Might give golden cello a chance aswell.
I had lonestar, looking for something different and perhaps smaller. Was actually considering badger, but not having played one I have mixed feelings as I don't really like the demos, youtube lies, I know.
From what I was also thinking about friedman pt-20 or runt 20, maybe a jvm???(feels like an overkill though), mesa ta-30 or 5:50, voodoo amps v-plex 25, brunetti pleximan.
And perhaps spending a day or two on my knees in front of some rich guy and looking into fuchs, either ods50 or ods champ . Both heads, champ with matching cab. From the lower price range I could get cornford roadhouse 30 or mk50 single channel. Also, not a huge fan of voxes.
I really want to make sure an amp doesn't feel "stiff", and I'm not necessarily of it making up for bad technique. But some amps do feel like you plug it and sing smooth, creamy notes, and sometimes it just doesn't feel right.
I know most will say fuchs is a clear winner but maybe I could achieve what I want without putting brown lipstick on. I also know there's a lot of plexi like amps on the list.
Will really appreciate any input, please, restrain from advising me to drive around and try things myself. I was doing just that and would still if I didn't get my ankle put in a plaster... But I have to suck it up and finish my rig so I'll be greatful for any help. I might still drive and try out certain things myself, but my health doesn't really allow me to be everywhere so hopefully we can narrow down the choice.
Again, thanks for all help
Kind Regards
Kris
I was stuck for too long when it comes to amps. When I was going through an acoustic phase my previous tone accomplishments were still satisfying to me. But now the more I'm looking into it the more lost I get. Important stuff:
Mostly strat player, have some amazing guitars, love them to death. But in spite of this choice I like warm, creamy, smooth tone.
As far as sound is concerned, I'm after stuff like Eric Johnson's violin tone, fusion/jazz rock leads, say Al Di Meola. Also love the sweet, warm, crispy crunch. Clean doesn't matter too much, but won't mind it, especially if it's warm and round. Still I'm mostly after the lead tone. Also enjoy the tone of Andy Timmons(who doesn't? and many others. But I don't want to copy, just point in a general direction where I want to develop my own.
Wattage is not too much of an issue. Small wattage amps are always nice but I can work around the beasts aswell. Channels don't matter as long as I can get the tones I need. Spring reverb on board nice but not a dealbreaker, will get some rack spring unit if needed, I really like the amps that feel almost like "singing", with smooth sound, not too harsh. Some amps feel "clunky: in a way to me, especially when not boosted with an od, I hope you get the idea.
As for pedals, I never used too much of them. Probably a drive or two in front of an amp, maybe delay, either eventide or strymon I guess. Tubescreamer, some xotic stuff(bb/ac/rc maybe small ones), depending what would work best with the chosen amp. Zendrive and giggity are also on my list. And maybe a tube driver if I can get one. Might give golden cello a chance aswell.
I had lonestar, looking for something different and perhaps smaller. Was actually considering badger, but not having played one I have mixed feelings as I don't really like the demos, youtube lies, I know.
From what I was also thinking about friedman pt-20 or runt 20, maybe a jvm???(feels like an overkill though), mesa ta-30 or 5:50, voodoo amps v-plex 25, brunetti pleximan.
And perhaps spending a day or two on my knees in front of some rich guy and looking into fuchs, either ods50 or ods champ . Both heads, champ with matching cab. From the lower price range I could get cornford roadhouse 30 or mk50 single channel. Also, not a huge fan of voxes.
I really want to make sure an amp doesn't feel "stiff", and I'm not necessarily of it making up for bad technique. But some amps do feel like you plug it and sing smooth, creamy notes, and sometimes it just doesn't feel right.
I know most will say fuchs is a clear winner but maybe I could achieve what I want without putting brown lipstick on. I also know there's a lot of plexi like amps on the list.
Will really appreciate any input, please, restrain from advising me to drive around and try things myself. I was doing just that and would still if I didn't get my ankle put in a plaster... But I have to suck it up and finish my rig so I'll be greatful for any help. I might still drive and try out certain things myself, but my health doesn't really allow me to be everywhere so hopefully we can narrow down the choice.
Again, thanks for all help
Kind Regards
Kris
I even put ta-30 on a list but that would be a downgrade I guess.
