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Fordman65
Well-known member
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JerEvil
Well-known member
Here are my thoughts...
Do you factor in resale value? ALWAYS! If I know there's a likelihood I cannot move something on at about what I paid for it, I usually pass
If going boutique, do you factor in builder history/longevity? I do now. Got stung on some custom and semi custom builds when moving them. Lost my ass.
Does having something hand wired and made in relatively limited numbers appeal to you? Not. in the least.
Do you mind if your amp is just like everyone else? Nope. As long as it gets the sounds I need.
Is tone the only thing that truly matters to you? No... if the tone kills but it looks like dog poop, I ain't buying it. I can get past "unique" aesthetics, but I could never buy a Fucking Fucker based on how it looks. Not the name per se, but it's just ugly! LOL! Just like I really am on the fence with Aristedes visually. The probably play amazing but I don't quite get on with their look.
Do you factor in resale value? ALWAYS! If I know there's a likelihood I cannot move something on at about what I paid for it, I usually pass
If going boutique, do you factor in builder history/longevity? I do now. Got stung on some custom and semi custom builds when moving them. Lost my ass.
Does having something hand wired and made in relatively limited numbers appeal to you? Not. in the least.
Do you mind if your amp is just like everyone else? Nope. As long as it gets the sounds I need.
Is tone the only thing that truly matters to you? No... if the tone kills but it looks like dog poop, I ain't buying it. I can get past "unique" aesthetics, but I could never buy a Fucking Fucker based on how it looks. Not the name per se, but it's just ugly! LOL! Just like I really am on the fence with Aristedes visually. The probably play amazing but I don't quite get on with their look.
Markedman
Well-known member
Not a day goes by when I'm looking a Craigslist that I see a boutique I want. Today it's 65amps Empire, it looks so awesome and when they came out about 10 years ogo, I remember saying to myself, I have got get one someday and there's one locally for cheap. And then I see a Marshall JVM 205C for $650.00. I know I'll see something cool tomorrow and that's what I'll want, but, I have something I need that I love, so I'm buying that instead.
I really really want to like modern amps! But, yeah, they all sound they same whereas everytime I play an amp built before 1972, I say to myself, "that's the tone in my head." I'm sure guys and gals who play quietly with pristene clean as their thing will disagree with me. I don't do pristine clean or even care about clean, clean is just something that is in songs others play.
I play '80's & 90's metal, somehow my guitars are 1988 - 1991 models and my amps are 1991. I buy new amps and get bored with the same old tone each day and end up selling them. I go to the music store a couple of times a year to try to change my mind about the lunch box offerings but as I stated, there's something missing in their tone.
Looks are important, I have full stacks that are intimidating but when I show up with my Boogie combo and it's tone is better and clearer than the other guy's stack, people get a kick out of it.
I really really want to like modern amps! But, yeah, they all sound they same whereas everytime I play an amp built before 1972, I say to myself, "that's the tone in my head." I'm sure guys and gals who play quietly with pristene clean as their thing will disagree with me. I don't do pristine clean or even care about clean, clean is just something that is in songs others play.
I play '80's & 90's metal, somehow my guitars are 1988 - 1991 models and my amps are 1991. I buy new amps and get bored with the same old tone each day and end up selling them. I go to the music store a couple of times a year to try to change my mind about the lunch box offerings but as I stated, there's something missing in their tone.
Looks are important, I have full stacks that are intimidating but when I show up with my Boogie combo and it's tone is better and clearer than the other guy's stack, people get a kick out of it.
cardinal
Well-known member
I like to have the actual amp (Marshall, Vox, etc.). I get that there may be modern interpretations of the famous circuits that perhaps I would like "better," but that's an annoying rabbit hole to get stuck in. I figure the Marshall/Vox/etc. was good enough for my guitar heroes, it needs to be good enough for me too.
skullfxr
Well-known member
I am all over the map on this one. Reliable good tone is top priority. Reaale/Return of investment is the second. TBH I only buy used and ONLY if I can break even.
I prefer stuff made in the US/UK/EU, etc. Personal reasons as well as typically higher quality.
I am not picky about PCB/turret/PTP as a rule of thumb because all can be done good OR bad.
My old Fenders I have not found a substitute for in anything newer tbh but I have overhauled all of them.
Vintage Marshall (mind you that I am in a different demographic than most 30 years old, heavier music than the R-T crowd in general, and a lot of BLUES and not much 80's)I have played, and enjoyed, but I could die without owning one. My Splawns suit my needs better (read MY).
I prefer stuff made in the US/UK/EU, etc. Personal reasons as well as typically higher quality.
I am not picky about PCB/turret/PTP as a rule of thumb because all can be done good OR bad.
My old Fenders I have not found a substitute for in anything newer tbh but I have overhauled all of them.
Vintage Marshall (mind you that I am in a different demographic than most 30 years old, heavier music than the R-T crowd in general, and a lot of BLUES and not much 80's)I have played, and enjoyed, but I could die without owning one. My Splawns suit my needs better (read MY).
maddnotez
Banned
Well-known member
Having just obtained a custom built amp I have mixed feelings.
Do you factor in resale value? Yeah but I expect to take a small hit on any item I buy. I don't buy gear to invest.
If going boutique, do you factor in builder history/longevity? Yes, it's always a gamble, you might get screwed.
Does having something hand wired and made in relatively limited numbers appeal to you? Absolutely
Do you mind if your amp is just like everyone else? Well typically going custom it wont be but I wouldn't care either way.
Is tone the only thing that truly matters? Not the only thing but the top priority.
Additional thoughts. I prefer big name brands for security. If you buy a Mesa from Sweetwater and it sucks you can return it. If its broke youll get it fixed easily.
When going custom, if somebody happens during your wait they might not have a cancel/return policy. My amp came from Australia so thank fully its mint but if something went wrong during shipping then wow that would suck.
The wait times are definitely not for me. Before I got the amp I said I would never buy another small builder amp again due to frustrations with communication and deadlines and that may hold true however.....Now that I have the amp it is unbelievable. The build quality is absolutely top notch and you just dont see that on an assembly line...Theres definitely something to be said about your hand wired question.
Do you factor in resale value? Yeah but I expect to take a small hit on any item I buy. I don't buy gear to invest.
If going boutique, do you factor in builder history/longevity? Yes, it's always a gamble, you might get screwed.
Does having something hand wired and made in relatively limited numbers appeal to you? Absolutely
Do you mind if your amp is just like everyone else? Well typically going custom it wont be but I wouldn't care either way.
Is tone the only thing that truly matters? Not the only thing but the top priority.
Additional thoughts. I prefer big name brands for security. If you buy a Mesa from Sweetwater and it sucks you can return it. If its broke youll get it fixed easily.
When going custom, if somebody happens during your wait they might not have a cancel/return policy. My amp came from Australia so thank fully its mint but if something went wrong during shipping then wow that would suck.
The wait times are definitely not for me. Before I got the amp I said I would never buy another small builder amp again due to frustrations with communication and deadlines and that may hold true however.....Now that I have the amp it is unbelievable. The build quality is absolutely top notch and you just dont see that on an assembly line...Theres definitely something to be said about your hand wired question.
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Racerxrated
Well-known member
I started on this carnival ride about 2010 or so, a couple yrs before joining here. My thoughts:
RESALE- When I started, I was on Ebay and Cragislist. I absolutely made it a priority to buy low in case I sold, so I could make a profit. As I've gotten older, I've been able to afford gear without having to sell first so I haven't been so concerned with making a profit. Breaking even is ok with me.
BOUTIQUE- I typically don't go into the boutique realm much if ever. I've been super happy with a stock or modded Marshall, Mesa, Soldano etc. I did just buy a Naylor so I guess that's boutique? Very cool and unique amp.
HAND WIRED or RARE- I don't care too much about hand wired; PCB and mass produced amps sound great and are Iconic-see Marshall/Mesa et al. RARE is cool if they are affordable..I have a C+ Coliseum of which there are 85 or so in the world. My serial is 34* so it's right in the beginning of the 2C Coliseums and is an even rarer 'Big Brother' combo. Pretty cool. I paid less than half of what the last one sold went for.
TONE- I don't care if I sound like everyone else, as long as they sound good. Yes tone is the most important factor...Ultimately for me, nobody does Marshall better than a Marshall..not even a Wizard as great as they are. If you want a Marshall tone get a Marshall. I don't want 'almost' a Marshall...I want the real deal. Same with Mesa..if you want that C+ Metallica tone GET a C+...just save and bide your time.
RESALE- When I started, I was on Ebay and Cragislist. I absolutely made it a priority to buy low in case I sold, so I could make a profit. As I've gotten older, I've been able to afford gear without having to sell first so I haven't been so concerned with making a profit. Breaking even is ok with me.
BOUTIQUE- I typically don't go into the boutique realm much if ever. I've been super happy with a stock or modded Marshall, Mesa, Soldano etc. I did just buy a Naylor so I guess that's boutique? Very cool and unique amp.
HAND WIRED or RARE- I don't care too much about hand wired; PCB and mass produced amps sound great and are Iconic-see Marshall/Mesa et al. RARE is cool if they are affordable..I have a C+ Coliseum of which there are 85 or so in the world. My serial is 34* so it's right in the beginning of the 2C Coliseums and is an even rarer 'Big Brother' combo. Pretty cool. I paid less than half of what the last one sold went for.
TONE- I don't care if I sound like everyone else, as long as they sound good. Yes tone is the most important factor...Ultimately for me, nobody does Marshall better than a Marshall..not even a Wizard as great as they are. If you want a Marshall tone get a Marshall. I don't want 'almost' a Marshall...I want the real deal. Same with Mesa..if you want that C+ Metallica tone GET a C+...just save and bide your time.
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braintheory
Well-known member
For me tone is the only thing that matters to me with all categories (guitars, amps, pedals, etc). I always found it so laughable and stupid how most guitar reviews on YouTube will have a 20-30 minute review and talk about sound for maybe 30 seconds, while the rest of the video will talk about playability, build quality, other details, but sound apparently isn’t that important to them, but anyway I digress
I’m open minded to all categories and think there’s noteworthy stuff in them all, but at least the 99% of the time the boutique stuff doesn’t live up. The ones that have seem to be stuff that was boutique for over 3 decades like Jim Kelley and Dumble. I’ve owned over 100 amps (played countless others) and for me the only ones that have stayed (or are staying) are all over 20 years old except for 3: Gjika, Wizard MTL and Cameron CCV. The Gjika is a real exception and one of the top 3 best amps I’ve ever played but not a metal amp. I’ve given all amps their fair chance whether they’re made overseas, solid state, hybrid, ptp vs pcb, etc and except for a few, I find the older amps to sound best and most inspiring. Most others come off neutered and sterile in comparison
Actually now that I think about it, all my keeper amps are PTP except for my Boogies, Marshall’s, Blueface and CCV, so maybe there is something to it. The few amps left on my radar are also PTP (Plexi, Larry, Schroeder, Naylor, Dumble, Trainwreck)
I’m open minded to all categories and think there’s noteworthy stuff in them all, but at least the 99% of the time the boutique stuff doesn’t live up. The ones that have seem to be stuff that was boutique for over 3 decades like Jim Kelley and Dumble. I’ve owned over 100 amps (played countless others) and for me the only ones that have stayed (or are staying) are all over 20 years old except for 3: Gjika, Wizard MTL and Cameron CCV. The Gjika is a real exception and one of the top 3 best amps I’ve ever played but not a metal amp. I’ve given all amps their fair chance whether they’re made overseas, solid state, hybrid, ptp vs pcb, etc and except for a few, I find the older amps to sound best and most inspiring. Most others come off neutered and sterile in comparison
Actually now that I think about it, all my keeper amps are PTP except for my Boogies, Marshall’s, Blueface and CCV, so maybe there is something to it. The few amps left on my radar are also PTP (Plexi, Larry, Schroeder, Naylor, Dumble, Trainwreck)
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ClintN667
Well-known member
I had a Kemper for a bit and came to the conclusion that a hotrodded marshall, an Orange, a Mark IV, and a 5150 type amp would cover everything I needed tonewise. I've been cycling through amps and it's only reaffirmed my belief. I'm down to a Mark IV now but I have another Ceriatone on order. After that I want to find another 5150/6505 and an Orange then calling it quits on amp chasing. I've kinda figured out that there really isnt a huge difference in between amps. Apart from the main ones you listed. Now all my G.A.S. is going to guitars. I hope this feeling stays cause honestly I find myself not really giving a shit about what I'm playing through now. 99% of the time I just plug into my HX stomp. I would rather have a more guitars or a few dozen more lessons.
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