20 watt amp for exquisite classic rock tones?

[ledvedder]

A few people have recommended Orange. Do they have the same type of upper midrange character that Marshall-esque amps have? I'm not very familiar with the tonal characteristics of Orange amps.

 

[braintheory]

A few people have recommended Orange. Do they have the same type of upper midrange character that Marshall-esque amps have? I'm not very familiar with the tonal characteristics of Orange amps.

They tend to be a bit darker and thicker, but still British and midrangey in voicing. The Chandler GAV19T and Laney Lionheart are more bright and upper midrangey like the Marshall’s

 

[ledvedder]

A few people have recommended Orange. Do they have the same type of upper midrange character that Marshall-esque amps have? I'm not very familiar with the tonal characteristics of Orange amps.

They tend to be a bit darker and thicker, but still British and midrangey in voicing. The Chandler GAV19T and Laney Lionheart are more bright and upper midrangey like the Marshall’s

I'm not really crazy about the character of the overdrive/distortion in the Orange demo videos that I've seen.

 

[braintheory]

A few people have recommended Orange. Do they have the same type of upper midrange character that Marshall-esque amps have? I'm not very familiar with the tonal characteristics of Orange amps.

They tend to be a bit darker and thicker, but still British and midrangey in voicing. The Chandler GAV19T and Laney Lionheart are more bright and upper midrangey like the Marshall’s

I'm not really crazy about the character of the overdrive/distortion in the Orange demo videos that I've seen.

I didn’t care for most of them either, but I liked the OR15 and for the price and functionality of being a small amp thought it was pretty good. I’d say check out either the Jubilee 2525 or Laney Lionheart

There are some other small amps that would probably be killer for what you’re describing, but way more than $1000 like the smaller wattage Wizards, Mezzabarba, Homestead and Soldano

 

[ledvedder]

I love this tone, but some have said this has been very touched up with post processing. Plus, the SV20 would be ridiculously loud. https://youtu.be/HTV0qjWsJzI

And I just love this tone also, https://youtu.be/O18CXmIPHVI

 

[ledvedder]

A few people have recommended Orange. Do they have the same type of upper midrange character that Marshall-esque amps have? I'm not very familiar with the tonal characteristics of Orange amps.

They tend to be a bit darker and thicker, but still British and midrangey in voicing. The Chandler GAV19T and Laney Lionheart are more bright and upper midrangey like the Marshall’s

I'm not really crazy about the character of the overdrive/distortion in the Orange demo videos that I've seen.

I didn’t care for most of them either, but I liked the OR15 and for the price and functionality of being a small amp thought it was pretty good. I’d say check out either the Jubilee 2525 or Laney Lionheart

I had the 2525. I wasn't crazy about that either. Something about the distortion character that I didn't like.

 

[GJgo]

I've got a Mesa Mark III black stripe that's 15W in Class A mode & can use 6L6 or EL34s in the Class A sockets. (or 75W at the flip of a switch.) It's a bit of a bastard child but it's been factory serviced & it would kill for classic and hard rock style tones. I'd sell it for around your price.

 

[Monkey Man]

I like how you're approaching this, ledvedder. It worked for Angus in the studio.

So many peeps have been misled by the Marshall 4x12 stacks live and in their music videos.

This approach should result in better articulation cut-through, a more-organic sound and less-sponginess / mushiness in the mix.

Do you mean because I'm looking for something with lower wattage?

Hmm... I'd assumed you were going to either grab a combo or drive a single speaker.

For perfect, phase-free sound and articulation I'd recommend a single driver. The more speakers in the cabinet, even if you're only mic'ing one of them, the greater the smudging of the pure attack and waveform.

 

[ledvedder]

I like how you're approaching this, ledvedder. It worked for Angus in the studio.

So many peeps have been misled by the Marshall 4x12 stacks live and in their music videos.

This approach should result in better articulation cut-through, a more-organic sound and less-sponginess / mushiness in the mix.

Do you mean because I'm looking for something with lower wattage?

Hmm... I'd assumed you were going to either grab a combo or drive a single speaker.

For perfect, phase-free sound and articulation I'd recommend a single driver. The more speakers in the cabinet, even if you're only mic'ing one of them, the greater the smudging of the pure attack and waveform.

Yes definitely a 1x12 or combo. My days of lugging a 412 into a small bar are over!

 

[Monkey Man]

For what you want, that's the ticket, mate.

 

[ClintN667]

I would definitely go for a Ceriatone 2202 or their mini jube.

 

[ledvedder]

Anything in the 15-20 watt range that can get me here? These are plexi kits. Although I'm fairly confident with soldering, I'm not sure if I'm ready to build an amp from scratch.

https://youtu.be/eGBc4lC8zaY

 

[_actual time_]

A few people have recommended Orange. Do they have the same type of upper midrange character that Marshall-esque amps have? I'm not very familiar with the tonal characteristics of Orange amps.

They tend to be a bit darker and thicker, but still British and midrangey in voicing. ...

I'm not really crazy about the character of the overdrive/distortion in the Orange demo videos that I've seen.

I had the 2525. I wasn't crazy about that either. Something about the distortion character that I didn't like.

I've had the 2525 Jubilee, the SC20 JCM 800, and the Orange Brent Hinds Tiny Terror. None are perfect or exquisite for me, but I really like them all, in different ways.

The SC20 does a good thick 800 crunch to my ears. Not as clear or punchy as the 2204 (6550s) I played it against, but more gain available. The Hinds Terror sounds Marshally to my ears, and I've read it was designed to sound more Marshally and less Orangey. I use a lower gain preamp tube in V1, and I can go from dry, 70s AC/DC to moderate crunch 80s AC/DC and classic rock, but with more gain than that and it gets flubby; IMO VH would need a boost.

The 2525 definitely the most versitile of these three IMO--goes easily from dry, 70s AC/DC on the rhythm channel to crunchy GNR to VH on the lead. I agree, there's something about the distortion character I'm not crazy about either; a bit brittle IMO or definitely not 'exquisite', like you're looking for.

But IMO for gigging classic rock, I would use a 2525 because of the versitility and trust that in a bar situation, the audience and even the band on stage won't be able to hear the sound clear enough that it matters. Totally understand if for you it wasn't inspiring to play through.

 

[Nigel]

The Brent Hinds does well with the Russian 6n14n power tubes. A good deal of trouble and dissatisfaction folks have with amps comes down to modern glass being lack-lustre.

We did an amp shoot out in Nashville yesterday, and everyone was surprised and impressed with how the little Orange sounded, compared to a Friedman Small box, real plexi, etc.

Mods? It was through a thick birch Rivera M60 1x12 with a Mesa V30, had the Russian power tubes, a Nos At7, stock JJ ECC83 in V1, stock 9th gen Shuguang AX7 in PI, and a ‘50’s Mullard long plate AX7 in the V2 gain spot. Cleans and drive brought smiles and awe all around despite the little guy being had for $299 on a GC STOTD score.

I’ll make you some clips if you like.

 

[ledvedder]

The Brent Hinds does well with the Russian 6n14n power tubes. A good deal of trouble and dissatisfaction folks have with amps comes down to modern glass being lack-lustre.

We did an amp shoot out in Nashville yesterday, and everyone was surprised and impressed with how the little Orange sounded, compared to a Friedman Small box, real plexi, etc.

Mods? It was through a thick birch Rivera M60 1x12 with a Mesa V30, had the Russian power tubes, a Nos At7, stock JJ ECC83 in V1, stock 9th gen Shuguang AX7 in PI, and a ‘50’s Mullard long plate AX7 in the V2 gain spot. Cleans and drive brought smiles and awe all around despite the little guy being had for $299 on a GC STOTD score.

I’ll make you some clips if you like.

Sure, I'd love to hear it! Is this what is now sold as the Rocker 15 Terror?

 

[Nigel]

The Brent Hinds does well with the Russian 6n14n power tubes. A good deal of trouble and dissatisfaction folks have with amps comes down to modern glass being lack-lustre.

We did an amp shoot out in Nashville yesterday, and everyone was surprised and impressed with how the little Orange sounded, compared to a Friedman Small box, real plexi, etc.

Mods? It was through a thick birch Rivera M60 1x12 with a Mesa V30, had the Russian power tubes, a Nos At7, stock JJ ECC83 in V1, stock 9th gen Shuguang AX7 in PI, and a ‘50’s Mullard long plate AX7 in the V2 gain spot. Cleans and drive brought smiles and awe all around despite the little guy being had for $299 on a GC STOTD score.

I’ll make you some clips if you like.

Sure, I'd love to hear it! Is this what is now sold as the Rocker 15 Terror?

No, the Rocker is more like the Rocker 30 "Orange" sound, the Brent is more vintage mod-Marshall. I'll post some clips up later, cell phone only. Cell phone mics don't lie. I've got some nice pre's and mics, but I don't want to BS what the thing sounds like in the room. Are you a V30 or Greenback kind of guy?

 

[ledvedder]

The Brent Hinds does well with the Russian 6n14n power tubes. A good deal of trouble and dissatisfaction folks have with amps comes down to modern glass being lack-lustre.

We did an amp shoot out in Nashville yesterday, and everyone was surprised and impressed with how the little Orange sounded, compared to a Friedman Small box, real plexi, etc.

Mods? It was through a thick birch Rivera M60 1x12 with a Mesa V30, had the Russian power tubes, a Nos At7, stock JJ ECC83 in V1, stock 9th gen Shuguang AX7 in PI, and a ‘50’s Mullard long plate AX7 in the V2 gain spot. Cleans and drive brought smiles and awe all around despite the little guy being had for $299 on a GC STOTD score.

I’ll make you some clips if you like.

Sure, I'd love to hear it! Is this what is now sold as the Rocker 15 Terror?

No, the Rocker is more like the Rocker 30 "Orange" sound, the Brent is more vintage mod-Marshall. I'll post some clips up later, cell phone only. Cell phone mics don't lie. I've got some nice pre's and mics, but I don't want to BS what the thing sounds like in the room. Are you a V30 or Greenback kind of guy?

I have both available, but I tend to like Greenbacks a little more. I see the Brent Hinds isn't available anymore.

 

[SFW]

What about one of the 18 watt Marshall plexi style amps?

 

[braintheory]

What about one of the 18 watt Marshall plexi style amps?

I somehow completely forgot about that, but that would probably be the best and perfect option. I played one not long ago and remember it sounding great. I still think the Lionheart may be worth thinking about, but I think the 18 watt Marshall would sound way better for what the OP is asking for than the other amps mentioned. Somehow I forgot the most obvious choice

EDIT: they actually may be out of the OP’s price range

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

I just bought last week a fender supersonic 22 1x12 combo.
Clean channel is incredible and the burn channel is awesome. I wanted a good clean platform with a good lead channel, and at 22 watts, it is plenty loud, plus I wanted a fender in the collection.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but the amp shines with both single and humbucking PU's. You gotta play one if you havent.