Amp conundrum - SLO, Vox AC30 and ?

[jdel77]

Hey guys -
Just thinking out loud here.
I've pulled back my amp collection to 3 basic sounds -

1) Soldano SLO100 - The SLO really does sound and feel like more flexible version of a Marshall JMP on the Normal channel and a Marshall/Mesa Mark hybrid on the Overdrive channel. This amp has totally ruined my search.

2) 60's Vox AC30 - cleans/chime at lower volumes and old school British rock at higher gain. Run into my Marshall Greenback 4x12 it brings the rock like a mofo.

3) Late 70's Marshall JMP 2203

Now, the Marshall is where I'm struggling.
I actually prefer the Vox for British rock sounds. The SLO's Normal channel covers what the Marshall JMP does, except the Marshall is a little saggier/compressed, but the difference isn't much. I'm really not using the Marshall much.

What the heck is a third sound/amp I could use to round out my small collection?
I like Fender Blackface amps but they either sound to me like more focused JTM45's or low gain early Mesa Marks (which I guess is kinda what they are).

Any ideas?
Or should I move the Marshall on and get a Fractal?

 

[JerEvil]

Maybe something like a Mark 2C+ or JP2C? I'd go for something completely different. Not sure how modern a tone you like. There's always Diezel stuff. The Hagen, VH4 and Herbert have my attention as of late.

 

[PlayAndersons]

Another vote for a Diezel VH4...

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Diezel VH4 and Herbert are always good choices. And both cover a huge amount of ground.

If you want to stay in the Marshall-zone... Wizard MC2 or MTL. Like the best Marshall... Marshall never made.

 

[jdel77]

Maybe something like a Mark 2C+ or JP2C? I'd go for something completely different. Not sure how modern a tone you like. There's always Diezel stuff. The Hagen, VH4 and Herbert have my attention as of late.

I've owned a Mesa MKIII and MKIV, and to be honest, set them up to sound like what I wanted then, which is that higher gain modern modded Marshall sound - ie: a SLO100!

Another vote for a Diezel VH4...

Are Diezel's really that different sounding to the SLO, though? I've played a couple Herberts and VH4's - maybe I need to tweak them some more?

 

[jdel77]

Diezel VH4 and Herbert are always good choices. And both cover a huge amount of ground.

If you want to stay in the Marshall-zone... Wizard MC2 or MTL. Like the best Marshall... Marshall never made.

Wizards are just hideously expensive here in Australia - we're talking upwards of $6000 AU.

 

[JerEvil]

Maybe something like a Mark 2C+ or JP2C? I'd go for something completely different. Not sure how modern a tone you like. There's always Diezel stuff. The Hagen, VH4 and Herbert have my attention as of late.

I've owned a Mesa MKIII and MKIV, and to be honest, set them up to sound like what I wanted then, which is that higher gain modern modded Marshall sound - ie: a SLO100!

Another vote for a Diezel VH4...

Are Diezel's really that different sounding to the SLO, though? I've played a couple Herberts and VH4's - maybe I need to tweak them some more?

I have owned the Avenger 100 and played the SLO a handful of times. The VH4 reminded me of neither of them

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Are Diezel's really that different sounding to the SLO, though? I've played a couple Herberts and VH4's - maybe I need to tweak them some more?

Yep. A lot different. The VH4 channel 4 would get the closest... but still way different. The Herbert is much more modern, aggressive sounding.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Diezel VH4 and Herbert are always good choices. And both cover a huge amount of ground.

If you want to stay in the Marshall-zone... Wizard MC2 or MTL. Like the best Marshall... Marshall never made.

Wizards are just hideously expensive here in Australia - we're talking upwards of $6000 AU.

Keep your eyes peeled for a used one. They are more than worth the price IMHO... which is very expensive, no question. Superior build quality and exceptional service though. Some of the finest amps around.

 

[fusedbrain]

The Herbert and Vh4 are great suggestions and very different from the SLO.
Also, what about a Bogner TwinJet Jet or 20th Shiva?

 

[SpiderWars]

A four-holer instead of the 2203 sounds more your style but between the SLO and AC30 you've already got a lot of that ground covered. How gainy should this third amp be?

EDIT: Jubilee?

 

[jdel77]

A four-holer instead of the 2203 sounds more your style but between the SLO and AC30 you've already got a lot of that ground covered. How gainy should this third amp be?

EDIT: Jubilee?

I really don't know haha.
All I know is that:

a) I don't need it to do low to medium gain British rock as the Vox and SLO Normal channel cover that
b) I don't need it to do mid to high gain Marshally/Mesa Mark style rock/metal as the SLO covers that.

If anything, maybe a distinctly different voice of mid to high gain - seems like something like the Diezel is what I'm after.

 

[godgrinder]

I really don't know haha.
All I know is that:

a) I don't need it to do low to medium gain British rock as the Vox and SLO Normal channel cover that
b) I don't need it to do mid to high gain Marshally/Mesa Mark style rock/metal as the SLO covers that.

If anything, maybe a distinctly different voice of mid to high gain - seems like something like the Diezel is what I'm after.

Maybe Engl Powerball or Peters Bodyhammer.

 

[Snave]

A four-holer instead of the 2203 sounds more your style but between the SLO and AC30 you've already got a lot of that ground covered. How gainy should this third amp be?

EDIT: Jubilee?

I really don't know haha.
All I know is that:

a) I don't need it to do low to medium gain British rock as the Vox and SLO Normal channel cover that
b) I don't need it to do mid to high gain Marshally/Mesa Mark style rock/metal as the SLO covers that.

If anything, maybe a distinctly different voice of mid to high gain - seems like something like the Diezel is what I'm after.

Mark amps do tones that the SLO cannot replicated. Remember they've got Fender style pre-gain stage tonestacks. They're as different from a Soldano as a Diezel.

 

[jdel77]

A four-holer instead of the 2203 sounds more your style but between the SLO and AC30 you've already got a lot of that ground covered. How gainy should this third amp be?

EDIT: Jubilee?

I really don't know haha.
All I know is that:

a) I don't need it to do low to medium gain British rock as the Vox and SLO Normal channel cover that
b) I don't need it to do mid to high gain Marshally/Mesa Mark style rock/metal as the SLO covers that.

If anything, maybe a distinctly different voice of mid to high gain - seems like something like the Diezel is what I'm after.

Mark amps do tones that the SLO cannot replicated. Remember they've got Fender style pre-gain stage tonestacks. They're as different from a Soldano as a Diezel.

Mate, I'll tell you something very funny.
That's me in that video!

 

[Rdodson]

Here's a curveball; I'd do a Friedman Dirty Shirley.

 

[Snave]

Mate, I'll tell you something very funny.
That's me in that video!

No shit? Don't need to tell you what tones the Mark IV can do then.

 

[jdel77]

Haha yep.
I loved the Marks, particularly that Blue Stripe.

Fucken amps, hey?....

 

[blackba]

I was thinking maybe a curve ball and get an orange rockerverb or thunderverb for your 3rd amp.

 

[VH4_BigRig]

Bogner XTC?