Combo Amps

[Audioholic]

combo amps - With Wheels

 

[IndyWS6]

How about a Hughes & Kettner "Edition Tube 25th Anniversary" combo?

• * Two footswitchable channels (clean & lead)
  * 20 Watts - 2xEL84 & 2x12ax7
  * Accutronics spring reverb
  * Effects Loop
  * 1x12 Celestion G12-T100

It's plenty loud enough to play most small bar gigs and can always be miked. At 20 watts, it's relatively easy to get to tube saturation levels before rendering people in the front row deaf. It's great with pedals (both in front and in the loop) and is (IMHO) a killer small amp that almost no one knows about. Reasonably priced, too, all things considered.

http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/products.php5?id=129

 

[billboogie]

I'm looking into some kind of channel switcher with a decent amount of gain that's pretty versatile, killer cleans, solo boost, reverbs that kind of stuff?

Mesa DC5 combo is what you are describing, Fenderishy cleans that you can make as hairy as you want or pull boost clean for rock, or go channel 2 for Mesa high gain. Gigged with mine for 18yrs. and never had an issue. They can be had on Evil-bay or Boogie Board classified for 500-700 bucks.IMO one of the best values today. There is a mod to change the effects loop and I would recommend it (It's easy and requires no extra parts) Just my .02

 

[Chris6870]

Laney LC50. Not boutique and wont impress the gear snobs but its pretty light weight and is all tube,2 independent channels with spring reverb for about $400 and its not made in China or Korea,made in UK actually. I use it as a grab and go for rehearsals and small gigs I have also ran it through a 2x12 and a 4x12 when more thump is required.
http://www.laney.co.uk/show_prod.php?prod=lc50-112

 

[cujo]

Hey,

I know they don't get a whole lot of love on here, but I've been thinking about getting one here in the future for smaller gigs and the like, and was wondering what peoples thoughts/recommendation were on them, and likes dislikes, features I may not be thinking of they may not have that I need and that kind of stuff?

I'm looking into some kind of channel switcher with a decent amount of gain that's pretty versatile, killer cleans, solo boost, reverbs that kind of stuff?

So whats everyones take on these things?



Dallas

cmon dallas using a combo is like taking a knife to a gun fight!

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Sweet awesome thread and thanks for all the feedback so far! It seems like the Meas amps are pretty dominant in this category but there are a few other contenders with the HK, Diezel, Laney and Carr!

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Hey,

I know they don't get a whole lot of love on here, but I've been thinking about getting one here in the future for smaller gigs and the like, and was wondering what peoples thoughts/recommendation were on them, and likes dislikes, features I may not be thinking of they may not have that I need and that kind of stuff?

I'm looking into some kind of channel switcher with a decent amount of gain that's pretty versatile, killer cleans, solo boost, reverbs that kind of stuff?

So whats everyones take on these things?



Dallas

cmon dallas using a combo is like taking a knife to a gun fight!

Haha except for some of the venues I have played at (smaller jazz kind of places) there is literally no room for even a 4x12 cab, hell it was hard getting a 2x12 Deville on there!

 

[TC Don]

Tourmaster 4212 - the 2 x 12 combo.

4 channels via footswitch, power grid allows 10-100 watts on each channel to match your venue and you can have a range from very nice cleans to plenty of gain. Reverb, presence, density, effects loop for a solo boost if wanted. IMHO you can dial in many great tones.

It can fit on a smaller stage in terms of actual size. However at 95 lbs. the wheels come in handy, but weight and tubes can make a good combo.

Just had to throw the bigger Egnater in here, although the Renegade is also building a big fan base.

 

[IndyWS6]

Sweet awesome thread and thanks for all the feedback so far! It seems like the Meas amps are pretty dominant in this category but there are a few other contenders with the HK, Diezel, Laney and Carr!

Greetings Again
I don't know what your set list looks like, so it might not get the tone you need. But, check out the H&K website to hear some sound clips of the Edition Tube Anniversary. The guitar player for a local bar band uses one along with a minimal pedal board and kills with it. Like most cover bands, they are all over the map on songs and there isn't one song where it sounds out of place.

 

[racerevlon]

Well, I have nothing bad to say about Hughes & Kettner--if their combo does it for you then I definitely say "go for it."

The Mark V combo has wheels...

Cheers,

 

[jonny toetags]

I combos.
Nothing cooler than having a bunch of 1x12's around.

 

[Bishop5150]

This doesn't really fit your needs but for me it's the 5150 combo. When I don't want to lug around my 5150III or 5150 halfstacks the combo is fantastic. Sometimes I'll bring just my 5150III head and my Marshall 2x12 cab.

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Sweet awesome thread and thanks for all the feedback so far! It seems like the Meas amps are pretty dominant in this category but there are a few other contenders with the HK, Diezel, Laney and Carr!

Greetings Again
I don't know what your set list looks like, so it might not get the tone you need. But, check out the H&K website to hear some sound clips of the Edition Tube Anniversary. The guitar player for a local bar band uses one along with a minimal pedal board and kills with it. Like most cover bands, they are all over the map on songs and there isn't one song where it sounds out of place.

Very cool! Going to check into the H&K as well man. That's awesome, those are amps I don't hear as much about but seem like they are great!

 

[Dallas Marlow]

This doesn't really fit your needs but for me it's the 5150 combo. When I don't want to lug around my 5150III or 5150 halfstacks the combo is fantastic. Sometimes I'll bring just my 5150III head and my Marshall 2x12 cab.

I've actually heard the 5150 combo is the best sounding of the 5150's apparently they are biased a little bit hotter or something? Do those combos have the sheffield speakers in them or are they V30's? I know a lot of people shit hardcore on those Sheffields haha.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[joshsage]

Pending what you style you are looking to do, the splawn street rod is getting some positive feedback as well. But I'm not the biggest combo guy either. One of my favorites though has been the elmwood bonneville, though it was a little on the $$$ side. I get the Street Rod in in about 2-3 more weeks, I'll be posting up a short review when I do get some time on it.

If I recall, the 5150 combo's had reverb built in, which I seem to like a lot. Heavy as shit though, might as well drag a stack.
Josh

 

[Bishop5150]

This doesn't really fit your needs but for me it's the 5150 combo. When I don't want to lug around my 5150III or 5150 halfstacks the combo is fantastic. Sometimes I'll bring just my 5150III head and my Marshall 2x12 cab.

I've actually heard the 5150 combo is the best sounding of the 5150's apparently they are biased a little bit hotter or something? Do those combos have the sheffield speakers in them or are they V30's? I know a lot of people shit hardcore on those Sheffields haha.

Thanks again to everyone!

Yeah, they come stock with the Sheffield speakers. They sound good enough. Believe me, the chicks dancing in the front row don't care if you got Sheffield's or V30's in your cab. Ha! The combo does sound good, and I've heard people say they think it sounds better than the head but not quite. It just doesn't have the bottom end of the head. Still sounds really good though. I've even recorded with it. I use it when I don't want to bring my 5150 III or 5150 halfstacks and I still pretty much get the sound I'm used to. It does have reverb but I don't use it. And it does weigh a ton. 80lbs. I put casters on mine.

 

[polaris20]

I'm looking into some kind of channel switcher with a decent amount of gain that's pretty versatile, killer cleans, solo boost, reverbs that kind of stuff?

Mesa DC5 combo is what you are describing, Fenderishy cleans that you can make as hairy as you want or pull boost clean for rock, or go channel 2 for Mesa high gain. Gigged with mine for 18yrs. and never had an issue. They can be had on Evil-bay or Boogie Board classified for 500-700 bucks.IMO one of the best values today. There is a mod to change the effects loop and I would recommend it (It's easy and requires no extra parts) Just my .02

I definitely agree. I'm quite happy still with my DC-5 after two years, and that's significant for me! I usually go through stuff way faster. It's loud (for a 50w 1x12) and of course tossing a ported cab underneath would be sweet too, for extra air movement.

I am planning to get the serial loop mod as well as a MM tranny put in.

 

[Loudness250]

I like my Randall RM100 2-12 alot but it comes with celestion G12t-75's which are not my faves, other than that it's a great 3 channel amp with interchangeable preamp modules. No reverb though. But the thing sounds incredible to me and you can change out the tubes for whatever power tubes you want to run.

 

[hunter]

Pending what you style you are looking to do, the splawn street rod is getting some positive feedback as well. But I'm not the biggest combo guy either. One of my favorites though has been the elmwood bonneville, though it was a little on the $$$ side. I get the Street Rod in in about 2-3 more weeks, I'll be posting up a short review when I do get some time on it.

If I recall, the 5150 combo's had reverb built in, which I seem to like a lot. Heavy as shit though, might as well drag a stack.
Josh

Very interested in that Street Rod here, too. Not sure if I would agree with the expensive rating, as it is a full quick rod with smaller power stage but in a combo housing for the same money, right? Seems normal to me.