History/Stories behind a few of your current amps

[blackba]

I thought it would be interesting to see some history of why people currently have the amps, preamps, and/or power amps that they have and some interesting facts about them. I am not going to list all my amps here, but I thought I would list a few.

1990 Mesa mark IVA. I bought this amp head used in 2001. Got it from a guy who replaced it with a Line 6 Flextone (2 I think). It had 4 GE 5751 preamp tubes and 1 Mesa labeled 12AT7. I bought the mark IV on the strength of reviews on the forums and on HC. My buddy also recommended the amp to me. I didn’t play one before I bought it. 10 years later I still have this amp. I have used it on numerous recordings, but strangely never played through it in a live band setting.

1987 Marshall 2553 Silver Jubilee head. Bought this I think in 2005 from Stratotone. I had heard a Marshall Slash head at a local show and really like it. It got generally very good reviews, so I decided to spring for it. I was initially concerned about the volume mod for the clean mode. This amp has an extra knob to control the clean mode on the back, it is in the DI hole, so no drilling was done in the chassis. I am so glad my amp has this extra knob, it really helps in balancing the ‘clean’ and distortion. I used this amp in my last band. It was more versatile than I initially gave it credit for and sounded great turned up. When I took it home and had to turn it down again, I realized that I really like this head cranked up better. This amp has the distortion tone I think of in my head. I had a Sovtek Mig 60, then got a Laney Vh100R, then a Marshall 6101 LE. The 2553 was finally what I was looking for.

1966 Vox AC50 head. Bought this in 2008. I had owned a Vox AC15TBX, than a Vox AC30CC1, then a Vox AC50CPH. I was able to compare this head to the AC30CC1 and while the AC30CC1 held its own, I preferred the AC50. I initially replaced the electrolytic caps and removed the bright cap on the Brilliant channel. I ended up sending it to BLC to fix up and do his magic. He found a loose ground plane and went through it. He thought the normal channel was one of the best channels he had heard on an AC50. After he was done with the amp, I thought what he did took it to a new level.

 

[mchn13]

Meh. Gear whored and traded rigs for 15 years, just to end up with what I started with. An SG and a marshall. Wtf

 

[blackba]

Meh. Gear whored and traded rigs for 15 years, just to end up with what I started with. An SG and a marshall. Wtf

Thanks for the deep and insightful story.

I have found that I must have a Fender amp in the stable. Every time I sell my Fender amp, I get another one within 6months or so. So I know all about ending up kind of where you started.

 

[racerevlon]

I'll have to write up the "full" history later, but interestingly enough, I've never owned a Fender tube amp. Weird... just realized that... even though I've been quizzling some sort of 4 x 10 for YEARS now. Even then, I'm looking more at the Egnater than any Fender... Weird...

 

[SFW]

I bought my TriAmp in early 2008. I picked it up because I have always wanted a TriAmp, and can't afford the Mk. II version of the head. And while it does frustrate the hell out of me that this amp is so damn picky about what tubes it likes, I love my tone with it. I doesn't really sound like a Marshall or a Boogie. It has it's own thing going on. I used to laugh when people spoke of their amps having a 3D quality... then I got this thing. Now I understand what they are talking about. And while I have entertained the idea of getting a new amp a few times, I just can't seem to justify the expense, when this amp covers everything that I need.

 

[marvcus]

It has become shockingly clear to me that all I really ever needed to be happy is a good Marshall Super Lead w/ cleans achived by rolling down the guitar volume.

 

[bigangryguitar]

I'm definitely not an amp whore as I've only probably owned a dozen or so in my twenty years of playing guitar. I have Had Boogies, Fender's, Marshall's, Engl's and Peavey's and while they were all great they all had something I didn't like about them. I literally stumbled onto both of my current amps just going to my favorite local guitar shop getting strings or other things.

1. Blackstar Ht-100, I realize these aren't super popular here as they are made in Korea and aren't a boutique amp. I will say though that in my hands and after a tube change (the stock tubes imho were just ok in this amp and made it dark and too compressed) it is easily my favorite amp I have ever played thru. It has a killer clean and does the modded Marshall thing extremely well! I have played more than a few high end boutique amp and for me none of them were any better than my Blackstar and NONE of them did everything I need as well. Funny thing is when I first tried it out I had heard of Blackstar but new nothing of the company. I demo'd it for about a half an hour before I saw the price tag and was FLOORED how cheap it was. After a bit of research I brought it home and have never been happier.

2. Genz Benz El Diablo 100, I wanted a second amp for a backupsecond to go with my HT-100. I was thinking Mesa just to get something completely different than my Blackstar. I have always read mostly bad reviews from this amp but as I have two of their cabinets I wanted to give it a whirl. I was simply blown away, the clean channel is as good as any channel switcher I have ever heard and it had a great high gain tone as well. Something a bit odd in the mids out of the box but I figured a tube swap would cure that. So I put in some 6l6gc's and EH pre's and this thing is absolutely perfect for what I need now. It still has a killer clean, does the big mesa5150 type of metal tone and has a lot of footswitchable options to get some lighter tones too. The great thing about these is that they are dirt cheap used and are built like tanks. I had a question about mine and emailed the company. I got an email back from the owner Jeff within 12 hours! Couldn't be happier and for the moment I have no desire to own anything else.

3. Orange Tiny Terror, with a boost out front this thing is a monster little amp and with a good 4x12 delivers blues
ockmetal as good as anything I have heard. I had a loop installed so I could use my effects and of course a tube swap. This thing is anything but versatile but man what a killer lead channel!

I know nothing I have is on anyone's wish list but for me I have the perfect amps.

_Shane

 

[blackba]

^ Thanks for sharing Shane. Blackstar amps are still on my list to try. The few people that I have heard of using Genz Benz amps like them. Its cool when you find amps that work for you.

 

[jharpersj]

Cool thread !
73 Marshall JMP - modded by Alan at Carol Ann when he was bored on a sunday, every killer Marshall tone you have ever heard is in this amp, ended up being the starting point for his new model the Triptik
which I then got serial #1 in purple of course. Also have a super old dual rec, blackface chrome chasis with MK3 transformers, my buddy had it in a closet for like 15 years and one day brought over it sounded amazing, unlike any other rec I had heard. He had no use for it so I snagged it.

 

[Mauler]

My Mark V was originally danyeo's then it made a short stopover in Eastern Australia before arriving to me in Perth. You all know danyeo hated this amp but for me it is perfect nad I haven't had any issues with it at all in the time I have had it and it finally seems to be worn in. I no longer get the popping sound when changing channels and I still find new tones in it everyday. Funnily enough the thread on here regarding backing off on the gain has really helped my playing this week as I have been using it at about 1pm on Ch3 and getting some smooth tones that really bring out every little nuance of my playing.

Anyway I guess that is the simple story of my amp, it belonged to someone on here who flipped it before it ended up with me on the other side of the world.

 

[johnpace2]

I bought my TriAmp in early 2008. I picked it up because I have always wanted a TriAmp, and can't afford the Mk. II version of the head. And while it does frustrate the hell out of me that this amp is so damn picky about what tubes it likes, I love my tone with it. I doesn't really sound like a Marshall or a Boogie. It has it's own thing going on. I used to laugh when people spoke of their amps having a 3D quality... then I got this thing. Now I understand what they are talking about. And while I have entertained the idea of getting a new amp a few times, I just can't seem to justify the expense, when this amp covers everything that I need.

I'm mesmorized by the GIF in your sig!

 

[racerevlon]

I started out my career playing a Solid State Crate GX-130C half-stack. Played that for a while, then got into rack gear. Had a JMP-1-based rack forever until one day I played a Hughes & Kettner Triamp MK I in a GC and was floored. Decided right there to go back to head/cab and away from rack. Found a great deal on a used Triamp MK II and it's been my "main" squeeze ever since. Other amps that have come and gone include:

Hughes & Kettner Trilogy
Hughes & Kettner Switchblade (Head and Combo)
Marshall JVM410H
Marshall DSL100MLB
Diezel VH4
Diezel Herbert
Splawn Nitro
Splawn Quick Rod
Jet City JCA100H
Marshall Vintage Modern 2266
Marshall DSL401
Marshall Class 5
Marshall 1974X
Vox Valvetronix 30W
Fender G-DEC 30
Vox DA-15
Marshall Haze 40
Marshal MG15 Mini-Stack
Epiphone Valve Junior Half-Stack (modded)
Crate V5
Crate V33 Head
Crate 3112 (wish I'd kept this one)
Fender Stage 185 (Solid State--one cool thing about this amp is you could have the clean and overdrive channels on at the same time--very EJ)

...and I'm sure I'm missing something. Also been through more rack gear than...geez...

 

[Meathead]

Here's what I've kept over the years as far as amps go...

Fender Pro Jr (1998)
I had a recording studio and a guy brought in a Pro Jr, I was blown away by how good the little thing sounded on recordings so I bought one. Switched out the not so great stock Emi speaker for a Weber P10R

Carvin Legacy 2x12 combo (2003)
I heard Vai's initial audio demo of it and a few clips on the web and thought I'd take a chance on it...glad I did.

Peter Polaris 1x12 combo (2006)
James made me a custom one off and it's the best amp I've ever played.
He turned a Traynor Guitar Mate 1x12 combo into a hot-rodded, low-powered 22 watt Marshally beast.

Vox AC15H1TV 1x12 combo (2007)
Demoed it at the store, bought it right there. Killer Vox tones!

Bad Cat Mini Cat II 1x12 combo (2008)
Bought it off of Mike (ratter) for a great price, good guy to deal with.
I think of selling it from time to time, but when I plug into it I can't.

Mesa Electra Dyne 1x12 combo (2010)
Tried it in a store a few times and it followed me home. Simple control layout but very versatile (not into the Mesa: 50 knobs, 20 switches, push this, pull that thing) Loudest, ballsiest 1x12 combo ever.



Seems I'm an 'every 2 years, get an itch for another amp' kind of guy.
I can't part with any of these...but the one that may go one day is the Mesa Electra Dyne. It's heavy and too much power for me, so it stays home alot...if I'm not using you, you're going out the door, I don't like just storing things. I'm not a hoarder.

 

[steve_k]

Meh. Gear whored and traded rigs for 15 years, just to end up with what I started with. An SG and a marshall. Wtf

there's a lot of us here in that same position!

steve

 

[bigangryguitar]

^ Thanks for sharing Shane. Blackstar amps are still on my list to try. The few people that I have heard of using Genz Benz amps like them. Its cool when you find amps that work for you.

I think I was lucky when I tried the Blackstar that they had it sitting on top of one of their upper end v30 loaded Series one Cabs. I wish they would ship them with different tubes as I feel anyone that is into that Hot Rodded Marshall vibe would love my amp. Either way yes it is great to feel like I don't need another amp at this point in my life

_Shane

 

[ACShreds]

I bought it, I liked it, I kept it...

 

[rottingcorpse]

kerry king borrowed my KKJCM800 head to play the dime tribute show at ozzfest in dallas a few years back (including a rehearsal at vinny paul's house). when i got it back, the noise gate function was finicky. marshall was going to replace the amp, but since he had signed it "to martin" and dated it, i didn't want it replaced. so it was fixed.

A few weeks later, another bro who had also been at vince's house sent me pics of kerry playing and signing my head.

2 years later, yet another bro was at a kerry king signing in tampa florida, and had him sign a picture of him playing my amp. kerry remembered the whole deal, laughed, and signed it "Fuck your noise gate!!".

 

[Milerky2]

Was trying to buy a Mesa DC 30 in town, but as soon as I arrived, the guy sold it out from under me... Three weeks later I was picking up my guitar from it's overhaul and there in the Luthier's garage was a Studio 22 sitting unloved. (Along with a Pro-Co Rat and an ADA Midi Controller.) $400 got me all of it! I contacted Mesa with some issues, they sent me parts and It was my main Amp for years.

4 years ago I hit hard times and had to sell it to a friend of mine. Hated myself ever since.

I got a call in December that he had bought a new Twin and did not need this amp anymore.

It came home!

So I quite LITERALLY got back the amp I started with!

 

[Shawn Lutz]

JCM8000 2203 w/6550's - this was my first tube amp. It was about 84 or so. I didn't know jack about it just knew it was 100 watts and a Marshall and real men played real Marshalls lol. I traded in my Peavey renown 2x12, a knockoff RR and cash and walked out with the 2203 and a 1960a 4x12 with 75's. I still have it, it melted many faces and blew the roofs a bunch of clubs. I still smile when I plug into that and throw an SD-1 in front. That was my one and only amp other than a couple cheap combos for practice. It's a great amp, I had several 2203/04's that I got rid off after I stopped gigging and I kept the best one I ever heard and turned down some nice cash on offer out of the blue from dudes who loved the tone and power of that beast.

Mesa/Boogie DC5 combo- I bought this one to get back to tubes after playing with modelers. The amp is versatile and cool as can be. Way underrated and best bang for the buck, I think I bought it for 550-575 on eBay. I still have it and use stacked on a Mesa 3/4 back widebody 1x12 ext cab.

VHT 50 CL w/EQ + REV - bought it on eBay for a good price. Excellent tone and carity. Not as much gain as I thought it would have but nails Ain't talkin bout love VH Tone I bought a Bogner 4x12 w/ V30's to use with it.

Bogner 101B - read about them on the forums. Heard Bob Savage's clips on the Bogner website and loved the tone. I didn't really want to spend the coin, I think that's why I bought the VHT because it was cheaper. Ever few months I'd listen to the clips and finally caved in and bought one off eBay, I figured I already had the 4x12 so why not get the head to match. Bob cost mr about 2400 lol.

Splawn QR- older one with shared EQ and no gears. I loved the clips I heard and got a good deal on it so why not?

I added a VHT 4x12 and Splawn 4x12 to the amp wall to round it out.

I think I got all of this stuff after getting tired of building guitars and just wanted to play them. I had some nice guitars so I figured I'd go on an amp kick I still have all of them too and haven't felt the need to get anything else as I'm happy with my tone.

 

[blackba]

kerry king borrowed my KKJCM800 head to play the dime tribute show at ozzfest in dallas a few years back (including a rehearsal at vinny paul's house). when i got it back, the noise gate function was finicky. marshall was going to replace the amp, but since he had signed it "to martin" and dated it, i didn't want it replaced. so it was fixed.

A few weeks later, another bro who had also been at vince's house sent me pics of kerry playing and signing my head.

2 years later, yet another bro was at a kerry king signing in tampa florida, and had him sign a picture of him playing my amp. kerry remembered the whole deal, laughed, and signed it "Fuck your noise gate!!".

Cool Story.