Rig-Talk Brethren...Help Me With My Next Amp

[gibson5413]

I am at the point where I would like another amp. I have the Kemper for home recording and some direct to FOH shows with my band (classic rock to hard rock). I have my fire breathing Henning Bottle Rocket for when I want to burn the house down with a head/2x12 cabinet. I have a Mesa Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo at my band's practice space. I am starting to really enjoy the size and feel of a combo amp and would like to solicit some feedback from the RT collective. I really like my Electra Dyne but want to try something new. Sometimes it can feel like it doesn't have much personality and has to be turned up fairly loud to get the goods. I've had it for a few years and am looking to put it in storage for a little while.

I am hoping to get some recommendations and experience from you all with the following amps (I am only looking for the combo versions

- Bogner Helios (I don't think the new Eclipse will be in combo form)
- 3rd Power CSR Citizen Gain
- Friedman Smallbox (Wildwood special edition)
- Mesa Boogie TC-50

I realize the TC-50 might be very similar to the Electra Dyne but haven't been able to try one. I am looking for versatility but want that Marshally tone. The Friedman and 3rd Power should be really versatile but I have always been intrigued by the Helios (I'm a Bogner fan).

Any information you can give me would be great! Am I missing any combo amps that aren't on the list that I should look into? I seem to be leaning towards the Friedman and 3rd Power. I am specifically looking at the Wildwood version of the SB as it acts like a 3 channel version of the amp. The 3rd Power Hybrid Master is a really cool feature too.

 

[glpg80]

A vintage Vox AC-50? Looking at your amp list, it's an area you don't have covered that can definitely get into that marshall-esque territory but with much more versatility and also iconic cleans. It's also well within the same budget.

 

[gibson5413]

A vintage Vox AC-50? Looking at your amp list, it's an area you don't have covered that can definitely get into that marshall-esque territory but with much more versatility and also iconic cleans. It's also well within the same budget.

Sounds good! Does it come in a combo version?

 

[glpg80]

They never did make an AC-50 in a combo version, but that's not stopping you from running a 1x12 with it. They only made these from the mid 1960's for around 5 years or so, not long. Just seems like an amplifier you'd really like and hits the nail in complimenting your current collection.

The closest thing they made to this in a combo version was in the early 60's and back then it was more for bass guitars. I highly recommend grabbing one and checking it out based on what you're looking for, minus the combo requirement which is a benefit to your back

 

[Ventura]

Bogner Atma Combo

/end

 

[Braciola]

I have a 3rd Power Citizen Gain CSR, and it's a Bad Ass amplifier.

 

[craftm1]

Splawn Street Rod

 

[ewill52]

Bogner Shiva combo? Really versatile channel switcher w\master volume.

 

[lester]

^^^ couple of good choices there.
How bout something Italian? Maybe a Mezzabarba Skill or Brunetti Mercury combo.

* or if you like some tremolo and reverb built in. Maybe Richie Kotzen's Victory RK50C combo.

,

 

[rickenbacker198]

Out of your list I’d vote for the 3rd power, But I want to throw another stick on the fire.

The Dr. Z Maz 38 Reverb 2x10 combo
Incredible little amp, very alive, great feel and touch response.
Wide range of tones from a few knobs and your guitar controls.
Brings a smile every time I play it.
I took one in a trade a few years back, I was planning to move it.
However it pleasantly surprised me.
I couldn’t sell it.
Many have come and gone...
It’s the only one I keep besides the Diezels.

 

[racerevlon]

Splawn SuperSport

https://www.splawnguitars.com/amps08.htm

 

[4406cuda]

Friedman Smallbox

 

[thenine]

Bogner Shiva combo? Really versatile channel switcher w\master volume.

cant go wrong with this. Takes pedals well too.

 

[paulyc]

A vintage Vox AC-50? Looking at your amp list, it's an area you don't have covered that can definitely get into that marshall-esque territory but with much more versatility and also iconic cleans. It's also well within the same budget.

Sounds good! Does it come in a combo version?

Have a combo cab made for one... load whatever your favorite speaker is into it.

 

[gibson5413]

This is the clip of the Bogner Helios combo that has me thinking hard about it for classic rock and hard rock. Great sounding rock machine! So many choices!!

 

[gibson5413]

Thanks for all of the recommendations! I am going to try as many as I can before deciding.

I was able to track down a Mesa Boogie TC combo locally. It was a cool amp but seemed to lack a little personality (if that makes sense). Don't get me wrong...it sounded good but for some reason doesn't stand out enough from my Electra Dyne to warrant serious consideration.

The Dr Z is an interesting suggestion. I may have to look into that but they are hard to find. I thought about the 20th Anniv Shiva combo too. I like the Shiva clips I've heard but I think it has too much sag for what I want in an amp this time around. I think I want a more straight up "Marshall" type tone that's open and think the Helios hits that. I have tried a Friedman Smallbox head a couple of years ago and loved it. I wish I could try the combo before I make a decision. I have heard some great clips of the Splawn Street Rod but didn't gel with a Quick Rod I owned for a minute back in the day. I would love to try a Bogner Atma. The Vox sounds cool but I really want a dedicated combo amp.

I think I'm down to the Bogner Helios and Friedman Wildwood SB unless something else comes up that knocks my socks off. I wish I knew if the new Bogner Eclipse Helios comes in the combo form factor but I can't find anything about it.

 

[Ventura]

I think I'm down to the Bogner Helios and Friedman Wildwood SB unless something else comes up that knocks my socks off. I wish I knew if the new Bogner Eclipse Helios comes in the combo form factor but I can't find anything about it.

The Eclipse doesn't seem particularly well suited to be a combo style amp - it's a firebreathing gained out fkn beast. Kinda like asking for an Uberschall combo if ya know what I'm gettin' at.

Helios kicks ass - just had a friend sell his for the Atma and is blown away - feels he made an excellent decision (just sayin, just sayin....).

 

[gibson5413]

I think I'm down to the Bogner Helios and Friedman Wildwood SB unless something else comes up that knocks my socks off. I wish I knew if the new Bogner Eclipse Helios comes in the combo form factor but I can't find anything about it.

The Eclipse doesn't seem particularly well suited to be a combo style amp - it's a firebreathing gained out fkn beast. Kinda like asking for an Uberschall combo if ya know what I'm gettin' at.

Helios kicks ass - just had a friend sell his for the Atma and is blown away - feels he made an excellent decision (just sayin, just sayin....).

Oh Mo...you just have to keep adding logs to the fire!! I looked up a couple of Atma clips and they sounds tits! I think I'm down to Bogner. Between the Helios and the Atma.

 

[Ventura]

Oh Mo...you just have to keep adding logs to the fire!! I looked up a couple of Atma clips and they sounds tits! I think I'm down to Bogner. Between the Helios and the Atma.

My work here is done

Good choices - trust me - the Atma combo is the quiet, not-so-talked about tone killer out there. It's like a dirty lil' secret weapon. PM me for some more deets - but a couple forumites who don't come on here much anymore have both and ended up keeping the Atma. And lastly for an 18W head, it's fkn loud as sin!! I can't believe it. And seriously, it gets so much play in my house it's nuts. Beautiful amp, takes pedals like a champ, and the tone is unbelievable - has so many tonal options - it's incredible.

(Disclaimer: I'm not endorsed by Bogner...)



(yet)

 

[harsh59]

I think I'm down to the Bogner Helios and Friedman Wildwood SB unless something else comes up that knocks my socks off. I wish I knew if the new Bogner Eclipse Helios comes in the combo form factor but I can't find anything about it.

The Eclipse doesn't seem particularly well suited to be a combo style amp - it's a firebreathing gained out fkn beast. Kinda like asking for an Uberschall combo if ya know what I'm gettin' at.

Helios kicks ass - just had a friend sell his for the Atma and is blown away - feels he made an excellent decision (just sayin, just sayin....).

I'm not sure on this , but the Eclipse should not be anymore of a gain out beast than the regular Helios . Isn't the Eclipse a Helios with more footswitchable options .