What's your favorite 3-channel amp ever?

[TheGreatGreen]

I think the official way to talk about amps with half channels should be:

Number of Full channels -> X.X <- Number of Half channels

Bogner Ecstasy 101B = 2.1 channels
Bogner Ecstasy 104 = 2.2 channels
Mark VII = 3.6 channels lol (3 full channels plus two additional “half modes” per channel)
EVH 50w = 2.1 channels

 

[suhrimmetal]

Currently?

Deizel Paul

Close second:

Suhr PT15IR

Haven't played plugged in since my band called it quits 2+ years ago..... but you're making me want a Diezel Paul. I loved my Suhr PT15IR...and I just play live(no recording). Still have my Suhr PT212 and pedalboard.... sold everything else. Cheers

 

[Rackman]

I think the official way to talk about amps with half channels should be:

Number of Full channels -> X.X <- Number of Half channels

Bogner Ecstasy 101B = 2.1 channels
Bogner Ecstasy 104 = 2.2 channels
Mark VII = 3.6 channels lol (3 full channels plus two additional “half modes” per channel)
EVH 50w = 2.1 channels

I'd be in favor of that assuming the "half" channels are at least switchable. Arguable if an independent volume is required - I'd say usually yes but not always (e.g. channel 1 from a X88IR). Fox example the typical Rivera preamp is 2 channel, with a reasonable gain boost on the dirty channel and a not-so-reasonable clean boost on the clean channel. Different models have different boosts wired to the footswitch, but let's assume it's all switchable. Is that 2.0, 2.1, or 2.2?

With the footswitchable distinction the MkVII is a 3.0 right? I've never actually used one.

 

[BeZo]

I think the official way to talk about amps with half channels should be:

Number of Full channels -> X.X <- Number of Half channels

Bogner Ecstasy 101B = 2.1 channels
Bogner Ecstasy 104 = 2.2 channels
Mark VII = 3.6 channels lol (3 full channels plus two additional “half modes” per channel)
EVH 50w = 2.1 channels

Actually, it depends more on hoe you use the amp. My Mesa Stiletto is a two channel amp, with a boost setting for leads. If you use the boost as a lead channel, it can work like a three channel amp. My Mark V has all those different switches for different voices on each of the channels, but I can't use a footswitch to change them like a channel. The Mark V could function like a 4, 5, or 6 channel amp if you footswitch the EQ and Boost to get different voices through the footswitch. A lot of the earlier two channel amps were just two gain knobs and a shared EQ. A lot of the "2.1" or "2.5" or "2.3" or whatever amps count here for that reason, especially if you use wildly different gain settings on the gain channel and switch them like rhythm and lead channels.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I'd be in favor of that assuming the "half" channels are at least switchable. Arguable if an independent volume is required - I'd say usually yes but not always (e.g. channel 1 from a X88IR). Fox example the typical Rivera preamp is 2 channel, with a reasonable gain boost on the dirty channel and a not-so-reasonable clean boost on the clean channel. Different models have different boosts wired to the footswitch, but let's assume it's all switchable. Is that 2.0, 2.1, or 2.2?

Actually, it depends more on hoe you use the amp. My Mesa Stiletto is a two channel amp, with a boost setting for leads. If you use the boost as a lead channel, it can work like a three channel amp. My Mark V has all those different switches for different voices on each of the channels, but I can't use a footswitch to change them like a channel. The Mark V could function like a 4, 5, or 6 channel amp if you footswitch the EQ and Boost to get different voices through the footswitch. A lot of the earlier two channel amps were just two gain knobs and a shared EQ. A lot of the "2.1" or "2.5" or "2.3" or whatever amps count here for that reason, especially if you use wildly different gain settings on the gain channel and switch them like rhythm and lead channels.

Yeah good calls. Maybe something like the Mark VII would just be a simple 3 channel amp because the additional modes are just simple gain stage changes with no controls that are dedicated or independent from the other modes.

Ok so then I'd say personally a half channel is something with at least a separate gain structure + a dedicated control or two.

Who knows, it's all made up arbitrary nerd stuff, hah.

 

[Rackman]

Who knows, it's all made up arbitrary nerd stuff, hah.

Oh no doubt, but I do think it's interesting to consider how many sounds you can get an how independently controlable they are without turning knobs.

As a practical matter once that number hits about 4 if the amp is well voiced for what I'm doing it means there's no need for pedals to play a cover gig (or country gig that is really a country + rock + metal gig), and that means no signal on the floor, just a switcher and wah remote. And that means tons of cables and rack slots aren't needed and the rig really shrinks. The 104BV and X88IR have enough. Same with a Syn2 (let alone 2 of them). The 101B is close but not really. Same with the Rivera. A Jose mod or something I'm going to be bringing tons of extra crap.

 

[Scot]

"country + rock + metal gig"

Ever seen Hank III? I know he uses a VHT of some sort but I think it’s safe to say he uses a LOT of good gear, if nothing else. Nothing more to add except that I swear I hear ‘something’ in the xtc’s red channel when switched to b2 that’s similar to a VHT (50W) I once had. I’m not smart enough to pick apart what that is though. The xtc’s bright switches are key to getting the most out of it. No experience w/the 104 and it’s midi + new channel switching abilities though. Still haven’t happened upon one in the wild.