Need amp recommendation....

[canuck]

Hey everybody,

This is my first post here, kind of excited to find a Canadian Guitar Forum!!

I was wondering if you guys and girls could possibly help me out with a guitar amp purchase as I am having troubles deciding. I apologize in advance for the length of this post lol

I currently own a 5150 2x12 Combo which I bought quite a while ago when I listened to heavier music. My taste has since evolved, and my favourite artists/bands are:

- Jimi Hendrix
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Led Zeppelin
- The Rolling Stones

Tone wise I am more into the stratty Hendrix/RHCP sound, and am trying to find an amp that can do this well. Obviously I won't be able to nail it dead of because these guys are using some real expensive and hard to find amps I'm sure, but I would like to come close.

Clean: I'm looking for a clean that stands out and sparkles to really bring out that strat tone (at the time being, with my old crappy tubes, I find 5150's clean... is there, and that's about all I can say, it's not bad per se, it's just meh). Doesn't have to be a Fender clean, but a clean that I could use to play a primarily clean song like "The Wind Cries Mary" or "Snow (Hey Oh)" by RHCP and sound good.

Distortion: I am looking for 2 different types of distorted tone. The first is a Marshall-esque saturated distortion, as opposed to the buzzier distortion of the 5150. The other is a Hendrix fuzz which I realize I will have to get with a pedal.

If anyone believes that a retube with the low gain set of JJ Tubes for my 5150 will change my opinion of this amp please do let me know, as I am willing to give it a chance.



These are the amps I am trying to decide between (haven't tried the last 2 but hopefully will very very soon):

- Peavey Classic 50
- Traynor YCV50 Blue
- Traynor YCS50 (Custom 50) - There have apparently been recalls with this one? Anyone know if recent ones are fixed?


Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks!

[Tarl]

Out of the 3 amps you mentioned i think the YCV50 Blue would come closest to fitting your needs. Very nice well built amp for the money.

[al3d]

i had the chance to try the Traynor YCS50 (Custom 50 for a full day..man, this thing is on my list for sure..:)..same price as a Fender Deluxe Reverb RI and a LOT more sounds and controle as well.

[JSX/6505]

My vote would be to stick with Peavey as your previous amp seems to have served you well over the years.

The Peavey Classic 30 & 50 are incredibely toneful amps. Check out some youtube vids of the Classic 30 in action.

[Budda]

edited for repetition

[Budda]

look into the mesa lonestar 112. I heard someone nail the RHCP driven tone (and great cleans!) with a strat.

I'd definitely give that one some consideration. look for a used model haha

[greco]

Another vote for the Classic 30....my friend has one (head version in Tweed)....killer amp at a decent price.

Dave

[konasexone]

Peavey JSX does a lot of things well.

[gpower]

I recently had a chance to spend some time with the YCS50 too. When I need something more powerful than my YCV-20, that will be the one. I think it's so much more versatile than the YCV-50 (and most everything else in that price range).

[hollowbody]

look into the mesa lonestar 112. I heard someone nail the RHCP driven tone (and great cleans!) with a strat.

I'd definitely give that one some consideration. look for a used model haha

Hahaha, if you find one at a reasonable price, PM me...I'd like one as well!!! :banana:

On a more serious and helpful note, I heartily recommend the YCV50. I had a YCV40 for a while and loved it. I've heard the YCV50 a few times and it's definitely cut from the same cloth. You even get a better driver and a master volume!!

[Budda]

I'd compare the YCV50 to the YCS 50 and the YCS 90 though.

and if you need to unload that 5150 combo.. *waves*

[canuck]

Thanks for the recommendation....

I'll PM you before I post it if I DO sell it.... lol

[Budda]

excellent. i got a buddy who wants a 5150 somethin fierce lol

[leeds]

You could expand to a SRRI or up the ante and get a BFSR.
Most of the Hendrix you mention was recorded on SFSR's. Plus with a SFSR or BFSR you will always get your money back.
m

[Kapo_Polenton]

Wait for the 100 watt from blackheart amps that will scale back to lower voltage and will have lower gain and a higher gain channel built in.

OR

Take your 5150 to a tech and have the bias adjusted so that it runs hotter. From my research on some of my own amp probems and troubleshooting, a lot of amps (5150 seems to come up a lot!) are shipped cool biased so that the client doesn't have problems with blown tubes. This can be a big difference. Check it out before you decide.

OR

Trade your 5150 in for an early 80's JCM800 and boost it with overdrive.

[Spikezone]

Hi. This is your broken record speaking (LOL!). YCV50 all the way! I love mine! The music you describe will be handled well by it. As far as I know, it has the same tube config as a 50w Marshall, but with the added bonus of a master volume that WORKS (while keeping the tone intact) and a great clean sound.
-Mikey

[Steve Valentine]

Take a look at the Vox AC30 CC2X, you would be amazed at the clarity and punch this guy has

[canuck]

Kapo - That's what I was thinking of doing as a last ditch effort... buying the low gain option of JJ Tubes from eurotubes... its not like the 5150 sounds bad, but to me, for my taste in music nowadays, it's just not inspiring

If that doesn't take, I am going to take a real close look at the YCVs, YCV Blue Series, YCSs, and Peavey Classics. I am only looking for combos, not stacks.

One thing you guys maybe also be able to help me with to dismiss a few possibilities, is the fact that I need an amp that can be played quietly. Some amps just seem to go from silent at 0 to a huge jump in volume turning it up to 1. I remember my cousins Fender HRD was like that... there really was no bedroom level, it was either silent, or OUCH... lol My 5150 COMBO is actually good for this, it is a gradual volume increase between 0 and 1, not a huge jump. So if that eliminates any of the 50W models of the amps mentioned above please chime in and let me know! :rockon2:

I also want to avoid anything that doesn't have a standby switch, as I HATE that super loud pop when turning of some fender amps. While I'm at it I might as well add that I am looking for an amp with a strong chassis, and speaker mounting, not one that will fart and rattle should I happen to palm mute a low E5 on high volume.

How do you guys find the JJ Tubes?