Thread: Looking For A New Amp

Hey all,

I currently have a VHT UL... a 1x12 cab w/Celestion G12H, and a 4x10 cab with Jensens in it. I also bought a THD Bivalve last year... which I'm selling because it just doesn't work for what I want.

Since acquiring a custom strat.... I haven't really cared much for the amp setup I have. The VHT will do hi gain sounds really well... but I'm looking for those clean to mid breakup sounds.

I've tried a Fuchs ODS 50 and 100. Dr Z Z28, EZG 50, Maz 18, New Fenders, Old Fenders... nothing has really stood out.

While I dig the Fender cleans... when I try to run any sort of crunch pedal through it... it sounds too shrill.

I guess I'm looking for something that will do the Fender cleans... but can do a Marshall 800/plexi type thing.

I have a Wampler Plexi Drive... which sounds great through most amps... but none of those amps have a great clean sound. The amps with a great clean sound... don't seem to take that pedal too well.

Any suggestions? I'd actually like to try a Maz 38 or Route 66.... haven't found any to try.

I do like the EZG-50 quite a bit... but I don't think I have the right speaker cabs for it... it's a really bright and loud amp.... and my strat is quite bright to begin with.... AAAGHHH!

Sean Meredith-Jones
http://www.seanmeredithjones.com

Originally Posted by seanmj

I can get somewhat decent low gain sounds out of the VHT... but it doesn't do the Fender/Vox thing for cleans.

I have tried a twin... and yes I have a strat. The twin is nice on cleans... though I haven't had a chance to plug in any of my pedals through it to see if it does crunch well.

I did plug my Wampler Plexi Drive into a Deluxe... and I didn't care for it too much... a little shrill.

Two amps I would like to still try are the DR.Z Route 66, and the Maz 38... anyone have one they would let me try??? :D

I'm also thinking of going back to see Gerri Doyle...he had this amazing 4x12 cab with what I believe were Jensen 60watt speakers... the punchiest things I have ever head.... though I took the Fuchs ODS with me to try with it... which was a demo.

The Fuchs is a nice amp... but way too much coin for what you get. The gain channel I really don't care for... I prefer just a basic Tube Screamer.

Sean Meredith-Jones
http://www.seanmeredithjones.com

Hi Sean,

I have a great old Route 66 if you're ever in the Ottawa area.

The Route is pretty similar to an old JTM 45, but a bit fatter in the mids and with more bottom and less noise. Less bright and crunchy than a plexi style Marshall. It feels like an old amp, but without the noise and reliability issues of some of the older amps. The older ones (like mine) have a looser feel due to less filtering and you'll occasionally hear a bit of ghost noting when you play it really loud. Apparently Dr.Z was trying to replicate Paul Kossoff's Marshall tone on Fire and Water. Have a listen to it and you'll understand what I'm trying to describe. The newer ones (since 2002?) don't do that, and they're a bit tighter and more modern sounding. I much prefer the old ones.

I think its just a bit better with humbucker and P90 guitars.

The Route sounds great through a Zbest, but its pretty loud. I mostly use a Celestion Gold (still pretty loud) or a Celestion G1265 (less volume).

I have also had a Maz 38, excellent amp. Its a bit brighter and has more of that Vox chime. Volume was similar to the Route, but it cut a bit better through a mix. It has more power supply filtering, and you won't see any ghost notes. It also has a lot more control over tone shaping, the cut control is really useful. I prefer the Non Reverb models, they have a bit more punch and gain.

Works really well with Humbuckers and single coils.

The best speaker for the Maz is the Celestion Gold IMO.