Pro's Suggestion for a Practice amp with a CLEAN Clean Channel

Discussion in 'Guitar Gear Talk Forum' started by shubhamAT, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    Hi IGTians,

    I had purchased a Line6 Spider IV 15 Amp on Jan 31st and found it to be good until i bought a Zoom G3. The problem which i have is that on the clean channel the effects don't sound the way they do on headphones/ or CD input of the amp. The Line6 is coloring the sound too much. I like the sound coming off the G3 way more than the crunch/metal/insane modes or when run on the L6's clean channel. As of now i use the CD input of the amp for the guitar but i loose out on the EQ and reverbs. Kindly suggest me an amp with a really pure clean channel. If it has another channel and some reverb it will be great. Budget: Although not on a shoestring budget i will prefer a VFM amp more than an exotic one. I mostly practice thrash metal but will be adding few Maiden songs to my routine some time later.

    Thanks in Advance.
    Side Note: If we reach a conclusion here my L6 Spidy will be up for sale.
     
  2. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    If you tell us how much is ur budget we will be able to help u properly!!!!
     
  3. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    10 from my end + whatever the amp fetches on the pre-owned
     
  4. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    WOW...U can try one of the Laney LX 35R, 65R, AR series solid state amps
    OR
    Laney CUB 10 - Tube amp. takes pedals and processors really well..

    Also I personally love the Strangers Clean sound..and it goes on extremely well with the Pedals and processors..The ones that i checked was and i like is 80W..way too loud but i guess there is 50W version as well...but great cleans and might fit in ur budget as well..
     
  5. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    Thanks for the suggestions. Way back in '98 i had played on Stranger amp but haven't found any favorable reviews on them since then. Laney CUB 10 looks interesting. I even had Brat from BE3 in my list. But don't tubes color the sound ? Also whats the class a/b thing on such amps?
     
  6. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    Yeah BE3 brat is also a great amp and i have heard a lot of good reviews about it !!!
     
  7. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    Class A and Class A/B are terms that describe how the power tubes work within the power section of a guitar amplifier.

    Class A/B amps tend to have greater dynamics, sound punchier, tighter, cleaner, and have cooler running tubes.

    Tubes in a Class A amp tend to run hotter.

    As far as tube life is considered Class A/B prolongs the tube life. The Class A/B amp will run more efficiently with more power and you’ll enjoy not having to replace power tubes as often.

    As far as tone is considered Class A and Class A/B is a debatable topic and personal preference...

    By the way Brat series is Class A, Laney Cub 10 is Class A/B, Cub 8 is Class A.

    Frequent tube changing pain/cost was the main reason i didnt go for BE3 Brat series and laney Cub 8.

    I think BE3 guy ansar can make a Class A/B amp as well if u request...
     
  8. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    Thanks. Do you know any one on IGT who owns a Brat, and how often does one have to change Tubes ? I noticed that these amps have inputs marked hi and low. What does that mean ?
     
  9. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    Well i think rickkkyrich owns a cabinet from BE3..Not sure...try contacting him..Ansars from BE3 sells quality stuff...So dont worry about the quality of the product..

    Low - Gives u more Clean headroom
    Hi - Gives u a less Clean headroom..

    That means u can achieve overdriven sound at lower volumes when u r on HI mode...and u need to crank in the volume to get overdriven tone when u r on Low mode.
     
  10. mymusicmyguitar

    mymusicmyguitar Active Member

    Changing tubes depends upon ur usage..But normal usage of around 2 - 3 hours a day....And for Class A...people change in around 6 - 9 months
    Class A/B with same practice time - Around 12 - 15 months...Thats what i read on one of the site from a guy who was using a tube amp for quiet some time..
     
  11. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    Ok, thanks again. I have purchased few cables from Ansar. Will call him soon.
     
  12. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    Brat+ is not a good option IMO.. It won't be loud enough for cleans and if you try to increase its volume it will break up giving you a overdriven sound. You should stick to solid state amp when on a low budget coz you're gonna need higher wattage when it comes to tube amps which are gonna be expensive..
    By the way i know a person who's selling his BE3 Solution 30 in Bangalore...
     
  13. alpha1

    alpha1 I BLUES!

    The processor USUALLY sounds much better when going direct to headphone/PA system or line-in/CD channel of amp.
    Stranger amps are dirt cheap and have a clean uncolored sound which will suit your processor.

    Frankly, if you are using your processor, then there is no point having gain/drive distortion/ reverb etc on your amp.
    With that money you may upgrade your pickups and expect a more desirable sound.

    The ppl (rather idiots, if you read the whole sentence) who have reviewed Stranger amps are the ones who have bought a Givson guitar and a Stranger amp - and expected it to sound like a GIBSON guitar with Marshall JCM 800 being overdriven by a Tubescreamer.

    Stranger is like a keyboard amp. In fact I have seen a lot of keyboard players using Kustom / Stranger etc stuff - because it sounds so plain and uncolored.
     
  14. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    @rickkkyrich: Thanks. Do you know how old is that Solution 30 amp and what's the price he is quoting ?
    @alpha1: Thanks. Any suggestions on which models from Stranger/Kustom/any_other_brand ? I don't have a clue how much these cost but i guess they should be cheaper than Peavy/Roland.
     
  15. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    Do one thing.. Search for Varun Murali (Guitarist for Swarathma) on facebook and send a message to him... He's the one selling..
     
  16. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    Done. Thanks.
     
  17. alpha1

    alpha1 I BLUES!

    As far I recall, they are based on wattage and no. of inputs possible.

    They didn't have a "British model" or a "California model" etc ...

    Price used to be dirt cheap - about 1.5K for a 20W amp. I don't know the present cost.
     
  18. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    Ok Thanks. I think the prices are about 2.5k-6k for 20W to 80W models. Checked on rajmusicals.in
     
  19. wylder

    wylder Member

    If you are picking up a Stranger, I suggest you choose one with a larger speaker cone (at least 10") for a fuller sound. The 20W ones come with 8" cones and hence lacks bass.
     
  20. shubhamAT

    shubhamAT New Member

    Thanks Wylder. I am waiting for a buyer for my Line6. Here are few models from Stranger which are mentioned as for Keyboard/Guitar.
    Audio Musical Instrument Manufacturer Stranger Kolkata India
    Audio Musical Instrument Manufacturer Stranger Kolkata India
    Audio Musical Instrument Manufacturer Stranger Kolkata India
    Audio Musical Instrument Manufacturer Stranger Kolkata India

    All of these have separate inputs for Guitar and Keyboard. Does any one have experience with them ? I am also thinking if should rather get a floor type monitor (the one that's slanted) and hook my guitar directly to it ?
     

Share This Page