Conference napalm::guitar

TOP 40/Classic Rock with a strat ??

Thats easy;  Getcha a Marshall JCM900 Dual Reverb 50wt (Model 4500?)
top, and a 4x12.  Or even a 1x12 combo.  Simple and Flexable.
Bad Company to the max.

jc

    I don't believe there is such a thing as a universal "perfect amp".  It
    seems to be different for everyone.  For me, the perfect amp is a
    Marshall, but depending on what I'm playing, that may not always be
    true.  I know some people that just don't like Marshalls.  Try out a
    bunch of 'em and see what you like.  I'd think you'd easily be able to
    get something you like a lot for the amount of money you have budgeted.  
    
    Here's some questions to ask that might help in selection.  Since
    you're using the ME-5, do you want the amp you get to make a good
    distortion sound?  How much power do you need?  How portable would you
    like it to be?  What are you playing through now (and what things about
    it make you want to get something else)?
    
    Greg

    Notes collision...
    
    As Coop sez, the JCM900 DR Marshall is an excellent amp.  I've had one
    for a couple of years now and I love it.  Definitely worth
    consideration.
    
    I'd also recommend trying out a Fender "The Twin".  It's a real
    flexable amp that has that unique "Fender" sound on it's clean channel.
    
    Greg

    If it were *me* and I had the budget you mentioned, I'd go with a combo
    (for ease of carrying/use), and I'd probably go with a big name (for
    durability/customer support/mature design) like Fender or Marshall.
    I would most assuredly go with an all tube amp (my personal
    preference), and I would get a 100w amp that could be switched into 50
    watt mode.  That's all ya need!
    
    Dawg

I'm with all the previous replies around Fender (my preference for an "all 
round sound") and Marshall combo amps.

I spent most of my playing time in MOR type bands so I needed to get  a host
of different guitar sounds to emulate the record.

I used a Fender Twin Reverb ("The Twin" is better because it has more flexable
tone shaping controls). As another option, you should try out the Fender Chorus
amp, it is solid state but has a cracking good chorus and reverb.  The trade
off would be how much "heavy" rock songs your band does (ie the sweeter overload
sounds) verses the need for a better sounding and more verstile set of MOR
effects ( ie go for the Chorus).

The trick is to get a good quality tube amp (see above), then to use outboard
effects on a stomp rack.  The twin has got *the* reverb sound, so IMHO, you 
need as a minimum, a decent chorus, a reasonable echo,  and the best you can 
afford "tube" sound distortion pedal.

If, like me, you will need to do quick set-up changes this approach is far 
better than seeking (in vane) the ultimate versatile off the shelf amp.

I use separate effects, but you may wish to choose one of these processor
type units.....but.....I advise you still purchase a separate distortion
unit.  Several come to mind, my preference is the marshall Blues pedal, 
the gov'nor is also good, so is the rat (never heard it tho'). I hear that
the Ibanez Tube Screamer is an ace pedal.


With that lot you can approach and get most of the studio sounds.

Thats my three cents worth!!

Dave

    Sorry if I missed any 'price specifications', but IMHO:
    
    	Buy a MESA/Boogie 1x12 combo (several models available).
    
    
    From all I've heard (I don't have one myself, but I wish), they're the
    most flexible amps around; crystal clean to ultra-grunge, it's there.
    
    
    						Cal C.
    

Sounds to me like Steve Dandrea (Aka - Bulldawg) has described a Marshall
1x12 100wt Dual Reverb Combo.

*Subtle* use of your ME-5 should give you any flexability that the Marshall
doesn't already provide.

jc

    For Combos, either the Fender Princton Chorus, or the Marshall
    Valvestate 80 (chorus) are both great amps.  They do channel
    switching, have fx loops, and built in verb and chorus (nice!),
    all switchable.
    
    For bigger amps, I would recommend looking at the previously mentioned
    Marshall 50wt Dual Reverb amp (2x12 combo would work nice), or their
    Valvestate 80 2x12 combo (roolin!).  I also like the Peavey Classic 50
    2x12 combo (or the 4x10, but that would be too bright with a strat!).
    
    I'd sell the ME-5, personally, but...
    
    
    Buck, I'll shut up now..

    Does the Fender Princeton Chorus have overdrive?  Are the channels
    independently configurable, for overdirve and eq? Is it as flexible as
    the new Twins reportedly are?
    
    - Ram

    Re : .9
    
    It's solid state, the power amp puts out about 25 watts x 2.  Not sure
    if the EQ is independent on each preamp channel.  Yes, it has
    overdrive.  I wouldn't call it as flexible as the new Twins.
    
    							Brian

    I would also suggest to you to get rid of the ME-5. There are a lot of
    amps out there that do so much. Plus, you can get other rack units for
    the same price and far better quality sounds out of them. Alesis, Art,
    Digitech etc...to name a few of effects units that will blow you away!!

    RE :  I would also suggest to you to get rid of the ME-5.
    
    If you decide to do so, and do it cheap, call me!
    
    Steve 8^)

    I suggest you to choose an amplifier according to the kind of nusic you
    prefere.
    If you like rock or h.metal i suggest you a Marshall valvolar amp.
    if you like fusion or jazz i suggest you ampeg or mesa-boogie amps.
    Accoding effects i prefer Alesis Quadraverb or Lexicon lxp5
    You can choose also an overdrive like cream machine or cranch machine.
    
    hello Giuliano.
    

    
    

I road tested a MosValve 100 watt 1x12" combo (I think it was the "2100 model") 
with a twin tube preamp and a mosfet pwr amp. After 5 minutes I wanted to trade 
my Boogie Mk 2c for it! This amp had *3* stages, clean, lead and a "stack" 
setting where it "appears" that the lead channel cascades into another stage 
and gives you a great (I mean GREAT crunchin' tone) I really can't say enough 
about it, PLUS the best feature of all...  the combo only weighs around 40 lbs! 
My MK2c head alone weighs this much, not to mention still having to lug around 
my Altec loaded 2x12 cab, I don't even want to talk about lugging my 4x12" Mesa 
cabinet! ARGH!!!! Did I mention the reverb in this thing? I was better than any 
Fender "The Twin" I've ever heard, actually it sounded very much like an old 
Fender with a deep Ventures/Twilight Zone sound (I loved it!) due to a *6* 
spring reverb tank. The reverb in this MosValve put my Mesa to shame...  :^(
There's the typical effects patch on the backside with sensitivity controls for
both effect out and effect in and on the front panel there's a mix knob to 
blend the effects loop with the dry signal. COOL! and it works GREAT too! The
driver is a standard 12" Tubeworks (stamped metal chassis) speaker, but they 
also offer a 12" Celestion as the only option, other than a cover although the
standard speaker sounded very good and the bottom notes sounded very tight and
punchy.

If I was looking for a 12" Combo potent enough to kill small animals, easy
to understand controls (without needing to read a 400 page document) plus 
easy to dial in some cool and very serious tone (clean, grungy and cool lead
gain with lots of *controlled* feedback)...  this is the one combo I'd go for!

Would I trade my Boogie MK2c for it? I would seriously consider it! 
How much? Less than $500 for the 1x12" 100 watt combo (not bad in my book).

Mosvalve also has a head version and a rack mountable head for around $450.00.

Rock on,
	Fred

Fred - 

I spoke with a MOSvalve dealer a while back up in Denver (company home town, 
btw).  He said basically, they took the rack mountable top-of-the-line preamp
guts and coupled them with the MOSValve power amp guts and put them in a combo 
box.

Where I'm leading with this is, if you like the sounds of the combo, and you're
a rack puke, then MOSvalve can help you out there too.

Also, I'd never been much of a "combo" fan - probably left over from my 
"Marlboro" amp days, but of late, I've heard some GREAT combos!  Marshalls'
Blue Jubilee, Kitty M1's, and the Laney ProTube combos too.  FWIW - Pat "Odie"
Blairs Kitty M1 60wt blew my mind -wow!

I have the 30wt version of the ProTube by Laney, and while it's not LOUD (hey, 
consider the source. :-), it's good for practice and small gigs.  I recently
used it with my strat, a cord anna t-screamer  at church, and it screamed!
It also has the Cascading Preamp arrangement (which is a little confusing
for an MRP to set up :-), but I'm really impressed with the little thang.

jc (Who still wants a TriAxis)

    
    
       Sounds like you bought Scary's rig.  Right?
    
       I loved the sound, but thought some tube type
    thang got broke during shipment.  So I sent it back.
    My loss. Turned out it was my guit, (pots) and not
    the amp.   Duh, on my part. 
    
       That was the first time I ever played a *real*
    amp.  It knocked me over.  (I should say that the 
    only thing I have is a little practice Gorilla - 
    that I freakin hate.
    
    
       Rick.
    
       How is the lad anyway? 
    
    

>       How is the lad anyway? 

Scary ??

He's doin' well!  Spoke with him this morning as a matter of fact...He's
buyin' my EQ and other asst. PA stuff for his band.  Recently sold his 
tele I guess.  He's a strat puke.

I think that little amp is so cute.  Cindi sez: "it's so small..." - So, I 
cranked it to 10...  BAM!  After I pulled her head out of the wall, I said, 
yeah, but it packs a punch and it's portable to boot.  :-)  She should no 
better than to comment about 'small' things.  ;-)

jc

    For what it's worth the 1 12" mosvalve has the Gree Vee King seal of
    approval!
    
    personally I think most of the tubeworks preamps I've tried jsut didn't
    quite have that "tone" that I was looking for, but they should make
    major blues machines with no problem..
    
    dbii

    Would it be worthwhile for someone seeking "A Boogie that is easy to dial 
    in a sound" to look into the MosValves?
    
    I'm not into the blues tone, I'm into the Larry Carlton singing tone.
    That is, high gain, but little clipping/grit/fuzz and VERY responsive
    to playing dynamics.
    
    	db

    Dave, you might want to check out the Carvin X-Amp combos, if you
    haven't already.  A friend of mine just bought one and it's got a 
    "Boogie-like" setting.  You know the Boogie sound a lot better than I 
    do, but Carvin does claim that Carlton uses their amps.
    
    Dave

    I think it's one of those "Carlton endorses their amp".  
    
    What he's "using" right now is a Dumble.
    
    Hopefully some day I'll come across a Carvin amp that I can just check
    out but I won't order one sight-unseen even if they'll take it back if
    I don't like it.
    
    I do have a Carvin Guitar (it's my main guitar in fact) but I only
    ordered it because a friend had the same model, and I got a chance
    to try it and really (REALLY) liked it.

get a rivera!

dbii

    it must be obvious by now......
    
    
    
    there is no perfect amp.....or,
    
    everybody's amp is perfect!
    
    8^)

    Greg House once summed it up when he said that through the dozen
    or so different rigs I've owned over the last decade, I essentially
    get the SAME tone from each of them.  So, I guess there really IS
    no perfect amp, only "perfect" for the moment..

    Rick Calcagni told me about a vintage amp nut who thought the Fender
    Deluxe was the ultimate amp and started a band where *everybody*
    (including the bass player!) used a Deluxe.
    
    							Dr. Fong

    It seems to me, that learning more about amps has made it harder to
    find one I'm happy with.  I was actually happy with my 80 Watt Randall
    transistor amp until I tried a better amp.   Last summer I bought a
    Fender Ultra Chorus (has two 65 watt transistor amps), I ended up
    taking it back bacause I didn't like the sound - it was loud but muddy.
    
    Recently I've been looking at the selection of used tube amps at Mr
    Music in Allston.  They've got a lot of good stuff there.  An
    assortment of Fender Twin Reverbs and Super Reverbs for $499 - $649.
    
    I tried a Vibrolux Reverb ($649) , which sounded great, I love the 
    vibrato feature.  I tried a bunch of other ones - it's hard to identify
    the differences, there are so many models and many different models
    have exactly the same control layout and speakers.  A knowledgable
    salesman was not present.
    
    I ended up buying a Blues Deluxe 40 watt tube amp in a tweed box
    with one 12-inch speaker.   A key feature is the channel switching.
    Also, I liked the fact the it's sort of small - since I'll probably
    have to move it around alot.  The only thing it's missing is the
    vibrato.  But it was $399 and it sounded great in the store.
    
    I've got 7 days to exchange it.  My second choice is the Vibrolux
    Reverb, which has footswitchable vibrato, reverb and volume boost.
    It a much bigger amp and I think it has two speakers.
    
    With my band, the Blues Deluxe sounded great, but I'm not sure I'm
    getting enough volume out of it.   My sound is breaking up at the high
    volume levels I need in our practice space.  Although this distortion
    is real smooth sounding.   Also, when I hit the channel selection
    footswitch, there's a brief delay before it kicks in, which makes it
    hard to use in a song -when I want to switch channels right at the
    change in the song (you know, to add 'punch' to the change).
    
    BTW: it has pre-amp out and power amp in.  Is that the same as an
    effects loop?  Also, can I  send the pre-amp out from one amp to the
    power amp in of another amp?
    
    -Paul
    
    

    Paul,
    
    	Power amp in/out is an efx loop, and yes you can run the preamp
    out into the pwr amp input on another amp. It won't shut down the 
    pwr amp in the Blues deluxe either. 
    
	The old Fender Vibra-lux reverbs are great amps. I believe
    they have about 40 watts into 2 10" speakers. This is not really
    a big amp, and it is not much bigger than the Blues Deluxe your
    currently using. The 2 10" speakers would provide a little wider
    projection. This may be what you're experiencing at practice. Amps
    with a single speaker are pretty directional. Once you step out of
    the path of the single speaker, the volume drops off dramatically.
    This is generally true of any amp with a single speaker. A small 
    amp like this is best used propped up on a chair or amp stand, and
    aimed directly at you.  
    
    A Vibralux does not have channel switching or a high-gain preamp 
    like a modern amp (ie: your Blues Deluxe). My experience with Vibralux's 
    is that they really don't distort much even at very high volumes. It's 
    mainly a clean sounding amp, good for rhythm guitar, or lead playing that
    requires only clean tone. You may be better off sticking with the Blues 
    Deluxe if you want more versatility. As far as vibrato goes, it's a cool 
    effect, but not very useful. I wouldn't gate a purchase on this
    feature.
    
    Mark

    If you like the sound of the Blues Deluxe but think it's underpowered,
    try a Blues Deville.  It's cost you a couple hundred more, but will
    probably be all the gigging amp you'll ever need.
    
    Spinal tip: the 4x10 version of the Deville is noticably lighter than
    the 2x12 version.
    
    If you're really flush this week, the Diaz Texas-Tremadillo is a great
    tremelo-in-a-stompbox effect (although quite expensive, around $200).
    

    RE:28     I agree. I've had the Blues Deville since Christmas '94 and
    it's a great amp - definitely enough power and great sound. I haven't
    noticed any appreciable delay in channel switching.
    
    Leo

After another practice last night I've decided that the 
Blues Deluxe just can't produce enough clean volume.  

>After another practice last night I've decided that the 
>Blues Deluxe just can't produce enough clean volume.  
Our lead guitarist has a Fender Pro Reverb (60 Watts?).

Mr Music has two used Blue Deville's to choose from.
The Vibrolux they have has a foot switchable volume boost 
feature (which I presume is different from channel switching).

After this weekend I'll have a different amp and I'll have 
tried it with my band again.

-Paul

The Vibrolux turned out to be only 40watts. 
The Blue Deville sounded really *great*, it was
60watts.  It had the same channel switching problem
as the Blue Deluxe (a slight delay after I stomp
on the footswitch).

I narrowed my choice down to a 70's Twin Reverb, 100watts
with 2 12inch Fender speakers, or a Fender Vibrosonic (what 
a cool name!), which is about identicle to the Twin, except 
it's 135watts and has one 15inch Fender speaker.  Both priced
at $599 (a _pretty good_ price, but not great).

I finally decided on the Twin Reverb.  It came with a cover
and the footswitch for the vibrato and reverb.  There's no
built in channel switching, but there are two channels, each
with it's own input jack.  I'm gonna get some kind of AB switch
to implement a kind of channel switching.  It has the master 
volume knob; I've been told that the amps without it are better,
but I like the flexability it adds - that I can choose whether
I want to overdrive the pre-amp while still being able to
moderate my overall volume.

As soon as I left the store I really started to doubt my choice.

After a practice with my band I've decided that I really love this
amp.  It's a great match with my telecaster.  I put it on the floor 
and used the tilt-back legs.   It sounds so great that I feel less 
of a need for some of my effect pedals.  There are 4 6L6's 
and 6 12ax7's in there.  It has a GREEN power light.

At last, I'm happy.

-Paul

    I used to own 2 Twin Reverbs. One was early 70's with master volume
    and pull distortion. Mine also had JBL speakers. The other one I
    had was "The Twin" with snake-skin covering. "The Twin" was originally
    billed as the "Boogie Killer" when it come out. It has channel switching
    and a high-gain channel. 
    
    The master volume on these amps is decieving. Most people that have
    tried using the master volume to get distortion have given up on that
    approach and are using something else to get distortion.
    
    I think you're slightly mistaken about the tubes in your amp. There
    should be 4 12AX7's and 2 12AT7's. The 12AX7's are the preamp tubes
    and the 12AT7's are known as "Driver" or "phase inverter" tubes. This
    is important if you ever decide to retube. Better start saving for
    tubes now. 4 6L6GC's will set you back about $80. 
    
    Mark
    

    Wish i could find my perfect amp. I was dead set on one of those
    Deluxes but after what i just read i dont know.I test drove one of them
    at the local dealer and fell in love with its tone and amazing reverb.
    Now i'm second guessing it.The volume thing and channel switching delay
    kinda just blew it for me.Oh well....the search continues....
    
    -kev

    
    
    Mark, I used the master volume/pull distortion on a Twin for 10 years
    and was very happy with it!  Sounded great!  I did use my guitar's
    preamp to kick it some more, but I certainly didn't need any stomp
    boxes.
    
    Just another .02
    
    Kevin
    

    
    	Well, the Tele / Twin combo is pretty hard to beat if that's
    	what you're looking for.  Vince Gill City!  Sounds great to
    	my ears.
    
    	Good luck! Tom
    

>    I think you're slightly mistaken about the tubes in your amp. There
>    should be 4 12AX7's and 2 12AT7's. The 12AX7's are the preamp tubes
>    and the 12AT7's are known as "Driver" or "phase inverter" tubes. This

You're probably right, I only glanced at the tube layout sticker inside
the cab.

>    Wish i could find my perfect amp. I was dead set on one of those
>    Deluxes but after what i just read i dont know.I test drove one of them

I forgot the mention that the Blues Deville has 4 10 inch speakers.
At Mr Music it was $525 used, only $125 more then the Deluxe (but 
Boston is sort of far from Canada?).  The Deville might have been 
loud enough - I don't know.   The Deville adds footswitchable
reverb too.   You could alway use an overdrive pedal instead of
(live) channel switching.

I am pretty happy using my XXL pedal with my Twin Reverb.

--------------

So "The Twin" is some sort of special issue of the Twin Reverb?

-Paul

    
    I found the perfect amp. Two words: Trace Elliot. Of
    course, I play them funny geetars with the big thick
    strings that make that deep plunky noise, so your
    mileage may vary! :-) :-)
    
    -b

    I still love my Deluxe Reverb, but if I were planning to get into
    another band, I would obviously need something bigger. In this case,
    I would probably be looking at either a Super Reverb, or a 4x10 
    Bassman. The Super would be my first pick for a LOUD amp. 
    
    No more Twins for this ole boy!
    
    Mark 

    Well actually to get "Vince Gill City!" you would have to get 2
    Rivera Hundred Duo Twelve.  Not quite as heavy as a Twin but cost twice
    as much.  But they are worth every penny.  I bought 1 (couldn't afford
    2 haven't hit Lotto yet) and can say its the best amp I have ever heard...
    even with me playing thru it.
    
    later,
    rj

    I had a dream last night that I had two Marshall JCM 900 2-12 combo
    amps in my garage.  I also had two Fender Twins in my practice space. 
    I wanted to bring the Marshalls to my practice space but I was afraid
    my band mates would think I'd gone on an insane spending spree.

    Any comments on Hartke bass amps?  Specifically, the 1415 Combo Amp,
    Model 1400, 140 Watts...
    
    Has anyone had any experience with this amp?  How much do they 
    usually go for, new and used?
    
    /d

    
    I have no idea what they are like but for a price reference,check out
    the want ads and get a rough idea from there!
    
    
    		
    						ian		

    Hi Danielle,
    
    Guitar Shop magazine buyers guide lists the Hartke 1415 bass combo 
    at $649.99 new.  Of cource, list price is much higher than street
    price.  It's got a 15 inch speaker.  "The most compact combo
    available."
    
    The 1400 head only lists at $369.99.  I bet you could find a decent
    speaker cab on the used market for less than the difference.  It would
    be a lot easier to move around.
    
    Mr Music had some really cool Ampeg heads.  They had the one that has
    the tubes sticking out the top so you can see them glowing.  (They're
    protected by a metal cage).   I've seen a lot of other bass players
    drooling over Jeff's (of the Heatseekers) Ampeg bass head, so I guess
    it must be good.
    
    -Paul

    Hi Danielle,
    
    Yep, as Paul mentioned, you can snarf up a cabinet cheap.
    
    I've got a pair of them for sale:
    
    1 SWR "Basic 2 Way" (1-15" with a tweety-horn)  $350
    1 NoName 15" Theile Cab stuffed with a massive EV 15" - $250
    
    
    Hartke, SWR, GK and a few others are without a doubt some of the 
    best bass amps you can get, IMHO... (but who listens to me, I'm
    a guitar player...)
                       

    Thanks Paul, thanks Coop!
                           
    	I was asking because I bought a used Hartke 1415 Combo Amp last
    weekend at a South Boston pawn shop.  The list price was $450, but
    I talked the guy down to $350 (plus tax).  I love it, but haven't
    been able to turn it up past 1 (i will this weekend at my boyfriend's
    practice space :-)...My neighbors are probably hating me.  I have one 
    week to exchange it for something else, and one month to return it for 
    manufacturing defects.  
    
    I also bought a 1962 Kay archtop for my boyfriend as a birthday
    present.  List was $165, the lowest I could talk them down was $140.

   Yeah, Hartke is good.  All those that Coop mentioned are very nice, and
   you'll pay state-of-the-art dollars for them, too.  :-)  You really have
   to try a few different brands to find what *you* like.  They all have
   different sound characteristics.
   
   Mailorder (Musician's Friend, AMS, etc) is a good way to go to get the
   best price on new gear.  It *is* nice to get in good with the local music
   store folks though, and a good way to "get in good" with them is to buy
   something there.  It may be worth the $50 you save by buying mailorder.

   -- Sam
   

    
    Two words: Trace Elliot. :-)
    
    -b

    I've also heard great things about Trace Elliot, but aren't they
    really expensive?  I'm looking for the best buy in the $350 and under
    range...

    Umm - yeah, r-ah, Trace stuff is expensive...  But it rocks.  I'm 
    sorry I didn't mention it along side the SWR/GK string I posted before
    (I usually do).
    
    Trace stuff looks loud before you even plug it in...Bad to the bone.
    

        Trace Elliot:

    It's the best sounding, most durable, dependable and
    earth-shatteringly loud bass equipment ever invented,
    and iffen you have to sell your mama to buy some it's
    worth it. Besides, if she's anything like my mama,
    you'll get along better with the amp anyway... :-) :-)

    -b

    Hmmmm - I try NEVER to say "best" around here...
    
    It's like going to 5 different computer stores, and saying show me
    the best computer...  You see five different systems.
    
    :-)
    
    But T/E *is* rippin' stuff!
    

    At the recent Blue Flames, the guy doing our sound (big name local
    outfit, help Dave???) commented that he had recently done a job where
    the bassist sent his signal direct from a Trace Elliot preamp, and it
    was one of the best he's heard.
    
    I've been playing with one of these lately at Mr. C's; nice.
    

    Check out the acoustic amps they have too (for acoustic 6-strings, of
    course).  I've NEVER heard an amplified acoustic sound so "acoustic"
    before.
    

    
    I have a bunch of tapes I did with Liquid Sanctuary which
    were the pre-amp outputs of my Trace GMX12 run directly
    through a pair of Apogee A/Ds and then directly onto the
    DA88s. Everyone who has heard the tapes is blown away.
    Some people have commented that they have never heard a
    better sounding bass on _any_ recording, _anywhere_.
    
    The basses I used were all Music Man Stingrays (4 and
    5 string.)
    
    -b

    
    RE:  Trace Elliot
    
    I tried a Chet Atkins model through a small (aren't they all) TE
    acoustic amp down at The Boston Music Co. a few weeks ago and it
    sounded very, very good.  I'd like to own me one of these.
    
    Kev --
    

    
    
    	A few years back I was jamming with this guy who used a
    GK with a single 12" spkr.  The bass was a yamaha.  Nice biting tone
    and plenty of power.  We giged a few times and never had anyproblems
    with him being heard.  If I remember correctly, this thing was not
    much bigger than the speaker itself and weighed less than 30 lbs.
    
    CMD

    yeah, I picked up one of these myself recently; a GREAT practice amp
    for bass.  I never particularly cared for the GK tone in the larger
    rigs, but I'm quite happy with this pup (and so is my back).  Amazingly,
    a lot of upright players also favor this amp for live acoustic bass work.
    
    /rick
    

    OK - all you Trace'rs - I got two words for YOU!
    
    Mesa-Boogie!
    
    So there!
    
    D.

    The pawn shop where I bought my bass amp is Suffolk Jewelers,
    Washington St., Boston.  The # is 617-445-5088.
    
    I'm putting this in here because they have a lot of musical gear, 
    more than any of the other pawn shops I have been to.  Due
    to the approach of the holiday season, merchandise is going fast
    and they aren't negotiating as much.  But in the spring and summer,
    there is a lot of merchandise and you can get really awesome deals.  
    My boyfriend has bought two Les Paul's there for really cheap...
            

    
    > OK - all you Trace'rs - I got two words for YOU!
    
    Well, I have a few more words for you:
    
    I sold my Besa-Boogie stuff so I could buy the Trace!!!
    
    -b

    
      I'm not a bass player, but when the bass player in my band wanted to
    upgrade his amp from a Peavey MARK VIII, I recommended that he check
    out Trace Elliot, Ampeg, and SWR.  After doing so he went with a
    TRACE RAH350SMX, rack mount - 350 watts mono, full GP12SMX preamp (the 
    better one). He has had it for about four months and absolutely
    loves it. Like Coop said, It LOOKS like it kills before you even fire
    it up, then you know it does!
    
    							-John R.

    re: 62
    
      "I sold my Besa-Boogie stuff so I could buy the Trace!!!"
    
    How embarrassing!  You really shouldn't advertise your mistakes here in
    the notes file!!!!  :-)
    
    d.

    As a guitarist who's fussy over bass tones, I've always been partial to
    one of those Ampeg B-30 fliptop amps -- they sound killer at low
    volumes, but really fart out if you crank em.

    I'd like a small bass rig that I could use for my occasional Bass
    binges. A friend of mine has an old black-face Bassman piggyback
    amp with 2x12 bottom, complete with tilt-backs. I've played bass
    as well as guitar through this amp and it sounds killer for both.
    I wouldn't mind buying it from him. It has 2 12" Emminence heavy
    duty speakers that seem to handle the bass quite well. 
    
    I also like the Ampeg Porta-flex amps. These have become somewhat
    collectable. The guy that invented the Porta-flex amp for Ampeg
    started his own company years ago and introduced an amp with a
    motorized head. You flick a switch and the head raises/lowers in
    and out of the cab straight up. These are very scarce, and pretty
    cool amps. I know someone that owns one of these as well.
    
    Mark
    

    
    There's a world of small bass amps that talk big these days.
    I've been somewhat sidelined of late and thus have not been
    shopping.....but there's some pretty impressive offerings
    from G-K, Trace, Hartke, etc. I had a brief fling with an SWR
    Basic Black; tube preamp, 100-something-watt ss power amp,
    and the entire cabinet was the size of it's 15" speaker. Bass
    Player raved about it, but I never did get a sound out of it
    that I liked.....(more likely a problem with the operator :)
    
    I now have a Trace Twin Valve combo....not exactly small and
    light but wonderful tone at any volume. I still play like shit,
    but it's warm shit :)
    
    Ampeg B-15 Portaflex's are still in demand for recording, but do
    fart out if cranked, as did the Bassman I had (shallow cabinets
    don't help for bass). Ampeg also made that same beast with an
    18" speaker; called the B-18. Bigger and heavier than the B-15 and
    (I think) 60 watts with the same flip-top with lighted "Ampeg"
    logo.....for what they cost on the collector circuit, one can buy
    a good modern amp. Also, when Ampeg got bought by SLM, they 
    briefly offered a recreation of the Porta-flex but with a 100w
    solid-state amp in the 15" flavor; EV speaker an option. Never
    got to try one as they got discontinued a year later.
    
    Anyway, Bass Player had an article on "vintage" bass amps some
    time ago. They echoed what was stated here (by Brian I think);
    while vintage may be great for guitar amps, bass amps have come
    a long way in terms of speaker and cabinet design....and while
    tubes do impart a certain sound, solid-state bass amps do a damn
    good job of delivering lots of good clean power. Flames to NL::  :-)
    
    DAP
    

    Depending on what you're looking for, the Fender Pro Junior
    may indeed be the "perfect" amp.  It's the smallest of their
    current tweed tube amps, but in some ways the best.   Just 4
    tubes (pair of EL-84s for the output), 1x10" blue frame speaker,
    volume and tone controls; small and light as a feather.  It gets
    plenty of clean "living room" volume and cranked it could easily
    gig a small club.  And although it lacks the features of it's
    more well endowed brothers (the Blues Deluxe and Blues DeVille),
    I think it's actually got even better tone.  It sounds absolutely
    hellacious when cranked.
    
    A great little amp, worth checking out.
    
    /rick
    

    -1
    
    Soundz good, whatz Fender raping you for on this baby?

    I think they normally retail in the low-to-mid $200, but I know someone
    who grabbed one at Guitar Center on sale for $185.
    

    Matchless has some (very-retro-looking) small amps that would be 
    similar to the Pro-Junior. Worth checking out if you have $2k to
    drop on a practice amp   :^)
    
    Mark