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Post subject: Help I need a new amp!!!
Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 12:01 am
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I'm going to buy a new fender amp soon, i'm not looking to spend more than maybe $1200 tops thats with taxes. I'm an amature player and live in an apt. and don't need anything too powerful. I do sometimes get time where I can crank it up but it's not overly often...

I mostly play rock, classic rock and some blues stuff... I like things with big rifts like zz top, some stones stuff... I really like the tone of the guitar in can't you hear me knockin'. I also like some STP like just overall good rock sound.

Any body know a good fender amp within this price range that should be able to do what i'm lookin' for. I play an American Strat.

Thanks Guys!


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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:26 am
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Well Jattack, I've got a few suggestions for you, although you're somewhat limited by the necessity of a master volume control. Nevertheless, I'd recommend either the Hot Rod Deluxe or the Blues Junior.

The HRDx is a bigger amp which uses 6L6 tubes -- which provide the classic "Fender sound" -- to put out 40 watts of power. That is more than enough for virtually any gig, yet its master volume lets you tame the proverbial beast. A lot of people on here have expressed their frustration with the HRDx, but even more people own it and love it. Personally, I really liked it. It's a cool amp that gives you a fair bit of tone for a fairly reasonable price -- considering, after all, the outrageous prices of all new Fender amps, it's a decent buy.

The Blues Junior is much smaller and uses EL84 tubes which are more commonly associated with Vox AC30-type amps. Not to say that it sounds like an AC30, but it's a little different sounding -- still an excellent sounding amp by any standard. The major advantage of the BJ is its portability and relatively small size. With the master control you can easily play in an apartment, yet it should be able to keep up with all but the wildest of drummers with the master dimed. Moreover, it should come in at well under your budget ceiling, leaving you satisfied and flush. This would be my suggestion. They are amazing amps, everyone has used them at some point, and they're universally adored by their owners.

It's also probably worth looking for a used Fender of some sort. I'd say tubes, and I would keep my eye out for either a Deluxe of some sort or a '59 Bassman Reissue. You have to keep in mind that used amps can be lemons, but can also be great bargains, so take someone with you who knows a lot about them and can help you -- if you're not experienced with tubes, that is. The Bassman's only deficiency is the lack of a master control, but you can always use a dirt box at home and crank it at gigs or jams. Everyone seems to love them and, although I've only played one a handful of times, I'd say that its one of the most natural and expressive amps I've ever played.

Other than that, you could always look into the "Vintage Modified" Deluxe. I'm not sure what they're worth, but they combine tubes and some modern circuitry to provide effects and, consequently, an exceedingly versatile amp. I've never played one, but the VM series seems to be well-liked here.

Finally, don't rule out a new amp. Check Craigslist and other local sites and see what comes up. You may be surprised.


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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 1:39 am
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Deluxe Reverb


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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:24 am
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dafreeze wrote:
Deluxe Reverb


+1, great amp for most anything. I'm in an apartment, and don't get to crank it too often, but I do once in a while. We've got pretty similar musical tastes. You'll want some overdrive pedals for the hard rock stuff as it doesn't have a gain channel. Amazing professional amp, and in your price range!! I can't leave mine alone...


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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 8:57 am
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I have three Fender amps: a Blues Jr NOS (tweed/Jensen speaker); a Jazzmaster Ultralight + cab; and a Band-Master VM head that I use with a 1-15 cab.

All three have distinct but excellent Fender tone, and I'll gig with any of them. My preference depends on circumstance. Generally I don't play in loud environments, and they can all sound very good at low levels.

For apartment life, I'd go with the BJ. More than enough power, and with the master volume you can keep it reasonably quiet. I personally feel the extra cost of the NOS model is worth it. I've changed out the Fender reverb for a Ruby Reverb, which seems to have more shimmer.

The JM is a fine amp, but with 250 watts it may be a bit much, and it's over your price limit; I love my 335 through the BM, but it's 40 watts, which is still big for an apartment, and it doesn't really open up unless it's cranked a bit.

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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:12 pm
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Vulcan mentioned used -- great idea if you can get the amp checked out and/or comes with a decent warranty. I got a Super 210 a couple of years ago that I really love. You get a lot of the 65 Twin kind of sound but for less money and lower overall volume. They're 65W with clean and distortion channels similar to the Twin.

They're relatively rare but under your $1,200 -- I paid $725 for mine.


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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 7:03 pm
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Blues Jr. NOS tweed (w/Jensen speaker) will do you justice and fit the bill nicely.....


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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 7:47 pm
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twosbrs wrote:
Blues Jr. NOS tweed (w/Jensen speaker) will do you justice and fit the bill nicely.....

+1

go for a pre-2001 model also. all hot rod series amps after the move to mexico had the circuits modified to cut costs. it has a slightly thinner sound.

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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 10:21 pm
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Super Champ XD


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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 1:41 am
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dafreeze wrote:
Deluxe Reverb


Like a couple of others have stated, I can also highly recommend the Blues Jr NOS as well, all though my experience is with a new one. But for what you described, figured the DRRI fit the bill better. Still my first choice if the $ is there.

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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 1:50 am
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You know I just happen to know of a 1 year old DRRI that's never left the bedroom that may be available.

I've just skimmed through the forum rules and didn't see and guidlines for buy/sell/trade of gear here. Also don't see a specific forum for such, nor do I recall seeing any buy/sell ads. With the inability to PM each other, I've assumed such things aren't allowed, but not sure.

Any guidence would be appreciated.


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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 11:43 am
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dafreeze wrote:
You know I just happen to know of a 1 year old DRRI that's never left the bedroom that may be available.

I've just skimmed through the forum rules and didn't see and guidlines for buy/sell/trade of gear here. Also don't see a specific forum for such, nor do I recall seeing any buy/sell ads. With the inability to PM each other, I've assumed such things aren't allowed, but not sure.

Any guidence would be appreciated.


I know what you mean. I saw someone being chastised for overtly trying to sell a guitar on here but, after scouring the forum rules, couldn't find any regulation that explicitly forbade such transactions. I think it may be general wisdom that, in order to avoid transforming this place into a marketplace, such conversations are discouraged. Since PM'ing is also disallowed, however, I can't see anyone getting their ire up over an exchange of e-mail addresses. Just my two cents.


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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 1:15 pm
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Deluxe Reverb! Either new or used. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches. The HRDlx is not the classic Fender sound. I know I own one and plenty of vintage amps to compare it to. It is a modified new Fender sound. You will only get that classic Fender sound from a Deluxe Reverb, Twin Reverb, Bassman, Super Reverb, 57 Deluxe or original Blackface and some Silverface amps. These amps are rock solid reliable amps. I have either owned and still own a few of the originals. Spend you money once. When you have a HRDlx for 30 years without a problem, then you have a good amp. Mine started having problems after a few months.


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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 1:47 pm
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Super Champ XD all the way. It has a real tube amplifier that sounds superb when driven loud. But the effects channel has excellent emulations for when you cannot crank up loud. Remember that you have to overdrive the output to get real tube distortion, which means it has to be loud. The digital emulations are very very realistic and can be used at any volume level from whisper to cranked.

Replace the factory speaker with an Eminence Ragin' Cajun. Fender, if you're listening, make the Cajun the factory standard unit! Read reviews everywhere and you'll see that the Cajun is universally loved in the SCXD.

For about $400 you'll have a killer amp that works in your bedroom or works for a bar gig.


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Posted: Sat May 02, 2009 3:03 pm
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You won't have to change anything with a DRRI. 15watts is hard to gig with unless you mic the amp.


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