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Post subject: Going off to college
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 5:08 am
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Hey guys. I'm headed off to my first semester of college here in about two weeks and am stoked. But anyways I feel bringing my blues deluxe may be a little overkill in a dorm room. So, I don't really want to spend much over $300 and am looking for an amp that parallels a Fender American Special and is pretty versatile. I play anything from Hendrix to Allman Brothers. Thanks you all I appreciate your all's opinions.


Last edited by themanmellert on Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Going of to college
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:42 am
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Hi themanmellert,

I should first suggest something from Fender, so a used BJr might fit the bill quite nicely, maybe pushing your budget a little, but a nice amp for your needs.

I would also check out a Laney Cub 10 combo. About $200 new, usually with free shipping. Tone, volume and gain knobs, low and high inputs, two 6V6, two 12AX7, adjustable bias pot, hum adjust pot, and a 10-inch ceramic-magnet speaker, plus an external speaker jack. The stock amp sounds very much like a Vibro Champ (without the tremolo) when played clean, and the gain knob will give you some pretty decent drive when desired, also louder than a Vibro Champ.

Although the amp sounds pretty good stock, the only thing that I changed on mine was to change the stock tubes. I used two EH 6V6, a 5751 in V1, and a 12AT7 in V2, and talk about some fantastic tones, both clean or gain, very touch responsive with the new tubes. I don't have as much gain with the new tubes, but I didn't really want a lot of gain, just tailored the amp to the sound that I liked. It really, really rocks with single coil Strats. You can get all new tubes for around $50 if you want to change the tone of the amp. I tried a new "Celestion Alnico Gold" speaker, but put the stock "Celestion Tube 10" speaker back in as I liked it better.

My reasoning for this suggestion of the Cub 10, 1) nice tube sound, 2) not too loud if need be but can get fairly loud, 3) great bang for buck on your budget, 4) small enough for dorm room, 5) not a huge loss if stolen or damaged.

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Post subject: Re: Going of to college
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:56 pm
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Thank you shimmilou.

I will definitely look into the Laney Cub 10. I had thought about the Blues Jr. but I feel as though that would be hard to justify spending so much on more or less a practice amp. I appreciate your input!


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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:58 pm
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May be sacrilege, but for times when you can't use your regular amp, why not a amp sim and play through headphones on your laptop? This would be the alternative when you can't play your real amp.

I'm assuming as a college student you'll have a laptop, so cost should be low.

Otherwise, the Fender Mustangs have a headphone out that can also allow silent playing.

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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 10:23 pm
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+1 on Amp Sim, very versatile and quiet and can be lined-out to any system if required. Also good for recording and writing music. Also what about a SMOKEY amp? Cigarette box size, cheap and has a good review as a bedroom practice amp.

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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 7:30 am
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I will keep those ideas in mind, but I do not want to rely to heavily on a simulator. The music cultures pretty strong up there so I will more than likely find myself in a band at some point.


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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:40 pm
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Go to a pawn shop and get a Squier Sidekick or a Frontman 15...or any other small solid state practice amp. Bring the good amp and stick it in your closet for gigs. Personally, I would take an acoustic guitar and leave the electrics at home. My experience is that you will have more opportunities for a jam session on campus unplugged. Also, depending on your major and how serious you are about succeeding, you are soon to realize just how little free time there will be for recreation.


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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 1:51 am
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I really liked my old Pignose, for that setting --- that I went out & bought a used LA made one last year. Really versatile little thing.

:D :mrgreen: :D


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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 4:17 pm
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themanmellert wrote:
I will keep those ideas in mind, but I do not want to rely to heavily on a simulator. The music cultures pretty strong up there so I will more than likely find myself in a band at some point.
    All the more reason to go with the Blues Jr. 8)

    Cheers!
    BM

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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 4:23 pm
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Find yourself a clean Stage 100 DSP combo. They're around $200 to $250 on the secondary market. With the built-in effects and 100 watts, you can leave your pedalboard at home and still produce some credible (and loud) tones. And if it gets stolen from your dorm room, WGAS? It's not like it was a vintage Deluxe Reverb.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 7:50 am
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If it's for dorm room playing only, get a Champion.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... 4AodcCcArg

...put a mic on it for larger rooms. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:01 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
If it's for dorm room playing only, get a Champion.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... 4AodcCcArg

...put a mic on it for larger rooms. :wink:


+1


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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 1:35 pm
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The Laney sounds good, I would look for a used Frontman 25R, or maybe the new champion 20. I own both....I even have the mini tone-master and mini tweed twin


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Post subject: Re: Going off to college
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 2:43 pm
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I'd get a Mustang III if I were you. 100W, enough power for an occasional gig, plenty of effects to get any sound you want, has a phones jack so you can play it at night and it's a decent amp to gig with as well. It should fit your bill nicely, especially if you buy a used one :)

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