Warm and full sounding 'pedal platform' amps?

RandallFlagg

I've had my Mesa Boogie Mark V 35 combo for some years now and these days rarely use the drive channel, which is quite fussy to dial in, I tend to only use the clean channel. I'm fancying a change to see if there's a better sounding simpler, single channel clean/edge of breakup pedal platform amp. Thing is it needs to be warm and full sounding, many of the usual contenders seem to get reported as being a bit bright and potentially harsh on the top end.(such as DRRI or Tone King Imperial MK II)

I don't dislike the fat mode on the Boogie clean channel just wondering if there's a nice alternative in the 30-40 watt range, or do I need to remortgage up to a Two Rock?

 

mo6020

A Tweed Bassman is what you are looking for.

Fingers657

mo6020 said:

A Tweed Bassman is what you are looking for.

Or a brilliant Electro  Harmonix MIG 50 head.
https://youtu.be/F4l67uJuulI?feature=shared

mo6020

That would do nicely, too. Basically a Bassman innit 

RandallFlagg

Interesting, how much clean headroom is there in a Bassman before they start caving in?

Petepassion

I've recently acquired a 40W Fargen BBvs2 combo. Brilliant pedal platform similar to the old blackface Fender Vibroverb.
Sensible size and weight, basic, but sounds great and the EQ is very effective.

stickyfiddle

Cornell Romany 12 

That said I don’t think I would ever describe my TMDR as even remotely “shrill”

Sharky77

Ceriatone JM50 - pretty much a clone of the John Mayer Two Rock amp and has a deep switch for big lows as well as 3 way bright and mid switches. 3 tube reverb sounds incredible and is 50w with a half power mode. The ultimate pedal platform! The only problem is the head has gotta weigh around 20kg because of the transformers. Here is mine into a 1x12 cab -

Fingers657

Sharky77 said:

Ceriatone JM50 - pretty much a clone of the John Mayer Two Rock amp and has a deep switch for big lows as well as 3 way bright and mid switches. 3 tube reverb sounds incredible and is 50w with a half power mode. The ultimate pedal platform! The only problem is the head has gotta weigh around 20kg because of the transformers. Here is mine into a 1x12 cab -

That looks nice .
Have you tried one of these ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nux-Steel-Singer-Boutique-style-overdrive/dp/B08L9LRQ7B/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3NCWF35ZAWEGE&keywords=nux%2Bsteel%2Bsinger%2Bpedal&qid=1706805142&sprefix=NUX%2Bs%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-5&th=1

impmann

Leftfield: Blackstar Amped 1

kennedydream1980

My Koch Twintone 2 in the classifieds. 

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/261081/fs-koch-twintone-mkii-1x12-valve-combo-375-posted#latest

Just ignore the drive channels, I never use them. The clean channel is the perfect base for pedals. It’s a lovely big, round clean channel and it stays clean pretty much all the way up.

ICBM

RandallFlagg said:

I've had my Mesa Boogie Mark V 35 combo for some years now and these days rarely use the drive channel, which is quite fussy to dial in, I tend to only use the clean channel. I'm fancying a change to see if there's a better sounding simpler, single channel clean/edge of breakup pedal platform amp. Thing is it needs to be warm and full sounding, many of the usual contenders seem to get reported as being a bit bright and potentially harsh on the top end.(such as DRRI or Tone King Imperial MK II)

I don't dislike the fat mode on the Boogie clean channel just wondering if there's a nice alternative in the 30-40 watt range, or do I need to remortgage up to a Two Rock?

Mesa Blue Angel. It's basically the amp for people who like the Mesa clean sound but don't want all the other stuff, and it's specifically designed for power amp breakup at either 15, 30 or 38W depending on the valve setting.

octatonic

ICBM said:

RandallFlagg said:

I've had my Mesa Boogie Mark V 35 combo for some years now and these days rarely use the drive channel, which is quite fussy to dial in, I tend to only use the clean channel. I'm fancying a change to see if there's a better sounding simpler, single channel clean/edge of breakup pedal platform amp. Thing is it needs to be warm and full sounding, many of the usual contenders seem to get reported as being a bit bright and potentially harsh on the top end.(such as DRRI or Tone King Imperial MK II)

I don't dislike the fat mode on the Boogie clean channel just wondering if there's a nice alternative in the 30-40 watt range, or do I need to remortgage up to a Two Rock?

Mesa Blue Angel. It's basically the amp for people who like the Mesa clean sound but don't want all the other stuff, and it's specifically designed for power amp breakup at either 15, 30 or 38W depending on the valve setting.

Yep.

Peavey Classic 30 is a good option at the cheaper end too.

mo6020

RandallFlagg said:

Interesting, how much clean headroom is there in a Bassman before they start caving in?

A decent amount, imo. Enough to keep up with a drummer in a full band setting.

Winny_Pooh

Peavey classic 50 is a great bargain option. The input circuit is not far off a Bassman

monkey42

Peavey classic (30 or 50 ) is a great choice for the money

@rockmonster has a 30 up at a great price

rockmonster

Friedman Buxom Betty is pretty good too.

dazzajl

Im currently using a Supro Rhythm Master. It’s the biggest warmest clean I’ve ever had, as you might expect with a 15” in a nice big cab. 

I’d never heard it with pedals but @Keefy came round the other day with one of those funny trays of  little boxes and wires and I liked the sound quite a lot. 

https://www.suprousa.com/amplifiers/rhythm-master/

wrinkleygit

Any use ??

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/261190/ft-wienbrock-me3-for-lpjnr-or-tele-style#latest

ElectricXII

Maybe try a Marshall Bluesbreaker? It's stays clean pretty far up the dial, has a lovely warm sound, and it loves pedals.

HAL9000

Blackstar Artist (not Artisan) was designed as a pedal platform amp. Only ever heard one once and thought it sounded pretty decent.