'Pedal Platform' amps ?

TimmyO

I've always (and for a fairly long time) liked an used amps that break up by design (e.g. JMP, 18watter, Drz Maz, JCM800) but ever since building up my 'big board' I'm liking having lots of tonal options right there, and have been wondering about the 'other' approach - the clean amp as a platform.

What are the different types/families of amps that work well this way, and anyones experiences of them? 

Just strikes me as an interesting topic I know very little about

ChrisCox1994

My two setups work like this, suhr badger 30 as the break up amp boosted with usually a two stage overdrive (fulldrive 2, comp cut mode)

My other setup is a deluxe reverb as a clean platform, using two low gain and a higher gain overdrive selection for different drive flavours. (klone, fulldrive 2 TS mode, sl drive)

The clean platform setup is better for the wedding functiony stuff, but for balls out rock'n'roll the suhr does it. Its a more limiting setup but does that one big marshally thing very well indeed - better than the sl drive/fender combo...

Sporky

That was my amp approach. I used:

Peavey Studio Pro 112

Mesa F50

Cornell Romany Custom

MJW Roadstar 2x10

The Peavey was my first amp and lasted me ten years or so. It was a few years before I realised it had two channels (it didn't come with a footswitch or manual for some reason).

The Cornell and MJW did sound different but complimented each other. I had just the Cornell for years before adding the Mesa (briefly) and then the MJW for stereo. The Mesa was just no use at home; it'd have been very decent at higher volume though.

I also used a JC120 (not mine) for gigging (obviously a jolly long time ago now!) and that worked brilliantly too. Essentially I'd say you want something reasonably "flat" sounding - not FRFR, but not something with lots of "honk".

Were there a meetup you'd be welcome to try the Cornell with your stuff.

Beexter

I used a Vox Night Train 50 head like this for quite a while. The gain channel is a bit OTT for my taste but the clean channel stays clean to a very loud volume. You can also switch out the tone stack which adds a bit of breakup as you wind up the volume but the power section "tone cut" pot stays in the circuit if you need to tame some highs. It runs a pair of EL34's in the power amp unlike the typical Vox style EL84's. It has a switchable effects loop as well but you'd only need to use that if you used the gain channel - if you're running it clean and getting dirt from pedals, just stick everything in front of the amp - works like a charm.

I bought it as a pedal platform, kept it on the clean channel and used pedals for dirt - worked really well. You can pick them up for quite reasonable money used and they look ace too. Mine is the original chrome version.

Also had great success with Solid State combos - Roland Cube 60 and 80XL and a Tech 21 TM60.

Jalapeno

The trusty Marshall MG100HD clean channel sounded good to my ears when called upon.

velvetsky01

Victory V40?

Teetonetal

Brunetti singleman is billed as a pedal platform.

Avoid a fargen townhouse 20. Piece of junk.

BintyTwanger77

I wouldn't rule out a Roland JC40. Stereo inputs, beautiful clean tone, great for stereo reverb & delay, your H9s will sound spectacular.

monquixote

The Puretone is pretty much the ultimate clean pedal platform. 

You can hear them on the "That pedal show videos"

noisepolluter

I've found that once you get the Deluxe Reverb (65RI) up above neighbour-friendly volumes then the whole 'bright cap makes pedals fizzy' thing doesn't happen anymore and it becomes a very handy pedal platform, which is smaller and lighter than HRD (albeit with less headroom obviously). Even at home volumes, TS- and Rat-based pedals (and the liquid sunshine) work just fine.

ChrisCox1994

noisepolluter said:

I've found that once you get the Deluxe Reverb (65RI) up above neighbour-friendly volumes then the whole 'bright cap makes pedals fizzy' thing doesn't happen anymore and it becomes a very handy pedal platform, which is smaller and lighter than HRD (albeit with less headroom obviously). Even at home volumes, TS- and Rat-based pedals (and the liquid sunshine) work just fine.

I had the same problem at first but realised when you get to a gig and crank it a bit its fine.

noisepolluter

even with the volume at 2 or 3 it's a lot warmer sounding.

ElectroDan

The Peavey JSX clean channel takes pedals well. It is really clean up to serious volume levels. Not weedy or thin though.

I agree about the Hughes and Kettner too. My Duotone clean channel is great for pedals straight in.

ThePrettyDamned

The jcm800 is actually a good choice I have found. Blackface fender amps are trendy, but can make a lot of distortion boxes very fizzy and crackly. Big Marshall amps set clean love big fuzz pedals like muffs, and also do great with medium gain overdrive. It's a bit less subtle than the fender approach, though I find it easier to get nice sounds through a Marshall style.

However... I've heard some incredible sounding rigs using a blackface or silverface fender and a board, with all distortion coming from Rats and stuff. So its doable for sure.

RandallFlagg

Victory V40

hywelg

Best choice is a fairly neutral clean amp that will break up nicely when pushed at the front end. Ideally the power section stays clean all the way up.

My favourite is my Dr Z EZG. It will produce sublime harmonics, sag and  distortion when pushed with a clean boost, but hit it with a nasty distortion and it will hold up remarkably well, even in drop tuning. You'll need cycle clips to stop 'em flapping.  Needs the right cab of course, mine is a vertical oversize 2x12 with an Emi Red Fang and an EV. very 'present' and direct, never gets wooly. Very very versatile, never found a drive pedal it didn't like and I must have tried 30 or so over the years. It is an AB763 circuit but with higher filtering on the power supply and a fairly meaty OT, never found any overdrive pedal to sound fizzy as mentioned above, apart from an Xotic BB Plus but it sounded like that through everything, it was the pedal not the amp.

I also use my Ceriatone OTS similarly, using the clean channel only. very good but not as good as the EZG. Not quite got the bass response.

professorben

I'd say the BassBreaker 18/30 would be a great pedal platform, one sparkly side, one darker middlier chewier side. No fx loop tho, so if you are anal about pristine delays and verbs, look elsewhere.

Lebarque

Carr Rambler.

frictionfraction

Tried all sorts. Best in my opinion is dr z maz 38. Just enough grit but leaves enough headroom to get a solo volume boost.

Wazmeister

Dr Z EZG is a great shout...

... But bettered, as a pedal platform, by the superb Carr Rambler...

hywelg

Warren...... Deluxe Versus SuperReverb on steroids. No contest!!.