Hey guys,
So this is a tough one... I've had my Fender Stratocaster American Deluxe for a few years now, but never got around to buying an amplifier good enough for it. To be honest, due to spacial and financial constraints (I've been a student for the past four years living in student accommodation) I've had to settle for amps that were truly rubbish: Line 6 Spider III, Marshall DSL5C and a Marshall MG15CFR (current amp, and by far the worst). I've decided to go for a tube amp, for maximum quality and a combo since I don't play any live gigs or anything of the sort, it'd only be used for home playing (not more than 50W).
Given my history with Marshall amps, I'm tempted to lean away from them, but I can appreciate that the Marshall amps I've had were exceptionally bad and therefore, I would be open to the idea. Tha main hurdle is the fact that I like to play a really wide variety of genres. I mostly play Metallica, Iron Maiden and Guns N' Roses, but I also love playing a more bluesy John Mayery-Hendrixian genre with a relatively clean tone. So versatility is key!
I'm also a pedal guy, so I want something that works great with stompboxes. My budget is around £1000 ($1325) give or take £200 ($270).
I've done a little research and found a number of interesting ideas, though I'd be open to others:
Fender Bassbreaker
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III
Orange Rocker 15/32
Marshall DSL40C
Marshall JVM205C/215C
Lastly, I'm looking for an amp that will last. No nonsense Marshall MG quality crap.
I'd really appreciate the help guys,
Cheers!
Comments
You have a healthy budget to play with though so you have many many options, i suggest the Rectoverb as i have one (well, a Mini Rec but basically the same thing only its a head rather than combo and no reverb) and for me it pretty much does everything.
You should also consider a Rivera of some sort - they do a very good combination of Fender and Marshall-type sounds, with outstanding build quality.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It it really is a very very good amplifier. At a pinch I could do a whole gig on clean (pushed) but then you've got so much other goodness too. Hit it with a drive (I use a boggo SD-1) and it really sings on either channel.
It's not a Marshall, nor is it a Fender, but it does an approximation, and transparently enough that you can find your own tone. I bloody love it.
It's loud too. Nearly forgot that bit.
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/115934/
I appreciate that its a bit over the wattage you were after but not by much!
My head said brake, but my heart cried never.
If you want a mix of Fender and Marshall sounds with extremely high build quality, that's going to be very hard to beat at that price.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Otherwise I seriously hope you have understanding neighbours, as most of the valve amps you listed sound lousy at normal "home" volumes, and if you were to get a 50w valve amp and drive it to get a good sound, your neighbours three streets away could be affected as well!
There are lower powered valve amps, like the Blackstar HT5, Bassbreaker 007 etc. that could fit your bill? As a pedal guy you might want to steer away from the Bassbreaker 007 though as it has no FX loop.
Edited for accuracy .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
@KareemMonzer There's a Rectoverb 25W combo at Coda Music for just tiny shade over your budget. Stunning amp.
My home volume is also very, very low. I mean on my Katana its usually set at 0.5w with the master at about 9 o'clock! If I could justify a "fair" home volume I've no doubt you are correct.