Help with a small 1x12 combo,

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, I need to find a small combo, 1x12, with a good clean channel. I know this has been covered, but I'm hoping someone may have a recommendation. I need a good amount of headroom, as I run a clean signal, and use pedals for overdrive. Maybe something with a bit more headroom than a deluxe reverb.
Thanks,
Kurt

[John Price]

Depending on your budget, Volume, Wattage...? I would suggest looking into Carr The Vincent, Mesa LoneStar (my favorite!), Mesa Express series 5:25 or 5:50.....

JP....

[Kid Metric]

I just got this amp last week-20 LOUD watts-3 channels, many options, 1 12" speaker, very light.
I love it!
Honey moon is still on, but I got it from eddies guitars-1200.00 shipped.
I couldn't be happier, so far!

[mbrown3]

I have an Ampeg J-12R that I've had for several years. Relatively cheap, simple amp, but man it sounds good. Just one channel, but great cleans and lots of headroom.

[robert75354]

Mesa Lonestar Special has a great clean channel, the drive channel is not my fav tho, but still a great little amp overall. I've owned mine for 2 trouble free years, but I'll be replacing it with something else.

I recently played thru a Bad Cat Cub 2, I liked it's tone, I just don't know how loud it would get before break up.

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is always great bang for the buck, but it's certainly not a boutique hand wired amp.

Good luck!

[Harry]

My choices are Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. 1x12 (Actually 20 - 22 watts) and loud if you need it or step up to the Maz 38 Sr. 1x12 if you want more clean headroom. Then there is the StangRay which has even more clean headroom. All are excellent amps, check out the Dr. Z forum for feedback. Good luck!

Harry

[FFOGG]

Bogner Duende ...very nice clean chanel
Toneking Comet 20

[dannopelli]

My choices are Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. 1x12 (Actually 20 - 22 watts) and loud if you need it or step up to the Maz 38 Sr. 1x12 if you want more clean headroom. Then there is the StangRay which has even more clean headroom. All are excellent amps, check out the Dr. Z forum for feedback. Good luck!

Harry

I have all three and love them all. Kind of hard to find a Stang in 1x12 though.

[kurt1981]

Thanks much guys, this is great, a lot of ideas. I wish I could try some of these out, not much dealers around for them.
Kurt

[FFOGG]

I spent alot of money on amps be/ I didnt try them out first .

[FFOGG]

What exactly are you looking for and what purpose ...I have at $10,000.00 worth of experience

[kurt1981]

It's hard to describe what you want in an amp, I just know I like the fender sound, but a bit less brittle in the extreme top end, most fenders sound fizzy to me with any amount of overdrive. I love my lonestar head and cab, but I want a little amp to grab for small stuff. I'm not as much into the class A brit thing, a bit too jangly to me so I don't know if Dr. Z stuff will be up my alley or not. Too many options!!
Kurt

[FFOGG]

I have the Lonestar Special and the Duende right now .Unlike the other posts I like the LSS drive channel but not the cleans its a small combo but it is extremely heavy to carry around and therefore not very portable IMHO.
The Duende has great cleans and it is lighter but very expensive but worth it .
ToneKing Comet 20 has a great Fender Clean and can be had for under a grand but its drive channel is too loud and uncontrolable .

A great option would be the Reverend Hellhound great cleans and portable under $600 along w/ the Toneking Comet 20 IMHO .As well as Carr Rambler .........

[Ray K.]

Kurt, the Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr can be a tad bright and even "jangly." But, adjusting the Cut knob, which is unique to these amps, using the second/Low Input and even re-tubing if necessary will settle them down quite a bit. I kid not! :)

Also, I personally would go with a Non Reverb (NR) model, if you are really wanting clean with lots of headroom and one that takes pedals well.

I'll go even further and buck the trend by recommending the 210 combo (or head/cab). These have Dr. Z's own special brand of speakers and I really dig them. My opinion, of course.

Like you, I don't have a dealer near me and had to just order one on a whim. I'm still using it live and my Classic 30 is my backup/practice amp here at home.

Good luck,
Ray K.

[mr. j]

Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket? It's a 1x10 but it's as loud and full as a 1x12 believe it or not. On the clean channel it can get loud also.

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, thanks so much for all this, really a lot to think about. I'm ending up with a carr rambler, but I want to check out the Dr. Z stuff for sure.
Kurt

[Suriel Zayas]

I'm ending up with a carr rambler

good choice :D