New To the Forum and Need Advice Already

[bluesman]

Just introducing myself. I have 2 Andersons. One is a T Classic in Translucent Yellow and the other is a Cobra - Vintage Cherry. The Cobra is an all mahogany body including the neck. I have the T Classic about 18 months and the Cobra about 6 months. I haven't played the T Claasic since I got the Cobra.!!

My musical tastes are in blues, jazz and rock - maybe in that order. I came to Andersons "late" via Fendor and PRS but it was the craftsmanship of the Anderson guitars - especially the necks that made me a buyer. One look told me that other manufacturers weren't even close. I agree with an email in the forum that described the Cobra as a blend of Start/Tele and Gibson. I'm also impressed with the overall client relations from TAG. Not often that the owner of the plant will repond to your emails!!

The advice I was hoping to get was on choice of amplifiers because I am once again in the market for an amp. I live in a small apartment so don't need a lot of watts. I do play amps in a stereo pair. The amp I'm looking for can be digital or tube but on the clean channel it needs to sound rich, mellow and deep in tone and should also be capable of medium gain for blues. I'm not too concerned about effects but reverb would be nice. Any ideas out there would be appreciated. I was looking at the Peavey Windsor Studio ( 15 watts - tube). It has the advantage of a power sponge (attenuator) which enables the amp to maintain its tone even at very low volume levels. Thanks for the suggestions in advance.

PS. I thought I was obsessive about guitars until I started reading some of the emails in this forum.................:)

[FFOGG]

Welcome ....I like the Mesa Lonestar Special be/ it has adjustable watts as well as the Bogner Duende ....I did demo the new Egnatoe Rebel and that was a gr 8 amp at a gr8 price

[Babow2]

Hi,
I saw your post. I owned a Lonestar Classic and just played a Lonestar Special last weekend. I was considering it in trade. One of the "challenges" with the LSS and its El84's, is that it doesn't have a lot of headroom. It is clean at low volume but as you turn it up, you just can't keep it clean. For me, that doesn't work. I like high headroom, so that my cleans stay clean at high volume. Also, while the 5 watt, single ended tube feature is nice, it is a very different tone than running all the tubes. You either love it or you don't. So, just because the amp is low wattage, it still has to do what you want.

Please note, I have been playing Mesa amps almost exclusively for over 25 years and live in Petaluma, CA where they are made, so I am biased (no pun intended) in favor of Mesa. I just wanted you to know my experience with the specific model you are talking about.
Brent

[FFOGG]

One of the "challenges" with the LSS and its El84's, is that it doesn't have a lot of headroom. It is clean at low volume but as you turn it up, you just can't keep it clean. For me, that doesn't work. I like high headroom, so that my cleans stay clean at high volume. Also, while the 5 watt, single ended tube feature is nice, it is a very different tone than running all the tubes. You either love it or you don't. So, just because the amp is low wattage, it still has to do what you want.


I agree

[csd]

morrisamps.com

if you're seriously looking for an incredibly versatile amp, get in touch with Glen.

i have a beautiful combo and a head/cab set up. both smoke! i was playing this weekend and was blown away by all the comments on my tones.

he's a great guy and will spend some time with you on it.

I'm sorry, after reading what justin said, i forgot to welcome you!
welcome to the forum!

[olectric]

I am a huge fan of the new Princeton Reverb RI. I put a 12" Eminence Red Fang in mine, and it sounds killer. What a seriously great amp. A pair of those would sound huge at low volume. And the reverb and tremolo sound great. :cool:

PS--welcome to the forum!

[bluesman]

Thanks for the welcome and the replies. A soon as I posted on the forum I got the flu so have been out of action. I will explore all the suggestions. The one I had thought about the most was the Fender Princeton RI ( thanks olectric ). It would seem to fit the bill ( if not the pocket). There is also the Fender Princeton Recording Amp which seems like so much more value for the money since it is basically a Fender Princeton with an attenuator and 2 onboard effects ( compression and overdrive) for about $200.00 more. Problem with amp buying is that what may sound good in the store can suck badly when you get it home!

[LearnedHand]

Take a look at Goodsell Amps. The 5/17. Very simple and its clean is very full sounding and with the gain and tone cranked can get quite dirty. It is pedal friendly too.

I recently got a signature 5/17 and it is wonderful with my TAG classic having VA5 and VA booster. I can really notice the booster effect when using this amp compared to other big wattage amps that I have (Marshall and Fender).

[Harry]

If you want a fantastic amp get a Dr. Z Maz Jr 18 1 x 12 combo. It is 18 watts and geared towards blues, traditional rock, jazz and country. Get an attenuator like a a Bad Cat or Dr Z airbrake, THD hotplate etc. This way you can play at bed room levels or stage levels. You really get the best of both worlds without having to buy 2 amps. I have 3 TAGs; a hollow T, Cobra, and a Classic. All these guitars sound great straight in to the amp. Works great with pedal too. Good luck with your search.

[Thoth105]

How about a Bad Cat Alley Cat? 2 Channels, 7.5 watts. EL84 power. Chimey to crunchy. Probably lots of $$'s though.

[Stringkiller]

The Dr Z is a great amp and it has that sound but that sound only.
Have you tried out the Koch Studiotone - great clean tones, choice of Overdrive. I play mainly blues and get all the sounds I need from this little amp.
Very compact (ie light) easy to carry, the Studiotone gets great tones at low levels and has a whole choice of connections for larger stages and recording.
Check it out. Keep us informed on your search.
Bruce Stringkiller
Check out a TA Hollow body thru' the Koch Twintone ( athe larger version of the Studiotone) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KthYRpLDHJA

[mdrs]

Hey Stringkiller. Welcome to the forum.

Hummmmmmmmmm......not sure what you mean when you said that the Dr. Z amps have "that sound and that sound only??? Dr. Z has an extensive line of amps, with many different types of tone and performance. I find the Maz Jr to be a very versatile amp, capable of lovely cleans, especially with single coil guitars like my Koa HDT and my Andy Classic/Strat. The Maz Jr will also crunch wonderfully, and loves pedals to boot. The only downside is that it is a bit loud for apartment play, in spite of it being an 18 watter. The Dr. Z airbrake works well. The upside is that it's a very giggable amp.

For home/apartment use I'd recommend several choices;

The aformentioned Maz Jr. with reverb if you so desire.

The currently made Fender Champ is a fine little amp, capable of some great tone.

The new PRS 16 watt amp is supposed to be very nice, too.

Personally, my favorite small/practice/home/apartment amp is a blackface Fender Champ..........they do the sweetest of sweet chime, and are capable of wonderful growl as well. Pound for pound they are perhaps my favorite amps!!!

[dannopelli]

Hey Stringkiller. Welcome to the forum.

Hummmmmmmmmm......not sure what you mean when you said that the Dr. Z amps have "that sound and that sound only??? Dr. Z has an extensive line of amps, with many different types of tone and performance. I find the Maz Jr to be a very versatile amp, capable of lovely cleans, especially with single coil guitars like my Koa HDT and my Andy Classic/Strat. The Maz Jr will also crunch wonderfully, and loves pedals to boot. The only downside is that it is a bit loud for apartment play, in spite of it being an 18 watter. The Dr. Z airbrake works well. The upside is that it's a very giggable amp.

For home/apartment use I'd recommend several choices;

The aformentioned Maz Jr. with reverb if you so desire.

The currently made Fender Champ is a fine little amp, capable of some great tone.

The new PRS 16 watt amp is supposed to be very nice, too.

Personally, my favorite small/practice/home/apartment amp is a blackface Fender Champ..........they do the sweetest of sweet chime, and are capable of wonderful growl as well. Pound for pound they are perhaps my favorite amps!!!

Got to agree with Don. I have played a lot of Koch amps and have not been able to get a warm tone from them.

But that said, to each his own. This is an old post resurrected. Every one has their own tastes. But I own five amps now and use my Maz 18 the most. The last thing I'd call it is a one trick pony.

[Stringkiller]

Dan and Mdrs,

I stand corrected.

I have a Mini Z - a great amp with clean, crunch and scream.

The 18 Maz I used once on tour in the States was great - it had a great tone cranked and as I was just using it on stage once I dialed in what I wanted I did not fiddle or experiment.

Have to remember to be clearer and more specific and to avoid sweeping statements in all forums especially guitar/tone related ones ;-)

What I notice with all the amps we're talking about here is the output of the pickups in relation to the amps design is a big factor in the tone chain. Powerful humbuckers or a vintage low output single coil will really get the amp cooking in different ways. But we all love the different spices!
Oh there I go again!

Bruce

[dannopelli]

Dan and Mdrs,

I stand corrected.

I have a Mini Z - a great amp with clean, crunch and scream.

The 18 Maz I used once on tour in the States was great - it had a great tone cranked and as I was just using it on stage once I dialed in what I wanted I did not fiddle or experiment.

Have to remember to be clearer and more specific and to avoid sweeping statements in all forums especially guitar/tone related ones ;-)

What I notice with all the amps we're talking about here is the output of the pickups in relation to the amps design is a big factor in the tone chain. Powerful humbuckers or a vintage low output single coil will really get the amp cooking in different ways. But we all love the different spices!
Oh there I go again!

Bruce

You know, I am a big Z fan, but I got to agree with you on the Mini Z. It is a screamer and does it well, but there is not a lot of tone shaping available.

And you are DEAD on about how some amps sound better with some PUPS, while others can make anything sound good. I've always felt it was REALLY hard to make a good Fender Twin or Marshall Plexi sound bad with any decent guitar. They are like the Honda Accord of amps.

[mdrs]

Yep.......some amps like certain guitars, and not others. Some do better with singlecoils, some prefer humbuckers.

One of my most versatile amps is a Fuchs ODS.........it loves every guitar it meets.

[picnic]

Fargen Blackbird Best BFDR clone I've found over the many amps I've been through. There is one on TGP (20watter) that's worth a look

Mesa LSS the amp I would take to a desert island. Extra headroom with a Wizard.

Simple solution DRRI with JJ's and a better speaker

[Jimmy-Sekshun8]

I guess I'll chime in "better late than never." Being the Mesa guy that I am, I would take a serious look at a Lone Star. It's a solid choice considering your style. I'm hard rock so I use a Triple Recto, but I think the Lone Star is right up your alley.

[Pietro]

What did you decide?

I've heard my Hollow Cobra and my buddy's Solid Cobra S through a lot of amps. I LOVE the sound of it through my Dr. Z Maz 38.

I have to say, on a budget, that the Peavey Windsor amp you mentioned is not bad at all.

And through a Bassman combo? WOW! I recently played my Cobra through a Clark-modified 59 Bassman (which the owner wouldn't sell to me at any price, btw) and turned up real loud it was a REVELATION!