hmmm...what amp am I looking for?

[zhivago]

loads of votes for the Reeves...

hmmm....I have to say it does sound like close to what I need...I have played through hiwatts in the past and the sound was breathtaking....

and the fact I can get it in UK voltage is great...plus the power scaling.....


it is expensive...but if it gives me the sound I need, I'll buy it....

I'll research it a bit more on the Gear Page as well..I think some guys have posted stuff on Reeves amps...

I'll probably buy the head and stick it on a 2x12.....what speakers would be best? one Celestion Blue and a Celestion Green?

two Reissue Fanes?




I have so many gigs lined up and I need to get a good live sound ASAP....especialy for a summer gig that if it comes through, it'll be a dream come true....

[idiotbear]

The Reeves does look LOVELY. If I had more money to spend, I'd be all over it.

Right now it's 50/50 between a Pro Junior and a Hot Rod Deluxe. Will let you know soon, and - Yannis - I'll post sound clips.

R

[zhivago]

The Marshall 1974 model is a great little amp. At 18 watts, it's got enough punch for small venues, but great for home use too. However, it has two drawbacks. The biggest drawback is the price @ over $2300.00. The second is the power tranny. It's pretty much thought of as a very poor replica of the orignal. The suggestion of a clone is perhaps your best bet. I bought a Marshall 18w chassis from Ceriatone. It cost just over $500...delivered. Tubes, a cab and an Eminence GB Legend brought it to just over $1k. For less than half the price you get a dynamite amp that rocks. My Jazzmasters sound so freaking good through it that it is my favorite JM amp. The amp/speaker combo give me a really nice, tight bottom (dirty minded guys), clarity, great clean but a really great break up when pushed. I've got a tweed deluxe 5E3 clone with a Tone Tubby Alnico in it that is just not near it for the Jazzmaster, though it sounds great with other guitars. Just my 2 cents. Check out http://www.18watt.com for a lot of good information and suggestions too.

fantastic...that's the Ceriatone I've been looking at too.....

hmmm...decisions, decisions.....

[zhivago]

The Reeves does look LOVELY. If I had more money to spend, I'd be all over it.

Right now it's 50/50 between a Pro Junior and a Hot Rod Deluxe. Will let you know soon, and - Yannis - I'll post sound clips.

R

hey thanks Rob, looking forward to hearing the clips

[JazzBlaster]

I almost bought a blues jr, great little amp! Not enough head room for me though. So I wound up getting a good deal on a deville, it should be here by the end of the week. My best friend has an earlier non hot rod blonde one that I just love. You may also want to consider a vox ac15. I love the blue speakers, they are very punchy and could take alot of the tone changes like you were saying.

David

[zhivago]

thanks David

I'm also currently looking at the Ceriatone 36 Marshall clone amp...it's got a 36/18 watt switch too....


I really wish I could go to a shop and try all these in a soundproof room.... 

[JazzBlaster]

no doubt! that's the bad thing with boutiqe amps. It's hard to find one to actually play. Over the past few years I have taken to using garden varitey gear. It's easier to find an EH or boss pedal or a fender amp when you are playing on other planets.

David

[zhivago]

no doubt! that's the bad thing with boutiqe amps. It's hard to find one to actually play. Over the past few years I have taken to using garden varitey gear. It's easier to find an EH or boss pedal or a fender amp when you are playing on other planets.

David

so, so true...I thought about the handwired Marshall series...but man they are expensive!!! 

[JazzBlaster]

you know what my momma says? "Boy you think to mutch." Moms got a point, I say "Buy something with tubes, crank it to 10 and bring the rock!"

you can quote me on that one 

David

[zhivago]

you know what my momma says? "Boy you think to mutch." Moms got a point, I say "Buy something with tubes, crank it to 10 and bring the rock!"

you can quote me on that one 

David

hehe...you know what? I think Mom's right...

I'll get a Marshall clone form Ceriatone and get it over and done with...the 36 Watt one has the half power too, which will be great

[JazzBlaster]

I had a bluesbreaker for awhile, sounded great. not enough headroom for me. Doing alot of Mascis style leads and bouncing around with FX I really have to have headroom. Plus it seems like half the places here don't mic amps (or maybe I am loud enough on my own?).

David

[zhivago]

I've never gone un-mic'd in London....I use pretty much no effects with the band I play in...unless we concider EQ pedals and a booster effects...hmmm...I guess they are.... 

[thewizardofaz]

Headroom is also a function of the tubes. Eurotubes (JJ) will select the tubes based on your playing style, hot or clean or a mid level.

[zhivago]

thanks for all the input everyone...I'm closing in on making my decision....I'll keep everyone posted...I'm narrowing it all down....

[Jay]

If you do go with the Ceriatone, I'd inquire about the SIII over the TMB.  It will have more clean headroom.  I actually wired mine up partially TMB style once (just the volume/gain schematic differences, no parts value changes) and while it sounded cool still, it broke up too soon for my taste and killed the headroom that was available.  Think plexi panel Marshall punch with a Vox-ish chime from the EL84's.  They are tube rectified too so while I feel like mine is pretty dang punchy and tight it's not going to have that ultra quick attack the Reeves/Hiwatt style should have.  Speakers make a huge difference too.  Keep in mind the Vox Blue is one of the loudest speakers on the planet.  Two of those in my AC30 drowned out my vintage Marshall 4x12 with 25 watt black backs.