Amp Selection

[Rogue]

Right...along with the purchase of a jazzmaster I'm planning on getting a new amp in the near future. I need a bit of advice on which amps do what well and what some of the pitfalls are. Basically I need an amp that can provide really nice cleans but has the ability to use effects (distortion, overdrive, phase etc) without sounding like shit.

I've tried the Vox AC-30 CC2 and the Fender Twin. Both of which I really liked but wasn't sure how well they take effects.  Does anyone here have any experience of using either of these with effects. I tend to use a RAT, MXR distortion, EH Big Muff, MXR Phase, Danelectro Reel Echo etc

In an ideal world I'd have the AC-30 as a clean amp and have another dirty amp using an A/B switcher. Financially that isn't possible so I was basically wondering how it sounds when you run it mainly with distortion and/or other effects.

[BenHagerty]

I've heard the Vox hates Fuzz

[Rogue]

I had a feeling I'd heard that as well.  I suppose the best way is to try it myself but from what I've seen the people on here have pretty good advice to dish out.

[zotglen]

I've got a twin which I run a whole scrapyard through, and I'm completely in love with its sound.
Lots of people say that it loves pedals, I can only agree.

I've tried a vox ac30 too, but that was too many years ago, and the band was too loud, so I can't say what it was like.

/Johan

Oh, there's a muff included in my scrapyard as well, and the twin likes it a lot.
I also have a rat, but it haven't seen much use lately.

[i love sharin foo]

I have a Vox AC30CC2 and haven't had any problems using fuzz pedals with it. There are enough tonal options with the controls that you could get pretty much anything to sound good through it. IMO, if you want then possibility of cleans and also something that takes pedals real well, it's hard to beat a mid to higher wattage Fender, especially older ones.

Justin

[Rogue]

Interesting! I think I'll probably end up hearing what I want to hear and getting the AC-30. That's why it was important to see if it sounded OK with effects. I'd most probably have to settle for the CC2 rather than the CC2X but I could always swap out the speakers at a later date. If it doesn't work out on the dirty front then it's an excuse to get another amp. That's what i'll tell my girlfriend anyway!

[chrisjedijane]

Yep, the only way to really find out is to bring your pedals down to the shop and check it out...

[fuzzking]

I had two vintage AC 30s which liked the Bigmuff really well.

[Superfuzz]

Fuzztones and most of the garage-fuzz bands have voxes AC30..

[mrweems]

both amps take boxes well.

And sound great cranked loud.

i love an ac30's clean spank and then throw some kind of dirt into it.
for me it'd be a Crowther Hotcake -> Vintage Rat -> DM3

that'd get my panties wet.