FlyingChipmunk
New member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2019
- Messages
- 1
Hi,
I am a guitar hobbyist. I play alone most of the time, would like to start basement jamming with other musicians to a limited degree at some point, and might want to have the option of having an amp capable of playing a small bar (I was invited to sit in with a local gigging band if I ever choose to). I like to play clean, edge of breakup, and overdriven.
I currently have a computer with Amplitube installed. This is useful as an amp only if I'm sitting in front of the desktop computer, which I don't particularly like to do. Though I can get some great tones, the amp models never really seemed "raw", like real amps. I also have a 1x12 cab, a terrible 15 watt solid state practice amp, and a few pedals. I had and sold a super champ at one point, since I wasn't crazy about the tone.
I want to get a tube amp(s), and don't know what direction I should go. Here is what I'm considering:
1. Marshall 2061 with an input so that I can bypass the preamp and go directly to the power amp. This way, I can use the full amp for playing a bar, and turned way down for playing clean at home. I can use the preamp bypass to use a modeler with the amp's power amp.
The advantage to #1 is that I can play at any volume, even using headphones. The disadvantage is that I will have a modeler which might not sound as good as a tube amp (though it could. I've heard good things about line 6 and Atomic). Also, the modeler will break/become obsolete at some point. In a way, this option seems like it misses the mark, since most of my use would not involve a tube preamp, though this might be a moot point, considering the quality of the aforementioned modelers.
I'd considered this option with a JTM-45, but it would be all the harder to move around, and might be too saggy to use as a power section for a modeler.
2. A Marshall-esque amp of 10 watts or so. I doubt I'd need a modeler to get good tones at lower volumes, though I certainly wouldn't get any real distortion except at high volumes. I don't know if this would be enough to play with others in a basement setting with my 1x12.
This seems like an option that will allow me to cover the most bases satisfactorily with just one amp, yet covers none of the bases ideally.
3. A Marshall 2061 without a modeler AND a 5-watt tube amp. The 2061 would only be used while playing with others, or at bars, or clean while alone. The 5-watt amp could be used for playing alone.
The advantage of this option over #2 is that I would have my bases better covered. The advantage over #1 is that I would not be dealing with a modeler, hence there is nothing to fail in a way that I can't fix it. The disadvantage over option #1 is that I can probably get better tones with the modeler/2061 combo.
Really, I can continue to use Amplitube, and can buy a laptop to put it on. This would give me OK tones at low volumes. I can still use my POS solid state to practice. I'd like to get ONE tube amp at some point, but I don't know which option I should choose.
So, out of these options, what would you go with? Thanks.
I am a guitar hobbyist. I play alone most of the time, would like to start basement jamming with other musicians to a limited degree at some point, and might want to have the option of having an amp capable of playing a small bar (I was invited to sit in with a local gigging band if I ever choose to). I like to play clean, edge of breakup, and overdriven.
I currently have a computer with Amplitube installed. This is useful as an amp only if I'm sitting in front of the desktop computer, which I don't particularly like to do. Though I can get some great tones, the amp models never really seemed "raw", like real amps. I also have a 1x12 cab, a terrible 15 watt solid state practice amp, and a few pedals. I had and sold a super champ at one point, since I wasn't crazy about the tone.
I want to get a tube amp(s), and don't know what direction I should go. Here is what I'm considering:
1. Marshall 2061 with an input so that I can bypass the preamp and go directly to the power amp. This way, I can use the full amp for playing a bar, and turned way down for playing clean at home. I can use the preamp bypass to use a modeler with the amp's power amp.
The advantage to #1 is that I can play at any volume, even using headphones. The disadvantage is that I will have a modeler which might not sound as good as a tube amp (though it could. I've heard good things about line 6 and Atomic). Also, the modeler will break/become obsolete at some point. In a way, this option seems like it misses the mark, since most of my use would not involve a tube preamp, though this might be a moot point, considering the quality of the aforementioned modelers.
I'd considered this option with a JTM-45, but it would be all the harder to move around, and might be too saggy to use as a power section for a modeler.
2. A Marshall-esque amp of 10 watts or so. I doubt I'd need a modeler to get good tones at lower volumes, though I certainly wouldn't get any real distortion except at high volumes. I don't know if this would be enough to play with others in a basement setting with my 1x12.
This seems like an option that will allow me to cover the most bases satisfactorily with just one amp, yet covers none of the bases ideally.
3. A Marshall 2061 without a modeler AND a 5-watt tube amp. The 2061 would only be used while playing with others, or at bars, or clean while alone. The 5-watt amp could be used for playing alone.
The advantage of this option over #2 is that I would have my bases better covered. The advantage over #1 is that I would not be dealing with a modeler, hence there is nothing to fail in a way that I can't fix it. The disadvantage over option #1 is that I can probably get better tones with the modeler/2061 combo.
Really, I can continue to use Amplitube, and can buy a laptop to put it on. This would give me OK tones at low volumes. I can still use my POS solid state to practice. I'd like to get ONE tube amp at some point, but I don't know which option I should choose.
So, out of these options, what would you go with? Thanks.