So, Jeeves, how does one pick a GOOD amp?

[Cheap Chick]

So, reading the bad amp thread got me thinkin' (always dangerous)

Has anyone ever walked into a guitar store, tried an amp there, brought it home and still loved it?

I've never bought new anyway, but I always feel like you can never get a good impression of an amp or bass till you mess with it for a while. Maybe I'm just slow.

[Michael_]

I bought an amp I'd never played or heard and I have been 100% satisfied with it for 3 years. I chose based on the reccomendations of other players, quite a few of whom frequent this board.

[tafkathundernotes]

Good question Pam. Actually I find that amps / cabinets sound very different in the store vs. home or on the stage. Indoors or outdoors is a big difference too. Some sound terrible outside.

I'm quite happy with my new amp - an Ampeg SVP-CL preamp with a 1000 watt Carvin PA amp pushing the speakers. Good tone, quiet when it's supposed to be, and LOUD when you need it.

[Armitage]

I still don't get why people don't rent an amp first. That's what I do if I can, and if I like it I buy it and the rent is applied to the price, whether I buy THAT one or order a new one. Why risk your money?

[JES1680]

I always try before I buy (if it's feesable). Most stores in my area will let you take an amp home (new or used) for a night or two. Play it in your enviornment with your cabs, guitars (or bass) etc..

Of course Guitarget has their 30 policy so you've got that.

[bobbymack]

It's taken me a LONG time, and a lot of amps, to figure out what I really like...

My $.02: start with power tube types, to determine what kind of tone and response you like. For me, it's EL84s, with 6V6s a distant second...others prefer EL34s etc.

Then, determine the features you want / need, keeping "simpler is better" in mind. For me, a single channel amp is fine, one that offers great clean tones is essential, and overdriving via attack and/or guitar vol knob is ideal. Should be pedal friendly too. I like a good reverb available for some cleaner stuff...other folks need a channel switcher, no reverb, etc.

Finally, go with heads so you can check out different cabs and speakers to see what you like. Generally, I like partially open backed 2X12 cabs loaded with G1230s, Tone Tubbies, or similar speakers with excellent definition, good midrange, and no ice picks in the high end. Other guys like closed back with V30s, etc.

Finally, once you've figured that stuff out, go with info and recs from people whose opinions you respect. The two best amps I've ever owned were each bought without my being able to check them out first...a Bruno Underground 30, and a Kingsley Deluxe 30. The Kingsley is my ultimate.

fwiw...

[MCChris]

I've been down both roads. I bought my Valvetech without ever hearing it and I knew it was perfect for me within seconds of plugging it in. I was intrigued by the Fargen MiniPlex but wouldn't take a similar plunge because I couldn't be sure if it had enough gain for me. Mike Lee brought his to MWJV and hearing it with my own ears was the kicker. I bought it from him the next day.

[serial]

One thing that I have learned from repeated positive experience is that many of the recommendations on this board are valuable. Oddly enough, this little community has many people with similar tastes in music, instruments, "that" sound in their heads, etc. I struggled for almost twenty years to find an amp that I really liked and have found two "keeper" amps as a direct result of recommendations here. I know that should I decide to buy a Valvetech sight unseen that I won't be disappointed. I now have THE bass sound I've been looking for for many years based largely on a rig that I never would have really even looked at but for HFC recommendations. There's a lot of quality player experience on this board that is difficult to find on other boards IMHO. Lots of nice, helpful people as well which is another huge benefit of hanging out here!

[shankyboy]

Having learned the hard way from purchasing a couple of amps that weren't right for me. Now, I will only purchase and amp after gigging it for a night. Fortunately, the music store that I deal with has taken enough of my money to justify letting me walk off with any amp I want to try out.

[SirDouglas]

Ive hauled my cabs and at least 8 guitars at one to the music stores to try out a new head... shop keeps look at ya funny but ya gotta look at it this way... you want my money? you better jsut put up with my ecentricity(sp) or i can always go somewhere else...plus you have to make sure that that is the sound your looking for if not why buy it in the first place...

Sir Douglas

Randy

[HAMERMAN]

Steve:

What setups (guitar and bass) are you using. As a gear slut I am always interested in this sort of stuff. :-)

[Cheap Chick]

I have the same question for Serial - what the hell is your magic combo?

[serial]

Right now, I'm using a Trace bass head with a BassDriver DI out in front into 4x10 and a 1x15 cabs. I was really pleased with not only the ruggedness of the Trace (I've dropped it onto concrete twice) as well as the versatility of the unit. I was able (also with some of the settings suggestions from other HFCers) to get pretty close to the sound I wanted, but putting the DI in the chain makes the thing nail the sound I want, but also adds the footswitch capability. I think that the BassDriver might just be the single greatest invention for bass players since the electric bass. Now I see that they're doing one with presets and footswitches for not much more than the old DI unit that I have.

Guitar amps-best recommendation for a gigging or home use amp is still the Tech 21. Easy to use and hard as hell to NOT get a good sound out of that amp. Another closely guarded amp secret based upon suggestions here, I'll pass along when I finally get to pick another one up! They're an amp that is subject to "takeoff value", so I gotta keep quiet ya know!