Best sounding SS amp you all have encountered?

GorgoJr. · 10-23-2009, 09:34 PM

Yes BIGKAHUNA,
I've got a Crate G40c, and it actually has a great sound, especially the distortion. The problem is, it really is too much amp for the two little 8 or 10" speakers it has! No problem with the highs, but when I crank the bass all the way up, including the volume---the little speakers can't handel it properly, causing the tone to degrade. The G40c, has enough power to use a 4x12, and most likely even two.

I also have a Peavey Pacer from back in the day, and it's loudness impresses me. The sound is very usable.

Then there is my old "Monster"---The Crate GX130ch---head!!
It needs a very quality 4X12 to get the most out of it though; I'm using it through a single 15 watt PA speaker from the 70's at the moment---so it can get muddy with the volume past 5. Brutal---and I do mean Brutal---Old School Metal sound!!!

I actually like old stuff better than modern things; anything from amps, guitars, and even computers!

Steve A. · 10-24-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slobrain

Well,
I'll try to see who all wants to get in on this one.
We all have had SS amps before we went to tube amps...

Ummm... when I started playing I don't think that there were SS amps. At least any that were pro quality... I got my first guitar amp in 1966 and did not buy a SS amp until 1978- a 20 watt Peavey Studio Pro.

This looks like an interesting thread and I want to come back to read it.

Thanks!

Steve Ahola

Phostenix · 10-24-2009, 01:56 AM

Does a Boss GT-Pro count as an amp? I run it into 2 Tapco Thump TH-15A powered PAs & I have to say that it's the best guitar-related purchase I've made. It's not perfect, but I've never been more satisfied with any piece of gear. I love the versatility. My favorite setup right now is a TS9>Compressor>dual Mesa clean channels>Korg G4 in the stereo effects loop. Stunning stereo rotary sounds.

The Crate GT3500H has really impressed me so far, too. I think this has to be one of the most underrated amps I've played. Search the internet for this amp & all you'll read is how %$#@&^% loud it is or what a great metal amp it is. First of all, I run it through 1 or 2 single 12's and it's very usable at low levels, and the clean channel is great! The lead channel has an impressive amount of flexibility. The tone controls on both channels have far more range than the typical FMV tone stack. The Solo channel is what you'd expect - loads of gain that sings into feedback, but you can have totally scooped mids or big, cutting mids. I'm really surprised at how much ground this thing can cover.

The only thing it can't really do is a nice mellow blues sound that breaks up a little when pushed. You can set the lead channel with low gain, but the breakup is a little too edgy (for me). I'm going to try some pedals into the clean channel or a volume pedal in the loop with the clean channel cranked.

They've been selling on ebay for $200 or less lately. I'm tempted to get another one....

Phostenix · 10-24-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve A.

Ummm... when I started playing I don't think that there were SS amps.
Steve Ahola

Now that you mention it, my first was a SF Vibro Champ & I went from that to an Ampeg VL-503. I really hadn't looked at amps in years, and once I got the GT-Pro, I settled in again....

Leif H · 10-24-2009, 02:52 AM

Best SS amp I ever owned, I gave away...

Roland Jazz Chorus 77, it had an awesome sound, and the reverb really could work a Dick Dale vibe with my Marauder.

jvb · 10-24-2009, 03:41 AM

Best for guitar, Vox AD50VT. Great blackface and tweed emulations
Worst for guitar, Savage 150 (70's Aussie head)

Best for bass, MarkBass LM2
Worst for bass, Behringer 300watt. Cheap but no guts and crap tone

RichardM · 10-26-2009, 08:16 AM

Leif H · 10-26-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardM

I have a Yammy 115B, it's similar to the one under your 212b. Not a bad Bass amp. Then again the one I have is not in good health. I suspect that the input jacks are toast as they are pcb mounted. I just haven't had the time or inclination to have at it yet.

Zouto · 10-26-2009, 01:54 PM

The best solidstate amp I played in all the years is a blond Sessionette 75 combo Mk.II with an old 12"Fane Axiom speaker.It sounds just great in clean and drive mode, is powerful and absolutely compact, sort of a true classic.
Zouto

Pedro Vecino · 10-31-2009, 12:11 AM

10-26-2009, 08:16 AM	#112
RichardM Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ocean View, 59Km North of Brisbane, Australia Posts: 9	__________________ -- Richard _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ "Sorry for the Inconvenience."

10-26-2009, 01:54 PM	#114
Zouto Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 38	Sessionette 75 The best solidstate amp I played in all the years is a blond Sessionette 75 combo Mk.II with an old 12"Fane Axiom speaker.It sounds just great in clean and drive mode, is powerful and absolutely compact, sort of a true classic. Zouto

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10-23-2009, 09:34 PM	#106
GorgoJr. Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Yes BIGKAHUNA, I've got a Crate G40c, and it actually has a great sound, especially the distortion. The problem is, it really is too much amp for the two little 8 or 10" speakers it has! No problem with the highs, but when I crank the bass all the way up, including the volume---the little speakers can't handel it properly, causing the tone to degrade. The G40c, has enough power to use a 4x12, and most likely even two. I also have a Peavey Pacer from back in the day, and it's loudness impresses me. The sound is very usable. Then there is my old "Monster"---The Crate GX130ch---head!! It needs a very quality 4X12 to get the most out of it though; I'm using it through a single 15 watt PA speaker from the 70's at the moment---so it can get muddy with the volume past 5. Brutal---and I do mean Brutal---Old School Metal sound!!! I actually like old stuff better than modern things; anything from amps, guitars, and even computers!

10-24-2009, 01:56 AM	#108
Phostenix Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 291	Does a Boss GT-Pro count as an amp? I run it into 2 Tapco Thump TH-15A powered PAs & I have to say that it's the best guitar-related purchase I've made. It's not perfect, but I've never been more satisfied with any piece of gear. I love the versatility. My favorite setup right now is a TS9>Compressor>dual Mesa clean channels>Korg G4 in the stereo effects loop. Stunning stereo rotary sounds. The Crate GT3500H has really impressed me so far, too. I think this has to be one of the most underrated amps I've played. Search the internet for this amp & all you'll read is how %$#@&^% loud it is or what a great metal amp it is. First of all, I run it through 1 or 2 single 12's and it's very usable at low levels, and the clean channel is great! The lead channel has an impressive amount of flexibility. The tone controls on both channels have far more range than the typical FMV tone stack. The Solo channel is what you'd expect - loads of gain that sings into feedback, but you can have totally scooped mids or big, cutting mids. I'm really surprised at how much ground this thing can cover. The only thing it can't really do is a nice mellow blues sound that breaks up a little when pushed. You can set the lead channel with low gain, but the breakup is a little too edgy (for me). I'm going to try some pedals into the clean channel or a volume pedal in the loop with the clean channel cranked. They've been selling on ebay for $200 or less lately. I'm tempted to get another one....

10-24-2009, 02:52 AM	#110
Leif H Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 56	Best SS amp I ever owned, I gave away... Roland Jazz Chorus 77, it had an awesome sound, and the reverb really could work a Dick Dale vibe with my Marauder.

10-24-2009, 03:41 AM	#111
jvb Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 3	Best for guitar, Vox AD50VT. Great blackface and tweed emulations Worst for guitar, Savage 150 (70's Aussie head) Best for bass, MarkBass LM2 Worst for bass, Behringer 300watt. Cheap but no guts and crap tone

10-31-2009, 12:11 AM	#115
Pedro Vecino Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 46

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