I think I have more amps than guitars. I've also got a plastic storage bin full of brand new pedals I've never used. It seems to me that I am using amps as effects pedals. To get a different tone, I just plug into a different amp. (Now that I think about it, all of my guitars have different tone profiles too.) So can it be said that amps are the new effects pedals of the 21st Century? Does anyone else do that by just plugging straight in to the amps?
Are Amplifiers the New Effects Pedals?
- Thread starter HANGAR18
- Start date
I do sometimes, always have, going back many years, at least ever since I opened my studio in the late 80s and had several amps on hand. It's kind of an old-school thing, actually, except most serious players at most had maybe a Fender and a Marshall, etc. in the old days (60s and 70s), and maybe a couple or three guitars.
In exchange for this brilliant observation, I suggest you send me your bin full of new but unused pedals.
Do it now while it's still on your mind.
Tahlee
Tollywood Rhode Island
That's a very good thesis; I never thought of it quite like that.
I think in a studio that would work well, but no one would want to lug all of those amps around to every gig...unless they have people for that. :biggrin:
I used to lug two, but that was before I became an old man.
Dusty Chalk
alberngruppenführer
...and microphones for the trifecta (microphones/mic preamps, to be precise).
veinbuster
Zombie Three, DFZ
Interesting and maybe true.
I mostly plug straight in - between a pair of Boogies (Mark III and Mark V) and an MDT I have quite a range of variation.
And I've noticed recently that there are some very cool amps that I lust after, and may have bought if they didn't take up so much space.
I mostly plug straight in - between a pair of Boogies (Mark III and Mark V) and an MDT I have quite a range of variation.
And I've noticed recently that there are some very cool amps that I lust after, and may have bought if they didn't take up so much space.
There are a number of "must haves" that I don't have. Probably more that they take up so much cash -- heck, I can always find space!
veinbuster
Zombie Three, DFZ
There are a number of "must haves" that I don't have. Probably more that they take up so much cash -- heck, I can always find space!
They can take up quite a bit of cash pretty quickly, but I find it more satisfying to blame it on space. I really hate clutter...and need to leave room for the guitars and amp I've been keeping where I work.
Well, no doubt you've seen the shots of my studio I've posted...not into clutter myself.
But there are always things like racks for amps and things that can keep everything neat, tidy and on the up-and-up!
I've often thought about having something like this made for my studio amps, only in furniture instead of road case format...a shelf unit on wheels with an open back and shelves heavy enough to hold amps without sagging would be great! The problem with most shelf units is that often the backs are closed, which prevents easy wiring changes and also creates heat issues, and it's hard to get behind the amps if they're against a wall, etc. So wheels are a must. But you don't want anything that can easily tip over, so that's something that requires a bit of forethought.
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I recommend Aristotle's approach to space utilization.There are a number of "must haves" that I don't have. Probably more that they take up so much cash -- heck, I can always find space!
Twin amps were part of my rig, off and on, up until a couple of years ago. I last used a Marshall Class 5 in conjunction with the MkIII and a single 2x12 cab. The Class 5 ran thru the Boogie's combo speaker, so the only extra bit of gear was the Class 5 head, which weighed about 10lbs. Even Les' back could take that!
but I've also done this...
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veinbuster
Zombie Three, DFZ
I recommend Aristotle's approach to space utilization.
Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind. Sadly light industrial space around me is in pretty high demand.
aristotle
New Member
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- Apr 26, 2012
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- 771
Ha! Glad to be an inspiration (positive or negative!) Truth be told, a bunch of stuff has conspired to take away much of my free time lately, and that has curtailed my mad professor approach to mixing and matching amps. I never went crazy with gigs just due to the impracticality of hauling equipment and limited stage size. But with practices, I had a ton of fun using a couple of head switchers and splitters in front of amps giving tons of tonal options without pedals. The problem with that approach is that you have to do a bunch of work ahead of time setting levels and gain settings to match the set list or else you've got a bunch of very unhappy band mates giving you the stink eye.
With less time on my hands, I experiment much less. Single head (DRRI head, JTM45, MDT, DGT, AC30 or Archon) on top of a 2x12 with a pedal board. Everything in front of the amp. Less fun for me, but it's more consistent. In theory, I could use something like my Mesa Roadster or my JVM410 and get all of the dirt from a single amp, but even with just a single head, a 4 channel amp gives me too many ways to screw up live when I'm not super current with the head.
With less time on my hands, I experiment much less. Single head (DRRI head, JTM45, MDT, DGT, AC30 or Archon) on top of a 2x12 with a pedal board. Everything in front of the amp. Less fun for me, but it's more consistent. In theory, I could use something like my Mesa Roadster or my JVM410 and get all of the dirt from a single amp, but even with just a single head, a 4 channel amp gives me too many ways to screw up live when I'm not super current with the head.
I recommend Aristotle's approach to space utilization.
Twin amps were part of my rig, off and on, up until a couple of years ago. I last used a Marshall Class 5 in conjunction with the MkIII and a single 2x12 cab. The Class 5 ran thru the Boogie's combo speaker, so the only extra bit of gear was the Class 5 head, which weighed about 10lbs. Even Les' back could take that!
Man, maybe it's the angle of that shot, but that looks like it's dangerously tippy! Sheez!
Ten pounds for that little amp is about all I can handle. LOL
I've never had a 12 pack resting on my rig.
In exchange for this brilliant observation, I suggest you send me your bin full of new but unused pedals.
I can't. I'm still buying new pedals to add to the collection. hahaha
I'll let you know when I'm done.
Tahlee
Tollywood Rhode Island
Tahlee
Tollywood Rhode Island
Thank you, Les. Yes, that's a Custom 80. They only made three like this: one red, one blue and one green. I actually had the green on layaway but I dropped it when I found the red one. Here are the trio in Roccaforte's mancave.
I haven't used it since my PRS 25th Anniversary head arrived. I'm in my honeymoon period with the PRS so that one is getting all of my attention right now.
D
Deleted member 5962
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I'm going to have to answer "no" the the OP question for one reason. I used to be a "clean amp with pedals" guy. I'd never get anxious and wait for a good buy on any pedals, and would fret if I even lost $10-15 when selling it later. :biggrin:
Now I'm rolling through amps and hoping not to lose a couple hundred a pop. I thought I stole buy my last two amps I purchased, but after watching the market I'm just hoping to get close to what I paid if I sell one. Heck, in this depressed market (definitely a BUYERS market IMO!) I'd be happy to get what I paid and just eat shipping costs. I see good prices on used amps at TGP, and they sit days at a time and then get lowered even more. If I had cash, I'd load up on a couple more amps now, because prices on even formerly "hot" amps seem way below what they "should" sell for.
Now I'm rolling through amps and hoping not to lose a couple hundred a pop. I thought I stole buy my last two amps I purchased, but after watching the market I'm just hoping to get close to what I paid if I sell one. Heck, in this depressed market (definitely a BUYERS market IMO!) I'd be happy to get what I paid and just eat shipping costs. I see good prices on used amps at TGP, and they sit days at a time and then get lowered even more. If I had cash, I'd load up on a couple more amps now, because prices on even formerly "hot" amps seem way below what they "should" sell for.
