Bought a 1x12 Tuxedo Cab and need a PRS amp, but which one?

[enigma]

I have a chance to buy a 25th Anniversary 50w amp at a fantastic price. I was really impressed with a separate Treble and Bass gain along with a built in attenuator - so many tonal possibilities. But, as a modern player I need an effects loop! Maybe, PRS can add one.

I also see a few "C" heads on the market, but never played one and don't want to buy one without playing it. I did play a 1x12 "H" amp, and the tone was rather dark. Then, there are the Dallas and Super Dallas models as well.

Hmmm . . . which head to consider. BTW, I love the quality and sound of the closed back Tuxedo Cab!

 

[László]

I would never suggest to anyone that they buy something because I like it; you're right, the listening has to be done by the player.

What I will say is that the 25th Anni Amp is the basis for the HX/DA that I have, and (for me) it's the best amp I've ever owned, period, bar none. And that includes some VERY high end amps nearly twice the price. The fact that it doesn't have an effects loop is not a deal breaker for me. I'm an old-school guy, but yes, I do use effects, including modulation and delay. I just stick them in front of the amp, and it sounds just great.

An effects loop does have an effect on the tone of an amp. Simpler is better. Honest.

 

[enigma]

I would never suggest to anyone that they buy something because I like it; you're right, the listening has to be done by the player.

What I will say is that the 25th Anni Amp is the basis for the HX/DA that I have, and (for me) it's the best amp I've ever owned, period, bar none. And that includes some VERY high end amps nearly twice the price. The fact that it doesn't have an effects loop is not a deal breaker for me. I'm an old-school guy, but yes, I do use effects, including modulation and delay. I just stick them in front of the amp, and it sounds just great.

An effects loop does have an effect on the tone of an amp. Simpler is better. Honest.

The way my pedal board is set up and connected with other boutique amps that have effects loop I need it, if at all, for practical purposes.

Yeah, the 25th Anniversary was quite a pleasant surprise as it was being dialed in by a sales person while I was playing. I have seen a few amps that got modded by PTC to add effects loop - I hope Sewell/PRSh didn't put it in due to tone-suck, but rather b/c they wanted to be old school.

 

[Boogie]

It's pretty safe to say, every one of us with a PRS amp had difficulty making a decision. Not just because it's hard to choose between what you played, but that it's hard to have enough variety at your disposal to choose from. Personally, I need 3 different ones but haven't pulled the trigger on the other two yet. Now, if they create a channel switchable Sweet16/HXDA/Super Dallas, my AmEx will fly out of my wallet at Mach 3.

Regarding the FX loop, I'm with Les...less is more. I'd never consider one on my SuperD.

 

[zebraprs]

I have a 2 Channel C and I love it.. Also have an Orig. Sewell Love it too.. Then I have a 1 off 10watt that Doug made for me... the Perfect 10 and 2 Channel both work very well with my 1x12 cab. I guess it really depends on what sound you are after...

 

[justmund]

Is an Archon too wide for the cab? They're pretty compact... Just don't think of them as a high gain only amp!

 

[enigma]

It's basically between a "C" head with all the bells and whistles I need, but have never heard it in person; thus, the hesitation. I have a chance to buy a 25th Anniversary amp (NOS) at a crazy price, but I want to make sure that THAT's not the reason I'm enticed including the fact that I only buy amps with good effects loop (Fuchs, CAA, Two-Rock, etc.).

 

[László]

THAT's not the reason I'm enticed including the fact that I only buy amps with good effects loop (Fuchs, CAA, Two-Rock, etc.).

I've had some super-nice Two-Rocks; they're among the best of the best, and I absolutely loved them. Nor would I ever try to tell someone what to choose, instruments are such personal things.

I get the concept of not changing the pedal board out for every amp each time you switch. Heck, not fussing with connecting/disconnecting pedals is my only reason to have a pedalboard.

Still...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I'm not the dude to ask since I modify everything I own and have never had a chance to play a PRS amp (besides the HG series), but if an effects loop is a mandatory feature for you, I'll be the first to say: think about it a minute.

Unless you're getting most of your drive tones from a pedal I'd shy away from an amp without a loop (or get it modified). Delay in front of a distorted amp is cool in an East Bay Ray/ Dead Kennedy's kind of way, but I'd personally need the option of delay repeats that didn't distort exponentially (if that's the right usage of the word).

Is it universally agreed upon that effects loops diminish an amplifiers tone?

Oh, and I have major GAS for a DG cab... I don't even care how it sounds, it just looks sofaking FINE!

 

[László]

Delay in front of a distorted amp is cool in an East Bay Ray/ Dead Kennedy's kind of way, but I'd personally need the option of delay repeats that didn't distort exponentially (if that's the right usage of the word).

Oddly enough, I've always used delay in front of an amp, going back to Echoplex EP3 days when effects loops didn't exist, however I'm somewhat old-school in my approach. I rarely used effects loops even when I had them!

I'm not an East Bay Ray or Dead Kennedys kind of player, either.

If my primary sound is going through the preamp tubes, I guess I'm good with the repeats of the very same note to sound the same. I even like my modulation tones with grit on them. I guess we're all different!

Then again, while I do play with overdrive from the amp, I'm not a very high gain player.

Is it universally agreed upon that effects loops diminish an amplifiers tone?

I wouldn't say 'diminish.' But they do introduce extra circuitry and potentiometers, and in general they bring a little different sound to the tone. Whether that's important to the player or not depends on the individual of course.

 

[yankeebulldog]

I'd certainly ask PRS, but adding a loop to a 25th wouldn't be that pricey, I know they can add a loop to the HX/DA so I'd assume the 25th would be possible.

 

[enigma]

Unless you're getting most of your drive tones from a pedal I'd shy away from an amp without a loop (or get it modified). D

I like to add a bit of delay when I play leads, and the 25th Anniversary had gobbles of great overdriven tones. All that deliciousness would go to waste when playing liquid leads. THUS, I need an effects loop!

 

[enigma]

I'd certainly ask PRS, but adding a loop to a 25th wouldn't be that pricey, I know they can add a loop to the HX/DA so I'd assume the 25th would be possible.

I sent PRS an email. If they can at a reasonable price then I'll get the 25th Anniversary amp!

 

[László]

I sent PRS an email. If they can at a reasonable price then I'll get the 25th Anniversary amp!

It's such a great platform, really you can't go wrong. I hope you get one!

 

[enigma]

It's such a great platform, really you can't go wrong. I hope you get one!

Going to check it out again this weekend! BTW, PRS can add Efx Loop on this.

 

[László]

So, Enigma, what was the outcome?