The Amp Addict's GAS Thread

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Master Of The Universe (Emeritus)
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Did I mention that I'm an ampaholic?

I have the two greatest amps I've ever played through, the PRS HXDA and DG30, and the PRS cabs for each. I love these amps -- they are my "choicest of the choice" amps that fit me to a "T."

But I also have a Mesa Lone Star. It scratches an itch I get occasionally.

You'd think these would be more than enough, and frankly, they are. But there's this thing, this amp GAS, that makes me want to check out a few more to add. Some might be must-haves. Some are just things worth checking out. I don't know yet.

I have an urge for a DG50 head. I so love the PRS single-channel amps I have, that I can't see not owning one of these at some point.

The PRS Custom 50 is on my radar. I love the way these sound. The clean channel seems to have a ton of headroom, and I like the gain channel a lot.

"You don't need one, Les."

"So?"

Then there are the JMI Vox AC30 clones. I fell in love with those tones when "I Want To Hold Your Hand" came on the radio for the first time, and I stayed in love with them from Petty to U2 to Brian May to...you know how this works. This amp is a dead-nuts clone of an early 60s AC30.

I'm still hoping that PRS makes a version, though, because PRS amps have proven themselves to be real workhorses in my studio. I'm not in a rush, but I'm not getting any younger...

"You don't need one, Les."

"So?"

The other amp I'm seriously interested in is the Mesa Petrucci amp, because the tone is similar on the OD channel to an amp I had in my studio for ten good years, and the tone is very different from the PRS amps. But that's more of a back-burner thing for me.

"You don't need one, Les."

"You said that before."
 
I want a 20/10 watt Archon head.
But my new EVH head and cab should be showing up tomorrow, and I will owe you a video Les.

That new Petrucci amp is nice Les, and more than a 100 watt Archon head I believe.
 
I'm thinking that the Mayer V9 is going to be a dead sexy piece of equipment. Maybe we'll find out next weekend???
 
My only amp GAS is for a Mesa Express 5:50. Just looks like fun.
 
So, one thing I'm really loving about the Custom 50 so far, is how sweet the top end is. Even with the bright switch on, the sound isn't piercing. Cleans with the bright in and the Mira Soapbar are serious single coil goodness.
 
If we're talking amp GAS, how about HXDA vs Bogner Helios vs Friedman Small Box vs Suhr Sl67 for rock/hard rock: 60's to mid 80's? My GAS is directed to all of the above.
 
I definitely have AAS.

Want moar PRSses
Want moar Riveras
Want JP-2C
Want AC15 clone
Want AC30 clone
Want Morgan
Want Quilter

Have room for:
Negative two-three 4x10
 
I know it is sacrilege to throw a solid state modeler into this discussion but I am intrigued by the Line 6 Firehawk 1500. I can almost justify trying one to keep in the house as a platform for my daughter to use as a powered monitor with effects even if the guitar part is not up to par, but it sounds good in the limited demo's I have heard.

Granted it is not toneful in the traditional sense but the ability to play acoustic, bass, keyboards, vocals, MP3, etc through it makes it kind of a 'tool' rather than a true amp that I really want to try.
 
veinbuster said:
That is mostly his story to tell, but the Shiva and a Bad Cat always get lots of love and somehow a Super Dallas sneaks in when I am there and gets a good bit of playing time.
Click to expand...

Shiva and Bad Cat I've already lived with. I'll try a Super Dallas, though! ;)
 
tiboy said:
If we're talking amp GAS, how about HXDA vs Bogner Helios vs Friedman Small Box vs Suhr Sl67 for rock/hard rock: 60's to mid 80's? My GAS is directed to all of the above.
Click to expand...

All are good. I'll advocate for the HXDA because, heck, I picked it over the others based on its sweet late 60s era vibe, and the utter responsiveness it has, but we all have different tastes.

The Friedman definitely does more of the 80s hot-rodded vibe thing that I'm a little less fond of. I think the Suhr kind of sits in the middle. I've heard clips of the Helios, it seems nice, too. But I'd need to play one.
 
Wasn't even close to the end of that thought. Way too easy to accidentally hit post on the new mobile software!

Anyways, the drive channel is equally velvety on top. It's a very unique amp, at least compared to what I'm used to - it has a lot of preamp gain available, but even turned up, it's focused in a way that really sings, rather than being dominated by a fizzy top end "zing." It's like instant Santana or Derek Trucks if you want it (well, as close as I'll ever get to them). The tone brings to mind all those sounds that speak so well with cut and articulation, but don't sound like someone is running a dental drill on your eardrums. Bryan Ewald uses the Custom and the Archon for a lot of the PRS demo vids, and can always tell by ear when he uses the Custom, it just has a fat, full tone that isn't rough or grainy.

Most multi channel amps I've played just have a very "preamp gain" kind of sound to them. Which isn't always a bad thing, it can be useful if you want something tight, chunky, biting, etc., but it's a hard nuance to dial out of an amp that has it, when you don't want to shatter crystal and make eardrums bleed. I think amp is the result of Doug and crew saying, "Hey, we're not going to try and pack every imaginable tone into this circuit. We're going to make it the best it can at being itself."

Some say it's a modern sounding amp... I don't hear that, aside from perhaps saying it's got more gain, and maybe has a modern twist on a predominantly vintage inspiration. Looser and more rotund on the bottom and not as sharp on top as a "modern" amp. Then again, maybe someone who has played plexis and blackfaces all their life would feel differently. A matter of perspective I suppose.

I'm gigging the Custom 50 for the first time tonight. Slapping a Wampler Sovereign in front for the more modern stuff, one wonderful aspect of this amp is that while it's not a heavy hitter on its own, it's a very neutral platform for pedals (in a good way), so it can adapt. I'll also be using the amp's lead channel for a few tunes though. We cover "Shine" by Collective Soul, and the more relaxed tone fits that one well, and I punch it up with my Clarksdale (TS type pedal) for the solo. I didn't anticipate using it live with this band, but it has a surprising amount more volume than my 30, so it can hang with the band no problem, which surprised me, only being a 20 watt difference.

The best part of this whole thing, is that I've only scratched the surface with the Custom 50, because I'm not running it with the intended V30's right now. I'm going to build a vertical 2x12 slant the width of the head. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the heck out of being rebellious with other speakers!

PS, Les, hope that helps the GAS! :D
 
WEDGE said:
I know it is sacrilege to throw a solid state modeler into this discussion but I am intrigued by the Line 6 Firehawk 1500. I can almost justify trying one to keep in the house as a platform for my daughter to use as a powered monitor with effects even if the guitar part is not up to par, but it sounds good in the limited demo's I have heard.

Granted it is not toneful in the traditional sense but the ability to play acoustic, bass, keyboards, vocals, MP3, etc through it makes it kind of a 'tool' rather than a true amp that I really want to try.
Click to expand...
The fact that you can get wet dry wet with the the effects is pretty interesting
 
LSchefman said:
The other amp I'm seriously interested in is the Mesa Petrucci amp, because the tone is similar on the OD channel to an amp I had in my studio for ten good years, and the tone is very different from the PRS amps. But that's more of a back-burner thing for me.

"You don't need one, Les."

"You said that before."
Click to expand...
Les, Phil, the YouTube guy I posted his video yesterday has a comparison video between:
A fun look at the Mesa Boogie JP 2C vs Mark Mini & PRS Archon

I will let you look up the URL to his video since it contains two non PRS amps in it.
 
Is it OK to gas for things you've had but let go? Or do you just kick yourself in the ass for it?

I let go a Peters gryphon 100 watt and now I want it back but no way to get one on the used market. I guess I gotta start saving up... but as soon as I have the money I go and buy a PRS, why do I always do that?

I have a lot of amps, I might have a problem...
 
CoreyT said:
Les, Phil, the YouTube guy I posted his video yesterday has a comparison video between:
A fun look at the Mesa Boogie JP 2C vs Mark Mini & PRS Archon

I will let you look up the URL to his video since it contains two non PRS amps in it.
Click to expand...

I can't bear to look. I can't un-see Phil.

I would have to undergo a prefrontal lobotomy if I saw another Phil video, and I've just had too many surgeries lately... ;)
 
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