mookyxu
Joined: Jan 16, 2015
Posts: 3
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Posted on Jan 17 2015 06:51 PM
Hey all --
My favorite sound is Twin Reverb/Dual Showman Reverb. I've owned that and it rules past any amp I've used. Also I play w/ reverb and the fender twin/showman reverb is where-it's-at, for me, tone-wise. But is one was kinda hard up on cash right now and was looking at some alternatives in head form, what are some cool options you like? I know nothing is quite the same vibe, but what do people think of Sunn, Kustom, vintage Carvin, vintage Peavey, Earth amps, Roland JC, other stuff in head form? I usually gravitate towards the older stuff because I don't need a lot and I like roadworthiness and simplicity. Looking for a good base tone: loud! clean! lush fender-like reverb! that takes fuzz and pedals well. Something I could run through a 4 ohm 4x12... any cool opinions?
thnxxxx
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kick_the_reverb
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1338
Escondido, CA
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Posted on Jan 17 2015 07:15 PM
What's your budget? Your favorite amps can be had for a few hundreds.
Ran
— The Scimitars
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PrestonRice
Joined: Oct 05, 2012
Posts: 1725
Austin, Texas
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Posted on Jan 17 2015 08:19 PM
Music Man HD! Doesn't Noel have one? I think they're lovely. Very loud though - Got to watch your volume.
Also really like the Ampeg reverberocket reissues that were available for a while. Great amps that run $400 all day used. They have a sound that's fenderesque, but with more mid range clarity and a very interesting reverb. Cool beans.
Get out and try stuff! You'll fall in love with something... Found a tele a few days ago that I can't seem to stop thinking about, haha.
— IMO.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Jan 17 2015 09:14 PM
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PrestonRice
Joined: Oct 05, 2012
Posts: 1725
Austin, Texas
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Posted on Jan 17 2015 09:32 PM
Didn't Traynor make those cool column "4 10's in a row" type cabs? Can't imagine carting one to a gig, but they look massive.
— IMO.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jan 18 2015 07:34 AM
PrestonRice wrote:
Music Man HD! Doesn't Noel have one? I think they're lovely. Very loud though - Got to watch your volume.
Yes, I have a Music Man 212-130HD. Very heavy and almost unbelievably loud. Has the Low-Power switch that halves output to 65 watts, which is very useful in smaller rooms. But it can still get amazingly loud turned up. If they're working properly, the reverb and tremolo are fantastic. The amps sound wonderful. Avoid a fixer-upper unless you know what you're doing. They have recently seen a considerable increase in demand, which has moved up their selling prices. See here for some listings.
You might find a Music Man 112-65 more practical for everyday use. But I absolutely love mine.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jan 18 2015 08:04 AM
mookyxu, Welcome to SG101 
PR, Peavey did the same thing with 4-10 columns for a PA 'solution' once. Actually pretty good for really small places, small footprint. (this is going way back...)
But moving them sucked & going down a short stairs to turn a corner into a literal "dive" roadhouse to get setup, arrrghh. The trailer's loading plan was built around 2 of those contraptions. 
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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mookyxu
Joined: Jan 16, 2015
Posts: 3
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Posted on Jan 26 2015 04:58 AM
anyone tried a Sunn Beta Lead? How is the tone and reverb on those? Looking for that good clean sound with great reverb in a head form. I had some experience with a Music Man but it was just ok to my ears.. I have heard good things about the Beta Leads though and the solid state intrigues me (I never thought I'd say that!)
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Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
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Posted on Jan 26 2015 05:17 AM
I've never seen the Sunn. Reminds me of solid state HH amps in the 70's.
But I've heard some good things about the Yamaha G100 212 as a clean and loud amp. Seems to have a decent tank too. They're rugged, simple solid state amps that are going for around € 150,- in Europe. Maybe a good Twin replacement.
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Jan 26 2015 05:20 AM
That's exactly what I wanted to suggest, the Yamaha G100. Not hard to find, not expensive, good reveb but not a head unit.
If I were on a real budget and just wanted to throw together a nice surf rig and if I understood correctly you already have a decent cab, I'd go for a Crate Powerblock and a Surfy Bear. I bet that it would be a killer combination.
— The Hicadoolas
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horax
Joined: Mar 23, 2011
Posts: 518
colorado springs
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Posted on Jan 26 2015 09:49 AM
Just get a used Fender Frontman 2x12 and an FRV 1 pedal.
Shouldn't cost more than 250-300 used altogether.
Very loud and clean, especially since you said solid state.
Also, for 250-300 you could get a Peavey Valveking 100 watt 2x12 with real spring reverb. Could benefit from a pedal, as well, but they're a great value.
Mustang IV by Fender si a good option if you're not set on tubes.
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Jan 26 2015 10:16 AM
mookyxu wrote:
anyone tried a Sunn Beta Lead? How is the tone and reverb on those? Looking for that good clean sound with great reverb in a head form. I had some experience with a Music Man but it was just ok to my ears.. I have heard good things about the Beta Leads though and the solid state intrigues me (I never thought I'd say that!)
I bought one new back in the late 70's and kept it for about 7 years. I never surfed with it though. It was a dual channel that allowed you to combine the channels. My guess is it won't surf very well.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2537
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Jan 26 2015 10:18 AM
The Vox VT series has some sweet Fender models in it. I surfed with mine for awhile and it was cheap.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
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mookyxu
Joined: Jan 16, 2015
Posts: 3
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Posted on Jan 28 2015 01:08 PM
Oh never thought about the Yamaha. nice. Someone mentioned to me the Randall Commander was a good old solid state version of a Twin Reverb. Anybody messed with Kustoms or vintage Peaveys? They are still real in range
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simoncoil
Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 916
Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Jan 28 2015 01:41 PM
SanchoPansen wrote:
That's exactly what I wanted to suggest, the Yamaha G100. Not hard to find, not expensive, good reveb but not a head unit.
If I were on a real budget and just wanted to throw together a nice surf rig and if I understood correctly you already have a decent cab, I'd go for a Crate Powerblock and a Surfy Bear. I bet that it would be a killer combination.
I second the Crate. I have one and always bring it out, when we play as support band and there is already a cabinet there. Combine it with a good reverb pedal and you're set. Ivan even said in another thread that the tone would be hard to discriminate from a Showman by most people. What else can you ask for? 
As for the Kustoms: I would really like to try out one of these old amps one time. When you listen to the live recordings of Creedence Clearwater Revival (though probably not a favorite among surf fans) the tone is awesome and these guys all played through Kustom amps on stage!
— Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!
Last edited: Jan 28, 2015 13:41:46
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shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 615
Vancouver BC
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Posted on Jan 28 2015 02:30 PM
At $399 US, the Quilter Tone Block 200 would be a space-saving solid state alternative for a clean foundation tone and power to drive whatever one needed (reasonably). And if in the future the OP's budget opens up a bit more to buy a Dual Showman, then the Quilter would be great back-up head.
Missing, of course, is the reverb but that could be explored separately.
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Jan 29 2015 02:31 AM
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maximumsurfandroll
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 182
Edinburgh, Scotland
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Posted on May 25 2015 10:17 AM
Hi team.
So, this popped up on my eBay this morning...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271879914260?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l5011&boolp=1&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI271879914260.N26.S1.M2338.R2.TR3
Quite rare to find one on these shores...I am tempted. How about that price, does it seem reasonable?
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on May 25 2015 03:57 PM
Props to Traynor! Great sleeper gear, built milspec like HiWatt!
And of course, Music Man is Leo unleashed, so they totally rock. You can still find bargains in such brands, as the metal kids and bluesbenders don't know about them yet.
IvanP wrote:
Look for '70s Traynor amps, from Canada. Can be had for a bargain, sound really good.
— Squink Out!
Last edited: May 25, 2015 16:00:02
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on May 25 2015 04:14 PM
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February Birthdays 
