Amp for a Guitarist

Gashaponcito · #1 02-02-2009, 02:34 AM

I don't know it this is the right forum but any way, the guitarist of my band is looking for an amp, he wants it to play mainly blues, a little bit of jazz and classic rock, he uses a Fender Strat two of his options are the Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 and the Fender 65 Twin Reverb do you guys have any other suggestions and maybe opinions of this 2 amps, he wants the amp to be Fender (not many other options here in Mexico) more than 50 watts and All tube (not hybrid) thanks a lot!

IanStephenson · #2 02-02-2009, 03:32 AM

Just a comment - for blues, jazz and classic rock, 50w+ is a lot of guitar amp. For an all tube amp he's going to want/need to have it cooking a little... a 30W amp pushed hard is going to sound nicer than a 60w'er in second gear. A 60w pushed hard is going to make things unpleasant for anyone else in the room, unless you're playing some bigger venues - in which case you have PA support, so don't need the power.

I could be wrong - it does all depend on where you're playing, and what tone he wants. If he's worked it out and that's what he needs then great, but the guitarist I play with has a 30W peavy valve 1x12" he uses for practise and it's quite capable for filling a medium size venue.

Stumbo · #3 02-03-2009, 04:13 PM

My old guitarist uses a Hot Rod Blues Deville 2xz12 and it sounds great, especially with the 3 channel select foot switch. Since the Twin does not have those features, IMO, the Blues Deville will be much more flexible as far as playing gigs at different size venues.

It helps a lot to tilt the amp back or put it on a stand so the guitar player can hear it better.

Also, the Deville has an extension cab jack should the guitarist want to add another cab. This is especially helpful when you happen to play outside with no amp mics and can place a second guitar cab on the other side of the stage to get a nice sound spread for the guitar.

Philbiker · #4 02-04-2009, 07:58 AM

Best modern guitar amp I've ever heard is my brothers' Fender Blues Junior.

**baba** · #5 02-04-2009, 10:03 AM

The 65 Twin reissue is absolutely amazing tone and probably my favorite guitar amp period. As for downsides, you need to get it loud to really sing. At 85W it is insanely loud. It is also insanely heavy. It also does not have an overdrive channel, but classic reverb and trem.

The Hot Rod Deville is a killer amp and it has a separate drive channel which many guitarists like and demand. It's also heavy.

Both of those amps are great, but I'd recommend checking the Hot Rod Deluxe. Similar to the Deville, but a little less wattage and lighter. I just don't think you need more than 40W for a guitar amp. If you do, you're in a big room so mike up to the PA for support.

**baba** · #6 02-04-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Best modern guitar amp I've ever heard is my brothers' Fender Blues Junior.

These are also great amps. Light on the wattage, but great tone and great bang for the buck. I know two great guitarists that have downsized their big rigs to the blues jr and just mike to PA.

Deacon_Blues · #7 02-04-2009, 01:19 PM

Hot Rod Deluxe owner here since 12 years . My first real guitar amp, and probably going to be my only one. Fits my playing just perfectly. It's been quite a while since I played guitar on a gig but from the approx 100 gigs I've made with it, the volume have never been an issue, especially as I always miked it to feed into the PA.

A jazz guitarist I know don't like the amp at all but most ones think it's good or great. Unless they own an expensive VOX or Mesa amp...

The only bad thing is the dist. It's good for certain music but mostly I need another pedal to get the distorted sounds I want.