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Amps and music genres.

S

SuzyCreamcheese

Jan 22, 2008
100
0
Brussels
#1
Good day all,

I had a conversation with someone about the new amp I'm about to buy and mentioned I was considering buying a Marshall or a Ampeg. He advised me to buy a more "neutral" amp because Ampeg and Marshall are rock only brands. I'm quite new to the whole amp scene and wanted to get some advice here. Which brands are assoicated with which genres,and should I buy an AMpeg/Marshall if I play some jazz and blues aswell?
I could really use some help on this so all contructive comments are welcome.
 
#2
I think that's BS. Even if an amp is only capable of, say, a snarling, high gain sound, there's no reason you couldn't use that sound in a jazz tune. Personally, I've never met an amp that could only make one sound. But they're probably out there.
 
#3
some amps would yield classic sounds that are associated with certain music styles, however it all comes down to personal prefernces and most amps are capable of a varied array of tones through use of the EQ.

if an Ampeg or Marshall gives you the tone you want, do you really care what other people are using it for?
 
#4
i agree, when it comes to sound take what you like best, but also consider the size of the amps -> SVT-Stack in a Small jazzcombo = Bad idea :D... for sure there are amps out there, that fit certain styles of music better than other because of the sound colour...

Ampeg = Rock, Hardcore, Punk because of the dirty and loud sound
Eden = Pop, R&B, Blues... because of its warm sound
EBS = Funk... because of its hi-fi clean sound

and so on... but that doesn`t mean that you can`t play other styles with those amps - a friend of mine plays an ultra-hi-fi glockenklang amp in a grindcore band and it sounds awesome! so try some amps at the shop and take the one that sounds best for you -> then look how it sounds with your band (some amps sound great at the shop, but sound terrible with a band :D) and if you don`t like it bring it back to the shop and take another...
 
#5
IMO, I think it has more to do with the cabinet you pick out. I recently changed from a 115 to a 410, because I was looking for a tighter sound. I used the 115 for years, but it always was just a little too boomy for the music I played. This new 410 gives me the punch I need with a little less boom. I am thinking about eventually getting another 115 to pair up with the 410 but for now I'm pretty satisfied with the 410's alone.
 
#6
If pre-amp sections didn't have adjustable eq sections there may be a case....but because you can adjust the eq of any amp and make it an unrecognizeable tone it makes no difference.
 
#9
I agree with a lot abve. Years ago I did get called for a jazz gig while on the the way home from a rock and I did a jazz trio with a '72 SVT head and 810 cabinet. It sounded great but was a bit menacing looking for the guitar player using a Polytone Tiny Brute. I think %90 of the amps made are capable of producing usable tones for many genra's of music. I do however want a versatile arsenal of cabinets so I don't freak people out when I show up.
 
#10
long-dong said:
Ampeg = Rock, Hardcore, Punk because of the dirty and loud sound
Eden = Pop, R&B, Blues... because of its warm sound
EBS = Funk... because of its hi-fi clean sound
Click to expand...

I really dont see it this way and I never understood how 'hi-fi clean' can be good for funk especially when you consider the fact that most funk basslines in the golden age of the genere came out of Ampeg and Sunn gear.
maybe if you consider Marcus Miller as funk (which I would strongly oppose).

I use the same tone settings, amp and bass for funk/blues/classic rock and only do some small adjustments with the bass's tone knobs.
 
#13
matrok said:
+1000

I hate trying out gear in a store, it's just not a gig situation. You don't play the same. Doesn't make it easy, but if you like the tone, go for what you like.
Click to expand...

+1
The problem with playing in a store is volume and mix. You don't have the same volume you use on stage and if you do get the volume before being thrown out (not likely) you don't have your instrument and your band to see if the amp fits in the mix correctly (very important). No matter how cool it sounds if it doesn't jive with your band it is junk to you. I have several amps for various situations and I have played the "wrong" types of music with them all in various situations and it was the right sound we needed at the time.
 
#15
B4snrise said:
+1
The problem with playing in a store is volume and mix. You don't have the same volume you use on stage and if you do get the volume before being thrown out (not likely) you don't have your instrument and your band to see if the amp fits in the mix correctly (very important). No matter how cool it sounds if it doesn't jive with your band it is junk to you.
Click to expand...

good point i forgot to mention, always bring you instrument when amp shopping.
 

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