- Short-cuts : Guitar Amplifiers
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Fender's G-DEC is a solid state combo amplifier with 15 watts of power and an 8" special design speaker. It features 16 amp models, 15 special effects presets (delay, chorus, flanger, etc), 15 drum and bass accompaniament loops, a metronome, and built-in tuner, and more.
Its controls include Gain, Volume, Tone, and a dedicated knob each for selecting amp models and effects, Backing Volume, Tempo, Key, Loop Select.
Its very cool how you can plug in a second guitar, for jamming or teaching and also plug in external music source (such as an ipod) for play-along.
Its controls include Gain, Volume, Tone, and a dedicated knob each for selecting amp models and effects, Backing Volume, Tempo, Key, Loop Select.
Its very cool how you can plug in a second guitar, for jamming or teaching and also plug in external music source (such as an ipod) for play-along.
Even due it being the smaller version (Fender also offers a 30 watt) it offers nearly all the features of its older bothers, and is very user-friendly because Fender managed to utilize knobs and avoid complex menus, so you still feel like you're playing an amp and not a computer.
I've tinkered with a Cyber Twin before, and this amp has a bit more ease-of-use, so it seems good for beginners or guys like myself that want to PLAY with what little time we have instead of being obsessed knob twiddlers.
I've tinkered with a Cyber Twin before, and this amp has a bit more ease-of-use, so it seems good for beginners or guys like myself that want to PLAY with what little time we have instead of being obsessed knob twiddlers.
First of all, the stock presets are a bit opver the top almost to the point of being cheesy. Some are useless. So you will have to invest some time creating your own presets but it will familiarize you with its capabilities, and its subtleties.
I particularly liked the Tweed and Blackface for clean sounds, and the Metal amp model was nice and extreme. It is hard to believe such a wide variety of tones is available in one package. You can get a full range of tones from jazzy clean, gritty clean, classic hi-gain, all the way to artificial harmonic-squealin, chugga chugga metal sound.
Just don't expect it to sound just like the real thing, or like a roaring half stack. Its great for bedroom volumes.
I particularly liked the Tweed and Blackface for clean sounds, and the Metal amp model was nice and extreme. It is hard to believe such a wide variety of tones is available in one package. You can get a full range of tones from jazzy clean, gritty clean, classic hi-gain, all the way to artificial harmonic-squealin, chugga chugga metal sound.
Just don't expect it to sound just like the real thing, or like a roaring half stack. Its great for bedroom volumes.
I'm torn over whether I want to keep this amp, or just try and find an effects unit to pair with my tube amp. What I might gain in sound quality, I might lose just as much in features and versatility. I love the convenience of this amp- they really pack in everything you could want and its just about everything I want or need for home practice. Its small and compact, and great to take to friends houses, move around to different rooms of the house on a whim.
As far as value, I am pleased with everything I have gotten in this amp. It offers a lot in this size and price range that Line6 and Behringer isn't offering, or anything else in the Fender line.
As far as value, I am pleased with everything I have gotten in this amp. It offers a lot in this size and price range that Line6 and Behringer isn't offering, or anything else in the Fender line.
150 watts. (Not conservative at all, trust me.) Open back 1x12 with stock “blue” Fender speaker . This is a “red knob” model so my understanding is that it’s considered vintage. Two channels – Clean and Overdrive/Distortion with a “boost option”. Clean has Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass and Mid-cut switch. Overdrive/distortion has Gain, Boost, Treble, Mid, Mid-Boost switch, Bass, Contour with “tilt” switch, presence. The amp also has a master volume and reverb. Two inputs, one for channel switching, one for parallel channel mode. The amp also has switches for channel switching, or you can plug into the footswitch jack (which was included) to switch between channel 1 and 2 as well as to select reverb and/or the boost function. Effects loop and speaker out jack on the back panel of the amp as well.
The controls on the front are many, but it's fairly straightforward, especially if you are familiar with Fender amps. The "presence" and "mid-cut" controls are particularly useful. The only drawback is that I don't understand the purpose of the "tilt" control. I usually put the treble on 9 or 10, the mid on 0 and the bass anywhere from 2 to 9, and get great clean sounds, or great distorted sounds with a pedal. The amp is fairly heavy. As with all Fender amps, this is built like a tank. You could probably drop it from a skyscraper and it would keep on ticking. I did have to get the rear input jacks fixed for $20 about 3 days after receiving the amp from Guitar Center. But hey, it was used.
This thing is LOUD ! I don’t think 150 watts is an overstatement ! If you go anymore than 1, you’ve got band-mates and sound engineers sneering at you! Also great for out-competing your annoying rhythm guitarist in the volume department! Clean channel is the typical “glassy” Fender clean that many of us have come to love. The treble can be a little harsh, but hey, it’s a solid state! Overdrive channel is OK, but no one usually gets a Fender for the overdrive/distortion. (See my comments under “overall rating.”) I use the “boost” function on the distortion channel via foot-switch as it provides a great volume boost for solos !
This is a great investment for a total outlay of about $190. You can’t go wrong with Fender, in my opinion. I am more concerned with clean sounds than I am with distortion. You can’t buy too many “clean pedals” but distortion pedals abound. So if the clean sound is amazing, as it is on most Fender amps, then all you have to do is put a good distortion pedal through the clean channel, and you’ve got a great clean AND distorted sounding amp !
Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp
By RickD on 04/18/2008 at 08:12 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
By RickD on 04/18/2008 at 08:12 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
- What type of amplification (Tube,transistor,...)?
Tube
- How much power is delivered?
N/A, this is a preamp.
- What connection types are there?
More than you can imagine: inputs, outputs & loops all over the place.
Ins on the front & back...2 output channels with individual settings...footswitch...this is some serious piece of pro gear.
- What are the setting controls, effects?...
Not sure i can count that high...
5 band graphic EQ + 3 band regular EQ, volume, master, rhythm bright switch, reverb, lead drive, lead master, EQ IN/auto/off, lead mode, lead fat, lead bright, master out A, master out B.
10 rotaries + 5 EQ faders. Never seen anything like it.
Tube
- How much power is delivered?
N/A, this is a preamp.
- What connection types are there?
More than you can imagine: inputs, outputs & loops all over the place.
Ins on the front & back...2 output channels with individual settings...footswitch...this is some serious piece of pro gear.
- What are the setting controls, effects?...
Not sure i can count that high...
5 band graphic EQ + 3 band regular EQ, volume, master, rhythm bright switch, reverb, lead drive, lead master, EQ IN/auto/off, lead mode, lead fat, lead bright, master out A, master out B.
10 rotaries + 5 EQ faders. Never seen anything like it.
- Is the general configuration/setup simple?
Yes, same settings as you're used to on an amp, plus some more than you just have to try...nothing tricky.
- Can you easily get a good sound?
Now this is trickier than expected cos you're tempted to fiddle around and the EQ is very powerful. But you can get good sound if you stop messing around, haha.
- Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
Mine was second hand and i never had the manual.
Yes, same settings as you're used to on an amp, plus some more than you just have to try...nothing tricky.
- Can you easily get a good sound?
Now this is trickier than expected cos you're tempted to fiddle around and the EQ is very powerful. But you can get good sound if you stop messing around, haha.
- Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
Mine was second hand and i never had the manual.
Some say this has the best clear sound ever when used via the direct out for recording. True that it sounds quite good.
The distortion when pushed to the max gives you that endless sustain you've always dreamt of when listening to Gary Moore...
But Mesa/Boogie sounds Mesa/Boogie. You'll probably love it but you might not. Try it!
In any case, the range of sounds you can obtain here is awesome, and we're talking top of the range here. This is no POD or Boss pedal, folks, this is IT.
The distortion when pushed to the max gives you that endless sustain you've always dreamt of when listening to Gary Moore...
But Mesa/Boogie sounds Mesa/Boogie. You'll probably love it but you might not. Try it!
In any case, the range of sounds you can obtain here is awesome, and we're talking top of the range here. This is no POD or Boss pedal, folks, this is IT.
I've not used this all that much simply because it hasn't been plugged in and it was easier to use the combo but when i did i was amazed every time.
It sounds like nothing else, that's what's great about it, and it's clean. If you're into metal or grunge you might not want this... :-/
If you want true class, get one of these, but if you want it to sound like it should beware that you should have a proper amp and a good cabinet to back it up. Plugging this into a combo won't do it justice.
It sounds like nothing else, that's what's great about it, and it's clean. If you're into metal or grunge you might not want this... :-/
If you want true class, get one of these, but if you want it to sound like it should beware that you should have a proper amp and a good cabinet to back it up. Plugging this into a combo won't do it justice.
VHT PittBull Fifty/Twelve Combo
By Rockmonster on 03/31/2008 at 05:31 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
By Rockmonster on 03/31/2008 at 05:31 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
VHT 50/12.. 50 Class A/AB watt tube combo, Graphic e.q. (bypassable),3 band e.q., Series/parallel effects loop,4 button footswitch.. ready for the stage. 2 channels.. clean and lead. Lots of gain available here. EL34 tubes, 3 12ax7's.. Boost,Edge and Bright switches (for BOTH channels)... literally a TON of tone shaping options and interface. This is a very professional,versatile piece of gear. 2 Eminence P-50 speakers. Tube reverb.
As far as bells and whistles go... I really do not know of anything more someone could ask of an analog tube combo... There are all these modeling combos that do loads of things... but this is the real deal. These are the tones they try to emulate.
As far as bells and whistles go... I really do not know of anything more someone could ask of an analog tube combo... There are all these modeling combos that do loads of things... but this is the real deal. These are the tones they try to emulate.
Simple. Hmmm.. yes, and no. This is a combo amp... but you really do have a lot of different knobs you will need to turn to get where you want. The controls are extremely interactive.. to the point where you need to be careful in your adjustments, as you might be closer than you think, and over-adjust.. so...be careful!
Manual. Huh. I think it was a sheet of paper. It mentioned a presence control.. which this amp actually does NOT have.
Yeah, the manual does not really help.
I give this a "7".. It is pretty complicated for a tube amp. Like I said.. lots of bells and whistles.
Manual. Huh. I think it was a sheet of paper. It mentioned a presence control.. which this amp actually does NOT have.
I give this a "7".. It is pretty complicated for a tube amp. Like I said.. lots of bells and whistles.
Sadly, I don't own this amp anymore.. But it DID suit my style... thinking about getting another one. Yes, I am a doofus regarding equipment. Should have kept it, but got rid of it on a whim. Lots of gain. Nice, barking modded Hiwatt tone.. somewhere between that and a Marshall. Used to run my Keeley TS9 in front of it. Nice searing harmonic ripping, screaming gain. Wow.It does have a real flamethrowing type characteristic when you run a Tubescreamer in front of it. And scoop out the mids on the graphic e.q. NOT a mesa tone.. or what you hear from every band out there on Clear channel radio stations. It is definitely it's own animal. Telling this story is starting to hurt. 
The clean tone reminds me of Vox AC30 clean fatness.. not really a "Twin" type tone.. but it may have been the speakers as well... The P50's seemed to really have a mid heavy character to them. Still a very good tone.. very alive and breathy. Class A mode.. does not get squishy. It just seemed to get grainy.. Maybe I should have cranked it louder..
Used this with Les Pauls, Strats.. different guitars. It definitely notes the differences between every guitar.
The clean tone reminds me of Vox AC30 clean fatness.. not really a "Twin" type tone.. but it may have been the speakers as well... The P50's seemed to really have a mid heavy character to them. Still a very good tone.. very alive and breathy. Class A mode.. does not get squishy. It just seemed to get grainy.. Maybe I should have cranked it louder..
Used this with Les Pauls, Strats.. different guitars. It definitely notes the differences between every guitar.
Had it a bit over a year.. struggled with the mids with this amp.. I loved the aliveness.. The searing, scalpel-precision quality for leadwork.. without brittle harshness.. a very cool amp. I regret getting rid of it, and one day may go ahead and scoop another one up. I think perhaps that the biggest problem I had with this amp was that it was great for lead.. but not so tight for rhythm.. Maybe it was the EL34 "chugga-chugga".. but I was used to 6L6/5881 tightness. This amp was very dark and a bit loose compared to my other rigs.. so, sadly I made the mistake of getting rid of it.. Instead of keeping it in my arsenal. Have tried many amps. You would think by now I would just keep them without selling them unless I truly don't like them. Sigh. Someday I'll learn. 
I got this amp for 1550.00.. with the graphic e.q. option. It was a tremendous value. For that price and the features, I would absolutely buy it again... and pair it with a Single or Dual rec for rhythm... and maybe a Twin for the cleans.. and a Soldano for sick lead.. yeah...!!
I got this amp for 1550.00.. with the graphic e.q. option. It was a tremendous value. For that price and the features, I would absolutely buy it again... and pair it with a Single or Dual rec for rhythm... and maybe a Twin for the cleans.. and a Soldano for sick lead.. yeah...!!
Voodoo Lab Guitar Preamp
By Rockmonster on 03/29/2008 at 05:11 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
By Rockmonster on 03/29/2008 at 05:11 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.
4 12ax7 tubes..PCB.. 3 channels.. Clean, dirty... and more dirty. Shared eq, separate volume on rhythm/lead channels (good to set lead boost) These two channels are very,very close.. Powerful signal..can push poweramps pretty hard. Direct out/XLR direct out, 1/4 outs.. NO effects loop. (Yuck) Mid boost button for distortion channels, bright switches for all 3 channels.
No effects. This is strictly tone shaping and gain.
No effects. This is strictly tone shaping and gain.
Very simple. Knob turners dream. Buttons reeeeally easy to push. A monkey could figure this out. Getting a good sound.. well, you have to know what you like. This amp has a fair amount of complex mids... I don't know if you can dial these out completely like you could with a Boogie Recto for example. The eq is very responsive..I find myself dialing back the trebles overall since I am always striving for the smoothest sounds possible.. (while having loads of gain) The manual is easy...I think it is like... 3 pages.
It does suit my style. The sound overall is smooth.. creamy.. and still heavy heavy. I can play metal.. dial back my volume to hard rock-ville.. add some slight overdrive on the front end and it screams. Using Les Pauls, Strats, Tele's, a few other types with this. Carvin T100 poweramp, Digitech GSP2101 for effects.
Overall, I would say the character of this amp is somewhere between a Soldano and Marshall tone.. A bit smoother than the typical Marshall tone.. ( I play next to my rhythm players Marshall TSL stack) but with just as much attack. (and more character)
I need to run the gamut of tones for my originals. From crystal clean to molten gain. I run this thru parametric e.q.'s.. loads of effects.. and it retains its character.
The gain channels are the standouts here. Searing, yet smooth, detailed, but with enough hair on it to let you know it's heavy. The clean channel... uh. Hmmm. Honestly, this is rather 2 dimensional. The least exciting part of the amp, but with a parametric you can get a good approximation of Twin tones. If you are using effects, it is certainly more than adequate. It is not a "bad" tone... just not as good as the distortion channel counterparts.
Overall, I would say the character of this amp is somewhere between a Soldano and Marshall tone.. A bit smoother than the typical Marshall tone.. ( I play next to my rhythm players Marshall TSL stack) but with just as much attack. (and more character)
I need to run the gamut of tones for my originals. From crystal clean to molten gain. I run this thru parametric e.q.'s.. loads of effects.. and it retains its character.
The gain channels are the standouts here. Searing, yet smooth, detailed, but with enough hair on it to let you know it's heavy. The clean channel... uh. Hmmm. Honestly, this is rather 2 dimensional. The least exciting part of the amp, but with a parametric you can get a good approximation of Twin tones. If you are using effects, it is certainly more than adequate. It is not a "bad" tone... just not as good as the distortion channel counterparts.
I have had 3 of these... Yeah, yeah. I know. I have gotten rid of them, then repurchase them, etc. I am not a pack rat regarding musical equipment. If I don't use it.. I get something else. Been using them for about 6 years now. Something has always stuck with me regarding the tone. It has a certain "alive" quality that I have not gotten with other amps. I still continue to experiment with lots of other gear... You know. We musicians have our ideal tone for about 5 minutes.. then need to buy something else. I do not like the fact that this has no effects loop..I connect directly between this and my poweramp.. but it would be nice to have a little more interface. For the price this is a good value.. considering the preamp options that would actually compare to this.. typically range in the $1000.00+ category. These are hard to find used.. usually in the $600-700 range when they actually show up.
If I decide to sell this one...I'll probably be a yo-yo and buy it again later...my track record has shown that I do... hopefully the 3rd time is a charm..
If I decide to sell this one...I'll probably be a yo-yo and buy it again later...my track record has shown that I do... hopefully the 3rd time is a charm..
- 100 watts head (4 EL34 - 5 12AX7) - 6 channels - midi controlled
- hard to list all of the connections and possibilities here, have a look on ENGL website
- hard to list all of the connections and possibilities here, have a look on ENGL website
- So much functions that you feel a little lost at first, really need lot of time to set it correctly but after that it's great to control simultanéously the head and your multi fx with the midi system.
- The manual is very clear
- The manual is very clear
- you can do everything with that monster, each of the channels cover a great range of styles:
1/ Tube driver: leave the sound of your instrument unaffected and amplified directly by the power amp
2/ TDHQ: the same channel as above but with EQ settings for shaping, a volume and a sensitivity potentiometer (to set from clean to crunch)
3/ Clean channel: from extreme clean to overdrive
4/ Crunch channel: From slight crunch to heavy warm distorsion
5/ Lead 1 channel: a very tight and focused channel, great for hard rock or métal rhythm work (reminds me of the gun's n' roses rythm sound) - also great for soloing with neck pickup
6/ Lead 2 channel: less défined, bassier and more drive than the prévious channel. Was designed for solo work but i use it for heavy distorted rhythm.
There's so much gain in the lead 1 and 2 channels that i never set the gain setting past 12 o'clock in hi gain mode
Once the channel is set you can choose between dozens of tone shaping options, some are really usefull, others are less depending on what type of sound you want to have
1/ Tube driver: leave the sound of your instrument unaffected and amplified directly by the power amp
2/ TDHQ: the same channel as above but with EQ settings for shaping, a volume and a sensitivity potentiometer (to set from clean to crunch)
3/ Clean channel: from extreme clean to overdrive
4/ Crunch channel: From slight crunch to heavy warm distorsion
5/ Lead 1 channel: a very tight and focused channel, great for hard rock or métal rhythm work (reminds me of the gun's n' roses rythm sound) - also great for soloing with neck pickup
6/ Lead 2 channel: less défined, bassier and more drive than the prévious channel. Was designed for solo work but i use it for heavy distorted rhythm.
There's so much gain in the lead 1 and 2 channels that i never set the gain setting past 12 o'clock in hi gain mode
Once the channel is set you can choose between dozens of tone shaping options, some are really usefull, others are less depending on what type of sound you want to have
- been using it for more than one year and i'm still amazed by this head, you can do everything with it, it is designed to sound amazingly even without multi fx (the head has multiple semi-paramétric tone shaping options as well as compression mode)
- This head is expensive, but it's worth every euro
- There is no other amp that can match the possibilities the ENGL SE provide, it's the world best kept secret
- This head is expensive, but it's worth every euro
- There is no other amp that can match the possibilities the ENGL SE provide, it's the world best kept secret
The Flextone III Plus is a modeling amplifier delivering 75 watts of power. It has a single input, and as a bonus it sports stereo outputs to drive a larger (2x12 or 4x12) cabinet of your choice for extra volume and fullness.
Controls are typical of combo amps, gain, volume, 3 band EQ, "amp model" selector knob, and controls for the effects
Controls are typical of combo amps, gain, volume, 3 band EQ, "amp model" selector knob, and controls for the effects
Dialing in your desired tone on the Flextone is not that different than with any other combo amp, with the exception of having to select your amp "model" with a dedicated knob. Settings are easily changed on the fly by turning knobs, and you can store 4 settings with the use of push buttons, which comes in handy.
Its fun to play around with and is fairly user friendly, I never used the manual.
Its fun to play around with and is fairly user friendly, I never used the manual.
I played through this amp with a couple of Les Paul style guitars with humbuckers, which is what suits my indie rock to metal sound. I dig some of the clean sounds you can dial in on this amp, though some start to sound so similar they seem kind of redundant. Theres a good range of high gain amps modeled; the boogie, bogner, and soldano models rocked pretty hard. I was a bit worried about the speaker "whoomph" that I got when doing metal style palm-muting riffs, as the stock speaker just doesn't handle the low end while staying crisp. Thats something for heavy rockers to consider.
Another beef I have, although I can't really blame them- is that since this amp cannot AT ALL reproduce the sound of a tube amp cranked up into natural compression and gently breaking up. That magical area between "clean" and "distorted" where its just dirty enough to get some sustain but still has clarity and dynamics.... well this amp isn't capable of that. Who knows if modeling technology will ever replicate the beauty of power tubes breaking up.
The effects are pretty gorgeous sounding, considering its all just a computer chip and not analog circuitry. You will be impressed by the thick delays and the classic swoosh of the flanger. Nothing cheesy here.
Another beef I have, although I can't really blame them- is that since this amp cannot AT ALL reproduce the sound of a tube amp cranked up into natural compression and gently breaking up. That magical area between "clean" and "distorted" where its just dirty enough to get some sustain but still has clarity and dynamics.... well this amp isn't capable of that. Who knows if modeling technology will ever replicate the beauty of power tubes breaking up.
The effects are pretty gorgeous sounding, considering its all just a computer chip and not analog circuitry. You will be impressed by the thick delays and the classic swoosh of the flanger. Nothing cheesy here.
I played mine several months before realizing I didn't need to versatility and the temptation of knob twiddling, I wasn't getting any playing done. I'm playing a cheap tube amp now.
I did play the other Line 6 amps like the spider in various forms, and the vetta. This is a nice stopping point right in the middle of what Line 6 has to offer, if you could afford the Vetta then you probably wouldnt be happy with it, but if all you could afford was the Siper line..... then I'd save my money and at least get the Flextone, or at least get a POD.
I probably won't go the amp modeler route unless I had to.
I did play the other Line 6 amps like the spider in various forms, and the vetta. This is a nice stopping point right in the middle of what Line 6 has to offer, if you could afford the Vetta then you probably wouldnt be happy with it, but if all you could afford was the Siper line..... then I'd save my money and at least get the Flextone, or at least get a POD.
I probably won't go the amp modeler route unless I had to.
This Orange Amp Crush 15 R is a solid state amp with 15 watts. It has an input for your instrument and an output for headphones. It has two channels - a clean one and a distortion one. It has adjustable equalization, a gain knob, a reverb knob, and an overall volume knob.
The set up is pretty basic, just plug your guitar in and let it rip. Its really easy to get both a nice clean and distorted sound, although I do wish that the reverb on it didn't color the sound as much as it does. I bought this amp used so I never had a manual, but really can't envision anyone needing one except for maybe some detailed technical issues.
I play mostly rhythm rock guitar and this definitely suits that. However, I use it strictly as a practice amp because it really isn't loud enough to play a show with. I use it with my Fender Stratocaster and it gets both a thick, heavy distortion for rhythm and a pretty nice lead sound as well. It also has a good sounding clean tone, it comes in crystal clear. I'm not a big fan of the reverb on the amp as for me it kind colors the sound in a negative way.
I've had this amp for 2 years and it is great as a practice amp. Orange makes really reliable, great sounding amps. While I don't love the reverb on it, the clean and distorted sounds make up for it. Even though its probably not loud enough to play a show, for a 15 watt amp it certainly can crank. In my opinion, this tramples over any other small amps in its class and the price is reasonable for all budgets. Even though I have a larger amp I use more often, its really convenient to have a great sounding amp that I can travel easily with.


