I spent this afternoon in search of a new gigging amp. After nearly purchasing a half-stack that I don't need and really don't fancy lugging around, I thought I'd better go and try out some of the more comfortably-sized standards on the market today. I took my guitar out and plugged in to a few…
First on the list was the Marshall Haze 40W Valve Combo. WOW! Just the sound you would expect from a Marshall tube amp. Nice and warm, and that overdrive… with the boost on… just gorgeous! I can't play it without making a face… It's the classic sound of rock n roll! The onboard effects are decent – not amazing, but all of the basics (reverb, chorus, echo, vibe) are there. If you like, the effects can be switched off completely – A true signal bypass. That's great for me, as I've got an effects board already.
Next up was the Line 6 Spider Valve MKII. This is a great sounding amp. Easy to use, programmable effects, and the nice thing is that it saves the volume with each effect, so you can set them all to come in at the correct level with the press of a button. This is a great amp for someone who hasn't got many effects pedals and would like to get a diverse range of sounds out of their amp. It has got everything from clean to dirty to INSANE.
I had also on my list the Fender Hotrod, however I've used these countless times at rehearsals and have just never been a big fan of the sound. Saying that, they are also great amps and one of the industry standards, so I suggest you give one a spin to decide for yourself.
A guy next to me was jamming out on one of the Orange amps, another that was on my list. These have got a really tight sound, almost as good as the Marshall. I was a bit put off by the bright orange colour, but I think they also come in black.
Last up was the Peavey 6505 60W Tube Combo. Another great amp, and for a little bit less money than some of the others. It's loud and it rocks, for sure. I played with this one for a bit, but found myself searching for that warm tone and not finding it.
For me, the choice was obvious – I brought home the Marshall!
All of these are worth a try though – If you're after a decent gigging amp that sounds great and won't be a pain in the arse to carry round, the best thing you can do is go out and try a few for yourself, to see which one catches your ear. You might try lifting each of them up as well, to see which one breaks your arm. Is that half-stack really necessary for the size of venues you're playing? Remember you can always mic a small or medium sized amp, if need be. Happy amp hunting!
