best tube amp for classic rock

[jab]

Keep experimenting with tube amps for the best overall classic-hard rock sound. What do you guys think I should try in the $1000-2000 range?

 

[ytse_jam]

well, may be trivial but marshall jcm800 is widely regarded as one of the best amps for rock/hardrock if you haven't tried one yet... if I'm not wrong 2203 old models with vertical inputs were the most appreciated.

 

[Bruce Dickenson]

Yeah those marshall 1959s 1987s and JTM45s seem to be nuts for classic rock.

 

[CoG]

As long as you can play loud all the time the JCM800 is it, and probably a boost pedal or two with it. The Stiletto is supposed to cop a lot of those tones but I haven't played one. I play my bandmate's JCM800 a fair bit and pretty much everything from 1977-1991 is in there.

 

[srf399]

There are different flavors of the Marshall sound... you can't get what you want out of your Ace? Have you tried the Deuce II?

 

[jab]

the Ace is pretty darned close to a perfect sound. There's something about its ultra clarity that doesn't fill the sound out enough. It does cut through the mix like a Stiletto knife, while the DR bludgeons you like a club and I probably need something in the middle. Haven't tried the Deuce though. Or maybe I just need a touch of reverb or light delay to fill it in?

 

[Rocky]

best?


no such thing....the question is a waste of time.

 

[srf399]

The Deuce has a fuller sound than the Ace... see if you can try a Stage II Deuce

 

[212Mavguy]

IMHO the word "Best" is not good. What your ears like the most is more appropriate. It's only an opinion...

My ears like Siegmund Midnight Blues Breaker (JTM 45 done better), and 2/12 Maverick by Mesa. The Mav is deceptively versatile. Peace.

 

[clutch71]

JCM 2000 DSL 50 is nice. 2 channels 4 modes. Good cleans, Crunch, and Hi Gain Saturation.

 

[secretsoundz]

Ace Stiletto, all the way...That amp can conjure up any classic rock tone you can think of from Hendrix to AC/DC & Led Zeppelin.

 

[prsman88]

my stiletto stage 1 does it pretty well. doesn't have a great amount of sustain, but its alright i suppose!

 

[Hobo]

Marshall JCM800.

 

[jab]

jcm 800 seems to be a good place to start based on feedback.

Anyone have experience with the jcm 2000 dsl 50? Is that just a higher gain 800, and is the dsl the same as a tsl with one less channel?

 

[playdosboogies]

Jcm800's are GREAT amps..I have played/owned many over the years and have not disliked any of them..I can dial my dsl's in to sound VERY close to my 800's. The only thing they lack compared to the jcm800's are:
jcm800's are quite a bit more powerful, a little more touch-sensitive, and have that indescribable Marshall "GRUNT" that you just cannot get from any other amp..BTW, the jcm800 2203x reissue is an AWESOME amp if you cant find an original!

 

[dayn]

Komet

 

[Elpelotero]

take a look at splawn

 

[acidguitar]

Hmm, not the first to say this - 'BEST', let's say great for 'Rock' and then throw in a 'In My Opinion' in front of it..

JCM 800 for me. And if you're splitting hairs, the 1983 model with the 6 filter caps.. The later ones with 3 filter capts can (IMO) start to get grainier and thinner sounding the more you turn them. (There is also a 5 filter cap model between '84 and '86 I think) But they still sound really great. With these, amps (just like most of the earlier marshalls), you need to run them loudish to get a fantastic tone.

The '77 and '78 Master Volumes are also great amps for Rock.

 

[acidguitar]

Oh yeah, remeber that the JCM 800's prior to (I think) '87/'88 had a true tube path (inclusive of gain). Later models from there (2 channel JCM 800s, 900s, 2000s etc..) had diodes in front to get gain.