Sorry for this long-winded post, but I am struggling with the amp question. I feel like I know a lot about guitars already and why I like them, but I know far less about how to get "my" amp formula together.
Part of it is I need to get to know the amps I own better. The amps are both Fender tube models -- a '66 Vibrolux that's all original, and a late model Hot Rod Deluxe 112. The Vibrolux needs a nice going over with TLC to get it from it's current state of an 8 to a 10. The Deluxe was just serviced by a great amp tech, and it pretty much goes and goes. (I'll no doubt use him on the Vibrolux.)
I know these amps well for blues and straight rock since I played in a band that did just that for about a year. But now I'm focusing on retro rock and rockabilly. And I feel like I'm having to know these amps all over again. Living in an apartment means I can rarely crank the volume. I'm thinking seriously about taking both to a rehearsal studio nearby for an entire afternoon of fun and sampling. But so far, when I do get loud, they each sound quite good.
Part of me wants to send the Vibrolux in for its rehab, save my tax refund money, and relish them both. However I'm looking for not just a good sound, but a really great sound, with lots of snap and sparkle and gritty breakup, etc. Not too dark. I feel the Vibrolux is more of a blues amp, so, a bit on the darker side. I do like reverb though, and I like tremolo, so the Vibrolux edges out the Deluxe a bit there. Still, maybe they're both great amps -- I just need to explore their rockabilly potential.
However lately (on top of all this obsessive-compulsiveness) I've been fantasizing about what it would feel like to play on a Victoria or Gretsch amp. (I think a Standel is just out of my price range.)
I played a Victoria tweed 1x12 recently while traveling -- only had five minutes with it, but it didn't take long for me change my amp state of mind and want to know more. I'm going to check out a few others, as wel as any Gretsch amps I can find, if I can just find a dealer nearby.
I should also confess I keep eyeballing the vintage Valco-type amps that crop up on eBay.
I guess I'm having the tube amp version of GAS... ![]()
but not in just an amp-envy kind of way. I seriously do want to figure out if should stick with the amps I have, or trade out or up for a different model.
Questions... questions... so many.
Some desirable features (not all deal-breakers) are:
• great Fender-style reverb
• tremolo
• punchy and loud enough for gigs
• not so precious that I'll be worried about taking it on gigs
So how do you go about finding your "right" or "go-to" amp?
