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Rig Challange ($500.00-$1000.00)

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- Rated: 15 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 12:42 p.m. AndyJ:

A long while ago I posted a rig challenge where one had to come up with the best rig (guitar and amp combo) for under $500.00. I thought that for the Labor Day weekend it might be nice to see what kind of "gig-worthy rigs" you guys could come up with for between $500.00 and $1000.00 (Tax, Duty, Shipping not included). This is all about bang-for-the buck.

The Rules: The gear can be new or used. Besides the the price range of $500-1000, the rig you choose needs to be what the current going prices are, as opposed to "here is what I bought three-years ago for under 1K". Oh, and for our non-US GDP'ers, $500-$1000 is $500-$1000 in whatever currency you have--no rate conversions necessary. "Gig worthy" is a matter of opinion, but the amp needs to at least be 30watts (think at least of something you could use easily w/a four-piece electric band with drums). PLEASE INCLUDE PICS and/or LINKS OF YOUR SELECTIONS.

EDIT: Let's make this more interesting and say that the Amps have to be all-tube. Okie-Dokie?

When Monday rolls around, we'll open up the polls for voting.

On your marks . . . get set . . .GO!
- Rated: 30 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 2:03 p.m. fws6:

vintage fender super reverb plenty more than 30 watts, in fact more than anyone would ever need .... sold for $521

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-FENDER-SUPER-REVERB-AMP-GUITAR-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ3800...

+you can find many decent guitars under 400-500 like a USA made Tele - sold for $450

http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-USA-fender-telecaster_W0QQitemZ320290881335

and $30 left to get some beers after practice !!!
- Rated: 15 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 8:16 p.m. AndyJ:

Good work,fws6! Enjoy your beer.

Wow. I can't believe that Super went for less than 6 bills. I wonder if it was all original . . .

I'm going a bit off the beaten path for mine:

Guitar

Amp

$919.99
- Rated: 66 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 8:28 p.m. Walter Broes:

For $1000, you can get a great rig, as long as you buy second hand IMO.

and this :plenty more than 30 watts, in fact more than anyone would ever need A Super Reverb is not thàt loud! On a big stage, or in open air, it's been less than I needed at times.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 8:46 p.m. AndyJ:

Agreed on both counts, Walter. $1000.00 does buy a great rig. I had to set some parameters for fun and to make it a challenge, and 30 watts was as low as I wanted to go with the amp. I just did an edit to the 1st post and added another factor to make things a bit more difficult: the amp now has to be all-tube.

This is all for fun and to give people something else to do over the long-weekend (esp. if they don't have anything to do at all).
- Rated: 14 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 8:51 p.m. MarkW:

Wait - 30 watts why???? A Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb RI is 22 watts and is more than gig-worthy 90% of the time.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 10:20 p.m. TyPierce:

AndyJ - Great thread idea! I'm looking forward to what everyone cobbles together. Here's my take...

Used Gear: Fender Super, Pro or Twin RI - $600 G&L Tribute from Buffalo Bros. Guitars - $300 Digitech Bad Monkey/Screamin' Blues OD pedal - $30

Other Possibilities - The Ampeg Reissues can be had for some very reasonable money. I had a 50w SuperJet for a while that cost me less than a used Blues Jr. would have, and it was a great amp. But if I have the $1000 to play with, I'd go for a Pro, Twin or Super Reverb, no question.

New Gear: Blues Jr. - $450 MIM Telecaster - $350 or G&L Tribute Legacy - $350 Digitech BM/SB OD pedal - $40 Ruby Reverb tank upgrade - $30

I know I'm breaking from the "30 watt" criteria, but for a lot of us, a Blues Junior will gig just fine. Ditto MarkW's contention on the DRRI.

Also, apparently Buffalo Bros has a handful of used G&L Tributes in stock, which are excellent guitars and stand a couple shoulders above their MIM Std equivalents, in my opinion. Anyone looking for a backup or cheap addition to the stable should give them a call and see what they could do for you.

FWS6 - Nice find on those eBay deals! I just hope those come back around this winter when I'm looking to upgrade my own setup!
- Rated: 31 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 10:22 p.m. do not be afraid:

i think that there are probably quite a few amps under 30 watts that could be very gig-worthy, but, sticking to the rules of the challenge:

Kustom's The Defender ($499.99 at Musician's Friend):

it's 50 watts, all-tube, with reverb, and a bunch of other silly stuff i don't quite understand. i've never tried it out myself, but i like what i've heard about it, and it's definitely got the right features, price, etc. it seems like it can probably go from clean(ish) Country and Blues to dirty(ish) Rock 'n' Roll, which is all the range i need (well, most of the time!), and, judging from the demo posted on their website, the reverb can definitely get pretty crazy (which is exceptionally important to me! if i'm not drowning in reverb, i always feel sort of… naked…)

Gretsch's Pro Jet with Bigsby ($500 at Musician's Friend):

now, you may think i'm pandering here, but i swear i'm not! this guitar has a really great sound, which can cover all the same range as the amp (Country, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll), and do it with a vibrato (which is exceptionally important to me, at least if it's going to be my only guitar!), but without hum (so i can play in neon and television filled bars and not have to worry!) it's probably the best “work horse” guitar i could ever possibly imagine for myself, at least in this price range! plus, while the guitar in that photo is pretty drab, it does come in some pretty flashy colors for that all-important on-stage look!

of course, i've only got 1 cent left…
- Rated: 18 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 10:39 p.m. The Shetland:

My rig was a 5120 through a Fender Hot Rod Delux, should be able to find that rig second hand for under a $1000, throw in a slapback delay and you're good to go...at least IMHO...
- Rated: 15 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 11:12 p.m. AndyJ:

MarkW said: Wait - 30 watts why???? A Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb RI is 22 watts and is more than gig-worthy 90% of the time.
Just to piss off people with Deluxe's. I thought about that, but again decided on minimum of 30 watts to make it challenging. Besides, from my experience, 22 watts is a smidge low for 4-piece electric band--maybe I've just been in loud bands. I dunno.)

TyPierce said: Also, apparently Buffalo Bros has a handful of used G&L Tributes in stock, which are excellent guitars and stand a couple shoulders above their MIM Std equivalents, in my opinion.
Good call on the Tributes. I like the guitars that fall under a lot of people's radars. This kind of challenge brings out all sorts of interesting gear one wouldn't normally consider. Good on yer.

do not be afraid said: of course, i've only got 1 cent left…
That's the way to do it. Interesting amp (this is what I'm talking about)--too bad it isn't the usual Kustom tuck-and-roll.

Edit: You're a steely-eyed Gretsch Man, thru-and-thru. No pandering was detected.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 11:20 p.m. TyPierce:

AndyJ said: Good call on the Tributes. I like the guitars that fall under a lot of people's radars. This kind of challenge brings out all sorts of interesting gear one wouldn't normally consider.
Big fan of the Tributes. And I didn't think about it until after I posted, but you sometimes see the US-made G&Ls dipping down into the $500 range sometimes. This is more often true for the Legacy (Strat) than the ASAT (Tele), but that's a lot of guitar for the money.

Also, on the amp side, Proteus brought the Rivera-designed Fender Concerts to my attention in a past thread and I've been watching them ever since. Made in the 80s, all PTP wiring and clock in around 40 watts through a variety of speaker configs (1x12, 2x12, 4x10).

Good times!
- Rated: 15 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 11:50 p.m. AndyJ:

Indeed, Ty. Indeed.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 3:20 p.m. AndyJ:

Due to lack of interest, I wont open the polls on this one. I'll just announce the winners:

Guitar: TyPierce. Way to remind us all about the G&L Tributes!

Amp: do not be afraid. Even though it's not tuck-and-roll . . .the Kustom Defender.

Thanks for playing, one and all. Maybe I'll come up with something a bit more intriguing than dollar amt for the next challenge.
- Rated: 30 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 3:35 p.m. fws6:

No Poll ? I thought Id win for sure and didnt even get a vote up ...

I know its just my opinion but I'd take the super rev over that Kustom any day.

The G&L I think is cool too though
- Rated: 15 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 3:49 p.m. AndyJ:

I just did. +1 for everyone.

Edit: Me too, fws6. I'm not myself today.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 8:26 p.m. JohnS:

Gretsch Electromatic Sparkle Jet used on Ebay $150 plus upgrades $100 and used DRRI local $450. Works for me.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 10:22 p.m. TyPierce:

Andy - Glad to hear the Tributes are a winner. For the money, new, they're really tough to beat on performance, and the watchful deals that can be had on the US ones are pretty crazy, too.

John - If that DRRI is in good shape, I'd grab that in a hurry! Even if it was just to flip it on eBay and make a quick bill or two!
- Rated: 41 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 12:12 p.m. dubkitty:

eBay going rates: Epiphone Les Paul Custom (black, used) @ $490; Fender Blues Deluxe tweed amp @ $500. alternate guitar: Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Strat @ $550 from MF.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 2:49 p.m. Otter:

Without tax, my rig was under $1k.

$399 MIM Standard Tele $599 Peavey Classic 30

Does anything I need it to. Buy them used and there's enough left over for new pickups and speaker.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 3:09 p.m. AndyJ:

Now everyone wants to play The Challenge? (Must be coming back from the three-day weekends, eh?) Okay, let's revive this sucka!

Keep those rigs coming fellers (and ladies) . . . .

Good stuff Otter, dubkitty, and JohnS!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 3:53 p.m. Mark Synchro:

OK, I'll play:

Guitar: A Custom Telecaster Spalted Maple HH

Amp: Blues Jr.

That was my default rig before Gretsch Fever struck and it worked great. I don't see the need for 30 watts or more unless you are playing out of doors. If you're playing a large club a small amp can always be run through the PA.

If you bargained hard and bought judisciously you could land this rig for a Grand, but just barely. If you skipped lunch for one day you could afford the caps and resistors to make the Blues Jr truly live up to its potential.
- Rated: 10 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 4:33 p.m. ziess:

I'd build either a 5E3 or a tweed Bassman and use the rest for the best tele I could afford.

Tommy.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 7:21 p.m. AndyJ:

Mark Synchro said: That was my default rig before Gretsch Fever struck and it worked great. I don't see the need for 30 watts or more unless you are playing out of doors. If you're playing a large club a small amp can always be run through the PA.
I see everyone's point on this . . .I really do. And I'm not saying I don't agree (heck, my biggest guitar amp is only 40 watts), but I had to set the criteria somewhere and I wanted it to be challenging. I'm sticking to my guns.
Good selections, btw, Mark! A 15watt amp, though?

Tommy said: I'd build either a 5E3 or a tweed Bassman
McGuyver alert! Wow. That's a first. Gotta like that.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 9:24 p.m. Mark Synchro:

Andy J said: Mark! A 15watt amp, though?
Think of it like this; assuming equal speaker efficiency a 15 watt amp is 7.5 db less loud than my 85 watt Twin and I can tell you from experience, that 85 watt Twin can get very, very loud. Most of the gigs I've ever played would be covered easily by the Blues Jr and the few that wouldn't would have had a PA big enough to handle the guitar amp with a mike in front of it.

Like I mentioned, I have a Twin but unless I'm playing baritone I usually just use the Blues Jr.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Sep 3, 2008 12:14 a.m. AndyJ:

Interesting stuff, Mark. Do you normally prefer playing with a very clean amp or break up from a naturally overdriven amp? (Now I'm thinking more in terms of tonal quality rather than just being heard over other instruments.)

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