Best amps of 2011

[Mysterytrain]

20 best amps of 2011
http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/ ... day-515134

5 Best amps of 2011
http://www.guitarworld.com/guitar-world ... 11#slide-7

[Gallowglass]

Interesting thread, Dan. As some of you may know, I'm a complete amp-oholic. So many people make such a big deal about the instruments we play, but I feel the amplifier is just as important, or possibly even more important in achieving the sounds we desire. A good amp is an instrument unto itself.

I've played through most of those amps (or a previous incarnation) at some point, and I'd have to say those are some impressive lists. If I could choose only one, I'd have to go with the Mesa Mark 5. Out of all those wonderful boutique jewels, I've yet to see any amp better than the Mesa Mark series at handling a diverse range of tones, textures, and genres with such credibility and brilliance. Of course, diversity is important to me in an amp. Others might be drawn to something that shines brighter in a select environment. Still, the Marks are hard to beat in any game.

I've been seeing those H&K Coreblades popping up lots of places with lots of positive reviews. I'd love to check one out.

Having said that, if anyone wants to drop any one of those amps off at my doorstep, I wouldn't be complaining.

Oh yeah, check out the related articles on the best amps for heavy metal and blues too...cool food for thought.

[bassist_25]

Interesting thread, Dan. As some of you may know, I'm a complete amp-oholic. So many people make such a big deal about the instruments we play, but I feel the amplifier is just as important, or possibly even more important in achieving the sounds we desire. A good amp is an instrument unto itself.

+1 I'm also a complete amp-o-holic for the bass side of things and have both workhorse and corksniffer tastes. I'm very content with my instruments, but I can see myself buying amps as long as my finances (and back ) allow me to do so.

I definitely agree with the Mark 5 being a diverse amp...perhaps a little too diverse. I know cats who have had their Mark 5s for a couple of years now, and they're still tweaking them. But that is the nature with Mesa amps. They're not plug in play.

That's interesting that the H&K made the number one spot. H&K is definitely underrated.

[Gallowglass]

I'm completely in the same boat, Paul. I'm quite content with my instruments, but I don't think I'll ever get tired of plugging them into different amplifiers.

I know what you mean about (some) Mesa's, not being "plug in and play". That was the complaint going back to the Mark I. Recently, I've been using a Mesa Studio preamp, which is based on the Mk IIC, and I can tell you that it's somewhat less than intuitive (at least in the traditional Fender/Marshall sense). It takes awhile to understand how the tone is shaped before it hits the separate gain stages, and then how to use the EQ (if it has one) to bring the tone back inline with what you actually want. The good news is that the Mesa user manuals are excellent at providing suggested presets that really nail the right settings. They are great starting points.

I have other Mesas that are a little better. My Studio 22 and 50 Caliber + aren't as awkward as most of the Mark series and my Rocket 44 is very straightforward. Another plus is that in most cases, it's actually difficult to get a really bad tone no matter where the dials are...it just might be radically different from what you are immediately looking for. Most of the Rectifier series don't seem to be too difficult to dial in, either.

As far as the H&K goes, they make great stuff, I'd love to check the new one out.

[hicksjd9]

Different amps can give a guitar completely different tonal properties. I am 100% in the amp camp. A crappy amp will make a great guitar sound bad but a great amp can make even a crappy guitar sound good.

[Gallowglass]

...I am 100% in the amp camp...

I've been in your attic, you're not kidding...I still drool a little bit every time I think of that Budda that was up there.

[bassist_25]

I'm completely in the same boat, Paul. I'm quite content with my instruments, but I don't think I'll ever get tired of plugging them into different amplifiers.

I know what you mean about (some) Mesa's, not being "plug in and play". That was the complaint going back to the Mark I. Recently, I've been using a Mesa Studio preamp, which is based on the Mk IIC, and I can tell you that it's somewhat less than intuitive (at least in the traditional Fender/Marshall sense). It takes awhile to understand how the tone is shaped before it hits the separate gain stages, and then how to use the EQ (if it has one) to bring the tone back inline with what you actually want. The good news is that the Mesa user manuals are excellent at providing suggested presets that really nail the right settings. They are great starting points.

I have other Mesas that are a little better. My Studio 22 and 50 Caliber + aren't as awkward as most of the Mark series and my Rocket 44 is very straightforward. Another plus is that in most cases, it's actually difficult to get a really bad tone no matter where the dials are...it just might be radically different from what you are immediately looking for. Most of the Rectifier series don't seem to be too difficult to dial in, either.

Indeed, Jason. My 400+ can sometimes get frustrating with a graphic EQ, a parametric EQ, and a number of push-pull knobs. It definitely requires some EQing from room to room. I love how it sounds when I dial it in, though - just wish it it were a little easier to dial in. *lol* Honestly, I'm not a fan of the Fender Bassman tonestack (i.e., interactive EQ with bass and high boost only and mids is a cut only), but all of my favorite amps seem to have it.

In related news, Mesa is releasing two new all-tube bass amps. From what I understand, they have the Carbine preamp. They're both 6L6 amps. I was hoping for some KT88 or 6550 loaded amps, but whatcha gonna do?

[Mysterytrain]

I've mostly had fender amps growing up.

I've used a Fender Twin Reverb for many years and can't let it go. I changed the stock speakers with early 1970's JBL E120's. The amp is heavy as shit but I love the tone! I go for the clearest note possible so it works great for me.

During my heavy metal days when Jerret's music was around Jeff Wallick turned me on to a Digitech 2101, an Alesis stereo power amp with a Marshall 4x12 1960 cabinet. Holy fuckin' shit!!! The warm crystal clear Napalm distortion setting would blow you through the wall.

[metalchurch]

During my heavy metal days when Jerret's music was around Jeff Wallick turned me on to a Digitech 2101, an Alesis stereo power amp with a Marshall 4x12 1960 cabinet. Holy fuckin' shit!!! The warm crystal clear Napalm distortion setting would blow you through the wall.

I'm a staunch proponent of Rack gear, because in my personal opinion, they provide a wider range of tones. I say that mainly because of the virtual limitless mixing and matching that you can do. They are a tweaker's dream, and almost equally, a tweaker's nightmare.

I've yet to find an amp that I would be satisfied with simply plugging in and playing. I must say that Scott Bush's Engl was prob the closest amp that would fit that bill for me.
Nothing at all wrong with a Marshall JCM800 2203 head, as well as some Mesa's, Soldano's, etc..

There are some amps (such as those listed above) that have a reputation and are "standards" if you will, in the respect that they are well renowned and get the job done.

What drives me away most times are the prices, which is another reason I go rackmount. Not at all saying thats a cheaper/easier alternative. I meant that in the respect that I prefer used (dare I say Vintage) rack gear because I can pick up any one item used and it wont break my bank account.
My rack was built by me with 'vintage' in mind, for ex: each component of my rack is pre-1995, with the exception of my Furman power conditioner. I like being different, and I have yet to run across someone with the same rack gear, and I highly doubt that I ever will.

I'm currently planning to build a smaller rack for my bedroom consisting of a Marshall EL84 20/20 poweramp, Mesa Tri-Axis Preamp. (That's almost $2000 total, and they are used items) that doesn't include the rack case, power conditioner, effects units, etc.....Ridiculous!!!

Lovely thread, I must say.

[bassist_25]

I definitely like rackmount gear, and I'm kind of sad to see it not in vogue in the guitar world as it used to be. Bass players still love racks, and I generally see my bass playing peeps using a rack, even if it's just to rack up an integrated head. I think one issue with the guitar world is that there is a dearth of good rack-mount tube power amps being made right now.

No doubt some of the boutique amps out there are crazy expensive. I was giving serious consideration to a used /13 bass amp about a month ago. At the end of the day, I just had trouble justifying the cost to myself - maybe if I were gigging 25 nights a month. The head was also actually wider than my cabinets, and I think it would have just looked goofy having a T-shaped rig. I know: the audience wouldn't care, but it would have bugged the shit out of me.