| Author |
Topic: Need help with buying an amp. |
Barbara Berg
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 11 Apr 2013 3:18 pm |
|
Hi, so enjoy reading about all the information and questions you all answer. Now its my turn. I'm a fairly new beginner, I own a 1950's Supro, with a Supro amp. My parents bought it for me back then. Recently I purchased a 1956 Fender lap steel, totally enjoy playing it. What kind of amp would you all recommend. I do open mikes a lot, so I need a fairly light amp. Play Hawaiian, Older songs,in C6 tunning, do you recommend a tube amp?
  |
|
|
 |
Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
|
Posted 11 Apr 2013 3:54 pm
|
|
What's wrong with the Supro?
If you're looking for a loud, light amp, I suggest the Roland Cube 40XL... if you don't need the 40 watts you can go down as low as you like in the series, they make a 20, a 15, and down to the Micro 5watt version. They are bullet-proof and include nice on-board effects (something to play with). Watch your local Craigslist and you might pick one up for cheap... there's seldom anything wrong with them, they're hard to hurt.
For your current situation I don't recommend a tube amp... unless your Supro is working fine, go with solid-state... you have to get way picky (and spend big bucks) before tubes make a difference, and they bring their own set of headaches, one of which is extra weight, not to mention fragility.
BTW, which Fender did you get?
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
|
|
|
Barbara Berg
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 11 Apr 2013 4:20 pm
|
|
I bought the 1956 Fender Champ donated to the SGF in Dec. by Lenny Amaral. I love playing it!
Nothing is wrong with the Supro, I play that in open A tuning, and use my Supro amp with it. Just would like to get another amp so my Supro amp stays in good condition instead of hauling it around all the time. |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
|
Posted 11 Apr 2013 5:54 pm
|
|
Hey Doug:
I am very glad that you commented on this subject as weight, wattage and reverb are an issue. There are many small amps that do not have reverb.
Stephen's suggestion of the Roland amp is a contender. I have a 1986 Roland cube and it has never been serviced. But going to a music store and trying out the various models in the wattage range you suggest is a good idea. What size speaker is recommended for a classic tone with the 1957 Fender Champ?
Lenny |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 12 Apr 2013 9:41 am
|
|
| Seems a shame and a terrible waste to match such lovely vintage guitars to an ugly, soulless modern amp. Stick with the Supro and baby it a little. Make or buy a cover for it, so it doesn't get scratched up and get it serviced every few years. Tap into the magic (some call it mojo) of an amp and guitar that, like your music, have been around for 50 or 60 years. |
|
|
|
Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
|
Posted 12 Apr 2013 11:57 am
|
|
Buy something really nice and warm sounding like a Fender Princeton Reverb or even a souped up Vibro Champ. It's a logical stepup from a smaller tube amp and a keeper.
Greg |
|
|
|
Barbara Berg
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 12 Apr 2013 3:50 pm
|
|
| Thank you all, I'll use all your suggestions on my search. Also, dah, why didn't I think of making a cover for my Supro Amp, sure would save wear and tear! |
|
|
|
Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
|
Posted 13 Apr 2013 4:12 am
|
|
I think the idea of using the Supro, followed by the cubes is a good bet. Other options that you can try is the Bugera v5 and the ZT lunchbox. The Bugera is a 5 watt tube amp with a decent built in reverb. Headroom is limited so it will depend on how much overdrive/distortion you are comfortable with. I like the sound for lap steel, but would not recommend without trying first. The lunchbox is a very loud, tiny, light weight, solid state amp. It also sounds good with lap steel but really needs a delay or reverb pedal in front of it. Again, this is a try before you buy amp.
_________________
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
|
|
|
Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
|
Posted 13 Apr 2013 7:50 am
|
|
Just throwing out some food for thought and not disssing any suggestion or opinion.
However, Barb plays traditional music and I know she has Doug's 25 easy song lesson plan so a clean amp SS amp with reverb or rev/delay would be appropriate.
The debate between tube and solid state will go on forever but weight is a factor and some of the small SS amps have tube amp moddeling. I have a bunch of lap steels and sometimes I want to wail so a small 5 watt tube amp cranked on 10 has the grit for blues but Sleepwalk playing with a few friends is not pleasing to the ear. Playing by yourself in your house and playing with a bass, fiddle,guitar, etc., will not sound the same if you use "too small" of an amp.
Nothing carved in stone here and my thoughts are coming from the angle of
utility and being user friendly while achieving a pleasing vibe.
Most music stores have a return policy so maybe you can explain to the manager you are trying to make a selection that will apply to your playing situation. If there is no need to rush, let this thread run a bit and get the input of other players that play your type of music style..
The SGF is a great source of info and you meet the nicest people
 |
|
|
|
john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
|
Posted 13 Apr 2013 8:01 am lite weight rig
|
|
Barbara,
Check with Steve Alcott on this forum:
He has a Genz Benz shuttle 6.0 which is a great steel amp/preamp head. It weighs 4 lbs. He also has a superlight super samll 12" cab that i built for him.
_________________
Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498
widcj@hotmail.com |
|
|
|
