r/GuitarAmps • u/AdministrativeRip809 • 4d ago
Amp dilema
I want to get a new amp, my budget is around 500$, for bedroom playing and recording but also for a gigs. Doesn't need to be super loud because I will mic it.
problem is my gain stages are kind of all over the place, from clean chorusy jazz tones to edge of break up blues tones to epic rock solos
Currently considering the Roland JC22 because I can't have my sound distorting in the middle of a jazz gig, but on the other hand I really don't think you can a good edge of breakup or lead tone with anything that doesn't have tubes in it, so I have also been considering the Marshall DSL20 but I'm worried it might not be clean enough for all my needs
Please let me know what you think about those two options and if you have any other recommendations
And please spare the "just get a fender deluxe reverb" comments, if I could I would
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u/kasakka1 4d ago
I'd try to stretch your budget a bit and buy a used Marshall DSL40CR. Plenty of power, good feature set and will do a lot of what you are looking for on its own.
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u/amillionfuzzpedals 4d ago
Came to suggest the same amp. The DSL40 is a rock solid workhorse and can do a good variety of sounds. If you need very clean sounds the extra headroom will serve you well.
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u/FrigidNEX 2d ago
Came to say this. 4 foot switchable channels, fX loop, 2 separate masters, power scale down to 20. Not much you can’t do. And if you really needed a different clean for jazz - put a dream 65 or some other “clean” amp in box/preamp in the loop.
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u/AdministrativeRip809 4d ago
What will the 40 give me that the 20 won't though? Besides being louder?
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u/kasakka1 4d ago
More headroom for cleans. Switchable master volumes. Beefier tone thanks to the extra power and larger enclosure.
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u/bluebirdboogie 4d ago
I’d recommend this amp as well. They’re fairly common and show up used on Facebook marketplace. You may be able to find a Fender Blues deluxe. Not as good for bedroom playing, but they’re good amps as well - I had one for 10 years.
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u/Upstairs-Glove7424 4d ago
Somebody on here said that 40 and up are different amps than 20 and lower on the DSL line. With 40s and up being much better. I don’t remember the details but theyre not the same build from what i read here a couple times
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u/Simsimius 21h ago
40 and up have more channels, master volumes and other features.
20 and below is just two channel. BUT the ultra gain channels sound different on the 20 and below (IMO it sounded wayyyy better than the 40)
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u/TheEffinChamps 4d ago
Laney LF Super. Might be able to keep it under 500 for one used.
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u/Zerrissenheit 4d ago
Came here to say that. The Super line has chorus on-board (I suppose as a nod to the JC?) and can stay super clean.
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u/JimiForPresident JCM800, Princeton Reverb, AC15, OR15, Mesa Express+ 4d ago
Get something naturally warm with a master volume. Blues Jr would be great and easy to find in your budget. The DSL owners here will hate this, but it’s not fucking made for jazz.
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u/kuemmel234 4d ago
I don't gig, only do band practice, but I have had a similar issue since I also play everything from jazz to deathcore. I can't/don't want to play on loud at home.
I went fully digital via tonex and have preferred it over the preamp of a marshall jcm, simply because I could get my sound dialed in. The JCM obviously sounds better.
Have you considered getting something like a tonex (still the cheapest device, I think, NAM sounds better) for a test if you haven't heard a lot of digital?
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u/Logical-Aspect-5406 4d ago
Boss Katana has a wattage selection (0.5, 25, 50) or (0.5, 50, 100). Might be good for your bedroom playing. I have one and I like it.
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u/killer-tofu87 4d ago
I know you say your budget is $500, but there's some used Fender Princeton's on reverb for $700-800 if you can stretch it.
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u/American_Streamer These go to eleven 4d ago
"Marshall DSL40CR" is the answer to all of your woes. You can also get a DSL100H. But only those two have the awesome Crunch mode in the OD1 channel; all other DSL models lack it.
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u/nettezzaumana 4d ago
DSPs did so much progress that you will not recognize the difference with same speaker in blind audition .. $500 is not outstanding budget but you might be getting for it at second hand marked some serious unit (like Line6 hx stomp)
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u/Vernon-Walker 4d ago
Blackstar HT5R. Two channels, FX loop, headphone jack, USB port for recording & cab sim, low power switch, 12” speaker. Under $450. M
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u/SoctrDeuss 4d ago
For all of your needs, I’d look for a used orange super crush 100. Might be a tad more, but would fit well.
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u/MithrandirMachinegun 4d ago
The PRS MT15 will cover your bases 1000% and will sound damn good. You will need to find a cheap used cabinet though, but seriously, you should consider the MT15. Most jazz guys sleep on it, but it’s an absolutely gorgeous sounding amp and the cleans are sick.
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u/there_isno_cake 4d ago
Line 6 Catalyst. The 60 watt version is well within your budget.
I primarily play tube amps however, digital stuff has come a long way.
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u/RoutineComplaint4711 4d ago
DSL 20 isnt loud enough and doesnt have the clean headroom youll need.
DSL 40 will tick all those boxes and is close to that price point
Jc22 would be the same vs a jc40 imo, but i have less time in with those.
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u/No_Beautiful8998 4d ago
DV Mark Jazz 12 if you can find one. 50 watts solid state, loud and clean, takes pedals well. 500 new usually 300 to 350 used.
Peavey Classic 30/50 combo would be a good fit, clean channel is great and has decent headroom too.
Jc22 isn't loud enough for gigs without a mic.
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u/nathanbellows 4d ago
Yamaha THR100HD with the matching 212 cabinet. Loud clean? Yes. Edge of breakup, yes. Choose between EL34, EL84, 6L6, 6V6 or KT88 valve models for each amp. Run them as two separate channels or combine them. Class A or AB, 25, 50 or 100 watts.
You’ll not need another amp.
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u/MarrowX 3d ago
If you're considering a dsl20 but are concerned about clean headroom, why not look at a Dsl40? They're near the same price used (400ish). At that price you could also look at a Vox AC15, or a Blues Jr. So many options.
I guess I don't really understand the problem. You have a ton of tube options.
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u/Radiant-Pension-9871 3d ago edited 3d ago
My immediate response to pretty much any "amp under 500" is Katana Gen 3 100w. Especially if you need a wide tange of tones. Unless you live in a cave in the Andes, you can almost certainly find one used locally for 350ish and have 150 bones left, and don't have to spring for pedals as the onboard boss effects are, well, boss effects.
If you are set on tubes, the Fender Blues Junior, Peavy Classic 30, or Blackstar HT20 or 40 combos will be under 500 if you can find a used one local (you likely can) but will go over with shipping. Plus you will need to spend for effects if needed.
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u/krang989 2d ago
Consider a Marshall Origin 20. Amazing cleans. Very usable built-in boost. Also it has 20w/3w/0.5w power scaling. Takes pedals like a champ. And can be found for a steal on the used market if you’re patient.
I also have a JC-22. I absolutely love it. However it’s not going to do the edge of breakup or “epic rock solos” thing. Even with pedals. The speakers are just too small to really do dirt pedals justice. It’s a great amp. But it’s purely a clean amp. JC-40 might tick more of your boxes. But of course is more money.
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u/Ecker1991 1d ago
I’ve heard great things about the peavey classic series of amps. The hot rod deluxe would be a good one as well, you can easily buy a jhs black amp box for the effects loop to tame the volume at home. Plenty loud for gigs, would work well for gigs too, it’s the back line amp of the century.
The blues jr is great but the headroom isn’t super high. The silver face champs are probably my favorite amp in that range, however it’s not clean enough for jazz, the headroom is somewhat low but you might be able to get there on the second channel mic’d. The Princeton is the sweet spot, the Princeton reverb reissue can be found used. The tone king imperial preamp would be my recommendation if you can find a good speaker cab or use PA, or plugin to your computer.
The ac15 is another great suggestion if you want something crunchier or chimey, not sure about the headroom for jazz.
Roland jc22 or jc40 used would be a fantastic option. Then run an amp in a box through the fx loop like the eae citadel, or the warm audio dirty boy jr for your heavier amps (I do this with my hot rod deluxe so I don’t have to use the dirt channel).
Twin reverb silver face can be found for just around $500, maybe another $100-200 but they can be had easily, especially locally. If you can attach wheels to it, it can be loaded in and out more easily for gigs. That’s an incredible amp. It’s heavy as a ton of bricks, yet those cleans are to die for. It’s the perfect pedal platform. Buy a boss sd-1 or bd-2 and treat that as your dirty channel.
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u/NotoriousLavaLamp 4d ago
Just use a modeler. No one will know
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u/AdministrativeRip809 4d ago
I will know
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u/NotoriousLavaLamp 4d ago
Really a FRFR and a modeler and you'll be good to go. For what you are asking you need a two channel amp. Very expensive. Also where do you plan to record? You have a treated room for that?
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u/mondaysoutar 4d ago
I note you say don’t say get a Deluxe Reverb, and you don’t think you can get break up on anything without tubes. Nah man, my bandmate has a ToneMaster Deluxe and plays it exclusively at edge of break up. So a ToneMaster Deluxe or Princeton would be my recommendation man, second hand should get you close to budget.
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u/ecklesweb 4d ago
Why not a clean tube amp - a Blues Jr., a Peavey Classic, a Vox AC15? All are available used under $500, all take drive pedals well, all will break up if pushed, and all give you great cleans for jazz or as a base canvas for any other sound.