Dream Amp - Which one and Why?

Rodrigues

Rodrigues

May 20, 2016
193
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Hamburg
#1
If you had as much money as I do, which amp would you buy?
I'm kidding.
If money was no object what would be your dream amp?
I've had so many amps in the past, but now I want one that stays.
Lately I've been looking at some boutique amps like LF Volta or TWS Bassboy, Monster Pineland.
I hope to get some input and new ideas from you guys.
If I look at the TWS Bassboy, it can probably be repaired for a lifetime - wired point to point.
Also happy to suggest cabs.
What is available on the market? What do you think is really good and why?
I look forward to your suggestions, pictures and links.
 
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#3
Rodrigues said:
If you had as much money as I do, which amp would you buy?
I'm kidding.
If money was no object what would be your dream amp?
I've had so many amps in the past, but now I want one that stays.
Lately I've been looking at some boutique amps like LF Volta or TWS Bassboy, Monster Pineland.
I hope to get some input and new ideas from you guys.
If I look at the TWS Bassboy, it can probably be repaired for a lifetime - wired point to point.
Also happy to suggest cabs.
What is available on the market? What do you think is really good and why?
I look forward to your suggestions, pictures and links.
Click to expand...
If money was not an issue…

Being French, I would look for European brands (I see you live in Hamburg…)

I would get JF Volta, because I own and love Sisma & the Capo preamp, Jad Freer makes great products.

I would also look at the Rheingold B100 (German company)

1732184346621.png

And Pure Tone Amps Offset XL (100W, 7.1 kg) or Nautilus (120W, 8,9 kg) from Greece

I've got their smaller Mini Tone and it's great. Each of their amp as a custom finish (colors and so on)

1732185061247.png


For me Barefaced makes the best cabs (at least of all the cabs I have ever tried) - I would get the Super Twin with a custom finish, but they have many other great cabs depending on your taste and needs.

I would also want to try Jad Freer cabs, slightly heavy weight for my taste, but I bet they sound great, and the modularity of their product line is super smart. Well in fact I would also want to try the Rheingold cabs in case I buy a Rheingold amp.

If money was not an issue for me, I would take a 2 weeks vacation and visit European boutique manufacturers to test their products.
 
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#4
For that solid state slam, probably a Warwick Hellborg preamp/power amp set up. I had the power amp a few years ago and it was sublime.

For tube-related goodness, probably the new Jad Freer all tube amp looks pretty nice.

For recording, B15. End.

I would say though that we’re in a good place these days and even relatively inexpensive amps are really great.
 
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#8
4StringDave said:
To be honest, I'm happy with my Markbass
Click to expand...
Markbass is subberb. I know
gtirard said:
If money was not an issue…

Being French, I would look for European brands (I see you live in Hamburg…)

I would get JF Volta, because I own and love Sisma & the Capo preamp, Jad Freer makes great products.

I would also look at the Rheingold B100 (German company)

View attachment 7082396

And Pure Tone Amps Offset XL (100W, 7.1 kg) or Nautilus (120W, 8,9 kg) from Greece

I've got their smaller Mini Tone and it's great. Each of their amp as a custom finish (colors and so on)

View attachment 7082398


For me Barefaced makes the best cabs (at least of all the cabs I have ever tried) - I would get the Super Twin with a custom finish, but they have many other great cabs depending on your taste and needs.

I would also want to try Jad Freer cabs, slightly heavy weight for my taste, but I bet they sound great, and the modularity of their product line is super smart. Well in fact I would also want to try the Rheingold cabs in case I buy a Rheingold amp.

If money was not an issue for me, I would take a 2 weeks vacation and visit European boutique manufacturers to test their products.
Click to expand...
I am not sure about Rheingold. Maybe because it is a little bit to germand ;-) Technical everything fine but not so cool as american stuff

Pure Ton looks interesting
 
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#9
Jazzjames said:
For that solid state slam, probably a Warwick Hellborg preamp/power amp set up. I had the power amp a few years ago and it was sublime.

For tube-related goodness, probably the new Jad Freer all tube amp looks pretty nice.

For recording, B15. End.

I would say though that we’re in a good place these days and even relatively inexpensive amps are really great.
Click to expand...
B 15 would be nice, but vintage Amps take a lot of care and money to keep them in a good shape
 
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#13
Rodrigues said:
Pure Ton looks interesting
Click to expand...
I agree that modern amps are great, no one has to spend a lot to great a great amp.

But it can be a great satisfaction to buy a boutique amp if one can afford it.

I bought my Pure Tone Amp "Mini Tone" after receiving unexpected money from an insurance company (as a compensation for an accident). I know it's expensive, but I was happy to get a hand made amplifier, made with love.

Michalis @ Pure Tone Amps is a wonderful person to deal with. His amps sound great, they are very lightweight, and they are very versatile - lots of different usable tones, with the "pure" and the "EQ" mode, and still intuitive to use.
 
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#19
Rodrigues said:
B 15 would be nice, but vintage Amps take a lot of care and money to keep them in a good shape
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. I bought a 1966 Ampeg SB-12 in 1997 and have used it since for home practice, recording, live on-air radio performances, and for a few years as a primary stage guitar amp.

$250 purchase price
$80 retube (once)
$100 repair (once)

The amp has cost me less than $20 a year and sounds ideal (to me) for low volume use.

How cheap is that for the (hypothetical) guy with unlimited cash?
 
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