What's your favorite amp model?

Jim Dimenno

Member
I've had my Axe-FX2+ for a couple of months now and still enjoying the honeymoon! I run it stereo through a Crown power amp into a pair of FR speakers. I still end up giggling at the tones I'm hearing! I am using an MFC-101 board with a pair of Mission expression pedals and find it is all I need. Still reading the manuals and slowly learning more. Presently working on making modifiers and using scenes. I have also auditioned many of the amp models but find I have a favorite in the JCM 800 model. I have not toyed with any of its stock settings as It suits me fine as it is. It cleans up very nicely backing off the guitar volume and does not sound thin at all with less gain. Nice and punchy. I don't even use compression as I find it seems to compress subtly on its own.

Just wondering what some users favorite amps are and why.

Thanks
 
Recto 2 Red Modern. It's what I use 95% of the time. Super aggressive, scooped in just the right frequencies and can be tightened up with pre-EQ and/or a TS808 in front of it. Not much of a reason to use anything else unless I want cleans, then i'll use the TX Star or USA Clean amps.
 
Mark IV, Red Recto 1, 5153 red and blue, 6106 block letter, IIC++, Brown #34, SLO 100 (often overlooked but super great) and I also like the slo 88 for cleans. The Mesa clean models are also good too along with the shiver clean.
 
Must admit I love the JCM800 too - just such an awesome tone. For cleans I love the Carr Rambler - had never heard of these amps before but I'm sold on this one.
 
AC15 for me, it has a MASSIVE growl with my Les Paul. And it cleans up beautifully when I roll my guitar's volume back so I hardly use a Drive block anymore.
 
I don't think I have a favourite, there are so many good amp models which are good matches for different guitars and styles.

The Fender Concert is my preset 0. This is a good, generic all-round amp model for a huge range of classic rock and blues. If I was going to a jam session with a garage band, this would be all I would need. Stick a RAT drive in front of it if you need a little bit more raw distortion.

The Tweed Deluxe is absolutely killer with my 6120 and Casino. It also doesn't fizz out so much with Strat style single coils.

Several of the boutique AC-30 style amps are totally killer. The Trainwreck for rhythm stuff and the Ruby Rocket for lead are awesome.
 
I don't think I have a favourite, there are so many good amp models which are good matches for different guitars and styles.

The Fender Concert is my preset 0. This is a good, generic all-round amp model for a huge range of classic rock and blues. If I was going to a jam session with a garage band, this would be all I would need.

The Tweed Deluxe is absolutely killer with my 6120 and Casino. It also doesn't fizz out so much with Strat style single coils.

Several of the boutique AC-30 style amps are totally killer. The Trainwreck for rhythm stuff and the Ruby Rocket for lead are awesome.
what he said............!
 
I don't think I have a favourite, there are so many good amp models which are good matches for different guitars and styles.

The Fender Concert is my preset 0. This is a good, generic all-round amp model for a huge range of classic rock and blues. If I was going to a jam session with a garage band, this would be all I would need. Stick a RAT drive in front of it if you need a little bit more raw distortion.

The Tweed Deluxe is absolutely killer with my 6120 and Casino. It also doesn't fizz out so much with Strat style single coils.

Several of the boutique AC-30 style amps are totally killer. The Trainwreck for rhythm stuff and the Ruby Rocket for lead are awesome.
I have never had so many great sounds in ONE unit. I guess I find myself still thinking of my rig in limited terms! It boggles my mind! (I'll get over it though!)
 
So much good stuff. “Favorite” depends what you’re in the mood for:

I still default to Brit 800, bright switch off, with cab 42. It’s the HiWatt cab, and it’s one of those combinations that I’d never have thought of doing before this unit.

FAS Modern II into cab 166, Rumble. Love the Rumble cabs. I keep the gain crazy low (at 2, and Input Trim at .7) and it’s got a crunch that cuts through

With the most recent update, I am loving the Friedman 2018 with cab 60. I keep the gain around 3-5 and it’s big and heavy.

As is said a lot around here, the IR is a major part of the sound. When people say they like such and such an amp, I always want to know the IR they use with it.
 
So much good stuff. “Favorite” depends what you’re in the mood for:

I still default to Brit 800, bright switch off, with cab 42. It’s the HiWatt cab, and it’s one of those combinations that I’d never have thought of doing before this unit.

FAS Modern II into cab 166, Rumble. Love the Rumble cabs. I keep the gain crazy low (at 2, and Input Trim at .7) and it’s got a crunch that cuts through

With the most recent update, I am loving the Friedman 2018 with cab 60. I keep the gain around 3-5 and it’s big and heavy.

As is said a lot around here, the IR is a major part of the sound. When people say they like such and such an amp, I always want to know the IR they use with it.

In that context, I find the Fender Concert is super versatile because is sounds great with a 4x10 IR and with a 2x12 IR. The 4x10 IR's tend to give it a more authentic vintage sound, while the 2x12 is fuller and a little bit more utilitarian. But neither one sounds "wrong".
 
tons love high gains and making every high gain amp sound good, dont sleep on cae, carvin legacy, slo, jvm, ENGL ENGL ENGL, herbie's
 
For heavier tones I've been in love with the 5153 Blue 50w. Cleans I tend to stick with the Shiver clean but Hook amps have been finding their way into some of my presets. Friedman HBE is great for dirty tones
 
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