So....I have greatly appreciated all the advice I've absorbed from the great many Jerry Tone addicts and aficionados on this board. It has really helped me get to where I am very happy with how I sound. But of course, it never ends !
I currently play
1. Troy Post Wolf (OBEL, Waldo Buffer, Middle Splittable DiMarzio SDII)
2. A lot of pedals (most importantly, Earth Drive and Caitlenbread Topanga for Reverb, though I love the on on the SMS too, just like more control).
3. Sarno SMS Classic JG
4. McIntosh MC50
5. At least one, sometimes more JBL k-120s
My dilemma is
1. I am worried that the MC50, which I have never had serviced (I have owned in for about 2 years), will at some point crap out. I also would like to have the right jack(s) and Power switch added. All fine, but what do I use when this thing dies or I am having the mods done ? I play weekly in a band and hope to start gigging again fairly soon. I do not have a decent alternative to this rig, other than a 15W Champ X2 Head that I can use through the JBLs. My other amps are Vox, Marshall clone. The Champ doesn't sound that good with the JBLs for Jerry tone and it lacks the power I think I need.
2. It would be nice to have a more portable combo or at least head/cab for practicing.
For power amp alternatives, I recently bought and tried a Quilter Micro Block. It is very thin sounding and the highs are too harsh, even with tweaking and using the Earth Drive. I used it both with and without the SMS. It is better with, but not by much.
Should I just buy a used Blues Junior (or something else) and drop one of my 3 JBL K-120s into it ? Can I use that as a reasonable substitute ? The nice thing about that is portability and full redundancy with my other rig.
Or should I spring for another MC50 (not that easy to find and have gotten closer to 750+ from my recent searches).
Or do I buy a Quilter 101 Block or something else ? Someone mentioned to me recently that they love the SAE 2200 as a vintage SS power amp alternative to McIntosh's and that they sound amazingly articulate and warm, but I feel this is a $300 risk and there is a good chance I will be re-selling or having to have it repaired even if it works.
I have seen a Carvin DCM200L around once in a while on eBay. That seems from reviews on this sight to be a better option that the Quilter 101. Do you agree ? What about MOS Valves I've heard mentioned ?
I have wavered over and over between all the above or maybe just buying a Mesa Boogie head, but it is honestly a lot of money. I am trying to save for a high-end custom build guitar.
Thanks for any and all ideas on this timeless dilemma.
I currently play
1. Troy Post Wolf (OBEL, Waldo Buffer, Middle Splittable DiMarzio SDII)
2. A lot of pedals (most importantly, Earth Drive and Caitlenbread Topanga for Reverb, though I love the on on the SMS too, just like more control).
3. Sarno SMS Classic JG
4. McIntosh MC50
5. At least one, sometimes more JBL k-120s
My dilemma is
1. I am worried that the MC50, which I have never had serviced (I have owned in for about 2 years), will at some point crap out. I also would like to have the right jack(s) and Power switch added. All fine, but what do I use when this thing dies or I am having the mods done ? I play weekly in a band and hope to start gigging again fairly soon. I do not have a decent alternative to this rig, other than a 15W Champ X2 Head that I can use through the JBLs. My other amps are Vox, Marshall clone. The Champ doesn't sound that good with the JBLs for Jerry tone and it lacks the power I think I need.
2. It would be nice to have a more portable combo or at least head/cab for practicing.
For power amp alternatives, I recently bought and tried a Quilter Micro Block. It is very thin sounding and the highs are too harsh, even with tweaking and using the Earth Drive. I used it both with and without the SMS. It is better with, but not by much.
Should I just buy a used Blues Junior (or something else) and drop one of my 3 JBL K-120s into it ? Can I use that as a reasonable substitute ? The nice thing about that is portability and full redundancy with my other rig.
Or should I spring for another MC50 (not that easy to find and have gotten closer to 750+ from my recent searches).
Or do I buy a Quilter 101 Block or something else ? Someone mentioned to me recently that they love the SAE 2200 as a vintage SS power amp alternative to McIntosh's and that they sound amazingly articulate and warm, but I feel this is a $300 risk and there is a good chance I will be re-selling or having to have it repaired even if it works.
I have seen a Carvin DCM200L around once in a while on eBay. That seems from reviews on this sight to be a better option that the Quilter 101. Do you agree ? What about MOS Valves I've heard mentioned ?
I have wavered over and over between all the above or maybe just buying a Mesa Boogie head, but it is honestly a lot of money. I am trying to save for a high-end custom build guitar.
Thanks for any and all ideas on this timeless dilemma.
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Troy Post Wolf & Tiger>SMS CTP JG>McIntosh MC50>JBK K-120s
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Troy Post Wolf & Tiger>SMS CTP JG>McIntosh MC50>JBK K-120s