Solid-State Combo Guitar Amps

In 2007 I bought mine new/old stock (in UK) as my then also new Fender Bassman had to go back under warranty, In the cross-over between having them side by side, the Pig gave more of what I had hoped to get from the Bassman! Consequently I moved on the Bassman and kept the Pig. Don't turn your nose up at a PIGNOSE! They are basically the Bassman spec that became the Marshall JTM Mk1 as has the Bsssman circuit but with a MASTER VOLUME! I Can get some great roaring tones from mine and are rated at 40W from 2x6L6 3x12AX7. Output into a 4x12 and is a massive sound. I have followed the Premier Guitar Ask Amp Man upgrade on my G40V.. https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Dusting_Off_a_Pignose_G40V https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Pignose_G40V_Amp_Mods The amp is ultra portable for a loud tube amp and makes an excellent backup - or even better - part of a stereo setup with a Tweed Deluxe! www.boss-pedals.jimdo.com

I needed a backup amp and thought about a basic solid-state amp that wasn't heavy and fitted in my car's trunk. I went for this 1996 solid-state Fender Princeton 112+, made in USA, rated at 65 watts, with a 12" speaker, and weighing 31 lbs, which has perfect looks for its age. In terms of controls, it features two channels with separate EQ, reverb (not amazing, but correct), FX loop, and headphones output on the front panel. Nothing other than the usual. UTILIZATION The clean channel comes originally with a reverse log pot for the volume, so the volume increases quite a bit from 0 to 1. Hyper-clean, well-defined sound, pleasant without the need to spend much time with it. I expected worse from the drive channel because I had already tried other solid-state Fenders (FM65, RocPro 100, for example), and it was obvious to me that it isn't the brand's main strength. Well, it's progressive and useful thanks to the contour control. SOUNDS I have a Strat and play '50s Rock 'n' Roll. My amp is a 12-watt, class A Fender Champ 12 with a 6L6GC, mounted with the Torrès kit and I'm really satisfied with it. The Princeton 112+ comes very close in terms of clean sound, with colder dynamics, obviously, but perfectly usable for my music style: The sound is typical Fender, meaning crystalline and well-defined. I use the drive channel as a clean boost with the gain set to minimum, and I have added a Joyo F14 American for the crunch. The amp works perfectly with pedals. OVERALL OPINION I bought it two months ago and it was an excellent surprise: A typical Fender with two channels, light and powerful. I changed the volume pot of the clean channel with a log pot and the amp has become even better. It's a real delight to plug in my Strat live with the amp's reverb. It's evident that it's far from the dynamics a tube amps has, but the sound isn't sterile at all, like with some other amps in the same category. I would definitely buy it again given its value for money.

This is a solid-state Fender amplifier. It's supposed to replicate the tube version of this amp, the Hot Rod Deluxe. This amp has two inputs (one of which is high-impedance and the other low). It also boasts two drives, one of which is Normal and the other Drive. The normal drive boasts a volume knob as well as three-band EQ, while the drive channel boasts a Gain and Contour knob as well as a two-band EQ and volume knob of its own. Rounding out the front panel are four 1/4" connections (foot switch, preamp out, power amp in, and headphone out). UTILIZATION This amp is actually pretty easy to use overall. The manual explains all the features of this amplifier beautifully, including the extra stuff like the impedance differences and how to do the preamp out, etc. Even if you just want to plug in and play, the amp is a breeze to use. You may need to fiddle with the controls for a minute to get the sound you want, but that is pretty much the case with all solid-state amps. SOUNDS For a solid state amp, this one is really good. It's one of the better Fender solid-states that I've seen. The best thing about this amp is its extremely low noise output. It's one of the least noisy amps I've used. The drawback is that it has a really thin sound when used clean. However, the clean channel can be used to run pedals and is actually a great choice if you have some noisy ones. This makes it a great choice for death and black metal, as the pedals can be run through these clean channels to get virtually noiseless heavy tones. The drive channel itself is also not bad for metal, though it'd work better for more classic-sounding metal or even hair metal. OVERALL OPINION While this isn't my favorite amp by any means, and there are a few things I really don't like about it, I'd say that it's a pretty good one by solid-state standards. It's a little expensive, but not too bad when you consider the price of a Roland Jazz Chorus or any heavyweight tube amp. Mostly, I think it's good for guys who need a loud, decent, no-noise amplifier. If you are that type of person you owe it to yourself to at least try running your distortion pedals through one of these amps.

No need to add anything here. UTILIZATION Very easy to use, intuitive. You get what you want quickly. No need for a manual. Amp for rehearsals and small venues. It doesn't have too much power. SOUNDS Superb, beautiful clean sound that respects the instrument, well-balanced tone. Nice chorus, good reverb. What a delight with a Telecaster!!! On the other hand, consider a pedal for overdrives and other distortions because it wasn't conceived for that. OVERALL OPINION An amp turned into a myth for its clean sounds and chorus. SRV used a jazz chorus. It's a reliable amp, like most Roland products.

150 watts. (Not conservative at all, trust me.) Open back 1x12 with stock “blue” Fender speaker . This is a “red knob” model so my understanding is that it’s considered vintage. Two channels – Clean and Overdrive/Distortion with a “boost option”. Clean has Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass and Mid-cut switch. Overdrive/distortion has Gain, Boost, Treble, Mid, Mid-Boost switch, Bass, Contour with “tilt” switch, presence. The amp also has a master volume and reverb. Two inputs, one for channel switching, one for parallel channel mode. The amp also has switches for channel switching, or you can plug into the footswitch jack (which was included) to switch between channel 1 and 2 as well as to select reverb and/or the boost function. Effects loop and speaker out jack on the back panel of the amp as well. UTILIZATION The controls on the front are many, but it's fairly straightforward, especially if you are familiar with Fender amps. The "presence" and "mid-cut" controls are particularly useful. The only drawback is that I don't understand the purpose of the "tilt" control. I usually put the treble on 9 or 10, the mid on 0 and the bass anywhere from 2 to 9, and get great clean sounds, or great distorted sounds with a pedal. The amp is fairly heavy. As with all Fender amps, this is built like a tank. You could probably drop it from a skyscraper and it would keep on ticking. I did have to get the rear input jacks fixed for $20 about 3 days after receiving the amp from Guitar Center. But hey, it was used. SOUNDS This thing is LOUD ! I don’t think 150 watts is an overstatement ! If you go anymore than 1, you’ve got band-mates and sound engineers sneering at you! Also great for out-competing your annoying rhythm guitarist in the volume department! Clean channel is the typical “glassy” Fender clean that many of us have come to love. The treble can be a little harsh, but hey, it’s a solid state! Overdrive channel is OK, but no one usually gets a Fender for the overdrive/distortion. (See my comments under “overall rating.”) I use the “boost” function on the distortion channel via foot-switch as it provides a great volume boost for solos ! OVERALL OPINION This is a great investment for a total outlay of about $190. You can’t go wrong with Fender, in my opinion. I am more concerned with clean sounds than I am with distortion. You can’t buy too many “clean pedals” but distortion pedals abound. So if the clean sound is amazing, as it is on most Fender amps, then all you have to do is put a good distortion pedal through the clean channel, and you’ve got a great clean AND distorted sounding amp !

this amp rules.. it's extremely light to carry.. it sounds fantastic has two channels. one with excellent overdrive / distortion and killer spring reverb it's a fender Princeton.. that doesn't cost the Princeton price.. mine is of the vintage of the red stripe ones... peavey makes fantastic amps what's what else is there to say!? get one now!!! the Rage... I've been told is the same amp except for the spring reverb.. or reverb of any sort. pick one up today because they're cheap as hell and they're off the chain great they're loud they sound fantastic and they have real spring reverb... the value/sound is off the chain it just shows you that this business of you have to spend lots of money to get good tone is complete and utter horseshit . i paid like 40 bucks for it.. great deal

I LOVE THIS AMP! I run my Behringer USB- Mixer into it. I connect it to both channels on the amp. Then with today's sound processors, and plug-ins, I can create the sound I want and get plenty loud enough for practicing or partying. I've hosted Karaoke parties, DJ-ed some small venues, and hopefully, I'll be able to take it on a pontoon boat out to a flotilla this summer. Pros: 1. As long as you have effects to use it's AWESOME! 2. Lightweight 3. Great sound 4. Versital for Practice or Small Venues Cons: 1. This amp doesn't have a ground plug on it Does anyone know when it was made? This link is a video from an FB post that I recorded with my phone. https://www.facebook.com/rwallacerbrt/videos/2193970693980346/?t=59

I use this amp with my pop rock cover band Easy to transport in spite of its weight which is important compared with its size. The sound volume is sufficient to rehearse with a drummer, likely to be unsifficient for live performances but it has an 8-ohm output for an additional cab as well as a preamp out for use with a mixer (I have not tried it). Its clean sound very round and soft, not aggressive at all even with trebles cranked up, and that’s the amp’s main asset. The 12” speaker certainly has a role in it too. Overdriven sound is OK and mostly affects the low and mid-low frequencies, not so much on trebles. I use it as a mid boost essentially on song choruses that need slightly more punch. Putting an OD box in front of it and works very well (I tried it with a BB prem amp or a Box of Rock, you get more punch and harmonics just like with my all-tube ENGL). Spring reverb is efficient with a rather trebly tone (no tone correction is possible for the reverb). Beware, if you move your amp while still on and hit it, the reverb will get heard – which is quite normal, by the way! 3-band EQ is usable all along. Chorus effect is efficient and musical-sounding, but no settings are included – it’s either ON of OFF ! Additional output : reverb + chorus. I guess you can get this out to an external mixer for separate EQ/mixing from the preamp out (haven’t tried it though). Note: with a homemade controller (on off switches), the reverb, chorus and overdrive can be foot-controlled.

A 50W solid state combo, made in the USA between 1970 and 1980. Three ins: bright/normal/mellow. Controls: volume, bass, treble, reverb, effect setting, tremolo/vibrato/echo effect. On/off switch. Spring reverb. 2x12" USA-made Marlboro Sound Works Special Design speakers. A jack and knob at the back. Not sure if it's an in or out, the label mentions 60W. The cab is open-back. Dimensions are 70x45x25 cm (28x18x10"). Looks well in spite of its age: the tolex is in a good condition, the speaker's protection is perfect, nothing is missing and it works perfect. It all smells of vintage quality. Once plugged in, it's a real surprise! It only has a clean channel, but what a clean sound! Really impressive for solid state. All settings at 12:00, it sounds roots, the lows and trebles are here and well balanced with a nive vintage touch. The Bass and Treble settings are efficient ans allow to vary the resulting sounds. The reverb is beautiful. Works well for pop/blues/"light" rock. For overdriven sounds, I use two stompboxes in the front: a, Eagleton Mojito and an MXR GT-OD. It sounds really good, from crunch to a powerful overdrive it remains clear and defined, always accurate with the same round sound you get in clean mode, the speakers seem really great. I almost don't use the effects at all, but they don't seem too bad - better than those on a Vox VT15 at least. I also use a bass with it and it sounds correct. I purchased it from a pawnshop for €60 and I don't regret it. I own several full-tube amps, and even though I remain a tube addict I like this combo very much. Easy to use, good-looking and -sounding. It's the onlt solid state amp that I use.

I bought it 15 days ago, super light when unpacking!!! The first impression is bizarre, but hey, my bassist plays a Mark Bass. Once plugged in it's a whole different animal, the fan is almost silent... No audible noises, you can tell the manufacturing is superb. The reverb is high-quality and precise. The Master control is very progressive and, unlike many amps, it allows you to play at very low and very high volumes, which isn't the case with certain amps that are simply unadjustable. Last weekend during a rehearsal with a drummer, bassist and keyboard player, I never had to turn the pot beyond 10 o'clock!!!! It sounds amazing. But be careful, when very loud it loses some grit, which is normal. All pots are smooth. I haven't had the time to try out the rest of the functions (aux jack, supplementary speaker). I play funk with a pedalboard (xotic compressor and overdrive, mooer echo, boss autowah, small stone phaser, and a hotone tuner). I have never found a comparable amp in terms of versatility/power to play funk. To be honest, it's really good!!! This small amp has allowed me to play most small gigs without lugging too much weight but still having a pure sound, although a bit jazzy. I'm still awaiting a more funky one from the brand, but in the meantime I can do with this one and I'm happy with it.

Solid State Transistor amp designed in Quebec by now Defunct Company Beckemer. 50 watt 1x12 eminence speaker in an MDF cabinet. 2 channels (Clean and Overdrive) Both Channels have full Equalization and a "bright" or "boost". There is also a send/receive for effects and absolutely excellent reverb built into the amp. UTILIZATION This in my opinion is the poor mans Roland JC120. While it's not a twin, the sound (I played them side by side) is indeed as close as can be without swapping out the eminence for a celestion. The reverb is really out of this world. These amps were designed when Quebec had a huge Metal scene thriving and thus the distortion this amp delivers is very 90s, very good and very clean. The amp delivers clean, quality sound that one would expect to pay around 800-1200 for new. Some have complained of "unwanted sounds" from the amp when playing loud, however with extremely clean sounding amplification you have to remember that how you fret your strings, how you pick, how you play will be even clearer as well! It's not a fault in the amp but rather the player. SOUNDS I ran a Charvel DS1-FR through a BOSS-DS1 and two DD3s. This delivered a very atmospheric but hard hitting distorted sound similar to bands like Alexisonfire. The sustain on my leads and the sound of my dive bombs where absolutely fantastic! I also tried out my looper with 2 DD3s and started to play some shoegaze, the clean channel which is often written off by others on this amp delivered absolutely crystal clear and bright sounds that I can only compare to the JC120, what a DEAL. Lastly I played it just straight clean, decided to just play "Cortez the Killer" to see how it handled the backing guitar on a loop and then get to the lead playing in that song and wow, again I was impressed, very impressed. In fact I'm going to try and find 3 more of these and build a stack of them similar to what Bob Mould did in the 80s with Rolands OVERALL OPINION Pros: -Absolutely amazing tone, pretty much the closest amp to a Roland JC120 I've ever played. -If metal is your thing, the distorted channel rivals my DS-1 -The built in Reverb is out of this world. -Handmade in Canada, limited number of these beasts around. Cons: -Pots get dirty super fast -Hard to find -No more support (company is out of business)

Its solid state amp,, 15watts power, 2gain knobs, treble, contour (better than just middle), bas, spring reverb, main out, headphones out, master volume. UTILIZATION You can amazingly get all sort of sounds with this fantastic amp, right from warm crystal clean, to warm blues, rock overdrive and even metal ! It suits my needs very well- I play mostly classic rock, some simple lead guitar, Jimmy Hendrix style, John Frusciante, david Gilmour, Mark Knophler and Eric Clapton... However you turn that knobs sounds amazing. Knobs are very strong, very touch sensitive + good looking, whole amp is actually real beauty ! SOUNDS I use mostly my Fender -Squier Affinity model, which is heavily modified into Fender. What I really like with this amp is that you cannot get bad sound--right from clean to heavily overdrive all sound really good. If you combine 2 gain knobs and specially contour knob--rage of sounds is limitless !! Plus spring reverb sounds really natural ! Sound is really natural--its the pure sound of your guitar --just making it even more beautiful! I dont know how they did it at marshall, but I dont miss tubes at all with this little fellow ! OVERALL OPINION I am very sincere with my reviews always and this is no exception ! I like everything on this amp---it looks cool really handsome + sound cool ! Its my third Marshall. First was 17 years back alos Valvestate but first series model.. 8240 stereo bi chorus--also amazing amp ! I dont know why but this one sounds even better no matter much more simple ! Like I said I love tube amps but dont miss valves in this amp at all--this says all ! For this price such a quality sound is a real gift from the God --I am eternally grateful ! I would certainly buy it again for sure ! I know my review sounds little cheesy, but I am sincere here, rocker for many years and really feel the way I wrote about this amp ! Cannot help myself ! I think in couple of years people will search this amp like crazy ! I hope mine will work for a long time !

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