Two Guitars, Two Amps

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-09-2011, 04:17 PM

If weight is a concern...

I would suggest a frenzel head. The sweet little 15 is a solid amp, and while it requires a seperate cab, it would get you a voxy tone and lightweight. I would either leave it bare chassis or vintage cage to keep weight down.

Now, if weight is a real problem the fender musicmaster bass is the lightest weight tube amp you are going to find. I have guitars far heavier than that combo.

daddyo · 09-11-2011, 12:18 AM

It wasn't the weight so much but the difference in weight between the two. The Vox weighs about two and a half times as much as the PJ. That could be a deal breaker. A Blues Jr is another great sounding amp(different than the Pro Jr) that weighs in at 31 LBS. I am 56 and lugging that much weight just isn't something I want to do. It has been refferenced that more weight means better tone but, I seriously doubt it.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-11-2011, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddyo

It wasn't the weight so much but the difference in weight between the two. The Vox weighs about two and a half times as much as the PJ. That could be a deal breaker. A Blues Jr is another great sounding amp(different than the Pro Jr) that weighs in at 31 LBS. I am 56 and lugging that much weight just isn't something I want to do. It has been refferenced that more weight means better tone but, I seriously doubt it.

That more weight equals more tone is silly. Good iron on a large amp weighs a lot. But you are not talking 100 watt amps. I have the HBX WC30 which is its big brother. It is not too heavy. Mine has the head cab which probably weighs as much as the amp.

I was basically pointing you to a lightweight amp.

I am 30 and weight matters to me. It didn't always.

That one Fender combo I mentioned weighs about 10 pounds with a 12 inch speaker and it is all tube. That is impressive. I assume the cabinet is sort of flimsy based on just how light it is.

daddyo · 09-11-2011, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

That more weight equals more tone is silly. Good iron on a large amp weighs a lot. But you are not talking 100 watt amps. I have the HBX WC30 which is its big brother. It is not too heavy. That one Fender combo I mentioned weighs about 10 pounds with a 12 inch speaker and it is all tube. That is impressive. I assume the cabinet is sort of flimsy based on just how light it is.

I'm not familiar with the Fender but, looking at the Frenzel has impressed me. The DC preamp is something cool, EL84 are my personal favorites, the price isn't rediculious and, it's light. It isn'
t very pretty but hay, it's an amp. I sure would like to test drive one.

telecasting · 09-11-2011, 02:25 AM

How about different wood for the cabinet, bigger and more heavy duty transformers/drivers and a bigger control section?

Anyway, sounds like Frenzel is a winning choice.

daddyo · 09-11-2011, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telecasting

How about different wood for the cabinet, bigger and more heavy duty transformers/drivers and a bigger control section?.

We are talking about 15 watt combos. Not that I believe it makes a difference but, high end pianos use spruce for sound boards. Solid spruce weighs less than HPL or particle board. Bigger transformers and drivers don't mean better tone espeacially for 15 watt amps. To me excess weight means poor design.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-11-2011, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telecasting

How about different wood for the cabinet, bigger and more heavy duty transformers/drivers and a bigger control section?

Anyway, sounds like Frenzel is a winning choice.

Telecasting, I think weight is a function of what things are made of.

A nice pine cab, and a lightweight speaker (really nice one), and a sufficient transformer don't have to weigh much.

I could shove an EVm12l in a small low watt amp and instantly, boom, that sucker would weigh a ton. Would it sound better? Maybe not. I have also heard amps with big iron that sounded congested. Weight is IMO a side effect. It can be that some good tone components weigh something, but... there are limits. a 15 watt amp does not have to have a huge transformer to sound great.

daddyo · 09-11-2011, 05:15 AM

I would like to add that I think the sound of a Vox AC15 and AC30 is awesome. A lot of pro's use them. I have to be causious when buying an amp because I have limited funds so weight, reliability and, price all figure in to my descision.

telecasting · 09-11-2011, 03:55 PM

Righto, I stand corrected.

I would therefore say, definitely look into a Frenzel as the extra weight of the ac15 might just put you off. I'm considering getting a trolley...