Artcores, Jazz and Amps...

[Cohiba]

My dear Aficionados of Fine Guitars,

this time this newbie is after your experience concerning amps, especially together with Artcore-Guitars. I've seen there are some threads already concerning amps, but I didn't find exactly what I'm looking for, so I'll try to be as precise as possible! Ah, and as I'm living in the Heart of Europe, all those surely outreagous Australian boutique amps I've read about are no real option, which I'm sure is a pity...

As with the choice of my favourite guitar you might easily guess I'm not into hyperdrive metalsound, but looking for a warm, clean, yet sometimes just a little crunchy sound. On my small modeling amp - Vox Valvetronix AD15, nice little amp btw - I switch between Boutique, Blackface and AC30 sounds.

My most astonishing experience was when I recentlich had the chance to test the new Marshall JVM205 Head, which delivered a really superb Jazz tone, which I really would found amazing - but I'm just not sure if it's just not too big for me, as well as the complete overdrive channel I just will not need - so I pay for something I will not use! Also I must admit that I can't become a friend of imaging the looks of a rude marshall in my fine little home. Also the Fenders I've tested have the clean sound I'm looking for, but if it comes to crunch sounds, it's not surprising it doesn't really deliver! But there I didn't tested so much...

What I've heard - but never played - is the Hughes&Kettner Statesman series, does anyone have some experiences with it? The descrition sounded quite interesting. Also, my favourite 2nd Hand Dealer has a almost new Peavey Delta Blues, which I couldn't try right now at about 500,- €, this surely  can be negotiated. Anyone tried one of these?

So, what are your experiences; which amp makes an Artcore Custom sound good, concerning  all-tube clean jazz sounds to vintage, natural and dynamic crunch?

All Yours,

G.

[Juha T]

I guess Roland Cubes are worth testing. I have heard/read that Cubes' JC Clean sounds like Roland Jazz Chorus (JC120 and others) and I am happy with my Cube30X, never played with a real JC, which would be ideal option. Cube's Tweed modeling may be something like "just a little crunchy sound"?

My Fender Blues Junior has nice clean sound and now that I have a place where I can turn volume up I am experimenting overdriving it. It is pretty loud with its (only) 15 W.

That is both amps with my AS103 and FG100 

Juha

[Cohiba]

Yesterday I had the chance to test a few amps together with my AF105, so I'm a little wiser now. Tested amps have been a Marshall JVM205 Head/Box, a Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight, a Peavey whatever and the Predecessor of the Roland Cube.

We concentrated on the Marshall and the Fender, the Roland we just played on very shortly as I already do have a modeling Amp (though I think that the Roland sounds better especially with clean sounds than my Valvetronix), and the Peavey - we'll, let's say it's not quite in the same class as the Marshall and Fender.

Let's start with the perfect allrounder; the Marshall JVM is a very good amp for any occasion in a very high sound quality, a warm and lively clean sound and of course anything from just the slightest crunch to the sound of landing spaceships is possible. If you have a JVM the odds are you will never need another amp. 

But what a surprise the Jazzmaster was - I just can't remember when I heard the last time a jazz guitar sounding so good. It really proofed the quality of the AF105 and esprecially with the warm sound of the neck PU it produces a full and transparent jazz sound. Honestly I must admit that this would be the perfect amp for pure and clear jazz sounds! I think I have to revise my opinion about solid state sounds.

If I would only play "classic" Jazz, there would be no doubt which amp to choose! But although it's surprisingly good, the overdrive did not really impress me! I will test therefore the Hughes&Kettner as well as a AC30 in the following weeks.

Well, we'll see...

[wakuhn1]

Hi there.
I just picked up a Roland Cube 60. Very nice amp, I am very happy! Great clean sounds with all my guitars, archtops and solid bodies. The modeling isn't bad either. You can get close to a nice tube overdrive, which is what I prefer. I bought this to have a smaller amp to take on smaller gigs...

I also have the Roland JC120. Bought it in 1986, and never have had one issue with it. My problem with that amp now is that it is sooooo heavy! I love this amp, and it would be hard to part with, but I am seriously considering gettinig another Cube 60, and run them in stereo. This amp has been a part of my playing so long, I just can't part with it just yet... 

Just thought I would chime in, sorry it's a little late!
Bill

[Roland_G303]

Bill,

If you ever consider letting the JC 120 go, just let me know...I might be interested.

Patrick

[wakuhn1]

I'm debating... we will see.  Are you back in Erie now?
Bill

[Roland_G303]

Hi Bill,

I'm in Bethlehem, PA right now (about 10 miles south of Martin Guitars ).  I'm hoping to do a tour as they give those there. 

I'll be back in Erie in September.  Looking forward to it .  You can PM me if you want if you decide to sell it, no hurry as I won't be home for a little while.

Patrick

[Pierrot]

So, what are your experiences; which amp makes an Artcore Custom sound good, concerning  all-tube clean jazz sounds to vintage, natural and dynamic crunch?

As far as a GB15 is an Artcore...(I do think it is)
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/hollow-and-semi-hollow-body-guitars/funny-(i-hope)-lick-with-my-gb15/

Good luck!

[jazzzbo]

I always thought the Rolands sounded a little harsh, and they weigh a ton, my amp of preference rite now is an EVANS, 200 watter, model fet 500 custom lv, they have a lovely clean sound and pack some serious power from a 1x12. the newer ones are kinda on the pricey side,  this amp even makes my strat sound awesome, check it out, jazzzzzz ps i also have an ibanez ag75, great , very great for a cheap jazzbox, but i may take the next plunge for better pickups, tuners, etc  artcore united?? jazzzz

[michaelkaufman]

I have a JC120 I'm willing to part with, however, I won't ship it (it's heavy).  I'm just north of NYC.

mk

[aliensporebomb]

The trick to make a JC sound warm is to get the older design.

Also the right EQ curve. 

Here's a pic of mine:



I have the treble on both channels up one third, then the midrange and bass full up.

[Chazzy]

I have an 87 JC120 and love it too. It sounds warmer than the newer models but I feel that it also sounded better when I played my Ibanez AS200 semi-hollow through it; I don't know why I sold it  But now that I bought an FA300NT (L5CES style archtop) I'm looking for a fuller warmer tone. Check out these video's I found on the new Jazzkat Tomkat. It's a small solidstate with an integrated tube drive. I originally posted these videos on another thread I started.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mb6A_4WSiko&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Mb6A_4WSiko&rel=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fw1cGq4z3fY&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Fw1cGq4z3fY&rel=1</a>

[Chazzy]

This is a two speaker model Jazzkat.