So...It's settled...And I'm DONE...

[BrianFantana]

I've had tons of different amps...Different brands, different models.
I've finally settled on the amp I'm sticking with...FOR GOOD.

I picked it up yesterday, and couldn't be more pleased.

Orange AD-30 Twin Channel head +
PPC 2x12" cab.

Here's a short history of my amps since I started playing in 1995:

1995
Blackface Fender Deluxe Reverb (I think it was a 1966) I didn't know what it was, and GAVE it to a friend because it shocked me...Sheesh.
Fender 15 watt

1996
Fender Frontman 25
Some other Fender Solid State combo

1997
Late '70s Peavey (tube) combo amp (my buddy's cat peed all over it--I have no idea how I sold it.)

1998
Fender Ultimate Chorus

1999
Peavey Transtube 100 head with Crate 4x12 (my first halfstack)
Marshall MG series head (first generation) with MG 4x12" cab

2001
Marshall Valvestate head

2003
Marshall JCM 2000 50 watt head + Marshall JCM 900 1960a cab
Marshall JCM 900 Dual Reverb 4100

2005
Orange AD-30 Single Channel head and PPC 2x12"

2008
Marshall JCM 2000 head with JCM 800 cabinet
Vox AC-30 Custom Classic 2x12"

2009
Fender Bassman 4x12" (Laquered tweed - model with rectifier)
Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 60 watt combo (BIG mistake)
Orange AD-30 TC 2x12" combo

2010
Vox AC-15C1 (two of them crapped out and had problems)
Orange Rocker 30 combo
Orange Dual Terror head and PPC 1x12"

and finally...

Orange AD-30 TC with PPC 212.
If I could pick one amp that suited my sound and style--this is the one.

I hate to gush, but this is the best amp model I've ever played, as well as the most quality amp I've ever owned... It just took me a bit to realize it.

[GuitaristZ0S0]

That's more amps than castro has cigars!

[a.hun]

You are on your 3rd AD30 then???

Well you should know how it works at least...


Andy.

[Dopp238]

Excellent choice!!

[GuitaristZ0S0]

Yes congrats on your long search for tone heaven.

[Bensen]

agree on the ad30

[Orphin]

Seems to me you've gone through a great bunch of cr@ppy amps there. Not all of them of course, but you haven't put that AD30 up for cometition against a REAL Vox or a REAL Marshall yet, at least in my book. No offence.

Don't you think it might be a little bit early to say you're settled?
You've made this last change this very year. What makes you think you won't sell your AD30 a third time?
I would have given it at least a year or two before admiting that I've finally have settled..

[BrianFantana]

Seems to me you've gone through a great bunch of cr@ppy amps there. Not all of them of course, but you haven't put that AD30 up for cometition against a REAL Vox or a REAL Marshall yet, at least in my book. No offence.

Don't you think it might be a little bit early to say you're settled?
You've made this last change this very year. What makes you think you won't sell your AD30 a third time?
I would have given it at least a year or two before admiting that I've finally have settled..

Since you're "talking out of your ass", I'll let it slide...

I've also had a British AC-15 and a British AC-30. Are those "real" Vox amps in your book?
The AC-15 compressed too much (too fast) for my tastes, and the AC-30 was just alright.

I'm sick of thinking I can find something else that will suit my style when the truth is, I've known it since 2005 when I heard an AD-30 for the first time.

I've also realized that it's stupid to focus more on the type of gear you play (and talking about it) than actually playing guitar itself.

[Van Cleef]

he's right about your lack of good marshalls though

JCM 900s and 2000s are hardly their 'flagship' models LOL

i keep hoping to have some kind of renaissance with my r30... but time keeps passing - though i am still reluctant to sell it

decisions decisions

[Orphin]

I've also had a British AC-15 and a British AC-30. Are those "real" Vox amps in your book?

I'm not a Vox expert by any means but the Custom Classics are the least best sounding AC30's I've heard..

[Nork]

i don't know why y'all can't just let it slide that he's really happy with the orange, instead of arguing about his past amp choices.

maybe he likes oranges better than "real" vox's or marshall's?

right on, brian. that's gotta be a good feeling. i know when i decided to be happy with what i had, a bit of weight lifted off my shoulders. not to say i haven't gone looking (read the traynor thread), but everytime i come back to that little white lunchbox and sigh lovingly. and it's not a "real" amp by anyone definition!

[Neiloler]

i don't know why y'all can't just let it slide that he's really happy with the orange, instead of arguing about his past amp choices.

maybe he likes oranges better than "real" vox's or marshall's?

right on, brian. that's gotta be a good feeling. i know when i decided to be happy with what i had, a bit of weight lifted off my shoulders. not to say i haven't gone looking (read the traynor thread), but everytime i come back to that little white lunchbox and sigh lovingly. and it's not a "real" amp by anyone definition!

Right! If Brian's found his thing in a radio shack practice amp, what does it matter to anyon else? His tone isn't yours , or mine, or anyone elses, and that's totally cool.

[irish_admiral]

AD30 is a great amp... not that i'm biased...

[a.hun]

AD30 is a great amp... not that i'm biased...

You sir are most definitely Cathode biased...

I've also had a British AC-15 and a British AC-30. Are those "real" Vox amps in your book?

I'm not a Vox expert by any means but the Custom Classics are the least best sounding AC30's I've heard..

Many seem to find the CCs acceptably close to old Vox amps tonally. I read of them being gigged by owners of old Vox amps to save risking the more valuable amp. General concensus is they actually sound more authentic than most 'reissues' over the years in fact, despite being made in er... China.
Agree about the Marshalls though. I've relatively little good things to say about the post JCM800 Marshalls, either sound or quality wise.

Brian, I'm glad that despite a few twists along the way you are now back to and genuinely happy with the AD30. I wish you many happy gigs and sessions together!


Andy.

[Orphin]

i don't know why y'all can't just let it slide that he's really happy with the orange, instead of arguing about his past amp choices.

maybe he likes oranges better than "real" vox's or marshall's?n!

I get your point. I'm just saying that if one thinks that they are satisfied after just recently accuiring this new amp, this person might just be in for a surprise if the amps he have compared to throughout the years have been amps that are commonly known for being the makers least favorable amps of the general crowd of guitar players.
If posting about it on a forum, isn't the point for us readers to have an opinion?