Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

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Ade
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Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Ade » Sat Jun 16, 2018 12:44 am

I’m toying with the idea of getting another low(ish) wattage combo to complement my AD15. I’d like the option of running it with my AD15 but also looking for something different that at times I might use instead of my Orange. I’m looking for something that will give me some good cleans (cleaner than the AD15) but also have it’s own natural breakup when pushed (like the AD15).

The three amps that have piqued my interest are:
  • Fender Custom 68 Princeton
  • Vox AC15HW1X
  • Supro Black Magick
I realise there’s a bit of difference between these three and consequently, also with my AD15.

In full disclosure, I have a real soft spot for the Vox AC15HW1X (I used to have an AC30TBX that l loved but eventually moved on because it was too loud). I love the Alnico Blues if that classic Vox tone can be had at a reasonable volume.

That sad, I was initially leaning toward a Princeton as a real contrast to my Orange but the new Supros have since really grabbed my attention. The Black Magick (despite all the hype and Jimmy Page marketing mythos) sounds fantastic on some of the online demos.

Finally, I can’t hear any of these in person. Locally I can and will sample a 68 Twin and an AC30HW2X which will I suppose confirm what I already know about these style of amps. The Supro, however, I’m relying solely on online demos and opinions (which I appreciate is never the best approach).

So, has anyone had experience with any of these, either alone or in conjunction with an Orange?

Thanks in advance.

Ade
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SexingtonVonHercules
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by SexingtonVonHercules » Sat Jun 16, 2018 1:48 am

My two main amps are my Orange AD30HTC through a PPC412 and my 65 Deluxe Reverb RI with a Jensen P12Q. Since the Orange is more of a mid heavy amp, the Fender compliments it perfectly with a more scooped feel.
I use my orange for dirty rock, doom, metal, basically anything not clean, and that's where the Fender comes in. I find the DRRI breaks up at the perfect time, although if early breakup is what you're looking for I recommend this or the Princeton.

Ade
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Ade » Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:04 pm

Thanks so much for the reply. You seem to be confirming why I was originally leaning towards a Princeton. I’m glad to hear they work well with an Orange and I’m also attracted by the fact that it’s probably the polar opposite to my AD15 and therefore would be a great different amp to have in its own right.

But I’m still tempted by the other two for reasons that are similar to the reason I got the AD15 all those years ago; the inherent cranked drive tones. Anyone had experience with either the Vox or Supro? Are they (particularly the AC15) too similar? Is the Black Magic too obscure that no one here has played one?

Thanks

Ade.
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Les Paul Lover
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Les Paul Lover » Sun Jun 17, 2018 10:21 pm

Another option you could consider is the Genz Benz Black Pearl 30. 30w, but switchable to 15w, and the pentode triode switch will bring it down to 8/15w.

The circuit is based on the AC30 / Matchless DC30 but with a few tweaks.... It has a very interesting voice 5 way switch, which will get it from fendery to really thick and fat sounding, via the vox territory.

It's a great amp, but there are many of them these days (great amps - the black pearl is pretty rare).

As for the Princeton..... I've always preferred the deluxe reverb... 12" vs 10" speaker I think.
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by fiveightandten » Mon Jun 18, 2018 4:31 pm

This really comes down to personal preference. Though, IMO, the Vox takes the edge over the other 2, simply because it has a master volume.

The other guitar player in my band has the Princeton. It sounds great. I’ve played the Supro. It also sounds great. All three amps do, and IMO, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by bclaire » Mon Jun 18, 2018 5:59 pm

I'd go Princeton. It has that nice Fender-y reverb....

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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by gazman83 » Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:21 pm

Hi Ade,

I'm a long time owner of an AD15 and recently had it serviced and valves replaced, with my tech recomending a lower/mid gain JJ pre-amp tube in the 1st stage to get some more headroom and a little more definition.

Sounds great when you keep pre-amp gain low and crank master for 'cleans', then use pedals (Hotcake, Rat, MI Audio SBP/CB) for the main Distortion. You get that amazing 3D cleanish sound from the AD15 power amp section, it just sounds magic IMO.

It might be a cheaper way for you to try to get two sounds, rather than buying a second amp. Just a thought.

https://www.thetubestore.com/jj-ecc83-mg-12ax7

Ade
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Ade » Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:36 pm

gazman83 wrote:
Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:21 pm
Hi Ade,

I'm a long time owner of an AD15 and recently had it serviced and valves replaced, with my tech recomending a lower/mid gain JJ pre-amp tube in the 1st stage to get some more headroom and a little more definition.

Sounds great when you keep pre-amp gain low and crank master for 'cleans', then use pedals (Hotcake, Rat, MI Audio SBP/CB) for the main Distortion. You get that amazing 3D cleanish sound from the AD15 power amp section, it just sounds magic IMO.

It might be a cheaper way for you to try to get two sounds, rather than buying a second amp. Just a thought.

https://www.thetubestore.com/jj-ecc83-mg-12ax7
Thanks for the suggestion Gazman. While I’m frequent user of a RAT, OD-1, Guv’nor, Hotcake for gainier tones, I must say I’ve not experimented with a lower gain valve in V1. I just have your garden variety EHX 12AX7s. I tend to like to run the amp’s gain anywhere from 11 O’clock to 2 O’clock and then run the master as loud as necessary (read: as loud as I can get away with :D ). While this results in stellar gain tones with a pedal, yeah I see where your coming from, it comes at the expense of any real “clean” tone or headroom. I might have to give it a go.

Ade
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gazman83
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by gazman83 » Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:48 am

Cool, let us all know how you go!

NB. If you do buy another amp, my vote would be for Vox, over the Fender/Supro. I think a MV is very handy to have, and also my personal preference for British style amps

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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by bfitz » Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:33 pm

I've played a couple of the other supros and they were really really cool. A 2x10 and a 1x12 both combos but cannot for the life of me remember the models. Great options.

Never really been a fan of the 15watt Fender amps cos they tend to flub out a bit with higher volume and bass frequencies start farting almost. The DRRI is the nicest sounding Fender I've played but there are loads I haven't gone near. Would love to try a tremolux or a vibrolux to see how they go.

Vox made a heritage AC30 That you can switch to 15w and has MV and its a great amplifier with either blues or greenbacks

If it were me. I'd go supro. Sure who else has one?
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Ade
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Ade » Wed Jun 20, 2018 10:01 pm

bfitz wrote:
Wed Jun 20, 2018 8:33 pm
Vox made a heritage AC30 That you can switch to 15w and has MV and its a great amplifier with either blues or greenbacks
Funny you should mention that because I went and had a play of my mates AC30 the other day. I had mistakenly thought it was the new HW version but turns out it was actually one of those Heritage ones with the EF86 channel and indeed it had the Alnico blues. I didn’t really get to crank it but it was a great sounding amp. It seemed it could be tamed a bit better than old TBX.

I’d sort of been steering away from DRRI in favour of the Princeton if I was going to go that route. I really need to find a couple to try out.

And finally, I’ve just seen that Supro have updated their Black Magick, addressing arguably the models only shortcomings: added MV & reverb. :o

https://youtu.be/aQ5EkpPElG0

Ade
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Boy_Narf » Wed Jun 20, 2018 10:08 pm

The guitar player in the band I'm currently in plays a bone stock 10 year old Blues Jr. Aside from me replacing two of the pots a few years back, it hasn't had any work done. Still has the original tubes in it as well. Honestly it sounds amazing. We have played countless miced and unmiced gigs from 0 to several hundred people in the audience. The amp has never let us down. I'm also not sure how, but it manages to stay clean and never seems to run out of headroom. We just bought him an OCD 2.0, and seriously one of the best sounds I've heard in a long time, especially considering the fairly low price of the amp + pedal. I would suggest giving one of them a try, assuming you have decent guitars. He used to play a squire strat through it and it was awful. After he got his tele with Texas special pickups, the amp came to life.

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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Ade » Thu Jun 21, 2018 12:01 am

My brother has a Blues Jr and while I’ve played it heaps, I’ve never paired with my AD15 (he’s about 1000kms away). Also about ten years ago the band I was in had to fly to Melbourne for some gigs (literally the other ended of the country) and due to airline baggage limits, at the 11th hour I had to leave my AD15 behind and borrow an amp there. I was loaned either a Blues Jr or Pro Jr and used it for a handful of gigs. I didn’t mind it but it’s certainly a different beast from an Orange. Which I suppose is what I’m looking for... I don’t know. Those line of fender amps (Blues DeVille, Deluxe, junior, pro junior etc) are very much workhorses and pretty ubiquitous. I suppose I was looking for some a little different but perhaps I shouldn’t be such a snob.

Ade
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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Boy_Narf » Thu Jun 21, 2018 3:52 am

If you are snobbin out, check out a matchless. I hear they are some of the best amps around. Or for less snobery, supro gets my vote. I almost picked one up a few years back. It was a single 15 with volume tone and verb. Pretty cool amp. Can't remember the model though sorry.

Another old guitar player friend of mine played through a 90s amoeg guitar amp. Seriously amazing tone paired with his lpj. Seriously you have unlimited options hah.

Oh perhaps one if the new Roland ss combos. You said you wanted something different. I hear they are quite impressive.

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Re: Compliment/contrast my AD15 (Fender, Vox, Supro?)

Post by Arthon » Thu Jun 21, 2018 1:10 pm

Princeton Reverb! I would also go with the '65 instead of the '68. Sound cleaner and the verb is richer. The '68 is dirtier and have a celestion speaker, so it's closer to the Ad15 then the '65. And '68 MIM; '65 Assembled in the US (some parts are made in Mexico so it's not a pure MIA).
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