GuitarPlaya2000's Gear Showcase

Guitar Amplifiers

Fender "SUPER CHAMP"

Features:

• All tubes
• 18 watts
• 10" Fender Electro-Voice speaker
• Accutronics 3-spring reverb

This amplifier was purchased at the same time when I bought the Lead III. I had a great one with the combo. Even though it was 18 watts, I still used it on the gigs that I played in. I would place a mike in front of it and it'll amplified through the house, while I use the amp as my personal monitor. I installed a new set of tubes in it  last year and it's sounding sweet as ever - warm, smooth and plenty of sustain. Even my Carvin DC200 sound even sweeter through it!

Peavey "RENOWN 400"

Features:

• 12" Speakers 
• 200+ watts
• 2 Channels (clean, dirty or combine the two channels)
• Effects loop and foot pedal (included)

After doing so many gigs, I found that I just couldn't continue to play through my trusty Super Champ because the clubs are that I was playing in were getting larger and I was getting lost in the mix. So I bought this amp sometime in the mid to early 1980's. It served me well with my Lead III, but I couldn't  get the sound I really wanted with my Fender Strat. For starters, I just couldn't get the hang of the equalization settings. Not only it had knobs for the highs, mids, lows, but it had parametric eq plus mid-shift settings. When I played my Carvin DC200 through it, it was just plain muddy. Eventually had to get a more compatible amp for my Start and Carvin. I later sold it too and used the money to buy my next amp, the Behringer GMX212.

Behringer "V-TONE GMX212"

Features:

• 2 - 12"  60 watt Jensen speakers w/ analog modeling
• 27 modeled sounds
• 2 channels, clean and dirty
• Emulate tube characteristics according to nuance of playing
• Stereo multi - effects processor
• Built-in tuner
• Headphone and additional loudspeaker outputs
• Stereo tape and line inputs

A very respectable, sturdy amplifier, I was pleased with the built-in digital effects and 3 classic guitar amp modelings.  What I didn't know when I purchased it that it was a stereo amp. When I found the sweet spot in front of the amp and played a chord or two, the sound really envelops you - especially with the chorus enabled. I can imagine the sound if I had connected two external speakers! It played nicely with my Strat, but it when I played the Carvin through it, the sound was always dirty. I could never get a clean sound unless, I turn the guitar volume down but then my amp is drowned out by the other instruments.  On the other hand, this amp will make a great practice amp or for a small intimate gig. 

Carvin DC-200

Features: 

• Classic 12AXT Tube Emulation
• 2 channels - Clean and Distortion
• Bass, Mid, High and Presence controls
• 24-Bit built-in effects (Flanging, Echo, Reverb and Chorus
• 100 watts

If you judge this amplifier by the price, you'll probably skip over an incredible guitar amplifier. Not only this amp is reliable, it is also solidly built, and cutting edge in technology. Compared to other 100 watt amplifiers with similar features, this one is definately a more "bang for your bucks" best buy. I have finally found the amplifier that can equally play all three of my guitars, Lead III, Stratocaster, and of course, Carvin without doing a major tone re-adjustment for each one. One thing I have to mention is channel 1, the dirty channel. Carvin's tube emulation on that channel is too extraordinary! It truly does sounds like a tube amp! It can give you the real tube characteristic with it's warm sound. It can give everything from a mild-soft clip to a full throttle sustain. I love playing the blues through channel 1. Channel 2 however,  is the clean channel. The sound is like crystal ultra clean and yet strong and powerful . Add a touch of chorus and you'll get chills up and down your spine.

GUITARS | AMPLIFIERS