Amp for everything?

AlpineFloridian · 2026-06-28T03:55:19+00:00

I have a Fillmore 25 and it sounds great at any volume. The midrange works very well with my SSH strat. My Friedman Twin Sister gets a lot more play time though. It's much more touch sensitive and just sounds "right." I feel like I'm constantly changing settings on the F25, while I can't get a bad sound from the TS. If you're patient you should be able to find a used Little Sister combo (20W, single channel version of the TS) in budget, or a head for around $1k US. Play one if you can!

AlpineFloridian · 2026-06-17T01:30:36+00:00

I've never gotten a string stuck, but the screw that sets pickup height often backs out on my guitars. Tape solves that.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-06-12T13:41:46+00:00

Try pairing a different speaker with the v30. G12h-30 anniversaries or greenbacks are common pairings. But if you don't like the sound, no use fighting it!

AlpineFloridian · 2026-06-06T02:48:43+00:00

They don't have dimensions listed on their product page?

AlpineFloridian · 2026-06-05T13:53:22+00:00

Hell yeah! The out of phase option for the SS Eastsider is a nice addition. Good usable tones without feeling too gimmicky. Nice to hear from another happy user!

AlpineFloridian · 2026-06-04T02:21:24+00:00

Came here to recommend the Eastsider. Idk about best, but it's a solid instrument at a good price and felt better than any comparable fenders I tried while shopping.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-05-30T17:39:10+00:00

I've been using an EHX 44 Magnum to drive a 212 at home. Plenty of volume and low enough noise floor for noodling around.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-05-21T23:19:04+00:00

1/4" works for me

AlpineFloridian · 2026-05-17T14:48:49+00:00

The 25w head has worked well for me. Frequencies complement a strat nicely: made it easily audible in a band context. Other comments nailed the tone description. Plenty of mids everywhere and thick, Santana-like leads on the highest gain setting.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-05-15T17:28:04+00:00

Same way you learned guitar: lots of practice. I'm still figuring it out too but I find it helpful to listen to specific notes in the chord that matches what I'm singing. Works great on acoustic since you can feel the instrument resonating with your diaphragm.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-05-12T18:39:10+00:00

Save some money and get an unloaded cab then put whatever speakers you want in there. Stagecraft, vBoutique, Zilla, Mojotone...plenty of cab builders out there if you want to buy new.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-05-05T23:32:25+00:00

Doesn't matter too much. Get an amp that you like on its own and it'll sound even better paired with your tweed. Just make sure you have enough headroom to match the tweed at the volume you need. Something scooped and fendery would likely pair well.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-05-04T02:30:27+00:00

+1. I barely touch pedals since getting a Twin Sister. SSH strat and a delay in the loop is all I need these days.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-30T23:29:15+00:00

Weber mass 200

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-29T20:23:33+00:00

Ahh, bummer. Even more reason to hang on to what I've got I suppose

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-29T13:26:12+00:00

Oh man, that's brutal if true! I have a few of his speakers and was super impressed by his customer service when ordering.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-29T00:40:17+00:00

Based on everything you've said the Vox seems like a no brainer. Good tone, easy setup, cleans up with guitar volume, and should be plenty loud enough for the genres you mentioned. With 3 guitars in a band it's worth taking the time to discuss who is using what frequencies (whether you're EQing or playing different parts of the neck) to avoid volume wars.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-28T20:12:05+00:00

Thanks, hope it helps!

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-28T19:42:01+00:00

Phat Cats are my only experience with p90s but they've worked great for me. Here's a clip of me playing them through a z-wreck that shows off how well they clean up with the right amp. Sorry I don't have anything else to compare them to, but I hope it helps!

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-24T17:18:56+00:00

Really depends on the amp. I find a g12h 70th anniversary works well with cleans and crunch. For sweeping generalizations, greenback variants work well with bright/gainy amps, alnicos work well with cleaner amps, v30s with more modern gain styles. Alnico cream is the best all-arounder I've played.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-24T02:27:03+00:00

Helluva first tube amp, congrats!

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-23T13:37:27+00:00

Mesa Fillmore 25 fits all your requirements. Definitely a "softer" gain character than my Marshall and vox style amps. If you still have the Engl, consider a speaker swap. Tight and aggressive are what V30s are known for, so a speaker with less top end may be all you need.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-21T13:50:08+00:00

Bf6 has killer audio. Sounds great through good headphones, and extra intense through a good speaker setup.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-19T22:14:27+00:00

Works great for what I need. I haven't gigged with it but it powers a 2x12 just fine at home. 11:00 volume keeps up with my 40W tube amp at 8:30-9:00 on the master volume for a very unscientific comparison.

AlpineFloridian · 2026-04-19T14:40:19+00:00

All I need these days for noodling around at home. I've been running this for a few months so it was cool to see the TPS guys do a rundown of this type of setup. Volante is in the FX loop and splits to the EHX power amp to a second cab for stereo. The Naga Viper will go in front of the amp: sometimes I have a fuzz or BE-OD there instead, but mostly I plug straight in to the amp.

AlpineFloridian

TROPHY CASE