Anyone familiar with Tech 21 Trademark amps?

Before splashing out on Tech21 I'd have a good look at the Behringer GM series amps. They use a similar (i.e heavily influenced :wink: ) analogue modelling system and they sound great. I had a GM110, think they may be discontinued but it was a superb tone and loved pedals. They go for peanuts second hand, I might see if I can get another. The GMX110/112/210/212 are its bigger brethren with more bells and whistles (there was a GM212 that got discontinued, just a 2 channel amp with no FX etc - they could be a bargain). Seriously, they are great amps.

I owned a TM30. (I also owned a Spider ... for a day. No comparison.)

The TM30 was pretty good. Their "sansamp" tube emulation is used by many professionals, especially bass players. The Trademark amps are basically sansamps with speakers .... so maybe they should call them avecamps.

Sorry. :roll:

One thing I didn't like about the TM30 is that it's basically the same size box as their TM10 but with a bigger speaker shoved in there ... it sounded a bit boxy and needed a bigger cab imho. The TM60 seems a better design.

One other thing was an annoying "fizz" in the distortion models, which I've read is a somewhat common complaint. I think it was digital artifacting of some sort. Not sure, but that's what I recall as their excuse. (They do have very responsive customer service.)

The biggest advantage is that they are very easy to record with, given the direct outputs. In a mix, you probably won't notice the fizz.

Before buying the TM30 I did try a Behringer which is supposedly a copy ... horrible quality; noisy as heck, and the digital effects were useless. Granted, it was a green-tag clearance special at GC, and maybe it was a lemon. (And no, I'm not a Behringer basher; I've owned and currently own other items from them and some are good and some are just not.)

That being said, I'd take a look at the inexpensive GDI21, which you can run through your Blues Jr. and have the best of both worlds.

http://www.behringer.com/GDI21/index.cfm?lang=eng

slejhamer wrote:
The Trademark amps are basically sansamps with speakers .... so maybe they should call them avecamps.

Sorry. :roll:

Vous êtes excusé. 8)

No offense to anyone, but I've heard some pretty so-so to bad things about Behringer. I'm hesitant to go with one. And besides...

This will now sound ridiculous, but I actually own a SansAmp TRI-AC. :roll: While I understand most pedal effects, this one has been described as a preamp (esp. on the Tech 21 site). I was under the impression that it should be in front of a PA or a colorless amp. From the GDI21 idea you presented, I gather that I can run the SansAmp through my Blues Jr. and experience some desirable sounds despite the fact that it'll go through the Jr.'s preamp. Correct??? (Of course I haven't tried this out of fear... :( ) If I'm understanding this right, then I must say I feel pretty stupid. :oops: On the other hand, I'm grateful that this forum exists for times like these (not to mention happier times...!).

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your help. Now I can get a new guitar instead! :D (P.S. Please correct me if I misunderstood after all...)

I currently own a Line 6 Spider II 212 (bought it on a whim last year and have never liked it) and a Fender Blues Jr. (LOVE it!!!). I'm looking for a tube sound but I'd like to have something a bit more versatile than the Blues Jr. I do have lots of effects pedals, however, and am wondering if I oughta just stick with my Blues Jr. (Unfortunately, I recently played through a tweed Blues Jr. NOS and would love to have that one!)

Musica, you probably won't be any happier with the tech 21 than the Line 6, and you probably won't be happy with *any* modeling amp since you already own a tube amp.

I'd think about what sound you want that's different than the EL-84 sound your Jr. gives you, and search from there.

Nice tube amps in the price range of the Trademark 60 are:

Epiphone Blues Custom - 5881 power tubes

Vox Custom Classic AC15CC1 - EL-84's again

Ampeg SJ-12T Super Jet - 6L6GC

Peavey Classic 30 EL-84's

And of course, the Fender Blues deluxe and Hot Rod deluxe.

Yes, you can run the Tri-AC through the Blues Jr. Keep the output level on the Tri-AC relatively low, and the "volume" (gain) on the amp fairly low too. Basically you just want the amp clean, and to use the "master" as your volume control. But yes, most modeling gear tends to work well with a very clean, full-range, flat-response system like a powered monitor or PA. That said, the Atomic amps are tube power amps designed to work with modelers, and they get very strong reviews.

I'll add the Peavey Valve King to Moonrider's list of tube amps you might want to consider.

So many tube amps...so little $$$. :?

Thanks much for your recommendations, Moonrider, and for taking the time to post the links for me. :D I guess you're right...once you've had a good tube amp (and you love it), there's no turning back. Despite the glowing reviews of the Tech 21 stuff, it was hard for me to believe that a SS amp could emulate tubes that well.

And thanks again to you, slejhamer, for the instructions on using the TRI-AC. I'll be testing that out when I get home from work today! :D

I'll let ya know if anything transpires amp-wise. :wink:

I have the precurser to the Tri AC, the Tri OD, and I run that through my Epiphone VJH and it sounds awsome! I mostly use my new Peavey Classic 30 now, but the Tri OD into the Epi is golden.

I'm only at the beginning of my tube amp & pedal journey, but already it's awesome. Can't imagine not having one now.

Wait for this little baby. Comming out in November.
2 6v6 tubes 1 12ax7 with effects......
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-SuperChamp-XD-120V-Guitar-Combo?sku=483075

Sell the Spider, buy a loadbox, EQ, compressor and booster. Use that with your BJ and you'll be done.

As for the behinger GM line, my GMX212 is probably the most quiet amp I've got, and while the effects are cheesy there are some very nice basic sounds in it. ANyway, I do believe that a GM (or TM) would be pretty useless if you already have a BJ and the options to build on that.

Ignar wrote:
Sell the Spider, buy a loadbox, EQ, compressor and booster.

Excuse my ignorance, but what's a loadbox??? :oops: (I've got the other stuff you recommended covered.)

P.S. Interested in buying a "like new" Line 6 Spider II 212?????? :roll:

I think by "loadbox" he means a "powersoak"-type power reduction/absorption system.

Cheers!

Strat

Yup, loadbox, powersoak, attenuator, dummyload, whatever. It's basically a little device that you put between the powermp and the speaker, and it allows you to turn the amp up and then reduce the volume on the loadbox. That way you get a lot more control over the tube sound without going deaf too soon. Add a compressor to compensate for a lack of natural compression if you don't drive the amp too much, an EQ to shape the sound to get rid of flubby basses and piercing highs and the booster as an extra channel to really give the tubes a workout. Espescially the booster will work great with an attenuator.

Thanks much, stratman and Ignar! It actually sorta makes sense to me. Sorta. :?

From what I think I understand, I guess I'd get more gain without more volume (for one)??? Believe me, there's nothing wrong with the tone of that Blues Jr., but I would love to get more natural tube OD from it. I've got lots of pedals, which are great, but there's nothing like real tubes being driven to the max IMHO! :D

I really did love the sound of the Blues Jr. NOS (with a Jensen speaker). But at over $500, I'm not sure even I can justify the purchase of another BJ with a different speaker and lacquered tweed covering (the only differences)!

Thanks again, guys! It's hard out here for a female (this female, I should say!) alone in the world of electronics! Have a great weekend (if it's not already over)!

:D