EOengineer
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@DrewJD82 we come from a very similar music background and I’ve been navigated this exact path for a few years now. I’m not going to claim I have all the answers but I’m happy to share some findings.
I still have (and use) the Mesas/Marshalls, but have been using 70s Silverface Princeton/Deluxe Reverbs in certain environments that have trended less heavy and more Indie or Pop.
First of all let me just say it’s a pleasure to roll into a gig with a Deluxe Reverb. They are pretty light, especially when compared to the usual 4x12 cabs. They also compress and do cool tube amp things my 100 watters rarely get to do. You’ll get compression, some power section breakup. Honestly it’s awesome, and that bit of compression and breakup does wonders for melding your dirt pedals into the amp tone.
If you want something that feels a big amp - I’ve tried a lot, the Bogner Ecstacy Blue is the most amp like gain pedal I’ve used period, and it seems to be tailored for a Deluxe Reverb type amp. Like seriously sounds like a second channel on the amp. I bet the Blue would work with a Bassman too.
if you aren’t looking for an amp in a box pedal, you’ll be looking at your standard TS, SD1, Klon, Timmy, whatever. I’ve gone that route too. It can be cool. You get lots of colors and options, and you likely lose some of the tight chugs you might get from an amp.
One other route is to mix amp and pedal. Get something like a Deluxe or Marshall 1987, put a PPIV master on it so you can get edge of breakup stuff happening and then boost it into other colors with your dirt pedals. I’m doing this a lot these days.
There is no wrong way to do it, it’s more about being aware of the trade offs.
I still have (and use) the Mesas/Marshalls, but have been using 70s Silverface Princeton/Deluxe Reverbs in certain environments that have trended less heavy and more Indie or Pop.
First of all let me just say it’s a pleasure to roll into a gig with a Deluxe Reverb. They are pretty light, especially when compared to the usual 4x12 cabs. They also compress and do cool tube amp things my 100 watters rarely get to do. You’ll get compression, some power section breakup. Honestly it’s awesome, and that bit of compression and breakup does wonders for melding your dirt pedals into the amp tone.
If you want something that feels a big amp - I’ve tried a lot, the Bogner Ecstacy Blue is the most amp like gain pedal I’ve used period, and it seems to be tailored for a Deluxe Reverb type amp. Like seriously sounds like a second channel on the amp. I bet the Blue would work with a Bassman too.
if you aren’t looking for an amp in a box pedal, you’ll be looking at your standard TS, SD1, Klon, Timmy, whatever. I’ve gone that route too. It can be cool. You get lots of colors and options, and you likely lose some of the tight chugs you might get from an amp.
One other route is to mix amp and pedal. Get something like a Deluxe or Marshall 1987, put a PPIV master on it so you can get edge of breakup stuff happening and then boost it into other colors with your dirt pedals. I’m doing this a lot these days.
There is no wrong way to do it, it’s more about being aware of the trade offs.
