Major difference between Classic 30 and 50

[Bogwhoppit]

Are the channels, gain and EQ pretty much the same on both the 30 and 50 ?

Is there a good year for the 50 ? Made in USA, Made in China , Valve Guards etc, just like the 30's.


I need to use a valve amp for some new projects, but don't want to lug my stacks or an expensive AC30 everywhere.

My past experience with a Valveking suggests I should go for a VK212, but I want to get a handle on the Classic 50 first.

Yes I do need 50 watts plus.

[Sir Axeman]

If you really need 50w ie a real 50w dont get a classic 50 cos its not really 50w. Better than the VK though, unless its metal tone your looking for.

[Bogwhoppit]

Originally Posted by Sir Axeman

If you really need 50w ie a real 50w dont get a classic 50 cos its not really 50w. Better than the VK though, unless its metal tone your looking for.

Tell me more about the 50 power output ?

I would be looking for the Amp to give me early Gary Moore / Michael Schenker ( UFO )tones without any front end dirt pedals. Although I never used my VK stack in anger I think the dirt channel would have provided that sound ( but cannot be 100% sure due to the "experts" on Harmony Central not being able to agree ).

The output would allow me headroom on the clean channel for my GR20's. This has long been an issue for me. I tried a few 30 Watt all valve amps ( Laney LC, VC ) and they broke up long before the levels I needed using the synth.

I am really very, very ignorant on current day valve offerings. I can talk all day about Marshall Lead 100's, Plexi's, AC30's, Original Orange and Hi-Watt stacks from the 70's. But my knowledge of the myriad of amps on the market today goes over my head. I really need to be told what type of tones people get from them ( treat me as a complete no brainer on this subject, because I really don't know a lot about it ).

[Sir Axeman]

You gotta go try 'em out in a music store and get 1st hand experience cos opinions will always vary regardless. I guess the Classic 50 is more like 40w...but its still damn loud...just will break up a bit on a really loud clean sound...the upside is the dirt channel at those kind of volumes its really working and adding rich harmonics.

[Bogwhoppit]

Originally Posted by Sir Axeman

You gotta go try 'em out in a music store and get 1st hand experience cos opinions will always vary regardless.

Without doubt I agree. My issue is I can like the tone of an amp in isolation, but once in a band situation It can change to my ears ( if that makes any sense ?).

Unless you can beg or borrow, its very doubtful I can try it in a full band gig. So I rely on opinions quite a lot as a starting point.

[sam_m]

I'd say that main difference is about 20 watts.

[Elvis2]

The only thing i dont like about my Classic 50 is the fan hum, its not really noticable during live use but it really irritates me when im recording guitars in the studio, im going to get my friend to add an on/off switch for the fan.
I think the 50 and 30 have all the same features apart from the 50 having 2x12 or 4x10 speakers as opposed to the 30s single 12.
My Classic 50 is 11 years old and was previously owned by a musician who used it on gigs a few times a week, its starting to show some wear and tear on the tweed but apart from having the tubes replaced it has never needed repairs, this is a really solidly made amp, it sounds great and i love it to bits.

[andrewrg]

I used an old C50 for a few years and loved it; I got a nice fat, smooth lead tone using a Les Paul and 335. The only thing I didn't like about it was the weight; castors essential!
It also sounded nice enough for quiet home practise.

[Bogwhoppit]

Originally Posted by andrewrg

I used an old C50 for a few years and loved it; I got a nice fat, smooth lead tone using a Les Paul and 335. The only thing I didn't like about it was the weight; castors essential!
It also sounded nice enough for quiet home practise.

If you had a choice would you go for the C50 over a similar spec Marshall ?.

[andrewrg]

Originally Posted by Bogwhoppit

If you had a choice would you go for the C50 over a similar spec Marshall ?.

Actually I think I probably would, yes.