Need opinions on 2 different amps

[PoorOtis]

The Grandson dragged me to a pawn shop today, and showed me 2 amps he is interested in...I know little to nothing about either one except what info that I found on the net about them. I hope to find someone who has working knowledge on these amps,who has played through them or who has owned them in the past that will help me out in getting the better of the two for the kid!
The first is a Trace Elliot Tramp..all that I know is its make in the UK..and from what I understand has something to do with old Gibson Amps..?
The second is a Peavey Vegas 400...I hear its a keyboard or steel guitar amp..thats all I know..!
The Grandsons playing guitar in a garage type band..which is the better amp for his needs??
Any..All help on this will be useful
Respects.

[J M Fahey]

Well, they are both excellent but very different amps, it depends on what your Grandson plays.

The Vegas 400 is a very loud and **CLEAN** amplifier, will never distort on its own, he'll need distortion pedals.
It's meant for steel guitar players who need exactly that.
Now , if he already has some kind of multieffects pedalboard which he likes, this "clean" amplifier may be the best option, since it will faithfully re-amplify that "already cooked" sound.


The Tramp has less power, but still adequate, and on its own can provide both good clean and distorted sounds so "just guitar and amp" are enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsRjhnY17qs

[PoorOtis]

Thank You for the information on both the amps Juan..I bought them both this morning for $185 out the door!
The Grandson likes the power of the Peavey Vegas 400 (it does pack a punch!) and I'll keep the Trace Elliot Tramp for myself...I liked the You Tube lead that you gave me about it..and my Gibson 137 sounds good through it also!
The kids got one stompbox,..which one I don't know..but thats a great idea on adding a mutli-effect pedalboard
to the Peavey amp! Which brand pedalboard do you think I should get him? I figure it a early X-Mas present with the amp..
and I got my Vox Cambridge 30 back..with no mods
Thanks. Respects.

[J M Fahey]

Well, you really play it safe  :tu:
I bet you bet on all 36 numbers together at the Casino  :lmao:

You made a good choice :tu:
As of multieffects, can't suggest a specific one, there are many:  Line 6 / Korg / Vox or similar, but let somebody with experience chime in.

[ChewyNasalPrize]

I'd say you got a great deal on a couple of really fine amps.  8|

I have a Trace Elliot Super Tramp solid state and love it. I think these are some of the best sounding (and best built) solid state amps ever made. Is your model the "Super Tramp" or the "Tramp"? biggest difference is the wattage output I believe (40 vs 80) but both are great IMHO. There is also the "Tube Tramp" which uses one preamp tube designed (or marketed) to give them more of an authentic tube sound/feel but I've read there really isn't much difference and some actually prefer the sound of the fully SS version.

What speaker came with your's? These used to come stock with Celestion Vintage 30s but later switched to a "special design" speaker by Celestion (G12t-60). If you got one with the original Vintage 30, you got a REALLY good deal. Those speakers alone are $150 new- and the older ones are arguably more desirable. Mine came with the G12t-60 and it is good but not much bass response. I switched it out for an Eminence Governor and I'm very pleased with it now.

The Gibson connection, from what I understand- is they bought Trace Elliot some time in the mid/late 90s. Soon after they discontinued all TE branded guitar amp production. They still make TE bass amps which is probably what they are best known for.

Depending on which "Tramp" you have, it may or may not be enough volume for a garage band or stage. Mine is very loud at 80 watts rms/110 peak. It would be just fine for a band- not sure about the other.

I also have a couple of Peavey's though not the one you have. I think Peavey's are great mostly. They are very solid and reliable and customer service is fantastic even with old stuff- and you should have no problems finding a service shop should you ever need one. The Trace Elliot on the other hand may be trickier since Gibson really doesn't support the old guitar amp line anymore. If you have questions regarding the TE- British Audio Service in Tennessee (http://www.britishaudioservice.com/) specializes in Trace Elliot gear among other brands. I think they are the "go-to" folks now for any TE guitar amp support/repairs.

But heck, at the price you paid- you'd only repair them if you just LOVED the hell out of them! Otherwise, throw them away and head back to the pawn shop!

Yes- They both will be good for pedals and neither are mucked up with useless effects. The Peavey will probably require at least a few decent pedals though to achieve some distortion and maybe reverb? Probably never have to worry about not being loud enough with the Peavey either.

Did your Tramp come with a foot-switch? If yours is like mine, you'll need one to switch channels and use the boost feature because there are no controls on the panel to do this.

Great find though- can't really go wrong with either of those- especially at that price.  :dbtu:

[ChewyNasalPrize]

Also- regarding multi-effects units:

I have a Line 6 Floor Pod Plus. It is OK. I find it is more useful to me as a practice amp using headphones. This is not the most complicated one, but still it can frustrate me when trying to make it do what I want. I've found a few very good and useful tones and applications but 95% of it doesn't apply to me which makes it like an encyclopedia set- most of it I don't use or ever will.

It might be good just as a way to learn about sounds and what types of effects and combinations work though.

Ultimately, I went back to a few basic, really good individual pedals: delay, reverb, chorus and distortion and that's it. But to each his own. I find this works better for me when playing live and rehearsals- more simple- less to go wrong! 

I still use my Floor Pod for practicing and at home with it hooked up to my laptop and with headphones. It really is great for this.  :dbtu:

If I were looking for a new multi-effects unit though, I'd probably lean towards the simpler models of the Vox Tone Lab- I've heard lots of good things about these.

[PoorOtis]

Thanks for the info on the amps and floorboard. The grandson liked the vox,so got him that one. I realize that the Peavey Vegas 400 is designed for a steel guitar and its a clean amp..thats why I asked about the multi-effects floorboard.. he plays guitar in a garage band..not sure about their music style..just say its loud!
The Trace Elliot amp is the lower watt Tramp..w/Celestion G12-vintage 30-4ohm speaker..do not have a foot switch..I'll pick up a aftermarket brand for easy switching. The grandsons guitar teacher has a Trace Elliot Bonneville C50..says he luvs it! From what I've read and people that I have talked to, the Trace Elliot amps from 95-02 are still sought after(guitar series)not necessary the acoustic or bass that are made today. Nice voiced amp..not marshall nor vox..it holds its own.

[ChewyNasalPrize]

Sure thing- yeah that Vegas will be plenty loud- the Vox board should work well with it. You really need something like that for the Vegas. It's an excellent starter rig for sure.  I have a couple of really loud and very clean amps and I like them a lot for that. I just add some of my favorite pedals for everything else.

You got a great deal on that Tramp with the Vintage 30. TE guitar amps are not the easiest to find. Sometimes the pop up on Craigslist or Guitar Center but not often.

TE made some great sounding stuff. There's been a Bonneville on Guitar Center's used inventory but even used, it is too much $$$ for me. I've heard the Velocette is a great little tube amp also. I've also heard their tube stuff is a bit temperamental but I don't know for sure- at least compared to other similar amps.

ENJOY!