non expensive amp

[jdthom6]

i really dont know too much about the rhodes piano, but ive been starting to do some research, and i am really interested in buying one in the near future. right now i have a regular keyboard, and i want to buy an amplifier for around 200-300 dollars just for my own personal use, not to play in any performances or anything. Anyone have some segustions for what type i should get? i would like it to work for both my keyboard and a rhodes. Is this possible, and is it worth it? or should i not even bother with a rhodes if i dont have a 1000 dollar amp? thanks a lot i really appriciate your responses.

[keysandslots]

Are you gigging or is this for use at home?  I've found the choice of preamp might be more important than the choice of amp.  At home, I run mine into an ART Tube MP preamp, then a 24 channel Tascam board, which runs through a Harmon Kardon hi-fi amp and into a pair of Tannoy near-fields.  Most of my monitoring is through headphones lately, Grado SR-325, amazing phones.

I no longer gig with my Rhodes.  When I did, a long time ago, the thing to do was use a bass head and guitar cabinet.  I used an Acoustic 140 head, which was clean, and an Acoustic 4x12 cabinet, which was close-enough to full range for an 88 Rhodes.

Of course, you could always get a suitcase Rhodes.

Randy

[jdthom6]

hey, thanks a lot for the reply. No, the amp would not be for gigging, it would just be at home for personal use. I'm guessing 50 watts should be enough for that, would you agree? And should i purchase a keyboard amp or guitar amp? thanks

[andi85]

I'd always take a guitar amp, because it colors the sound in a way I like. What I also like are the increased dynamics and its behavior when hitting the keys hard. I can't stand the sound PA speakers or acoustic amplifiers produce in that situation - with a guitar amp the fun is just beginning
On the other hand, "linear" systems tend to sound very transparent - also cool. That decision depends a lot on your taste!

In your place I would look for a used guitar amp. A 12" speaker would be good, tube is nice, but solid state can also be cool.
If it has to be new, check amps like Fender Frontman (is said to be cool for the money) or so...

[jibbidyjoe]

50 watts...wow!  i have a 15 watt vintage ampeg j-12t and it gets LOUD indoors.  i normally keep the volume at "2" when playing indoors.  and when i am playing with folks i never have to turn it above "7".

of course, i have heard it argued that tube amps sound best turned up.  i agree, in that my ampeg sounds awesome at near-full volume.  You can get that great tube distortion going which i think sounds great with a rhodes.

I've been thinking about getting this "champ", in order to "downgrade" my wattage:

http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/cgi-bin/mojotone/5550001.html

This particular amp has, i think, 5 watts.  and i've tested my rhodes through it and it sounds GREAT.  i can crank it to "10" and get that awesome tube sound without getting WAY too loud.

If you are going to only using this in your home, i'd think about getting a nice "vintage authentic" low-watt tube amp.

[jdthom6]

thanks a lot for the replys everyone. do any of you by chance know the name and brand of a low watt vintage guitar amp i could get for around 200 dollars then that you think would sound good indoors with a rhodes? thanks

[james]

It's not a guitar amp, but the Behringer K900FX has been working great for me when I use a tube preamp with it (I got their Mic200 "Tube Ultragain" outboard box).  Both were cheap (the amp was $180 new from AMS and the pre was $50) and the knobs + sliders seem a little cheap themselves (i.e. you don't want to be throwing Behringer's gear around that much), but I'm strangely satisfied with the tone I'm getting.  It's a 90-watt keyboard amp with a 12" woofer and 1" tweeter, plus a 5-band EQ.  The effects are digital (the amp has a single effect that I've been using for chorus & phase shifting, and the pre has a modeling stage), but I still like them!

[jdthom6]

so, would an amp like this work? http://www.zzounds.com/item--FEN0231502000

thanks

[BJT3]

IMHO, I think you'd be happier in the long run getting a guitar amp for the Rhodes and a keyboard amp or powered speaker/mixer for the keyboard. That said if I was in a pinch and had to get one thing for both I'd get the best keyboard amp I could afford and get some kind of amp simulator to run the Rhodes through (behringer's V-amp is only $60, but I'm not sure how good it sounds...). Best bet is to go to your local music store and listen to as many options as possible (bring your Rhodes if you can). While your there try comparing a small tube amp like the Fender Blues Jr. to the solid state Frontman, etc., to get an idea of the diffence in sound vs./ price. Another thought is, since it's just gonna be for at home use, you could get some affordable studio monitors and a Audio interface for your computer and use plug-ins to shape the Rhodes sound. Of course this means you'd have to have a pretty decent computer, and be pretty good at using Audio programs, etc... One "pro" of this system is, you could just hit record and .....
Good luck, hope this helps
-Ben-

[BJT3]

Just saw this post from JJ about his Alesis Sumo 300.
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=2068

[keysandslots]

Looks like you're going to get opinions that are all over the map on this one.  I really disagree with the guitar amp idea, would never use one on my Rhodes.  I would suggest, when you get it down to a short list, you consider renting an amp or two before you buy.

Randy

[jdthom6]

thanks for the reply keys. so would you recomend me getting a keyboard amp? Do you have any specific segustions for a model around 200 dollars? thanks

[BJT3]

Ah, you know what they say about opinions.... Anyway, after re-reading your original post, have you considered getting a Suitcase? This would simplify things I think. As far as guitar amps with the Stage, I'm not saying it's the only way to go. It's just a tried and true way of getting a good Rhodes sound easily. I tried the Direct route with a DI, mixer, EQ, FX, etc... after hours and hours of experimentation, I was never really happy with the results. The Stage has a passive output like a guitar. Most keyboard amps, if not all in the $200-$300 range don't offer a high impedance input suited for the Rhodes. You could invest in a preamp or amp modeler, then again that's more money.. As far as keyboard amps go, I played through a Crate KX160 for years and was happy with it (but never could get my Rhodes to sound good through it). These days my keys go into a Mackie mixer and into a Mackie SRM-450.
Good luck,
-Ben-

[keysandslots]

Odd, I replied to JD last night but there's nothing in my sentbox.  JD, I can't really make much of a recommendation for an amp, the last time I bought an amp for my Rhodes was in 1975.  The thing I have against guitar amps is that most do not reproduce the full range of sound that a Rhodes can produce and most are supposed to sound "warm", or in other words, add some distortion.  

If I want a distorted sound, I'll whack the keys harder (assuming the tine to pickup distance is correct), but I prefer the sound of Joe Sample's Rhodes on "Scratch".  

I still recommend renting a few things first.  Go get a Fender Twin Reverb for a day (for reference), then a small bass amp with one or two 12" speakers in it, and maybe a small keyboard amp for another night.  You might use up some of your budget but at least you would end up with something you're happy with in the long term.

For me 'though, having the Rhodes set up properly and getting the right preamp is more important than the choice of amp.

Randy

[Tehu]

I got a Fender Frontman 25R, and its not a pretty good choice for rhodes, the sound is too mellow .. but the reverb is cool.. not much!
i'm searching for a lil' tube guitar amp

[andi85]

Ok, so you see the two opposed groups here. None of them is "right" or "wrong", it is all up to your decision.
Rent some stuff - or borrow some (even better) - listen closely and see which sound you like.

[jdthom6]

yeah, see i understand renting would be the best way to go, but the problem is i dont have a rhodes yet. I am doing research on one, and i'm gonna start looking for good deals on ebay, etc, so its probably gonna take me at least a few months to get one. I already have my keyboard, and i need an amp for that. Thats why i'm trying to think what kind of amp could work for both of them since i'm kindof tight on cash and i'd only use them indoors for myself. Several years down the road I will most likely upgrade the amp, so i'm not looking for something perfect, just something that will work and not completely sound like crap. What about the Line 6 spider II or spider III amp? anyone know anything about those? has anyone tried to hook one of those up to their rhodes? thanks

[JJ]

I think, I was in your situation too about a year ago and the manufacturers I looked at were: Behringer (for their prices), Roland, Line6 and Peavey.

After checking out these brands, I happened to come across an Alesis Sumo 300 in a local music store and it had superb sound, effects and power for a decent price. So I went home and thought about it. Then I went back and the Alesis was on sale so I took it strait home with me.

I never regretted that day since and I've managed to amplify bassguitars, guitars, keyboards, vocals, drums and now my Rhodes with it and I never heard it distort, not even when you connect it through a preamplifier.

Besides, its not all that heavy and easy transportable.

The only minor point I think is, it isn't a tube amplifier. But I didnt have money for a good tube either.

I think one general rule about amplifiers is, you should try out some with the same keyboard, or rhodes for that matter, and make your choice based on that.

[BJT3]

The thing I have against guitar amps is that most do not reproduce the full range of sound that a Rhodes can produce and most are supposed to sound "warm", or in other words, add some distortion.

It's true that guitar amps cut out lows and highs and are not "full range". Their not designed to be transparent like a studio monitor. There more designed to be a part of your sound. I think this "coloration" in necessary for some instruments to get a certain sound. I mean not many guitar players go into a DI box and a mixer, there's usually a preamp or amp involved. One thing I like about my Fender Twin is how it reacts as you play louder or softer. There's a saturation, not really a distortion, more similar to a tube compression or something. It's almost like whatever you throw at it sounds good. The amp adds a lot of variables to your sound, more personality, less sterile. On the other hand, there are times when I'd prefer a cleaner sound like I've heard recorded directly out of the Suitcases pre. Neither one is better I guess, just different. What they have in common is they "work". Both setups are tried and true. One thing I like about this group is to hear feedback about different peoples rigs and their success, or lack of with getting a good sound.


 

If I want a distorted sound, I'll whack the keys harder (assuming the tine to pickup distance is correct),

I think the pickup distortion sounds much different than a tube amps overdrive. Again, i guess it's all what your going for.

but I prefer the sound of Joe Sample's Rhodes on "Scratch".

Not familiar with that version. The only version I have of the song "Scratch" has a piano not a Rhodes, but I'd be interested to hear it.

For me 'though, having the Rhodes set up properly and getting the right preamp is more important than the choice of amp.

There's definately no substitute for having the Rhodes setup properly. I didn't have too good of luck finding a sound I liked using the active BBE DI, para EQ, etc... Maybe I haven't tried the right pre. I would like to have one eventually so I can easily switch from the kinda vintagy Twin sound to a cleaner "suitcasey" sound.

-Ben-

[Spookyman]

It's good to have both sound...

For the moment, i don't have any good preamp on my Fender Rhodes to get a good sound without amp, direct in a console. I have a Fender Twin Reverb, and i'm loving the sound that comes tout of this amp. Crazy...not a lot of bass, but plenty of highs and mid. And it's very sensible on the way I'm playing on it. Amazing.

But if you don't have any Rhodes for the moment, why don't look to find a suitecase...

[jdthom6]

okay, thanks everyone for the input. I know it is not the best thing, but would a Line 6 spider ii 30 watt amp work? i know the sound wouldnt be the best, but would it be crappy? here is a link to that amp.

http://www.line6.com/store/hardware.html?modelID=2

also, it has a lot of effects on it. would these sound good with the rhodes? thanks.

[Rhodesman]

That would be alright for your potential rhodes, however you because its a guitar amp, it won't be good for your other keyboards. You need a keyboard amp for your electronic keyboards. I think your best option would be to buy a keyboard amp, and a guitar amp simulator pedal such as the Line 6 Pod, or a Vox Tonelab. Although its a little pricier than the Pod, the Tonelab features a tube preamp to warmth to the sound. Of course, depending on the sound you're looking for  you might be able to get away with just plugging your rhodes into the keyboard amp. What do you want your Rhodes to sound like? 80's bell-tone dyno piano? Crunchy warm early Chick Corea? Or, smooth mid-late 70's Herbie Hancock suitcase?

[John Brevik]

I would suggest a decent bass amp -- something used but reasonably "brand name" (maybe SWR?) and not too powerful . A bullet tweet would help. You won't know what sound you're really looking for until you own the beast and get to play it a bit anyway, and the SWR amp will hold its value pretty well come resale time. Not the ultimate solution, but IMHO a good practice setup on the cheap!

Regards,

John

[dom phenom]

My suitcase amp has been dead for a bit    and so i picked up a cheap amp for the interim:  I found an old acoustic 135.  Since tubes are in right now, some of the vintage solid states are cheap, and some are not bad.  to wit, the Roland Jazz chorus is a solid state i believe.  either way, this amp has plenty of juice, and although it does not deliver the clear bell like tones of a nicer amp, it has a really nice 70s sounding bark and delivers some nice crunch when cranked up.  add in real spring reverb, and a true vibrato (unfortunately no foot switch control), and you have a pretty solid amp for $150.