Amp for Indie/Alternative Rock sound?

[Svenarne]

Wow, that's quite a span in your references. How about just getting a Roland JC-120 and loading up pedals? Good clean amp, good clean speaker cab...

An AC30 is great for a lot of things but it's still basically one sound. A Fender Hotrod whatever is a little more of a blank slate if you crave tubes...

[aayjaay]

I guess I was too broad. What I mean to say is what is the best amp for me that's under £400 used which has a good sound on its own but can take a basic OD/distortion pedal nicely. So for example, the AC30 has a wide range of sound on it's own but also works well with an OD/distortion pedal.

[Svenarne]

Under $400? Then I assume you mean for recording purposes only. Try the Egnater Tweaker. Lots of different low-watt tones!

[aayjaay]

Nope, £400 (I live in England) which I think is around $650. It would be for home use (I know it's a lot of amp, maybe even too much but if you use a pedal, you can get good tones at normal volumes and then if you do go on to practicing with a band/gigging, you're covered there).

[skinnypete]

When I do rock guitar two of my main influences are Radiohead and the Pixies.

I picked up a Vox VC4 and I feel like it gets those tones pretty good. You gotta try it for yourself though.

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[chrispick]

Given the influences you (OP) cited, a VOX AC-style combo sounds like a good bet.

[gt_jumper]

Originally Posted by aayjaay

I was thinking an AC30 as I've heard good things and it's generally a very tried and tested amp. Then there are things like the Peavey Classic series and the Fender Hot Rods and loads of other mid range tube amp brands and models. Some of them e.g. the Hot Rod could do with pedals if I went for one but then they are cheaper than something like the AC30.

Cant go wrong man, they sound good from uber clean glassiness right up to all out heavy rock. they are cheaper then the AC 30 as well.

[drbob1]

If you can get an AC30 for 400 pounds with the blue speakers, I'd say go for it! That's an amp you'll be able to use your whole life. If it's the Wharfdale speakers, that's not such a great deal. For a starting band I might even try and find an AC15 with a blue speaker. They sound nearly as good clean and can crunch a little without getting deafening.

[aayjaay]

It's the C2 with the greenbacks. I have just seen a C1 go for £410 so I'm thinking £400 on a x2 speaker version is good.