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Peavey Blazer 158 - Not technically my first, but I can't even remember the brand of the department store "amp" that I
had before it. My oldest brother bought this for me for my birthday shortly after I started playing. He was one person that
was supportive from the beginning of my playing, and I'll always remember that.
This amp was
the cat's meow man! It had a distortion channel, reverb, and a whopping 15 watts of solid state power!!! Jokes aside, I did
use it in a band situation for a year or so, and it kept up with the drums ok. I still use this thing 10 years later on my
workbench (though it needs a new input jack now) and it really does sound decent.
Crate GFX-212 - 120w solid state, 5 effects, 2 channels, 2 12" speakers. I bought this amp from a friend of mine.
It was the first really loud amp I had, and I used it for a very long time. I didn't decide to sell it until I switched to
tube amps, and even now I'm kind of kicking myself for it. It really is the only solid state amp I'd buy again. This amp went
through hell and back, falling down stairs, out of vans, off of other cabs, it just kept going though. The only bad experience
I had was on a tour, playing the biggest club of the tour, it decided to start switching channels uncontrollably. It was a
bad night all around though, lots of chaos. Makes for a good road story though I guess. I did the checkered grill cloth myself.
The original stuff is underneath, but I had to do something to make it mine. I did this to a few amps over the years. 
Crate G-1500 - 150w solid state head from the late 80s/early 90s. I bought this one on ebay, and was my first
experience in getting burned. I played this amp for about 3 practices before it crapped out on me. Upon opening the case I
saw the chassis so bent it looked like it fell off a 3 story building. Too bad, it had a great clean sound, and a usable drive
channel. Still have this thing in my attic. I can't bring myself to just toss it.
Crate GT1200H - Bought this one when the 1500 died. I went to Guitar Center (I know, don't flog me, options were
limited) the day of a gig to pick up an amp, having no idea what to even look at since I didn't have the internets. I immediately
asked for Crate since the first one I had sounded great and held up pretty well. The guy told me they didn't have any Crate
amps in the store and directed me to the Marshall wall.
I. Despise. Marshall.
I
wandered around like a lost puppy for a while, the whole time Heidi's head was about to explode (mine not far behind) trying
to find something worth buying. Tried out a Vox modeling head that I really liked, but it was $100 over the limit I set for
myself. By the way, I was planning on buying with the 12 mos. no interest, no payment etc. and while my limit was much higher,
I was trying to be responsible.
Anyway, I played a few other amps, then found a used Line 6
Spider head. I played it, and liked it, and took it to the register (now 30 minutes after the store had closed) only to be
informed that the payment plan did not apply to used gear, even though the salesman said it did. Boo.
So
now it's 6:30, I'm and hour from home and I have a gig at 9. The sales guy says to me, I do have a Crate head on layaway that
the guy is supposed to pick up tomorrow. Since I screwed up on the used gear thing I'll sell it to you and order that guy
a new one. I say deal, and I'm out in 15 minutes.
I didn't even open the box until
I was at the venue. I was actually afraid to because there wasn't a chance to do anything if there was a problem. Well, I
get the amp opened at the club, tweak the settings blind and set up for the show. I hit an E and had a grin ear to ear.
That
gig went well, but I never really bonded with this amp, and discovered tube amps not too long after getting this one.
I sold it to a friend, who left it in a bar and it got stolen. The thing that sucks is it's still got a GC warranty until
2014.
More than likely my last solid state amp. I sold this before the GFX-212 even. It served
it's purpose, but we never had anything special, don't think I'd get another one unless it was stupid cheap or free, but it's
not a bad amp.
This is the only shot I have of it.
Peavey Classic 50 2x12" - Best birthday present ever. I found this amp in a local store, and it was the first
amp I ever tried because I liked how it looked. Tweed tolex, brown grill cloth, not something that would normally pique my
interest, but that day it did. I turned it on, and even at store volume I was blown away. This was my first time playing a
tube amp, and wow, I was sold for life right then and there. I tried to trade the GT1200 for this one, but the store wasn't
having it. Most of their cliental are more apt to buy a 10w solid state amp than anything like my head, or even this amp.
I
sold all kinds of stuff to raise money for this thing, but after 3 weeks and only about half the cash I kind of gave up. We
had a vacation coming up (leaving on my birthday) and I figured the extra dough would help with that, so I decided to let
it go.
I came home from work one day a few days before the trip, and Heidi comes out to the
porch as I walk up to guide me into the living room. There sat the Peavey. I had no idea how she did it (both financially
and physically, it's mad heavy), but I was super thrilled for quite a while.
This is my tone.
I've tried tons of amps, and nothing comes as close to the tone in my head as my Classic 50. It was missing something until
I got a 2x12" cab to go with it, then it became almost perfect. Clean channel is pretty good, not my favorite, but totally
usable. Drive channel goes from a little hair to metal (I played it for a metal band for a while), and does it all well. Reverb
again isn't the best in the biz, but it's really good for a nice subtle ambiance, which is exactly what I want it to do. The
big winner on this amp is the Presence knob. It would be lost without it. It's at full all the time. Adds that brightness
that I love so much.
I'll never get rid of this amp. 
Line 6 Spider II HD - 120w stereo head. I traded the Frankentele and a tattoo machine for this amp.
It was a backup for my buddy who lives by the tone of these things. I have to say, it really does work for him. For me however,
it was nothing special. The only good tones I found on it were metal, and more metal. I wound up trading it off for the Turser
LP and a Squier bass.
Ampeg Reverberocket R50-H - 50 watt tube head. I had the matching cabinet for a few years, and once I went to
tubes I had to have a backup so I decided to look for this head. I've only seen about 3 of them for sale, including the one
I bought.
This amp has one of the best clean channels on the planet. The reverb is to
die for as well. With that, this would make an Amazing surf amp, but unfortunately I don't play clean much, if ever. The drive
channel is not really my style. Somewhere between Mesa and Marshall, with it's own flair thrown in for good measure. Too heavy
for me, though my metal head friends love it.
I also used this as a bass head for a short stint
in a pop punk band. They were in a pinch for a bassist, and I stepped in to learn 20 some songs in a few days. It sounded
great as a bass amp, just not quite loud enough for the clubs we were playing.
*Update* - After
rekindling my love for surf music, this amp has gotten a Lot of play time. It's got a killer on board super drippy reverb,
and as I mentioned, an amazing clean tone. A little dark with the matching cab, but I'm working on that too. I almost sold
this one, now I know better.
Peavey Classic 50 head - I like the Classics so much I had to get another one. Got a great deal on this one because
it was covered in purple crushed velvet when I got it. Unfortunately it was pretty beat up so I ripped it off to find the
original tweed tolex in awesome shape.
All the things I love about my combo, in a smaller
package that I'm not afraid to gig with. The combo took a nasty dive off a 4x12" cab at a gig, so it doesn't go out much anymore.
Instead I use this head (that's already a little beat up) and a cab I don't care much about.
I also
use this head to do stereo setups for recording. I can dial this one in for the low end with a closed back cab, and the combo
for the top side with it's open back. Works really well, and I can get a really complex and interesting tone between the two.
*Update*
- Unfortunately I sold this one. It was a great amp, and it was cool to have a matching backup, but had to make some room
and pay some bills.
Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp - Bought this from a friend. When I got it, the ground pin was broken off, power switch
was broken (you have to use a pick or cable tip to switch it on), the handle was missing, along with the pilot light.
I
had a handle off an old Peavey powered mixer that happened to match the original Fender handle, and the "patina" on the amp,
so that was a big bonus.
I replaced the plug a few minutes after I got home, I figured that was way
too important to put off.
Got the pilot light replaced not too long after getting it, but I
had to buy 10 pilot bulbs, so if you need one I have them!
The power switch never got fixed, but
it does work at least.
This amp was a little tone monster. 12 watts, volume and tone controls, 2
inputs, 12" speaker (with a tiny magnet) a 12AX7, 6V6, and 5Y3 (not sure what that one does). It could get great breakup at
a reasonable volume. Actually with the right pickups it got downright punk rock distortion. I never got to gig this one, but
given the opportunity I'd totally buy another one. Sold it to a buddy since I wasn't really using it much and "needed" another
guitar.
Cabinets
Ampeg Diamond Blue 4x12" - Got this one a long time ago from a friend (same guy that sold me the Crate GFX-212).
I've always loved this cabinet, it's pretty dark, but it works really well with a combo on top of it, or in a stereo setup.
It's a heavy SOB, but worth it. 
Orange PPC212C 2x12" closed backed cab - Got this one used at GC for half what they go for new. It's
loaded with Celestion Vintage 30s, and sounds as good or better than the Ampeg in a smaller (though not lighter) package.
I often keep this under the Classic 50 combo. The open backed combo compliments the closed back cab very nicely. I don't gig
with this one too much, that orange tolex is not as strong as it should be and tears easily. I'll use if for bigger gigs and
recording, but I keep it home for the bar shows. 
No Name 2x12" cab - Got this as part of a trade deal. It's got some kind of Eminence speakers in it, I haven't pulled
it apart to figure out what they are yet. It's kind of beat up, but it sounds good. I use this one for most of my gigs since
it's already got some rips in the tolex. I'm really starting to like the sound of oversized 2x12" cabs.
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