Japhet

Hooverville - The Christians

Iron Lion Zion - Bob Marley & the Wailers

Used to occasionally run into similar problems. Game changer for me was putting a Micro Thumpinator on my board. It cuts out all of useless frequencies below 37Hz (I think) which suck all the power out of your amp and cause the drivers to flap about, potentially causing severe damage. Wouldn't be without it now because it focusses the sound right where you need it. I'd also look at pushing the mids in the EQ to try to get some more cut through.

Because You're Young - David Bowie

Tangerine - Led Zeppelin

The Runaway - Del Shannon

Happy - Pharell Williams

Psycho Killer - Talking Heads

Monet For Nothing - Dire Straits

Intensely irritating plonker. I'd watch Danny Seppuku though.

I have the 100 and the 500 combos. The 100 is loud enough for most stuff I play (pubs) but the 500 has more power (obviously) and disperses the sound better so I use that a fair bit too. Both are cracking amps and, in my opinion, sound best when the 'vintage' button is engaged.

I Knee to Know - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Great shout.

I'd Rather Go Blind - Ella Fitzgerald

Prayer for the Dying - Seal

Blockheads - Ian Dury & the Blockheads

Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price

I Can't Give You Anything - The Stylistics

Don't think I will ever forget the time we turned up for a function gig at a hotel and were told it was upstairs. We were then told we couldn't go up the main staircase but had to lug our gear up a fire escape. The memory of that and my SMX combo have become the stuff of nightmares. I would die if I had to do it now.

Keep on Running - Spencer Davis Group

Just picked up a TC Spark Booster off the forum and first impressions are very favourable. It's nice and flexible depending on what you're looking for and none of the options sound straight 'bad' which is nice. As to the topic of the post, I play in 3 piece bands these days playing mainly Rock and a bit of growl fills the sound out, particularly when the guitarist is soloing.

I'd go straight for a second hand Zoom B3. Probably pick one up for around £80 and you wouldn't even need to buy a board or a power supply.

My Mistake - Split Enz

I'm doubtless in a minority but I don't ever try to slavishly copy anything. To my mind, covers are versions of songs whereas tribute bands go for the 100% authentic approach. To that end, I usually listen to a song, noodle along to it, try to find something that sounds OK. Then I listen in more detail to the track and find bits that I like. Then I mish mash it up together, some of it original, some of it improvised. I'd find it extremely tedious trying to get every note spot on not to mention a bit sterile. Never had any complaints.

This is a pretty good starting point;