well, gilmore used 4 Hiwatt custom 100's through WEM 4x12 cabinets.
Im not too fond of using a combo amp as a head though, cause its not the ideal setup for me + it will def push me over budget. Also the Alinco blues are awesome speakers but they cost nearly half what the amp alone costs so it would not be a viable option for me.
The blues jr = $499
Alinco blue = $249.99
Vintage 30 = $110.99
I was planning on gettin a good clean sound like this from the amp, speaker n a strat with either the emg's or dark sounding pickups, possible SD alinco II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuG_316cPMY
As far as the overdriven sound goes, id like it to be creamy n super full of harmonics and overtones for those expressive bends. something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yeiz5wENoio
There is no way i can use any amp's natural overdrive though, not at those volume levels at home, so i was planning on getting somp boxes for that. Possible a good OD or big muff with a delay pedal and a compressor.
I cannot go any higher than 500 on the amp, in fact if i change the speaker ill do it at a later date.
dunno, maybe there are some better amps in that price range??
Imo the Hiwatt's have more overtones and sound darker that the fender. Although they r clean amps, in terms that they have tons n tons of headroom.