Advice on next amp head please...

[jclogston]

Hi all -

Looking for advice on my next amp head. I currently have a peavey bravo which works well; my only complaint would be that the cleans aren't the best. Figure it's time to get a "new" amp.

What i am looking for is a 2-channel amp that has -
- low watt option/power soak
- nice cleans on one channel (at least better than my peavey bravo's)
- second channel to cover thrash (think testament, anthrax, 80's metal)
- reverb

From my research these amps come to mind:
Engl Ironball
Laney IRT-Studio

Of course, both of these are not available to try in any sores (go figure).

So what do you think? The Engl is like 2x the price of the Laney, is it worth it?
Any others i should look at?

Thanks


jeff

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

A lot of the small tube heads are either single channel, or lack reverb. There's also the Laney Cub Head, the H&K Tubemeister 36 (the 5 and 18 do not have reverb) and many of the Blackstar HT series.

 

[hydro]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

Take a look at the Mesa transatlantics. They are 2 channel w reverb and available in a head. The cleans are absolutely wonderful, in my opinion. I am not sure if they can do thrash, but one of the hi gain channel modes is similar to the Rectifier modern tone, to my ears. I have a 1x12 combo ordered and am waiting -impatiently- for it to arrive.

 

[hydro]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

Oh I should have added, the Mesa TA-30 has power scaling options too. I think 15,30 and 40 watt modes on each channel.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

The Laney sounds really cool and seems to be loaded with key features. I have a lot of interest in that one. For the price, I'd consider it over the Ironball. There are other processors too around that price range. Engl makes an E530 preamp for about $500, or a special edition for around $1700. Mesa Boogie makes an awesome recording preamp which I have used through a Fender Bandmaster power section and Engl power amp, and it sounded really good. However, overall the IRT is most intriguing to me.

 

[jclogston]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

The Laney sounds really cool and seems to be loaded with key features. I have a lot of interest in that one. For the price, I'd consider it over the Ironball. There are other processors too around that price range. Engl makes an E530 preamp for about $500, or a special edition for around $1700. Mesa Boogie makes an awesome recording preamp which I have used through a Fender Bandmaster power section and Engl power amp, and it sounded really good. However, overall the IRT is most intriguing to me.

The Laney would win over the Ironball just in price and features alone, sounds almost too good to be true.
How is the Engl E530? I thought about that option and then picking up a power amp for it but it would still cost more than the laney irt-studio.
Unfortunately both there are no dealers around for me to try any of them, so I have to go off of internet reviews/vids but both are pretty new so i guess i'll have to wait...

Jeff

 

[jclogston]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

Oh I should have added, the Mesa TA-30 has power scaling options too. I think 15,30 and 40 watt modes on each channel.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried the TA-15 and it didn't get heavy enough. I do love mesa cleans though! Plus mesas get ridiculously loud...

Jeff

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

affordable 2 channel amp with cleans, thrash, and more knobs and switches than most could handle: http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/V3M

I haven't played one. Since it is Carvin you have to buy and hope, you won't find one in a store. I'm intrigued by this amp so I'm always trying to get people to buy it and report back

 

[jclogston]

Re: Advice on next amp head please...

affordable 2 channel amp with cleans, thrash, and more knobs and switches than most could handle: http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/V3M

I haven't played one. Since it is Carvin you have to buy and hope, you won't find one in a store. I'm intrigued by this amp so I'm always trying to get people to buy it and report back

View attachment 43764

I'm in the same boat, hoping someone else would buy. I think this amp has the most mixed reviews i have ever read online about...

Jeff