Alright guys, name me some amps...

FretFire

SingedFingerologist
Well, playing out with the rack setup this weekend (or actually moving it in order to play out) has prompted me to consider selling it to fund a more... portable setup. Moving a 60 pound 4x12 cab and 85 pound 3'x3'x3' rack case left only room for myself and one guitar (good thing I didn't need any others for alternate tunings, but I couldn't have a backup either). I like the way it sounds, but it's hard to justify the need for a road crew. I also figure that if I'm so quick to consider selling I'm not all that satisfied with it...

Anyways, on to the REAL purpose of this thread. With the sale of all the pieces of the rack, I should have about $1,200-1,500 to spend on an amp head, and a couple hundred more if I go combo and sell my current 4x12. My initial thoughts include a Carvin MTS, and Mesa Rectoverb or Tremoverb.

I like a pretty nice clean tone, however my main focus is on the mid-gain to *relatively* high gain territories. I like to play bluesy/jazzy stuff on my own when I practice, but my band plays a lot of hard rock and metal covers, and our originals could be considered hard rock (or even nu-metal by some). I also realize I'll likely need pedals here and there to help get to certain tones.

Suggest away...
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

THD, VHT, Soldano, and the Mesa Mark series have also been suggested for consideration...
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

I'd recommend the THD flexi, but to be honest the change from a rack to a one channel amp map may be too extreme for you. I'd suggest a good two channel amp. Bogner's shiva comes highly recommended, and comes in 6l6 and el34 versions. A lot depends on how 'nu' your tastes are. If you like things scooped, the rectoverb is a good choice. I'd also check out the f-100. both amps have above average cleans and that modern scooped tone. I prefer them over the mark series.
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

I'm not really after scooped sounds. I actually usually have quite a bit of mids dialed up, and I'd like some nice lead sounds as well (as I'm the lead player in my band). I know that's probably where a good pedal can come in the complete the picture, but I want a solid foundation.

I figure since I'll have the money to do with as I please, I want to get something I'm very happy with, so I am probably going to sit on the cash at least until the beginning of the year. That way I can play around with lots of stuff and avoid impulse buys haha. I just want to get some suggestions to add to my "to play" list.
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

I don't recall them having absolutely stellar clean tones (at least to my taste), but the VHT's I've played have an awesome crunch to ultra high gain sound and I thought the clean sound was pretty darn good.

What about the Legacy combo from Carvin or Marshall TSL combo?

Heck with that kind of money, pick up two small 25-30 watt combos, one that excels @ clean, one that excels @ gain. Still shouldn't weigh as much as a head and some cabs. Unless you need the extra volume of course.
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

In that case, I'm not sure I recommend the rectoverb or f-100. Both can sound pretty unmusical at higher mid settings to me. I'd check the new mesa stiletto, though, which sounds pretty good.
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

A Legacy combo is a good option that I honestly hadn't thought of (not sure why really). Marshall TSL also hadn't crossed my mind, I'll make note of both of them thanks. Getting a couple of smaller combos might work out pretty well, but I do need to consider the fact that some gigs might be in the future. Of course 25-30 watts miced up is plenty...
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

Yeah, I've looked up some info on the Stiletto, it does look killer. I'm hoping to buy used if possible, and I don't think they've been out on the market for long so they might be out of my price range (although I'm not sure what they go for new even).
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

i'd go with a line 6 vetta...EVERYTHING you'd ever need in one head...
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

Yeah, I'm using a POD XT Pro in my rack right now, so if I stay with Line 6 it will definitely be a Vetta. I want to get some nice tube recommendations too, as I've never owned a tube amp before.
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

If your ears are used to hearing a 4-12, you may be disappointed with an open back combo amp. The Days of Vernon Reid style rack refrigerators is over. Too many broken backs! LOL If I were you, I'd keep the cabinet, sell all the rack stuff, and get a 2 or 3 channel tube head like a Bogner Shiva, DSL50, ENGL Powerball or Fireball,
Soldano HR50+, Mesa Stilletto, or new Peavey Satriani model, which is getting good reviews. If you want to continue using your rig as a low volume practice rig, I'd look at the Vetta I&II, as well as a Vox AD120 head.
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

I'm definitely open to keeping the cabinet, although it is a pretty low-quality cab that isn't likely to do a nice head justice. I was lucky in that the speakers were bad enough that they were basically flat-response which was great for the POD haha.

Are the Peavey JSX amps any good? I have heard mediocre reviews at best...
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

UK Guitarist magazine and Guitar Player magazine gave the JSX excellent reviews. I heard demo tracks on the Guitarist CD, and it sounded ballpark-Satriani to me. Thing is, I'm not a huge fan of his tone. But if you like his tone, it'd be a killer amp by the sound of it...
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

I like his lead tones here and there (The Mighty Turtle Head is a good example, as is House Full of Bullets), but I'll need a good rhythm tone as well, which I can't say I've ever heard from him for very long haha.
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

Don't forget, Satriani is using a wafer thin guitar with wafer thin DiMarzios. Hahahaha

Since the NAMM shows will force lots of jonesers to sell good gear, to free up cash for 2005 gear, you should dump everything but the POD (for recording).
Then, after you save up additional money, wait till you've got enough to take advantage of all the used gear that hits the market in January/Feb.
Sell your cab too. The sooner you do it, the better, since nobody buys gear right before Christmas.
 
Traynor YCV-80 2x12"

Traynor YCV-80 2x12"

Traynor YCV-80: For what your doing the the 2 x 12" model would probably work better, than the 4 x 10" version. Traynor makes a 2 x 12" extension cabinet that fits right under the amp. Going that route you could use either just the 2 x 12's in the amp, or have 4 x 12's when you need more stage volume.


Sprinter
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

Definitely looking at Traynors, but aren't they more similar to Fender tone-wise? I could be completely mistaken so please correct me if I'm off base.

About keeping the POD, that will be adding nearly $700 to the amp fund (Xt Pro with all the model packs), so I probably wont be able to. Assuming the new amp sounds good I'll get a mic and pre and be good :).
 
Re: Alright guys, name me some amps...

FretFire said:
Definitely looking at Traynors, but aren't they more similar to Fender tone-wise? I could be completely mistaken so please correct me if I'm off base.

If you head over to Musicians Friend I believe they have sound samples up for some of the Traynor amps.
 
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