Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

epi

epi

New member
Hello, I am looking to get a new amp in a month or two and want to know what is out there and what you people recommend!

I play a 7 string ibanez RGA7 and a variety of 6 strings but I am looking for a punchy tone, good distortion, I play rhythm mostly so something that has good rhythm.... and I am not sure what else to say...

What I am considering right now...
Peavey Triple XXX 2 (JSX new model basically)
EVH 5150III (50 watt model)


that is all I got... please add more on the list keep it around $1000 (CAD) that is my budget and I am looking for a head I already own a good cab.

I also need it to sound good with my 7 string (I have played a few amps that sound like fart with my 7 string....)

Thanks!
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

Peavey is a good call for high gain, I have a 6505+ and its got gain on tap. I don't turn the pre-gain knob past 4/5 and its still got plenty to spare. Its also less than a Mesa and suits me.

EVH would be a good shout too cos its the 5150 basically which Peavey don't make anymore, and that's less (for the 50 watt) than a Peavey.

Other possible alternatives might be Blackstar or Orange, or maybe look at the Jet City amps, they're supposed to have a good tone.
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

Orange is to expensive for the ones I like :P and there are like 0 jet city amps in Ottawa so I am very limited... the EVH 5150 is probably going to be the one since it is made by fender (my new found love) lol and yeah but the XXX 2 is ranking high up there since I have had the Peavey 5150 combo it was alright... I do not like the sound of combo amps in comparison to head + cab... and I have a solid state XXL which I love and hate so it is between Peavey and EVH for me mostly, my friend has a blackstar which I want to try if he will ever bring it over... he has a HT40 combo which he loves to death.
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

zzmoore said:
What kind of pricess are used Soldano Hot Rod 50+ going for.?
Click to expand...

More than a grand i'm sure.

I have a Blackstar HT40 and love it.

You can get a HT100 or 50 head for under a grand.

You might also want to look to see if you can find a used Fryette Sig:X or Pitbull head.
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

No Randall I can find in canada and our duty sucks... A lot... and I will try Blackstar when I try my friends amp. But they are a long haul to the place that sells them...
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

epi said:
I know... But my XXL sux crap so... New amp... Lol
Click to expand...

No it doesn't. I have one, and it's great. Lower the gain, and put an overdrive on it. Hit the amp harder and you'll get the sound you want. Use the lead channel, not the ultra.
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

epi said:
Orange is to expensive for the ones I like :P and there are like 0 jet city amps in Ottawa so I am very limited... the EVH 5150 is probably going to be the one since it is made by fender (my new found love) lol and yeah but the XXX 2 is ranking high up there since I have had the Peavey 5150 combo it was alright... I do not like the sound of combo amps in comparison to head + cab... and I have a solid state XXL which I love and hate so it is between Peavey and EVH for me mostly, my friend has a blackstar which I want to try if he will ever bring it over... he has a HT40 combo which he loves to death.
Click to expand...

Ah didn't realise you were in Canada. I didn't think EVH was made by Fender? Thought it was the new version of the 5150, which was a great amp.

Try to look second hand, I got my 6505+ off eBay for nearly half the price of a brand new one, and it wasn't even that used! So I got a really good deal.

The other guitarist in my band has a Blackstar HT40 which sounds pretty good, he can turn it up as well cos its only 40 watts, so he gets to drive the amp a bit harder. Tube amps always kick ass, esp with an overdrive pedal in front.
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

dominus said:
No it doesn't. I have one, and it's great. Lower the gain, and put an overdrive on it. Hit the amp harder and you'll get the sound you want. Use the lead channel, not the ultra.
Click to expand...

Do this.

I have my pre-amp gain on 4 which is less than halfway and I run an Ibanez tubescreamer on top of the lead channel with the level about 1/2 o'clock, drive all the way down. Tone in the middle. Then turn the volume up, you get a much more punchy, clear sound which is still big and heavy.

These days all these metal players have way too much gain which makes your chords all mushy cos the volume isn't loud enough so it kinda squashes the frequencies.
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

6505+ is great and you should find some used ones if you look hard enough in CAnada though you may have to get it shipped.

I bought a new Orange TH30 from Long& Mcquade for a tad over a grand with taxes, it's gone a bit higher lately but not ridiculously so... it's a very cool amp IMHO and would work well.

Another idea: I found a used, slightly-beat up recto-verb (50W single rectifier with reverb) for 600$. Don't seem to be many at that price but you can definitely get a nice single recto well below 900$ if you look around the different kijijis of Ontario, closer to 700$ if you're not in a hurry. The single-recs don't get the reviews that the dual get and don't have all the bells and whistles but the tone is there... it's a killer head for not much on the used market.

25W mini-rectos seem to go around 800$ as well, which could be a sweet choice if that wattage is good enough for you.
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

If I was going to buy another high gain amp it would be the 5150III. I've heard nothing but great things about them.

Also, don't discount a Mesa Dual Rectifier. I don't know about Canada, but here in Chicago I see used ones all the time for under $1000 USD.
 
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Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

I am considering the Peavey 6505+ or just plain 6505... EVH is my last resort since I can only buy it brand new and I don't really want to lol
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

epi said:
I am considering the Peavey 6505+ or just plain 6505... EVH is my last resort since I can only buy it brand new and I don't really want to lol
Click to expand...

You will like any of the 6505/5150 family peaveys with a 7 string. The resonance control really helps you sculpt the low end and prevent the fart you mentioned. Happy hunting!
 
Re: Amp suggestions needed High Gain...

Blackstar HT50? I found a retailer in Ottawa and it's $759.99 so... Opinions please lol
 
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