Best amp

J

Joseph777

New member
Hi
well here´s the deal:
I want to get an amp head with some cash that I´ll get soon
I want to spend 2.5K at much so here are the options.
a. Splawn Quick Rod
b. Soldano Hot Rod 100+
c. Engl Savage 120
d. Engl Powerball
e. Mesa Dual Recto or Roadster
f. Bogner Shiva
g. Fryette Deliverance
h. Fryette Sig X
i. Hughes & Kettner Duotone

The fact is that where I live there´s no place to try any of this amps so I plan to get the amp based on demos (mp3s, vids) and opinions owners and those who tried these amps before. :-)
From my research based on vids mainly
I really like the Splawn for its Modded Marshall tone also the soldano but I really like the extra punch and power maybe the soldano is my favourite for now.
The Engl savage sound Really massive too the powerball too. but a friend told me that considering the applications that I want it to use for the Savage is my best bet.
The Fryettes Sounds Cool but a bit dry for my tastes but this just based on the vids and mp3´s :-$
BTW I want to use it for live gigs mainly.
I play Many Genres stuff like Mana, Bad English (Relly like Neal Schon Tone Live ); Bon Jovi, Dream Theater (Petrucci´s tone is also one of my favourites really dig his rythm and lead tone, that´s why I really liked the Soldano vids)
I want to have Good Cleans but mainly Nice OD tones POwerful Crunchs massive OD and Singing Lead and Nice Cutting through the mix.
The equipment that I Use as a reference:
- Gibson Les Paul Traditional
- Fender Strat American Deluxe
- Ibaneg RG 1570
- Music Man Petrucci BFR (coming)
- Anderson Cobra s
- Suhr Modern (coming)
- TC Electronics G Major want to get a G force and sell it.
- Eventide Timefactor
- Eventide Modfactor



So Please suggest me :-)
your suggestions and opinions will be highly appreciated.
 
Re: Best amp

It sounds like you've got a good idea of what you want already. You can essentially rule out the Fryette stuff due to the drier character. They definitely have a unique tone to them, so if you're on the fence, I'd recommend you simply remove them from your list.

This stuff is all so subjective. From what sounds you're describing, I think you'd be better off canning the Bogner Shiva (it sounds like you want less compression and a more open tone). I've also owned the Hughes & Kettner Duotone. I sold it off for another Shiva because the character of the overdrive has a fizziness and a graininess I didn't care for. I felt complex chords got lost and it didn't let through the character of the guitar very well. The cleans are better than a lot of the competition, but if overdrive is more important, it's not going to hang with the top of your list.

I'm not sure if the Mesa is really up your alley. If you really want things to cut, you're going to want something more midrange heavy than the Rectifier.

There you go... that's half of your list gone :D
 
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Re: Best amp

Thanks for the Help : )

So it would be between
- Soldano Hot Rod 100+
- Splawn Quick Rod
- Mesa Roadster
- Engl Savage
- Engl Powerball II
 
Re: Best amp

While I really like the Roadster and Road King, the Mark V is the amp you are missing on the list and it fits those styles and qualities you mentioned (very well, to include Marshall style tones out of the Crunch mode on channel 2).

The Mark V will keep you happy longer than you would ever think.
 
Re: Best amp

Joseph777 said:
The fact is that where I live there´s no place to try any of this amps so I plan to get the amp based on demos (mp3s, vids) and opinions owners and those who tried these amps before. :-)
From my research based on vids mainly
Click to expand...
Do NOT buy something based on online video's! I just bought an Orange head + cab (AUS$4700) and I tested it in-store with different guitars, cabs and pedals.

Online clips don't let you 'feel' how an amp reacts to your playing, and you won't know how a each guitar is going to behave with an amp from a online video.

I did look up my orange amp on youtube AFTER I purchased it. I wanted to find a clip to show my friends. I still can't find any clips that sound like my new amp, and they're not even close.

I dont know the reason why you can't go to a music store, If you live too far away from one then maybe you should make it day trip to go to one, alternatively you could buy and find out what the returns policy is (and you get bet that you'll be paying the freight charge).

I don't want to come across as negative, but I've bought pedals based on youtube clips and I've been dissapointed, and you're looking to spend thousands more than I would.

Good luck mate!
 
Re: Best amp

Of the short list you mentioned my favourite would be the Splawn Quick Rod, but I'm biased because I have 1 :D


I had a similar search myself last year and after alot of searching I settled on the Spalwn and haven't regretted it for a single minute since.
 
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Re: Best amp

I don't have much experience with any of them however I did try a Soldano Hot Rod 50+ once and loved the sound. But it did have a flaw, when I connected all my pedals and tried using a boost in the loop (solo/ lead boost) it just didn't work so I didn't get it. I recall reading something about this somewhere so if you are going to use the loop check this out first. Other than that it was a great amp.
 
Re: Best amp

Binnerscot said:
While I really like the Roadster and Road King, the Mark V is the amp you are missing on the list and it fits those styles and qualities you mentioned (very well, to include Marshall style tones out of the Crunch mode on channel 2).

The Mark V will keep you happy longer than you would ever think.
Click to expand...

the Roadster and Roadking have the same settings on channel 2, it's called Brit mode. Selecting the EL-34 power section for this channel and setting the mids to suit (on this setting the mids increases the gain character the higher it's set) is KILLER Marshall crunch.

For what he describes, I like the RoadKing. Channel one set clean using 6L6, channel two set to Brit mode for OD and Crunch using EL-34, channel 3 set to Vintage mode using either 4x6L6 or 2x6L6 + 2xEL34 for an 80's JCM gain tone and channel 4 on modern setting with 4x6L6 and solid state rectification for some serious Dual Rec tone. Not to mention if he has two different cabs he can assign either/or, or both, per channel to suit his needs.

when it comes to sheer versatility the RoadKing and, slightly less so, the Roadster and Mark V are unmatched.
 
Re: Best amp

You have a surh and a petrucci coming and a pending $2,500 amp purchase. I want your tax return.

While I wouldn't trust youtube clips, I would trust a nice mic'ed amp - sosomething utilizes his splawn on his recordings done in a good studio for his band (devils of belgrade - google should get you there), and I'd say that would be a great representation of his amp in a studio setting.
 
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Re: Best amp

I'd buy a used Roadster or Roadking II if I were you. The Dual Rectifier Multi Watt wouldn't be a bad choice either.... :)
 
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Re: Best amp

Binnerscot said:
the Mark V is the amp you are missing on the list and it fits those styles and qualities you mentioned (very well, to include Marshall style tones out of the Crunch mode on channel 2).

The Mark V will keep you happy longer than you would ever think.
Click to expand...


I was thinking the exact same thing when I read the OP. Petrucci's demo vids of the Mark V sound great and nail his tone.
 
Re: Best amp

sbecker67 said:
the Roadster and Roadking have the same settings on channel 2, it's called Brit mode. Selecting the EL-34 power section for this channel and setting the mids to suit (on this setting the mids increases the gain character the higher it's set) is KILLER Marshall crunch.

For what he describes, I like the RoadKing. Channel one set clean using 6L6, channel two set to Brit mode for OD and Crunch using EL-34, channel 3 set to Vintage mode using either 4x6L6 or 2x6L6 + 2xEL34 for an 80's JCM gain tone and channel 4 on modern setting with 4x6L6 and solid state rectification for some serious Dual Rec tone. Not to mention if he has two different cabs he can assign either/or, or both, per channel to suit his needs.

when it comes to sheer versatility the RoadKing and, slightly less so, the Roadster and Mark V are unmatched.
Click to expand...

I own both a Mark V and a Road King. The Brit mode and the Mark's Crunch channel are nothing alike. The Road King is a monster, but the Mark V wins hands down for versatility. It has far more flavors than the Road King.
 
Re: Best amp

Honestly the only amps from your list that I have available to me around here are Mesas. I own a Roadster.... :)
 
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Re: Best amp

Another good way to decide on an amp is look into the gear bands you listen to use and see if theres a pattern of brands or particular amp models. It will tell you the types of sounds you really like hearing..... :)
 
Re: Best amp

Ask Gearjoneser about his Bogners I think his XTC is the sh&t. I"d love to play a Shiva one day.
 
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