Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

[jrobinson1085]

Hi everyone,

I've been looking at buying a new amp recently and a number of them have struck out at me. I only really play thrash metal stuff (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth etc.) and a little bit of clean. My question is that out of these amps, which one would give me the best tone while recording thrash metal stuff: Marshall JVM410H, Mesa Mark V, Mesa Dual Rectifier, Peavey 6505+, or Engl Powerball. I'm using an ESP Eclipse II, along with a Maxon OD808. Any advice?

Thanks in advance,
Jordan

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

Any of them would work well really.


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[CTN]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

any of those can give you a thrash tone in studio with enough tweaking. My preferred amps would be (in order of best tones) the Powerball, 6505+ and JVM. I'm not the biggest Mesa fan, and although there are some bands that can get those mesa amps to work, I feel that they're not really suited to surgically tight, razor sharp thrash riffing.

but out of that list, I'd only really take the 6505+ out on the road.

- fairly inexpensive, easy to find, therefore easy to replace
- killer tones
- takes a frickin beating on the road and keeps on tickin.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

Voted 6505+ but honestly, a modded JCM 800 would probably do you better.

 

[Chazzy]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

id have to say the 6505 because it has the best ratio in terms of price, reliability and tone, it likely is the most reliable amp in this list, however that is hard to compare because all these amps are quality... the 6505 is a bit more modern sounding however, idk how well it does scooped mids, probably well im assuming, i have a 6534+ and i like it alot, it has a very very slight marshally el34 vibe but insane aggression, i would take that over the 6505

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

For the thrash tones you're reffering to, I'd go with the Mark V.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

No best... just pick your favorite flavor in your price range.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

What you really want is a 2203/2204 + tubescreamer/SD1

But out of that list the MKV hands down.

 

[Securb]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

No best... just pick your favorite flavor in your price range.

+1^ Any of those amps will do. Thrash is more about attitude, power and technique. I played in a thrash band in the 80s with a Fender Silverface.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

I voted for the Peavey based on value alone, If you're looking for a straight up great thrash tone out the box I'd look at a used Knucklehead.....

 

[jrobinson1085]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

Thanks a lot for the replies guys... Great advice

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

I'd pick the Engl from the bunch. It has a really dense texture and cutting edge. But you can't go wrong with none of them.

If you think about traditional thrash tone, a JCM800, your Maxon and an EQ pedal with mid cut would be a perfect one.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

MkV channel 3 Mk2C+ mode EQ sliders on and in a V shape, Master of Puppets/...And Justice For All achieved.

 

[jrbowen81]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

I've been able to get every great metal tone I've ever wanted from my 6505+. It's a lot more versatile than I thought it would be. All of the amps you mentioned are probably great, but I can't speak for them too much since I haven't played on them. The Peavey is super tough, well-built, and of course more affordable, especially given the fact that it's American made. Just keep in mind that the others you mentioned have more switching/channel options, but if that's overkill for you, then don't let it concern you too much.

I'll tell you this much... I'd love to have any of the amps you listed, but not if I had to give up my 6505+.


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[esandes]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

i had a marshall jcm 800 (2204 50W EL34) that had more thunder than my first gen peavey 5150 (120W 6L6). there's something "tight" and "focused" about the EL34 tubes that i prefer over the 6L6/5881 tubes. however metal heads like zakk wylde and kerry king prefer the 5881 marshalls.

at least with the mesas you have an option to try both types of tubes.

maybe just try them out at the store as a last resort.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

however metal heads like zakk wylde and kerry king prefer the 5881 marshalls.

Do you just make things up as you go along?

Both Kerry King and Zakk used 6550's in their amps which were the most common tube that JCM800's were shipped with at the time. For whatever reason King chose to use KT88's in his signature amp which is weird because he even admits that his "beast" head has 6550's

Tight and focused has more to do with the circuit than the tube type.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

Do you just make things up as you go along?

Both Kerry King and Zakk used 6550's in their amps which were the most common tube that JCM800's were shipped with at the time. For whatever reason King chose to use KT88's in his signature amp which is weird because he even admits that his "beast" head has 6550's

Tight and focused has more to do with the circuit than the tube type.

Lmao, it's up there with the recent Marshall thread where people seem to talk about the JCM900 in extreme generalities and like there is only one model in the range

 

[esandes]

Re: Best Thrash Metal Amp for Live/Recording?

Do you just make things up as you go along?

Both Kerry King and Zakk used 6550's in their amps which were the most common tube that JCM800's were shipped with at the time. For whatever reason King chose to use KT88's in his signature amp which is weird because he even admits that his "beast" head has 6550's

right. my mistake. the point is, they prefer the bigger bottles and the power amp tubes make a huge difference in the sound. those are even bigger than 5881s.