Buying a new amp

[mediumpimpin]

Hi all, I'm new to these forums, well kinda. I posted here a few yrs ago under another name, but I'm back.

Anyways, I'm tired of my marshall avt275 and put it on ebay so I can get another amp. I'm looking for a smaller all tube amp that is fairly versatile. I like to play metal, classic rock, hardcore, and some blues for good measure. After doing some research looking at different amps, I would like some opinions on an h&k edition tube anniversary http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...e-20th-Anniversary-Model-Combo-Amp?sku=480426
I have heard some great things about this amp but have a few concerns. First, it has a shared eq (can always use an external eq I guess) and I have my doubts about it being able to get as dirty as I need for metal duties. Anybody have any experience with this amp?

The other amp which happens to be my frontrunner based on specs and reviews alone is the peavey xxx 112. The problem with this amp is that it has been discontinued, so GC and Sam Ash tell me Both places have this amp in stock online so I can go ahead and order it, but if I don't like it I'm out at least $100 in shipping alone. I know this amp is more than capable of handling metal but I wonder how well it can handle classic rock tones and cleans (not a huge deal for me).

The third amp I like, and I've tried it in person, is the marshall tsl601 combo. The problem with this amp is it's more money than I'd like to spend ($1500 new) and I can't find any good used ones online. The GC nearest me has a floor model for $800 that sounded awesome, but it's all beat to hell and missing knobs so that's a no go.

I'm torn on what to do here b/c GC and Sam Ash are the only real decent guitar stores near me that I can find. Apparently San Antonio sucks for gear:no: This leaves me one option that I can think of, and that's to order some amps and hope for the best. I can't decide if I should just order the xxx now and try it and send it back for the h&k if I don't like it or vise-versa, or even order both now and send back the loser(s).

Sorry about the length guys, but I'm in need of some opinions here. By the way, I post over on guitargeek as well but find this forum to be much more useful from past experience:bigok:

 

[BG00]

Re: Buying a new amp

The h&k will be a higher quality amp with better cleans than the xxx. However the xxx will be much better for metal/metalcore/hardcore stuff. The peavey JSX is actually a little better version of the xxx and if they make a JSX combo I would go with that.

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Buying a new amp

I would love a jsx combo, but they only make one with 2 12s and 120w, which is too much amp for what I need. If they made one with a single 12 and 60w I'd be all over it.

I'm going today to try out some orange amps to see if they'll fit my style. I know they aren't the most suited for metal, but I'll see what I can get with a good dist/od in front of one.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Buying a new amp

There are a lot of good choices out there for what you're looking for. Some of which you've listed.

The H&K is a great little tube amp. Not loud enough for most gigs IMO, but awesome for recording and bedroom use.

Dunno about the Peavey -- not a big fan of their amps.

The Marshall TSL is WAY overpriced. For that kind of dough, if you look hard enough you can score a Bogner Shiva 1X12 which annialates the Marshall (and most other amps).

The Traynor Custom Blue 50 is an awesome combo (which I have and have gigged) that is relatively cheap and plenty loud enough to gig.

Also, check-out the Hughes & Kettner Switchblade 1X12 combo. I'd bet that would be a versatile enough amp for you and certainly cheaper than the TSL.

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Buying a new amp

There are a lot of good choices out there for what you're looking for. Some of which you've listed.

The H&K is a great little tube amp. Not loud enough for most gigs IMO, but awesome for recording and bedroom use.

Dunno about the Peavey -- not a big fan of their amps.

The Marshall TSL is WAY overpriced. For that kind of dough, if you look hard enough you can score a Bogner Shiva 1X12 which annialates the Marshall (and most other amps).

The Traynor Custom Blue 50 is an awesome combo (which I have and have gigged) that is relatively cheap and plenty loud enough to gig.

Also, check-out the Hughes & Kettner Switchblade 1X12 combo. I'd bet that would be a versatile enough amp for you and certainly cheaper than the TSL.

As far as I know, the h&k switchblade is more or similar in in price than a tsl. I talked to a guy at GC and he'd let a tsl go for 1300 (still way too much for that amp) If the tsl was under a grand, I 'd buy one, but definitely not worth the asking price just like most marshalls it seems. I'm going today to demo some orange amps to see how I like them. I like that they're so damn simple, but don't know if I can get good metal tones from one.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Buying a new amp

As far as I know, the h&k switchblade is more or similar in in price than a tsl. I talked to a guy at GC and he'd let a tsl go for 1300 (still way too much for that amp) If the tsl was under a grand, I 'd buy one, but definitely not worth the asking price just like most marshalls it seems. I'm going today to demo some orange amps to see how I like them. I like that they're so damn simple, but don't know if I can get good metal tones from one.

Yeah, you're right. If I was going to spend that kind of $$$ I'd choose the H&K over theTSL any day.

Dunno about the Orange stuff. I know it's good. But how much overdrive one would have to get from the pedal to get the metal tone is unknown to me.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Buying a new amp

Look at the Peavey Classic 30 - would do metal well, 30 watts, and cleans up to classic blues tones

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Buying a new amp

Well, I just got back from the shop and they didn't have any oranges in stock, I'll have to wait till later this wk or wkend, unless the other orange dealer here has a rocker 30 in stock. While I was at the shop tho, I tried a mesa express 5:50 and practically fell in love with that amp. I played it in the 5w mode and it was still loud as hell, but sounded good. I got some really good thick metal tones out of it and it had good cleans and blues tones. Unless I like that orange more than this one (I doubt it) this will be my next purchase. The only real downside to the mesa is the price; $1200 and the guy said he couldn't go lower. So basically the mesa is gonna cost me $1300 out the door after taxes. I guess I'll have to pick up some extra shifts at work.

 

[April]

Re: Buying a new amp

look to Brunetti Maranello
2 ch, separately EQ, 20W, Great Custom tone...great clen, great rock,great metall, price about 1200$ in Europe
Also Koch Studio tone...but it shared EQ....

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: Buying a new amp

Laney GH50L or you can get an AOR get all the top notch mods and a killer 4X12 for your $1500 budget.

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Buying a new amp

Well thanks for the advice guys, but I pulled the trigger on an orange rocker 30. I dunno if anyone here has tried one, but that little thing is a monster. Everyone told me that amp wouldn't work for what I wanted, but it sure as hell does. If you've never tried an orange before, I suggest you go find one and melt some faces.

 

[ravendouglas]

Re: Buying a new amp

im looking at some carvin amps,the legacy is one im interested in ,im looking for my first tube amp.there is a local houston axe slinger ,his name is marzi and he just kills,he uses a new amp company as does alice coopers guitarist kelly,diamond,ive never heard one of those though amplification,ive never heard one of these amps though.

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Buying a new amp

raven, what is the name of the amp company you're referring to? I'd be interested in hearing one.

 

[April]

Re: Buying a new amp

Legasy is solo amp...not enought for rely metall tone
Look to Rivera Knuklehead