Combo Amp Suggestions

[marcg71]

Hey folks. I am in the need of a versatile combo amp. I had an Mesa F-50 that worked for a lot of stuff – but IMO did not have a good clean sound or mid gain sound. I play in 2 bands – One blues and one Cover Band so I need something that can cover blues through literally Hoobastank and Whitesnake. I know I’m asking a bunch here, but any suggestions?

I tried a Bogner shiva – loved the cleans but there wasn’t enough gain. And I did not like how the FX loop worked with modulation pedals.

 

[shogunlegend]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

i just bought a mesa 5:50 about a week ago and that thing rocks. the cleans are amazing, and IMO, it's better than fender clean or at least up there with the best fender cleans. the drive channels are pretty versatile and it's got enough gain for hard rock. you won't get nu-metal with the amp distortion, but let me tell you how good this things sounds with pedals.

there are some other great combos in the price range, but IMO, just about any good sounding combo amp will give you great distortion with the right pedal. most of the time, you don't need a lot of distortion to get a great metal tone. a good distortion amp should give you what you need for any kind of metal with the gain knob around 6-7.

 

[lex666]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

^^

he's right. I tried the 5:50 too and it was great. very nice cleans, nice creamy distortion. I actually liked this better than the single rect combo I was shopping for...

Edit: If you liked your F50 but want better cleans and more of a mid-dist clip, try the 5:50.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

Try a Genz Benz el Diablo if you can find one. They come in 1x12 30/60 and 2x12 50/100 combos. Very warm clean channel. Gain can take you all the through classic to modern territorries. My only criticism of the amp is it tends to lack some "spank" and hi-mid tones, particularly if you're after some traditional Stratty stuff.

 

[shogunlegend]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

i tried that amp several times, but i just couldn't get sold on the tone. it was close, but something missing. the distortion is mediocre and the cleans lacked a little headroom, IMO. if that amp was about $400 less, it would probably be a good deal. that amp's got some cool features though, and one of the coolest things is that you can switch el34 or 6l6. i'd love to hear it with 6l6s. i wonder if it sounds better that way.

 

[vintagecrunch]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

I love my Mesa Lonestar Special 4x10 combo... Great cleans and does classic mid gain to Hard rock no problem and if it has to scream I use a boost! It covers almost anything.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

Either the Engl Screamer 50 or Sovereign 100 will give you everything you want now and even more if you decide to explore other styles later on.

Since you were looking at Bogner i guess you have the cash for one, so for that price range i'd go with the Sovereign 100 (1x12 or 2x12 depends on what you want). it has a double EQ and a lot of other features that make it superior to the Screamer 50.

 

[Uk Ant]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

I'd go for an Engl myself (if I had the dosh)

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

I doesn't get better than boogie, but for clean and mild grit, you should look at one based on 6l6's rather than EL34's. more bass and clarity. El's seem more middy/snarly for rockier stuff...

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

I agree with the others on the 5:50 combo. I came real close to buying that amp, it was killer. The only reason I didn't buy it is b/c I fell in love with the orange. The orange is awesome too, but not as versatile as the mesa, but as good as it sounds I could care less honestly.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Combo Amp Suggestions

Hey folks. I am in the need of a versatile combo amp. I had an Mesa F-50 that worked for a lot of stuff – but IMO did not have a good clean sound or mid gain sound. I play in 2 bands – One blues and one Cover Band so I need something that can cover blues through literally Hoobastank and Whitesnake. I know I’m asking a bunch here, but any suggestions?

I tried a Bogner shiva – loved the cleans but there wasn’t enough gain. And I did not like how the FX loop worked with modulation pedals.

Fender Twin Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, or other clean Fender combo Twin. You can always distort a clean sound, but you cannot clean a distorted sound. The Twin will do anything you want, depending on what pedals are in front of it. I love mine and would never part with it.