Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

80's_Metal

80's_Metal

Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Seems my wife came into a little bit of money.... so that means I may get a Christmas present this year. whoo hoo!

I think I want a new amp. But I have a lot of questions/reservations.
I think Many of you guys have a feel for the kind of Heavy metal, riffage, bang your head, old school, hack of a guitarist that I am, so you at least understand my shortcomings and my tastes I guess.... I am a treble loving feedback squealing chainsaw ripping string breaker. ha ha

Here are some of my considerations in what I'm looking for in a new amp:

#1. I have always liked and used all my effects on the floor (probably because I have never played an amp that I am happy with the useable amount of gain or tone of the gain Ultra/uber/super duper... usually sound mucky and muddy to me, or too scoopy. I have tasted a few tones that I have liked but they've always been combo amps (orange crush pix comes to mind) (So my biggest question is: Do I really need a Metal AMP? or just any old amp that can produce my pedal board sound?)

#2. I can't afford Mesa Triple Rec/Mk IV or a Marshall Kerry King etc.

#3. I don't give a single crap about the clean channel, I use it once or twice every year.... so it just plain doesn't matter to me. (sorry, that's just the cold hard truth)

#4. I think I can maybe ask for around $300 for a new/used amp

#5. I'm not a really a brand loving cork sniffer by any means, But it better work dangit.

#6. Yes it needs to be 100w or better. (that's just how I am, "if its not a half stack or better, it's not f#cking metal!" kind of thing)

#7. I may be more inclined to get a quality amp with a few useable and not cheesy sounding effects over a true "metal amp"


So the past few weeks of late nights have been spent here in front of the computer researching cheap/mid metal amps, comparing sound and video reviews of various amps, learning about Valvestate and hybrid tube amps, solid state benefits, tube benefits, effects onboard.... etc etc. Pricing various amps in the new and used market....tedious work, but I love learning new things and expanding my decrepit brain as best I can.


Here is a short list of things I am considering.. in no particular order
#1. Peavey XXX or even XXL (I know these tanks are built for the long haul)
#2. Marshall AVT 150H 2000 ( I really like the effects onboard, and am open to its versatility)
#3. Orange Dark Terror (This goes against my 100w thing, and lends itself toward my whole pedalboard is enough kind of thing)
#4. Marshall VS 100 (simple, yet it will match the cab its going to sit on.
#5. Peavey Supreme

FYI: I am currently using a Randall 200 watt Amp on top of a Randall eminence cabinet packed with Texas Heat and Swamp Thangs, it is very tight and loud as crap! I built it for some drop-c chugga chugga Nu-Metal stuff I got into for a while.

But Lately I have not been using that cabinet, instead using the Marshall 1960a with vintage 30's, and gt12t 75's I just love the way they break up and sizzle up high.



Your thoughts are greatly appreciated, Thank you in advance.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

I'd get the Valvestate...more than enough power and really good sound, even at low volumes. Every one I've ever played has sounded surprisingly good. Bonus if you already have the cab.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

Take a look at the Carvin V3 (100watt) or V3M(50watt) on the Carvin website

They both have low power settings to keep you and the family happy

Then look at GC used to find a head in your price range

The SX series is nice too for a solid state but only comes as a combo now
I have seen head versions online tho

X100b would do the battering ram thing too

Of course Peavey would be the value leader
As all their great heads would be much less expensive

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

Search Craigslist for
Marshall DSL
Blackstar (also take a look at the ID modeling heads.
Egnater Vengeance / Armageddon
Peavey 6505
Orange Rocker
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

The XXX and AVT 150 are both good amps, the marshall benefits from swapping the preamp tube to something better though. Used Carvins are out there for reasonable prices and sound great (x100b and mts)
did a quick scan on GC used gear section and saw a carvin x100b, several Peavey Valve King 100w heads, and a couple of Peavey Windsors which would probably be great for that old school metal tone since they are based on JCM 800 circuit or at least very similar
 
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Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

I will suggest a couple more used Peaveys that might work for you.

The original Butcher head, though these seem to have a cult following and prices are going up.

The VTM 120. Successor to the Butcher; it also came in a 60-watt model. A favorite pawn shop prize of mine.

There was a Rock Master head, and a bigger Road Master. I had a Rock Master and it was a ferocious hard rock amp. The Road Master has the same power as the legendary Mace.

The Triumph was Peavey's answer to the three-channel Mesa Mark III.

Now, I know you don't have a lot of dough, but if you could swing it, a used blue-stripe Mesa Mark III with the EQ would be a major upgrade from the amps on you list. For Metal, I'd suggest the 100-watt version over the Simul-Class. And the real advantage is having a great amp that is versatile enough to handle different venues and different genres.

Best wishes...

Bill
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

Bill I was actually looking after the Peavey Butcher just yesterday.... came across an article about unknown kind of amps that really scream, and that one was listed....

I was at Ted Nugent a while back and noticed he used a Vypyr for his entire sound... just mic'd that little thing up. It sounded very good actually, I was impressed.

Thanks guys for all your input. I have a lot to learn and you guys always help out.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

Yeah, the Blackstar ID Series amps seem to be the best rock/metal solid state heads I've come across. The range of tones you can get by choosing simulated tubes is a good idea. You'll probably find two or three like KT-88, EL-34, and 6L6 to be the ones you use the most, but when you start trying to model little combo amps, you get an authentic sound by switching over to EL-84 and 6V6. Plus, the Blackstar ID amps are priced pretty low for what you get.

I'm thinking of selling off my Valvetronix head and Tonelab, just to get one of the Blackstars. Even though I've got some good tube heads like Bogner, Egnater, and Marshall, the modeling heads are good for low volume playing.

I'd probably get the 100W model just for the extra headroom.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackstar-I...147?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4762c34b
 
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Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

I know I'll probably get flamed for this, but I tried out an old Crate Blue Voodoo yesterday at my local GC. They are an amp that hasn't really been on my radar since I was a teenager, but it was only a couple hundred bucks, so I figured, screw it, I'll try it to out.

The clean channel sounded really nice, and the distortion channel proved to be fairly versatile. I was able to find some old school '70s rock tones all the way to some fairly aggressive modernish tones in it too. And this was through a cheap ass Acoustic 4x12.

Granted, it didn't have the extra little something or the clarity like a Splawn or Bogner would have, but for $200, I was impressed enough to nail it down on layaway so I can pick it up next paycheck. I figure I'll throw some fresh tubes in it, have a look at the caps to make sure none are bulging or leaking, and just use it for something to drag to jam sessions with friends. Because if it gets knocked around, I won't be as worried as if it were my Splawn, Mesa, or Marshall.

You could do a lot worse for $200.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

I have a Blackstar ID 60 head, and I think it sounds great.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

Out of the bunch I'd say the VS100 is pretty much the controlled chainsaw that you need

but...

I have an old Valvestate amp and the components aged really badly. It worked without a hiccup for nearly 15 years then condensers started to dry out, PCB started to peel off and so on. It doesn't work anymore as it became a series of issues, not a functional unit. I don't have a clue, maybe I'm unlucky with mine - but maybe the components they built in at the time were not the best that you can imagine and they have served their time.

So I think the best solution for you would be a fresh Blackstar ID. Its modelling is an amazing piece of technology IMO.
 
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Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

don't count out the carvin. I got an x100b 3 months ago and absolutely love it. I know you said your not interested in the clean channel but the x100b has a great clean channel, and the distortion channel has 2 settings low gain and high gain. the low gain is similar to a marshall jmp or jcm 800, but on the high gain channel its like a hot rodded marshall. it also has an assignable 5 band EQ which really allows you to shape the tone from anything to heavy beefy thick riffs, to screaming high end goodness, or heavy scooped metal sounds. the harmonic jump out of this amp, and the amp takes pedal very well. the best part is the price I got my new for 699.00 so im sure you can pick up a used one for about your what you want to spend. it also has a scalable power section that has settings from 100/50/25 watts.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

Get a used 6505 combo, you can still run it through your cabs....
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

LatsMcGee said:
Get a used 6505 combo, you can still run it through your cabs....
Click to expand...

Why not just get a head then? My aversion to that combo is that weighs more than a volvo and is harder to pack up stairs.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

Edgecrusher said:
Why not just get a head then? My aversion to that combo is that weighs more than a volvo and is harder to pack up stairs.
Click to expand...
the heads are made in USA, combos in China. The head used costs about the same as the combo does new.
 
Re: Help me pick my next amp please. (forgive the long read)

allbutromeo said:
the heads are made in USA, combos in China. The head used costs about the same as the combo does new.
Click to expand...

Both are over his stated 300 dollar limit so I'm still scratching my head over this suggestion....
 
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