I need/want a new amp

[Calsip]

First time posting in the amp section on here.

I am looking for a new amp, specifically a head, but open to combo suggestions.

Background: The band that I play in plays metalcore to pop-punk and things in between. I currently am using a Orange Crush Pro 120 out of a PPC 2x12. I am looking for more gain. I have a Joyo Zombie (pretty sure it’s a Mesa Clone). I like it but obviously I am looking to upgrade from that but keep that same style of sound. Think chuggy chuggy chug chug type of music/sounds.

Price range: $700 and I’m okay with used.

Current thoughts on amps: I have really been looking into 5150’s 6505’s and 6534. I have been thinking of the 6505 combo but not sure. I am not a gear head so I do not know what all is good and a lot in the topic. My level of knowledge is guitars and pickups, not amps and speakers. I am not looking for modeling as I’m not good with using that type of technology and get frustrated with it.

Open to all suggestions! Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jigsisme]

Have you tried a preamp pedal thru the CR120, a Helix or the like included? I'm a high gain nut and I have been very satisfied by using the CR120 in that fashion. Its hard to get an Orange to not sound like an Orange, but with a couple pedals, you'd be surprised.

 

[PFDarkside]

Can you get a used Dual Rectifier at that price?

 

[dave74]

Price has went up somewhat on used rectifiers, but since you are in the cornbelt they are still listed reasonable on craigslist locals. You near Indy or Chicago?

Honestly with the right pedals your current rig through the V30 212 cab is already great. Pedals are a rabbit hole though.

Maybe a wampler triplewreck would ice the cake! He's between Terre Haute and Indy I think. Sweetwater sells them also,,,,or at least they did last time i was pedal surfing.

 

[zizyphus]

I'd go for the PRS mark tremonti signature head

It's a great amp, it covers the territory that you're interested in, it has tons of features, and its very affordable

I also agree with Dave74 – you could also take a dive down the pedal rabbit hole __PRESENT

 

[Lewguitar]

The Blackstar Artisan is a hand wired (NO PCB) head or combo, reminds me of a 50 watt Marshall Plexi crossed with a Vox AC30, but with gain, master volume and super versatile tone controls that actually work!

Gets stellar clean and overdriven tones.

Extremely pedal friendly.

I tend to set mine up for clean tones with a little sparkle, then use a Dover Drive for my overdrive.

I can get killer British Blues, Jeff Beck and EVH tones with humbuckers, and Eric Johnson and Uli style violin tones with the Dover Drive.

The Artisan is great without pedals for bluesy overdrive and cranked AC-30 and Plexi tones. It'll do Fender too, because the tone controls are so well designed.

But overall, the Artisan has a British flavor to the sound.

I love the way Blackstar voices their amps.

Those guys have great ears!

 

[FuseG4]

That's a good cab, I would prefer that cab and a head to most combo amps if I were gigging
Heads are a little more reliable as the tubes are further away from the vibrating speakers/cabs and you can change heads and change cabs if down the line you need more options

 

[Lewguitar]

That's a good cab, I would prefer that cab and a head to most combo amps if I were gigging
Heads are a little more reliable as the tubes are further away from the vibrating speakers/cabs and you can change heads and change cabs if down the line you need more options

I like a head and 2 x 12 cab. Lighter than a combo.

An AC30 is SO HEAVY!

But an AC30 head and 2 x 12 cab is doable and gets the same sound.

 

[Cynical]

The 6505/6534 is tighter and more aggressively voiced than the Recto, and if the Zombie is a Recto clone (never played a Zombie, co can't confirm that for myself), may not be quite what you're going for.

A used Single Rectifier isn't far out of your price range. It's a *touch* brighter than the Dual, but not much -- they're very much in the same ballpark. The MT15, as mentioned above, is another option -- should be loud enough if the Zombie was.

 

[Travis]

If you want to chug, it’s going to be hard to beat the 5150/6505. I just plugged into my block letter 5150 the other day for the first time in a while. I forgot how much gain that amp really has... another suggestion on here is definitely worth checking out: the PRS MT15. My brother has one and I tried it out. It can definitely get the thick bottom end chug thing going. And don’t be put off by the “15 watts”... that thing is LOUD...

 

[Masta' C]

6505+ or a 5150 III are guaranteed to fit the bill

I don't have any hands-on experience with the PRS MT15, but it seems like another top choice for what you're after and even new ones are easily in your price range.

 

[vmbarrera]

I vote 5150/6505 or variants. It's the industry's standard for a reason.

 

[Mincer]

Any 5150-derivative amp will get you there, and there are a ton out there. I've heard those used for everything from classic rock to metal. I don't think EVH was trying to build versatility, but he nailed it really well.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

^There is a Bugera clone of it for a very very stupid price. Get that one. Forum member Phantasmagoria seems to swear by it big time.

 

[Calsip]

Price has went up somewhat on used rectifiers, but since you are in the cornbelt they are still listed reasonable on craigslist locals. You near Indy or Chicago?

Honestly with the right pedals your current rig through the V30 212 cab is already great. Pedals are a rabbit hole though.

Maybe a wampler triplewreck would ice the cake! He's between Terre Haute and Indy I think. Sweetwater sells them also,,,,or at least they did last time i was pedal surfing.

I am by Crawfordsville which is about an 1 from terra haute and Indy

 

[Calsip]

^There is a Bugera clone of it for a very very stupid price. Get that one. Forum member Phantasmagoria seems to swear by it big time.

Do you know what is called, the bugera clone?

 

[Calsip]

The Blackstar Artisan is a hand wired (NO PCB) head or combo, reminds me of a 50 watt Marshall Plexi crossed with a Vox AC30, but with gain, master volume and super versatile tone controls that actually work!

Gets stellar clean and overdriven tones.

Extremely pedal friendly.

I tend to set mine up for clean tones with a little sparkle, then use a Dover Drive for my overdrive.

I can get killer British Blues, Jeff Beck and EVH tones with humbuckers, and Eric Johnson and Uli style violin tones with the Dover Drive.

The Artisan is great without pedals for bluesy overdrive and cranked AC-30 and Plexi tones. It'll do Fender too, because the tone controls are so well designed.

But overall, the Artisan has a British flavor to the sound.

I love the way Blackstar voices their amps.

Those guys have great ears!

Lots of people don’t like black star, I don’t know why because I’ve always had good luck with getting them to sound good.

 

[Calsip]

Can you get a used Dual Rectifier at that price?

No I can not. I have looked.

 

[Calsip]

Have you tried a preamp pedal thru the CR120, a Helix or the like included? I'm a high gain nut and I have been very satisfied by using the CR120 in that fashion. Its hard to get an Orange to not sound like an Orange, but with a couple pedals, you'd be surprised.

What pedal would you recommend me trying?

 

[Lewguitar]

Lots of people don’t like black star, I don’t know why because I’ve always had good luck with getting them to sound good.

Speaking for myself, until I tried one I saw them as budget Metal amps, but I was wrong.

Blackstar is making some great amps with clean and overdriven tones voiced for all kinds of rock styles, blues and jazz.

Waddy Wachtel, Keith Richard's fellow guitarist in the Expensive Winos, is using the 2 x 12 Artist with Stevie Nix. Great amp. Super versatile.