In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

[Jr_vw2]

So I play a lot of different styles in 2 different bands plus solo work. So I need a wide variety of tones on tap. If you saw my other post I wanted to give Panama amps a try and decided on the inferno 100. but it would be 3+ months before I would get an amp from them. So now I'm back to square one. The second amp that was on my list was the peavey invective 120.

I dont need fender cleans. But most amps will clean up pretty good with guitar volume. So what others should I look at?

I would really like to hear from those with first hand experience with whatever amp you are recommending. Thanks

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

Are you sure you need 4 channels? That's what most of us use pedals for.

 

[devastone]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

I used to use a Peavey Triple X combo (the 60W one, not the 40W one with 2 ch and built in efx), it was a great amp. We play everything from funk to classic rock going from squeaky clean to liquid-y high gain leads to crunchy rhythm in the same set.

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

Are you sure you need 4 channels? That's what most of us use pedals for.

I really only "need" 3 channels. Thsta why the title says 3-4. I dont want to over look a potentially great amp of I limit my search to 3 channel amps only.

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

I used to use a Peavey Triple X combo (the 60W one, not the 40W one with 2 ch and built in efx), it was a great amp. We play everything from funk to classic rock going from squeaky clean to liquid-y high gain leads to crunchy rhythm in the same set.

I had a xxx head for awhile and I just couldn't get along with it.

 

[Old Guy]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

Mesa/Boogie TC-100 if your budget allows. It is SPECTACULAR.

Check out the latest YouTube videos dome for it with Andy Timmons. Wow.

If I could afford one, I would have it FO SHO.

 

[devastone]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

I had a xxx head for awhile and I just couldn't get along with it.

I liked the combo better than the heads I tried. Maybe I couldn't crank the heads enough, but I tones that worked better for me from the combo. From what I've read on the interwebs, so you know it's true, the original design was the 60W combo for George Lynch, then they decided to make it into a head. The 40W combo with effects came later and, IMHO, cheapened the whole design.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

If you want the best, most versatile amp on the market, you want a Mesa Mark V, or a Road King II Head, or lastly a Roadster. The Roadster and the RKII are both discontinued but they are around. Both are four channel amps. I prefer the RKII for it's additional power amp options. Tremendous amps, but there is a pretty steep learning curve.

The Mark V is the one that I bought. Three modes on each of the three channels; three power levels...it's like having 27 amps in one box. I can't imagine doing any kind of gig where this amp couldn't cut it. Mine is the C90 combo, and i use it with a special order Closed Back Wide Body V30 cab.

My only nit is with the Crunch channel. I dialed in both the Clean and Lead channels in less than five minutes, but the Crunch channel has so many great tones it's hard to settle on just one or two...and that's a nice problem to have.

The amp is well-made...it is a Mesa. It is not lightweight, so plan on hitting the gym. Great 5-year warranty. Yes, it was expensive, but it has been worth every penny to me.

Now, I don't use maxed out gain; I'm not a metal player, but if you do, consider the Petrucci Signature JP-2C, another killer amp.

If you are on a tighter budget, a used Mark III with Reverb, EQ ,and Simul-Class is a good choice. I've used one for years. The Mark IV is another good choice. The Mark V does have more tonal options than these two.

I don't think you can beat a Mark V for versatility and tone.

Invest wisely.

Bill

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

What exactly are you trying to get out of each channel?

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

What exactly are you trying to get out of each channel?

So clean channel. I dont need sparkling cleans just cleanish. Think ambient type music, delay, reverb, loop pedal type stuff. Would be nice to get cleanish with vol rolled back and then slight dirt with vol up.

Crunch channel think more like ac/dc meets van Halen. Thick but not not super focused, plenty of sag touch sensitive. Would like to get a nice bluesy rock tone with the vol rolled off.

Lead channel needs to be full blast in your face metal but not scooped or overly trebley. This is the channel that I would really like to get the tone from the amp and not have to run a boost or eq pedal.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

So clean channel. I dont need sparkling cleans just cleanish. Think ambient type music, delay, reverb, loop pedal type stuff. Would be nice to get cleanish with vol rolled back and then slight dirt with vol up.

Crunch channel think more like ac/dc meets van Halen. Thick but not not super focused, plenty of sag touch sensitive. Would like to get a nice bluesy rock tone with the vol rolled off.

Lead channel needs to be full blast in your face metal but not scooped or overly trebley. This is the channel that I would really like to get the tone from the amp and not have to run a boost or eq pedal.

Here’s a thought.
You should be able to get all of that and more from any 2 channel amp with an fx loop.

If you get something that has a clean and full on dirt channel,
you can use an OD pedal for your moderate gain sounds. That will give you 3 very usable channels right there.
I also prefer to have the amp capable of my harder rock tones.

Then stick an MXR Micro Amp ( or similar) into the Fx loop and now you have a solo boost.

Now I’m not exactly sure what type of metal sounds you’re after so it’s difficult to make a recommendation....

What tones (heavy) appeal to you?

 

[Synapsys]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

Hughes and Kettner Grandmeister 40 Deluxe. The epitome of versatility.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

A couple of more options:

JVM410- Four channels and three gain stages for each. Clean channel, crunch channel, and two lead channels. The lead channels are actually the same gain levels, but the mid focus of one is 600hz and the other is 500hz. Each channel has its own eq and volume controls, its own reverb and presence. Two switchable master volumes.
Two assignable loops.

EVH 5153 The 100 watt version-three channels: clean, crunch, and lead. Eq and volume for each channel.

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

A couple of more options:

JVM410- Four channels and three gain stages for each. Clean channel, crunch channel, and two lead channels. The lead channels are actually the same gain levels, but the mid focus of one is 600hz and the other is 500hz. Each channel has its own eq and volume controls, its own reverb and presence. Two switchable master volumes.
Two assignable loops.

EVH 5153 The 100 watt version-three channels: clean, crunch, and lead. Eq and volume for each channel.

This is what actually lead me to consider the peavey invective. I have heard that it is like the jvm410 and a 5150 had a baby together.


There is a jcm410h at my local GC I may go check it out.

 

[Coma]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

EVH 5153 The 100 watt version-three channels: clean, crunch, and lead. Eq and volume for each channel.

I've played the 5153 for about 6 years now (I think). 1st version with 6L6 tubes, so no the Stealth or EL34. Where I found the amp does well is Fendery cleans on the clean channel, slightly driven for melodic picking on the blue, and of course all the rawk and gain you could ever need on the red.

For pristine cleans the green channel is ace, but I'm not loving it once it starts to breakup, and the blue channel honestly don't sound that great to me on higher settings either. Making it work with overdrives is tricky too - tried a Klon clone and an OCD clone in it and always sounded awful. Most recently I've plugged in a DOD Looking Glass (Timmy clone, I've been told) and that actually seems to work.

The red channel is neither scooped nor trebly, its quite warm and nice. Don't expect Orange style fuzzy warmth, though. I've only ever used dirt pedals into this for solo boosting, but you can definitely make this channel work for you with amp gain only. That's how I use it anyway.

Mind you, I play exclusive down-tuned metal on that amp, so that definitely colours my experience. I'm guessing blue channel might sound better tuned to standard.

Going by looks, I kinda assumed the Invective was Peavy's attempt to get back at EVH for re-making the 5150. Never tried (let alone seen) the Invective though.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

So clean channel. I dont need sparkling cleans just cleanish. Think ambient type music, delay, reverb, loop pedal type stuff. Would be nice to get cleanish with vol rolled back and then slight dirt with vol up.

Crunch channel think more like ac/dc meets van Halen. Thick but not not super focused, plenty of sag touch sensitive. Would like to get a nice bluesy rock tone with the vol rolled off.

Lead channel needs to be full blast in your face metal but not scooped or overly trebley. This is the channel that I would really like to get the tone from the amp and not have to run a boost or eq pedal.

I'm with Bill on this one, the MkV is a great choice. For what you want Channel 1 on Fat or Tweed mode, Channel 2 Edge or Crunch mode 45w setting with the tube rectifier on, and Channel 2 any of the modes with the Graphic EQ on.

 

[Cynical]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

So clean channel. I dont need sparkling cleans just cleanish. Think ambient type music, delay, reverb, loop pedal type stuff. Would be nice to get cleanish with vol rolled back and then slight dirt with vol up.

Crunch channel think more like ac/dc meets van Halen. Thick but not not super focused, plenty of sag touch sensitive. Would like to get a nice bluesy rock tone with the vol rolled off.

Lead channel needs to be full blast in your face metal but not scooped or overly trebley. This is the channel that I would really like to get the tone from the amp and not have to run a boost or eq pedal.

In reality, the lead channel is the one that is most likely to need a boost for tightness. "[F]ull-blast in your face metal" bands almost always use a boost, even with really high-gain amps.

With that caveat said, this really sounds like a Bogner Ecstasy to me.

EDIT: Since I own one of the other recommendations in this thread and don't think it's what you're looking for, I'll say that the Ironheart has no sag on any of its channels. It's very stiff.

 

[donaldr]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

So I play a lot of different styles in 2 different bands plus solo work. So I need a wide variety of tones on tap. If you saw my other post I wanted to give Panama amps a try and decided on the inferno 100. but it would be 3+ months before I would get an amp from them. So now I'm back to square one. The second amp that was on my list was the peavey invective 120.

I dont need fender cleans. But most amps will clean up pretty good with guitar volume. So what others should I look at?

I would really like to hear from those with first hand experience with whatever amp you are recommending. Thanks

What amp do you have right now?

 

[Jr_vw2]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

What amp do you have right now?

Currently A/B a jcm 800 and an orange cr120. And I'm over it.

 

[donaldr]

Re: In the market for a 3-4 channel amp

Not really an amp but I ran my Avid Eleven Rack (amp modeler) for years going to a Peavey Classic 60/60 tube power amp and to a Peavey 4x12" loaded with Celestion G12-K100 speakers. The Marshall models are stupid good (JCM800 and Plexi), Fender models are good but I used a Matchless model for cleans. (Bogner, Soldano and Boogie models are also good). Just suggesting amp modeler since you are playing in more than one band. That's what I do, I setup mine as a 4-channel amp for each band (blues, classic rock, 80's rock).