Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

[Rich_T]

Hey everyone.

I bought a Marshall DSL 401 combo about 4 months ago, and im really not happy with it. The cleans suck, the distortion aint my bag either. (why does everything sound better in the shop?) The FX loop doesnt do what its supposed to, and the reverb makes noises it shouldnt. Time has come to get rid.

Right, I play pretty heavy stuff, but its fairly vintage in character, really warm organic tones, but with a lot of gain, mid and bass heavy, almost sludgy. Im a big fan of the Smshing Pumkins, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Alice in Chains... all the grunge stuff, also Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, The Hidden Hand, Sabbath, Zeppelin. Heavy, but organic. That said im getting into my In Flames and Shadows fall recently too, so modern metal sounds would be cool, but not essential.

I use an Epiphone Les Paul with Gibson '57 Classics tuned down to C, a Strat with SD SSL-3s, and a Peavey Wolfgang, stock.

My budget will be roughly £600-£800, ($1500ish) but could stretch a little higher in a couple of months.

One or two channels, must have good cleans for my pedals.

Thanks in advance, Richey

 

[some_dude]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Peavey 5150
Peavey XXX
Laney

....and a Big Muff.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

i wouldn't say xxx cuz unless you scoop the crap outta the mids it sounds REALLY buzzy

a mesa or a 5150 (the FIRST one, not 5150 2) would work fine

 

[mrid]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

I wouldn't recommend a US made amp to a guy in the U.K (unless that's the specific sound that you're looking for)...especially considering that he's on a budget. The best bang for the buck for him will probably come from a European amp (unless he finds a great deal on a used amp).

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Laney would likely be the best value given the side of the pond you are on.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

If I know you correctly.....break the piggy bank and get one of those sweet Greens, Oranges, or Matamps. You know you want one! he he

 

[proxy]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Bogner Shiva!!!

I'm pretty much in the same basket as you and this is what I'm jonsing for.

For 1500 you could prolly pick up a fender combo as well as a marshall jcm800 and cab.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Man, for 1500 you can get some pretty good amps out there!

Orange is in your price range and so are Marshall JCM's (800, 900)

Maybe a 2nd hand Mesa?

I strongly recommend keeping a close eye on 2nd hand stuff on the internet. Sometimes you won't believe what people sell for certain prices. You just have to wait for the right opportunity to come up.
I know that's easier said than done but if you really pay good attention you will see some good stuff come by sooner or later. When you see something, snatch it! Phone is always faster.
Also: Patience is a virtue...

Good luck hunting bro!

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

What about an Engl? Pricing may be ok in the UK...a friend of mine in Germany has one and says it's the bomb. He didn't buy a Mesa because of the price in Europe

 

[Mkf411]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Heavy but organic, might just be defined as a Fender Bassman. Or even a Fender Prosonic. They're readily available used in the states. I've seen a few old Marshall rockers use Prosonics.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

these both kick more ass than that marshall combo

http://www.v-seriesamps.com/vfx5112.html

http://www.traynor.com/

check out the custom valve 50 Blue at traynor

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Right, I play pretty heavy stuff, but its fairly vintage in character, really warm organic tones, but with a lot of gain, mid and bass heavy, almost sludgy. Im a big fan of the Smshing Pumkins, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Alice in Chains... all the grunge stuff, also Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, The Hidden Hand, Sabbath, Zeppelin. Heavy, but organic. That said im getting into my In Flames and Shadows fall recently too, so modern metal sounds would be cool, but not essential.

One or two channels, must have good cleans for my pedals.

Thanks in advance, Richey

You just described the Carvin Legacy to a T! I own one, it rocks, does all that stuff exactly as you described above, it's got a good price, get one.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

i wouldn't say xxx cuz unless you scoop the crap outta the mids it sounds REALLY buzzy

Oh shush. It does not.

I'd say a Laney would work great, an AOR or VH, maybe even an LC.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

heh sorry bro, didn't mean to offend you

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

heh sorry bro, didn't mean to offend you

Woops...looked like my wink smiley didn't get thrown in. Sorry about that.

With certain speakers, and actually with the XXX cab's speakers, it does tend to sound a bit buzzy. I also run an EQ in the FX loop, and set the amp's treble down to a non-buzzy point, and then boost it back up with the 10-band. Active EQ's are both a blessing and a burden. :smack:

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Oh shush. It does not.

Dude, I'm thinkin that sounded like a few members' mothers... :laugh2: good ole 'shush'

 

[Brow]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

You know you wanna buy my Laney Aor Pro Lead100 mate

On a more serious note, I think you'd really love an Orange with a good Distortion/Fuzz pedal.

Craig

 

[milkbone]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

Have you tried changing the tubes out? A good set of JJ el84s and some decent 12ax7s may change your mind.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

don't know how costs will be overseas, but lots of decent tube hard rock amps in that price range

Peavey XXL/5150/6505
Marshall DSL/TSL
MESA F series
MESA Nomad
Crate BV


etc etc...

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Looking for a new all valve hard rock amp.

that mesa F-30 head, every time I walk past it in GC....I almost buy it. $699. that would just be so sweet on top of my legacy cabinet with v-30's