looking for new amp, need suggestions

MrHat

New member
hey everyone, i'm in the process of looking for a new amp to replace my marshall valvestate. i want to go with something all tube this time. i'm trying not to spend more than $1000. some of the amps i've thought of have been a used rectoverb, a marshall dsl401 (though i've heard of overheating problems), or possibly a peavey classix 50 or XXX combo. i'm looking primarily at combos, but a head would work too if it still leaves me with some money to get a cab, say from avatar or something like that. i dont need more than 50 watts, so pretty much anything 50 watts or under i'll consider. i'd like to get an amp that has a pretty unique voice to it. i'm thinking that if i go with the mesa or marshall i could just end up sounding like everyone else, and i dont want that. i play mostly hard rock, so mid to moderately high gain is needed, plus a good clean channel. any suggestions of other amps i might consider? and also any comments on the ones i have mentioned? thanks
 
The idea of a Mark Series came up, and I would highly side with this amplifier as well. Now the Rectoverb has great cleans, but the Mark's simply cannot be outdone. But when talking about distortion, Rectos MELT the competition, however Marks can scream as well (just a different voice). Give both of those a try if you can. Either will make any man happy!
 
which of the mark series do you think sounds the best, and about how much can they be had for? i'll definately give one a try next chance i get. thanks
 
You can't go wrong with Mesa Boogie however I would give serious consideration to the Peavey XXX especially if you want a unigue sound - we have one at the store I work at (no I'm not trying to sell you that one) and it sits next to a Marshall and I'm not sure which I like better - the XXX has a very fat distortion to it - can't quite describe it but I like it - it would definitely serve your purpose. Killer hard rock sounds.
 
I love XXX's, and have some soundclips of Mark III's distortion and cleans, by our own Drucifer if you want em.
 
im currently looking at the crate vintage series. (close to buying bluesguys) just cause its a crate, dont not think aobut it. they are very affordable used, and new they arent that bad. ive played them ,and u can read the reviews. great clean tone. the older ones have the fameous crate spring reverb, 2 chanells w/ seperate eq, boosts, etc. 5,15,30,50,60 watt, 50/60 availible in 2X12. can be used to drive cabs. the distortion is by no means a high gain situation, but i think if u cranked it, if ur not doing deathmetal, u should be fine. a pedal could take care of that too. the cleans are near if not equal to fender, the distortion is almost that a a marshall, i read someone say its the mating of a marshall and a mesa, but i have never played a mesa. check them out. unique voice, good amps
 
hey deadskin, can you post those clips? i'd love to hear them. about how much can a mark III be had for? and also, do you have any clips of the XXX?
 
I'm in the same bag, scouting out for a good affordable all tube amp. I think the triple xxx would be great but I heard that the cleans aren't the best.
You might want to consider the Randall RM50, it's all tube and you can choose tube modules (not modeling but tube modules) that sound to your liking. They also have combo versions of it but the RM50 is very affordable leaving you enough cash to get an avatar cab.
Another option could be the Marshall DSL50, heard nothing but good things about it.
Maybe a Peavy 5150? But it's more of a metal amp.
Soldano is worth looking into, and so is ENGL or H&K. Those have their own voice (that's what I've heard) and good cleans.
Here's a link I got from so great forum member to compare amps:

http://www.proguitar.de/AudioDemo/CompareAmps/CompareAmps.html
 
nightburst, that randall with the tube modules sounds interesting. have you had any experience with it? about how much does it cost and do the tube modules sound anything like the amps they're trying to model?
 
MrHat said:
nightburst, that randall with the tube modules sounds interesting. have you had any experience with it? about how much does it cost and do the tube modules sound anything like the amps they're trying to model?

Plain and simple!!! It rocks and the versatility is awsome. I own the RT2 and two RM4s. Best purchase I have ever made. :) You will not be sorry!!! I would check the MTS series out.
 
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