Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

Rowan

Rowan

New member
What do you guys think? I've been looking at mesa single rectifiers and peavey 5150s. I need something that has a clean channel, distortion channel and a solo boost. But I've read that the 5150's clean channel is bad, and it might be hard to find a mesa in my price range.

What else should I be looking at? The amp head will be run through a 4x12 line6 cab.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

the cheapest i've seen either of those heads at the local used store is about $800...really Laneys and the Peavey Windsor and Valveking are the only 100W tube heads i've seen for around $500.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

Oh it doesn't have to be 100w. 50 watts should be enough I'm thinking.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

a lot of people up in here keep dropping the "Orange Tiny Terror" which I've never heard of, seen, played...has me curious-ish
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

I really don't like the ValveKing, but maybe at high volumes it improves.

I loved the Windsor but more classic sound to me, maybe a pedal can boost it.

Can a B-52 do it maybe? It has plenty of gain on tap.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

Normally I would say "Laney AOR" but I've decided to stop suggesting those so that they're not all bought up buy the time i finally decide to get one.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

A used Genz Benz El Diablo 60 would fit the bill. I haven't seen many used heads though, mostly combos.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

Empty Pockets said:
Normally I would say "Laney AOR" but I've decided to stop suggesting those so that they're not all bought up buy the time i finally decide to get one.
Click to expand...

Heh, yeah, they totally suck. What ever you do, don't ever buy one of those! It pushes the price up for me!

But that would get my vote. Laney AOR.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

I like the Tiny Terror. Tony Iommi used Orange Amps in Sabbath

http://youtube.com/watch?v=m2GkzL7ab8U

Depends on your taste. It won't give you a modern Mesa tone, but does give a killer Marshall type tone, and classic Orange tone. Jimmy Page used Orange amps on Song Remains the Same (the concert movie), as well as some Marshalls.

Very simple amp that oozes tone
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

The B-52s are supposed to be really good and in that price range. I haven't tried them personally though. Can't hurt to try one at the local GC.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

I've suggested this before in other threads. A used Mesa F-30 head in to a 4x12: Loud as hell, pristine clean channel, great dist channel, and a "contour" boost. The bass frequencies on the boost can be a bit loose for some -- depends on your taste, so some people use a pedal boost instead.
 
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Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

Kyuss_Rock said:
Heh, yeah, they totally suck. What ever you do, don't ever buy one of those! It pushes the price up for me!

But that would get my vote. Laney AOR.
Click to expand...

+1 - I have a pair already so I don't care if the price goes up.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

Laney AOR the first series(six knobs) will give you the best cleans you can find for the money and the best no diode clipping four stage gain. You dont cave an option of switching channels. But if you use and OD and the right pup, that pre-amp can take to clean/crunch/super cruch just with your pup switching volume knob and OD of and on. You can find them MINT for 450$ and a lot of times they are 100watters. I will never sell mine even after get my Supergroup, VH100, Komet.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

Thanks guys! I've been checking out the suggestions but I got to admit:


Metal tone is more important than rock tone to me. I'd like to have more gain than I need.

Its easier to roll back the volume knob, or gain knob to dillute.
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

devastone said:
The B-52s are supposed to be really good and in that price range. I haven't tried them personally though. Can't hurt to try one at the local GC.
Click to expand...

I played one and was quite impressed. My concern is how they hold up. I cant seem to get much feedback on that. If I could have info they are reliable, Id love to have one..
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

I tried a B-52- the triple rectifier one. It was O.K., a bit flat. Really needs new tubes, but they have ALOT of tubes in them, so re-tubing could be pretty pricey.

Problem I have is they're a guitar center house brand and made in china. If anything goes wrong, you have to be worried whether the guitar center guys are timely sending the amp back, then I heard B-52 takes long to fix the amps as well.

I liked the B-52 better than the Fenders and Peavey Valvekings. But my Carvin V-3 blows them all away
 
Re: Metal/hard rock tube head for $500-600

jmh151 said:
I tried a B-52- the triple rectifier one. It was O.K., a bit flat. Really needs new tubes, but they have ALOT of tubes in them, so re-tubing could be pretty pricey.

Problem I have is they're a guitar center house brand and made in china. If anything goes wrong, you have to be worried whether the guitar center guys are timely sending the amp back, then I heard B-52 takes long to fix the amps as well.

I liked the B-52 better than the Fenders and Peavey Valvekings. But my Carvin V-3 blows them all away
Click to expand...

DO tell about the V3....... Ive been very curious about that one....
 
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