Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

[cakire82]

Hi All,

I am looking for an amp under $2000. Basically I need a very versatile head with a brital high gain and real clean channel. Here are the specs I am looking for;
-Hybrid/AllTube
-~100W
-2 or more channel (more the better)
-Foot switch
-Effects loop
-Direct out
-4/8/16ohm compatible
-MIDI would be a plus
-Reverb would be a plus

Currently the models i have in my mind are Marshal JVM410H, ENGL powerball, ENGL fireball, Dual Rectifier, Krank Frank+, Mark V, Bugera 6262, Randall V2 and Randall RH300G3Plus

What do you advice?

 

[CTN]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Get the Engl powerball or fireball.

they have really nice tight bottom end, thick huge beefy low mids, clear high mids and a smoothed treble. and are capable of inhuman amounts of gain.

I'd consider a randall too, but only if it's the RM series amps. ie http://www.music123.com/Randall-RM100M1-Tube-Amp-Head-481253-i1145546.Music123

also have you considered the EVH 5150III? It also sounds beastly good.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

My recommendation is to stay away from the Randall RH300. I had a RG100 combo, and it was not good. I couldn't dial in a decent sound at all. The preamp just really didn't do it for me. I used the green overdrive channel in general, but it was always very noisy, and I just couldn't get along with it.

I would also suggest you look at Fryette Sig:X. I played that amp, and it is one of the most versatile amps I've ever seen. It's at least worth adding to the list. Also maybe a used 5150 or 6505? Also, if you have a chance to check out the Blackstar Series One while you're out, I'd be interested to hear what you think about it.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

The Dual Rect is pretty much the staple in this group, imho.

 

[CTN]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Also, worth mentioning, the Line6 Spider Valve. I know, I know, it's line 6. but really this Spider Valve head sounds light years ahead of any other line 6 stuff, because Reinhold Bogner himself helped design the guts

It sounds pretty good for what it is, it's also not too expensive at about $900 street.

If you're gonna check out the Fryette stuff, also check out the Pitbull series. brutal amps, but tight as hell.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

I like Line 6 products but the Spider valve didn't work for me. It was too complicated. I can use my POD X3 live with a power amp if I like to.

I didn't consider 5150s or 6505 due to the fact that Bugera 6262 clone is better (IMHO) and cheaper than them.

I will check out the Fryette also.

What do you think about the Jet Cities. Are they as good as their soldano brothers?

Also, worth mentioning, the Line6 Spider Valve. I know, I know, it's line 6. but really this Spider Valve head sounds light years ahead of any other line 6 stuff, because Reinhold Bogner himself helped design the guts

It sounds pretty good for what it is, it's also not too expensive at about $900 street.

If you're gonna check out the Fryette stuff, also check out the Pitbull series. brutal amps, but tight as hell.

 

[woemoejack]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Used Bogner Shiva can be had for less than 1500, they last forever, and are as brutal or clean as you need it to be.

 

[cakire82]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

I really liked the sound of uberschall but they go for 2600 in US. is Shiva as good as uberschall?

Used Bogner Shiva can be had for less than 1500, they last forever, and are as brutal or clean as you need it to be.

 

[kherman]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Also check out the Carvin V3 head.
All tube.
5-12ax7
4-EL34 or 6l6 (comes stock with EL34)


3 channels.
1 clean ch. (3 modes- bright ,normal, soak)
2 identical gain channels.( 3 modes- intense, normal, thick)
Master section has master volume, boost, bright, deep, mid cut.
2 effects loops. series and parallel.
4, 8, and 16 ohm switch.
El34 or 6L6 switch, 50w or 100w switch.
Midi switchable.
Direct line out with cab voicing switch.

New, they are $899 usa.

I found mine used for $535 on Ebay.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

hope u find teh extreme br00talz! Id go rectymfrier

 

[cakire82]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Is randall RM series discontinued? I can only see RGs RHs and RX in their website.

http://www.randallamplifiers.com/Amplifiers/Links-Amplifiers/

Also, how clean is the clean channel on the Dual Rectifier? Will I have to roll off the volume to clean up the sound?

Get the Engl powerball or fireball.

they have really nice tight bottom end, thick huge beefy low mids, clear high mids and a smoothed treble. and are capable of inhuman amounts of gain.

I'd consider a randall too, but only if it's the RM series amps. ie http://www.music123.com/Randall-RM100M1-Tube-Amp-Head-481253-i1145546.Music123

also have you considered the EVH 5150III? It also sounds beastly good.

 

[CTN]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

I made a whoopsie lol

the RM amps are part of the MTS series.
http://www.randallamplifiers.com/Amplifiers/MTS-Heads/

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Boogie 50+ cal or Dual Caliber series.

Neither are in production anymore, but you could get pretty insane with either one...

Pepper Keenan used the 50+ cal for his stuff on Corrosion of Conformity albums.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Get a used Mark IV
Line 6 HD147, and a proper cabinet.
Dual Rectifier series 1
Engl Fireball 100
Used Diezel Einstein

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

I just saw a used Marshall JVM410H head the other day on Ebay with a buy it now of $1250. Somebody should have jumped on that. That's what I paid for mine.

 

[tonefreak1527]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

bugera 1960 (449) and a REALLY nice cabnet

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Also check out the Carvin V3 head.
All tube.
5-12ax7
4-EL34 or 6l6 (comes stock with EL34)


3 channels.
1 clean ch. (3 modes- bright ,normal, soak)
2 identical gain channels.( 3 modes- intense, normal, thick)
Master section has master volume, boost, bright, deep, mid cut.
2 effects loops. series and parallel.
4, 8, and 16 ohm switch.
El34 or 6L6 switch, 50w or 100w switch.
Midi switchable.
Direct line out with cab voicing switch.

New, they are $899 usa.

I found mine used for $535 on Ebay

v3 is awsome. even more so when you turn up the bias

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Dual Recto and Marshall JVM 4 channel head

 

[J Moose]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Currently the models i have in my mind are Marshal JVM410H, ENGL powerball, ENGL fireball, Dual Rectifier, Krank Frank+, Mark V, Bugera 6262, Randall V2 and Randall RH300G3Plus

What do you advice?

Of all those the only Randall I'd really consider is the Lynch Box head & cab with his modules. Played one some years ago & it was sounded seriously heavy & great. The build quality wasn't exactly inspiring though... it lost a power tube but at least it kept going.

The "best" Dual Recto's IMO are the original '90s ones... Kranks, in my limited experience with 'em are a bit generic & uninspiring and I feel the same way about the Marshall JVM's. Bugera is junk...

Fryette/VHT (old VHT) would be near the top of my list...

Is $2k enough for a Diezel? Maybe an Einstein?

Bogner always comes up for good reason... Rivera K-Tre...

Lots of good stuff out there.

My advice is that you find some of these amps & play 'em to see what you like.

 

[ricc]

Re: Most Brutal Amp in the Market under $2000

Rivera Knucklehead Tre (used)