Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

[nooklear]

But we all know thats never gonna happen. :laugh2: So...heres the deal...

I want to get rid of my Rocktron 2x12 combo...It just isn't giving me what I want..so I was wondering which of the the choices below would be best for me? I'm going to be playing lots of Lamb of God type metal, some Punk sounding stuff, and maybe some Bluesy type stuff. I'm nost sure if I'm going to need it for a band practice type situation, but I might. All these amps are solid state, because I can't afford a tube...

-Tech 21 Trademark 60 1x12 combo (gonna have to be used)
-Line 6 Spider II 1x12 combo
-Vox AD30VT 1x10 combo
-Behr V-Amp 1x12 combo
-Behr V-Amp head with a 2x12 cab (also need suggestions on nice cheap cabs)

All other suggestions are welcome as well! The above amps are just the ones that caught my eye.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

I've got a Behringer V-Amp 2, I love the range of amp models and tones on offer. The Line 6 amp is a hard package to beat tho!

 

[FretFire]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

I'd look for a used Line 6 Flextone on Ebay. What exactly is your price range?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

Why is "loud" part of the requirements if you're not sure you'll use the amp in a band situation?

If you're not using your amp in a band situation, I'd suggest sticking with what you have 'til you save up for an amp that'll really make you happy. It's a lot cheaper in the long run than buying a string of amps that's just a little better than the one before 'til you get to what you really want.

That said, if there's a reason why you can't wait and save up, I'd go with the TM60.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

I can highly recommend the Tech 21 Trademark 60 as a great sounding versatile amp with some excellent features (like solo volume boost on both channels), XLR out for direct recording or PA, footswitchable effects loop etc.

Not being that much of a metalhead I've never heard Lamb Of God, but the TM60 user guide includes a sample setting for Metallica - that may be to your liking. If you need more you can always boost/shape the gain with a pedal. The TM60 will easily do blues.

Great little amp, I love mine. Listen to the soundclips on the Tech 21 site if you haven't already.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

I love my 1985 Marshall 5010. It has 2 channels, and goes from totally clean, SRV, Santana, Satrinani and even Iron maiden and metallica.

It's only 30 watts, but has real marshall tone, spring reverb, no extra digital bulls*** and i believe it can blow eardrums with an extension cab or just by changing the speaker to a Celestion Century (102 db sens. compared to the stock's 97).

Check one out if you can, i love mine!

Cheers,
-Erlend

 

[nooklear]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

If guess saving up for something later on is a better idea...I'd need it loud because I'm not sure if I will be joining a band, and I dont want to have something thats not loud enough if I do. Whats a good inexpensive head for metal?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

If guess saving up for something later on is a better idea...I'd need it loud because I'm not sure if I will be joining a band, and I dont want to have something thats not loud enough if I do. Whats a good inexpensive head for metal?

Get a pedal (e.g., Boss Metal Zone) and keep saving for a really good amp.

 

[schecterplayer]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

The Fender Blues Junior is a very nice sounding inexpensive tube amp, you can find them for in the 300 range if you look.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

A Boss Metal Zone?! Come on.... atleast get a metal pedal with style!

I have a couple of suggestions for a metal overdrive pedal:
-Hughes and Kettner Warp: Gives a very thick, chrunchy sound, and you can adjust the fatness of the tone with the "warp button"
-Zoom Tri-Metal: A bit hard to find, since it was discontiued. Very, very raw, brutal tone, but a bit fizzy in the top end if you don't have a good amp
-Digitech Metal Master: A very heavy sounding distortion, but can sound a bit narrow if used with a single 12" or a not-so-big sounding amp. Gives great a great midrange that lets you get heard.

Try one of these, m'kay? I just don't want you to sound like everyone else with the MT-2's (IMO) processed, digital sound.

Cheers,
-Erlend

 

[nooklear]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

Thanks guys, I have pedals..Boss MD-2, and I have a Boss DS-1 and a Digitech Metal Master somewhere....I usually use my Korg ax1500g processor thing though. Any suggestions as to what kind of head I should save up for? I was thinking of getting an Avatar 2x12 cab to go with a head if that was the path I chose....

 

[nahfuten]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

I dont think you can go wrong when it comes to Line6 for cost/benefit ratio

Behringer makes inexpensive stuff, though

<-- (look left and you will see one of each)

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

I've used a Carvin for years. You can pick up thier newest tube head for ~600. About as inexpensive a tube head that you will find.

 

[Antihero]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

Crate GT 212. It has served me well. The one thing is you must play it for about 2 weeks before the speakers break in. When new they have a buncha lows and highs but no mids.

3 channels(distortion,really distorted and clean) $350bucks

 

[Ironjose]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

if you need loud and long lasting built like metal to the pedal get a crate if you want something more get the Tech 21 TM60, if you dont like these save up for a tripple recto...
as simply as that
JJ

 

[grams]

Re: Need a cheap, loud, nice sounding amp...

just my 2ct 'bout a pedal:

check out the Line6 Übermetal. it costs around 100 bucks and has a killer metal tone but also does mild distortion not too bad. It has the Line6 metal sounds everybody recommends you and costs less than a pod.
I use mine along with a tubepoweramp..

I'd also be for saving up money (with the arguments aleclee said): hopping from one to the next afforadble amp costs way more money than saving up one time - plus you'd have already some money if you join a band and can buy it when needed...