One Amp to Rule Them All?

Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

That was cheeky and I apologize. I do agree with you assuming we're on the same page. I simply plugged straight into my 90s Dual Rec for tonight's rehearsal and got by with one heavy sound for both riffs and lead and got the clean rhythm channel sounding really nice and used the pickups and coil tap for all the different textures.

The rest of my rig is important for our shows because we are quite experimental but I do this once in a while to make sure my tone at it's core is in check. Sometimes I'll even just use the Twin Reverb (yes, the twin for metal without any pedals).
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

I'm a vintage Fender amp guy all the way, but for the versatility of lead and crunch tones, I have to resort to pedals. As far as a "no pedals" one amp deal goes, about the closest thing I've found is the Bogner 20th Anniversary Shiva with KT88s. That amp does crystal clean to almost unparalleled crunch and lead tones and it's simple to use. I love the feel of my Vibrolux and Super Reverbs, but my tones are relatively simplistic compared to what I used to use as a rig.
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

Beer$ said:
Sometimes I'll even just use the Twin Reverb (yes, the twin for metal without any pedals).
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I used a Twin for metal for years though I needed a MXR Dist+ to push it over the top. The one amp that I can do anything with would be my Marshall VS100, great gain, cool reverb and decent cleans.
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

dominus said:
22474-randall-rm100-metal-grill-100-watt-head-large.jpg
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jon the art guy said:
That doesn't count :P
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jon the art guy said:
Since the post wasn't specifically "tube", I'm gonna be the first to be that guy and post this.
View attachment 50756
120w, stereo outs for extension cabs, very reliable and widely regarded as one of the best modelers built. The Vox fans consider most all the Valvetronix amps after this one (up until the new Pro series apparently) to be a big step back in tonality.
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Not sure why mine doesn't count and your modeler does. ;) (Granted, I actually like most modelers, and got some great tones out of one of the Tonelab desktop models.)
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

dominus said:
Not sure why mine doesn't count and your modeler does. ;) (Granted, I actually like most modelers, and got some great tones out of one of the Tonelab desktop models.)
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heh yea, ya got me there. I'm pretty sure the angle I was working on was that it was a modular preamp, so you'd have to buy more preamps...which would be like pedals. Then I shot myself in the foot with a modeler.
I would most definitely buy a ad120vtx if someone called me out of the blue and needed me to bring something giggable in a month. After playing whatever that band wanted me to do for a while I'd order up a Hovercraft Falcon or something with a cool side and a hot side, deep FAC, fx loopp and some feelth controls for extra disgusting flubbery gain.
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

I'm a rather spoiled and indecisive sort, so I have what I consider the some of the ultimate versions of my two fave manus-----Mark IV and JVM. Although if it really came down to me either selling amps or losing my house, I'd keep my modded MkIII because it has the most satisfying lead tone of anything I've ever played, even though it's not as versatile the other two. But without ultimate toan, who cares about having more knobs?
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

Oooooooo… PTM is feelin' saucy today!
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

Where to start? And what topic???

Let me ask the OP; WHY do I have to choose just one? Because I don't want to. And honestly, I really like my Roland Cube. If I could have JUST one I might go for an HD500 or a GT-100 or some such thing.

Amp? AhHAhahAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHhahahahaHAhAhHAAh. Maybe a TSL100? Ima gonna want three channels; Clean for all clean things , a grit to dirt channel for a lot, and a mega channel, just in case.

No FX? Not now or ever? Not even a delay? This is foolishness.
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

I was thinking the ultimate would be the Axe-FX 2 and whatever FRFR system you like.

Still - I think simpler amps work better for me and are more satisfying. Use pedals/rack effects to increase flexibility of the amp..
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

No secret I'm a big fan of Bruce Zinky's designs so a Zinky SUPERFLY!
http://www.gearacquisitionsyndrome.com/2008/04/new-amp-gear-zinky-superfly-head.html
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

Securb said:
I used a Twin for metal for years though I needed a MXR Dist+ to push it over the top. The one amp that I can do anything with would be my Marshall VS100, great gain, cool reverb and decent cleans.
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If you're talking about the blackface and some silverface circuits, yeah they weren't really designed for a hi-gain sound. I suppose I should explain.

I have "The Twin" which has two channels, channel switching, parallel and the old style dual channel options. It also has a presence control with a notch so you can pull out all the honky, cutting mids for something closer to a Marshall sound. Of course you can also turn those mids way up as well.

It requires specific tube types in each socket in the preamp but it also has a lot of gain on tap. You never need anymore than 6 or 7.

It has external bias and balance test points and pots and an XLR out which includes the power amp colouration.

You use the presence as your global tone control and the EQ is before the gain stage so you crank the mids and treble with the pull out boosts and turn the bass down and you get a tight and incredibly warm distortion. Of course you can fuzz it up a bit by adding more bass as well. This works well for balancing the driven sound with various types of pickups. You can dial the clank out of an 81 and clean up an invader.

It's such a good amp for leads. I did an EP for a band and they were amazed by what this thing could do, they used the gain channel straight out of the box for many tracks.

It isn't very metallic sounding compared to a dual rec or a 5150 but it does sound unique and it's very punchy. There are ways to put that thumping low end and metal grind into it.

You can run it in tandem with a differently voiced amp (something a bit looser and punchier) for a really balanced sound that is really clear and sits wonderfully in the mix but without the expense of aggression, weight and punch.

Seriously, this amp is amazing. I can't believe I don't hear more about it. I would kill to have this as a head. If I can find head chassis for it (with the control cavity at the top) I totally will.
 
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Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

LReese said:
I was thinking the ultimate would be the Axe-FX 2 and whatever FRFR system you like.

Still - I think simpler amps work better for me and are more satisfying. Use pedals/rack effects to increase flexibility of the amp..
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Hey - I have a Pro Jr. Sometimes I get all crazy and run a TS-9 into it first. TS9 actually has more knobs than the Jr!!!!!

Now, back to multi-channel Swiss Army Amp goodness!!!
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

Aceman said:
Hey - I have a Pro Jr. Sometimes I get all crazy and run a TS-9 into it first. TS9 actually has more knobs than the Jr!!!!!

Now, back to multi-channel Swiss Army Amp goodness!!!
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You mean like the Mark IV I have that I only use on the clean channel? :p
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

Easy. Hughes and Kettner Triamp Mk2. I have never owned or played an amp that covers as much ground.
 
Re: One Amp to Rule Them All?

Aceman said:
Where to start? And what topic???

Let me ask the OP; WHY do I have to choose just one?

No FX? Not now or ever? Not even a delay? This is foolishness.
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Just curoius as to people's tastes. And by no pedals I was specifically referring to dirt boxes.
 
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