ExplorersRock
X-Files Duckbucker
GUYS, I NEED YOUR POWERFUL AMP KNOWLEDGE!!!
BUDGET: $800 or less I could stretch this if I buy in-store and I can do a trade-in, trade-up deal (maybe $950?) but I would prefer to stay under the $800 mark.
WANTS: ALL TUBES! No solid-state this go around. 2-3 channels, footswitch, reverb is a must-have, and VERSATILITY! I want some great cleans (I own 3 Fender amps), and some crushing distortion (why I won't buy a 4th). I want to be able to play classic rock, hard rock, alternative, heavy rock, and some Megadeth-style metal! I would really relish the ability to dial back the gain and get a smooth, sweet overdrive too (SRV style). I'm not a fan of that loose-sounding distortion that sounds fuzzy when you palm-mute. I love good cut, giving you that early-Metallica and Megadeth style sharp crunch!
POWER: I have a 100 watt solid state head and it's too much. I'd like 50-65 watts max, preferably with a power switch to knock it down. My 100 watt-er is killing my ears right now. I am kinda uncomfortable with less than 40, but some amps are loud even at 25. But 25 is the bare-minimum for me. Remember I'm playing through a 4X12 cab, so a little goes a long way.
THE CONTESTANTS: Mainly two.
Egnater Renegade 65w Head I put it through its paces the other day at GC and it was pretty sweet. I thought the clean channel could've been better. What worries me is I hear rumors of unreliability. My amp tech says he's not an Egnater fan from the repair point of view, and I have been told that in the tone dept, I could do better.
Carvin V3m head 50w Seems pretty nice for the price, but I haven't heard one in-person. It's tough to do anyway considering Carvin is sells factory-direct. Still, I read GREAT reviews and from the clips I've heard it sounds awesome. But those are clips and not definitive. i am a little concerned it can't give me sweet overdrive or bone-crunching, tight-bottomed, cutting metal. IF ANYONE HERE HAS ONE OR HAS PLAYED ONE THIS IS WHAT I MOSTLY NEED HELP WITH! The price is great and I get 10 days with it. If I'm not happy, I can return it.
Somone suggested the Mesa Boogie Trans-Atlantic TA-15, but it's bare bones. I played one and the clean was incredible. i could not for the life of me get the dirty channel to give me enough gain. Plus... no reverb.
PLEASE HELP ME HERE!!! Right now, I'm leaning towards the Carvin. If you fellas have other ones to suggest, please do so. ANY help is much appreciated.
BUDGET: $800 or less I could stretch this if I buy in-store and I can do a trade-in, trade-up deal (maybe $950?) but I would prefer to stay under the $800 mark.
WANTS: ALL TUBES! No solid-state this go around. 2-3 channels, footswitch, reverb is a must-have, and VERSATILITY! I want some great cleans (I own 3 Fender amps), and some crushing distortion (why I won't buy a 4th). I want to be able to play classic rock, hard rock, alternative, heavy rock, and some Megadeth-style metal! I would really relish the ability to dial back the gain and get a smooth, sweet overdrive too (SRV style). I'm not a fan of that loose-sounding distortion that sounds fuzzy when you palm-mute. I love good cut, giving you that early-Metallica and Megadeth style sharp crunch!
POWER: I have a 100 watt solid state head and it's too much. I'd like 50-65 watts max, preferably with a power switch to knock it down. My 100 watt-er is killing my ears right now. I am kinda uncomfortable with less than 40, but some amps are loud even at 25. But 25 is the bare-minimum for me. Remember I'm playing through a 4X12 cab, so a little goes a long way.
THE CONTESTANTS: Mainly two.
Egnater Renegade 65w Head I put it through its paces the other day at GC and it was pretty sweet. I thought the clean channel could've been better. What worries me is I hear rumors of unreliability. My amp tech says he's not an Egnater fan from the repair point of view, and I have been told that in the tone dept, I could do better.
Carvin V3m head 50w Seems pretty nice for the price, but I haven't heard one in-person. It's tough to do anyway considering Carvin is sells factory-direct. Still, I read GREAT reviews and from the clips I've heard it sounds awesome. But those are clips and not definitive. i am a little concerned it can't give me sweet overdrive or bone-crunching, tight-bottomed, cutting metal. IF ANYONE HERE HAS ONE OR HAS PLAYED ONE THIS IS WHAT I MOSTLY NEED HELP WITH! The price is great and I get 10 days with it. If I'm not happy, I can return it.
Somone suggested the Mesa Boogie Trans-Atlantic TA-15, but it's bare bones. I played one and the clean was incredible. i could not for the life of me get the dirty channel to give me enough gain. Plus... no reverb.
PLEASE HELP ME HERE!!! Right now, I'm leaning towards the Carvin. If you fellas have other ones to suggest, please do so. ANY help is much appreciated.
