Recommend me an amp that fits....
- Thread starter Zerberus
- Start date
iekobrid
New member
Re: Recommend me an amp that fits....
In the past three months, I've tried:
* VHT Hundred CLX [head]
Best distorted tones I've ever gotten, even with two broken EQ controls and running into a no-name 4x12. Ridiculous amounts of gain, but always tight as f###. Versatile range of high quality clean tones.
* Peavey XXX [1x12, 2x12 and head]
I'm very pleased with this entire series, and may well end up with the 1x12 and the head. Not unlike a 5150, the Crunch channel had as much gain as I'd ever need, but you may appreciate having the Ultra channel on tap too. The clean channel with all the EQs at 12 noon got a nice punchy-warm sound out of the neck and middle positions on my strat, but I'll bet you could get an ice cave sound out of it with minimal fuss.
* Bogner Extasy
Didn't sound bad by any stretch of the imagination, but I didn't have a chance to play it long (or loud) enough to convince myself it sounded $3000+ good.
* Bogner Uberschall
Sounded okay at loud-enough-to-interfere-with-the-store-employees'-personal-phone-calls volume. My friend thought I sounded good through it, but I found its distortion a little too granular for my taste. Also, there was a huge volume disparity when switching from clean to gain that I couldn't dial out. Maybe that unit was on the fritz, though, beats me.
* Randall RM series (1x12, 2x12 and head)
I wish I could remember which 5 preamp modules I tried out, because I thought they all sounded like crap. Oh, except 'Clean'. It wasn't horrible.
I want to try a JSX next, based mainly on this review from Andy Sneap's forum:
Zerberus said:
In the past three months, I've tried:
* VHT Hundred CLX [head]
Best distorted tones I've ever gotten, even with two broken EQ controls and running into a no-name 4x12. Ridiculous amounts of gain, but always tight as f###. Versatile range of high quality clean tones.
* Peavey XXX [1x12, 2x12 and head]
I'm very pleased with this entire series, and may well end up with the 1x12 and the head. Not unlike a 5150, the Crunch channel had as much gain as I'd ever need, but you may appreciate having the Ultra channel on tap too. The clean channel with all the EQs at 12 noon got a nice punchy-warm sound out of the neck and middle positions on my strat, but I'll bet you could get an ice cave sound out of it with minimal fuss.
* Bogner Extasy
Didn't sound bad by any stretch of the imagination, but I didn't have a chance to play it long (or loud) enough to convince myself it sounded $3000+ good.
* Bogner Uberschall
Sounded okay at loud-enough-to-interfere-with-the-store-employees'-personal-phone-calls volume. My friend thought I sounded good through it, but I found its distortion a little too granular for my taste. Also, there was a huge volume disparity when switching from clean to gain that I couldn't dial out. Maybe that unit was on the fritz, though, beats me.
* Randall RM series (1x12, 2x12 and head)
I wish I could remember which 5 preamp modules I tried out, because I thought they all sounded like crap. Oh, except 'Clean'. It wasn't horrible.
I want to try a JSX next, based mainly on this review from Andy Sneap's forum:
iekobrid
New member
Re: Recommend me an amp that fits....
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234831
" From old school blues to modern, this thing was perfect in every way. The range of tones just for this style is countless. Sure, it's not a Fender, but I got some nice SRV-ish tones, if SRV were still alive I'm pretty sure his sound would be a little more modern these days, and the tone(s) I got for the style...man, just delicious. Then I nabbed a Jackson USA Select SL-2 Soloist with EMG's in it. It had an 85 in the bridge. The first thing I tried to do was to get the clean channel to break up even the slightest bit. Not happening. The clean is ****ing pristine. It's not a Fender...again...but holy crap, a very nice clean. I played everything from simple punk to technical death metal, using a Schecter 7-string with Duncans for that, and this amp held up for everything. The FAT switches on the two distortion channels are a very nice touch. I tried other guitars, like a Gibson LP Custom, even a JS1000 they had and a JEM7VWH, everything sounded amazing through it. Leads, rhythms, shoes...I mean literally anything you throw at it, it handles and delivers. Non-stop. Usually I hate EL34's for anything heavy...but seriously they actually worked with this amp. Plus, of course, they worked nicely for lead playing. I was surprised. I fell in love.
Verdict: It's like somebody over at Peavey sat down with a 5150, and said to themselves, "how can I make this even better." Yes, I know it's the amp they made for Satch, but seriously it's like a 5150, but better in every aspect. I reall wish I could tell what the "noise gate" was actually doing. Despite that little confusion, I'll be buying one of these very soon. No doubt. "
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234831
" From old school blues to modern, this thing was perfect in every way. The range of tones just for this style is countless. Sure, it's not a Fender, but I got some nice SRV-ish tones, if SRV were still alive I'm pretty sure his sound would be a little more modern these days, and the tone(s) I got for the style...man, just delicious. Then I nabbed a Jackson USA Select SL-2 Soloist with EMG's in it. It had an 85 in the bridge. The first thing I tried to do was to get the clean channel to break up even the slightest bit. Not happening. The clean is ****ing pristine. It's not a Fender...again...but holy crap, a very nice clean. I played everything from simple punk to technical death metal, using a Schecter 7-string with Duncans for that, and this amp held up for everything. The FAT switches on the two distortion channels are a very nice touch. I tried other guitars, like a Gibson LP Custom, even a JS1000 they had and a JEM7VWH, everything sounded amazing through it. Leads, rhythms, shoes...I mean literally anything you throw at it, it handles and delivers. Non-stop. Usually I hate EL34's for anything heavy...but seriously they actually worked with this amp. Plus, of course, they worked nicely for lead playing. I was surprised. I fell in love.
Verdict: It's like somebody over at Peavey sat down with a 5150, and said to themselves, "how can I make this even better." Yes, I know it's the amp they made for Satch, but seriously it's like a 5150, but better in every aspect. I reall wish I could tell what the "noise gate" was actually doing. Despite that little confusion, I'll be buying one of these very soon. No doubt. "
D
DeadSkinSlayer3
Guest
Re: Recommend me an amp that fits....
Only amp I got to try out yesterday was the XXX (and I still stand by what I said earlier) and the Krankenstein.
The Krank will do what you want. Very tight, crunchy, thick gain, and actually, very articulate, too. It wasn't my flavor really, but it was a pretty cool amp. Definately better than what most people say about it. I'd suggest trying it out, I could definately see you being happy with it.
Only amp I got to try out yesterday was the XXX (and I still stand by what I said earlier) and the Krankenstein.
The Krank will do what you want. Very tight, crunchy, thick gain, and actually, very articulate, too. It wasn't my flavor really, but it was a pretty cool amp. Definately better than what most people say about it. I'd suggest trying it out, I could definately see you being happy with it.
MDS
New member
Re: Recommend me an amp that fits....
Very interesting thread...Zerb, you said a TriAxis with a 2:90 would work, but your ethics are pushing you elsewhere. I appreciate and admire that stance. How about buying a used triaxis? Replace the tubes and you've contributed nothing to Mesa or Ruby. Put some gaff tape over the word Mesa so you're not advertising for them and you're in business...just a thought...
Have you told Mesa your feelings about this and that you won't buy their products? Randall is a good guy and would probably at least think about it...
Very interesting thread...Zerb, you said a TriAxis with a 2:90 would work, but your ethics are pushing you elsewhere. I appreciate and admire that stance. How about buying a used triaxis? Replace the tubes and you've contributed nothing to Mesa or Ruby. Put some gaff tape over the word Mesa so you're not advertising for them and you're in business...just a thought...
Have you told Mesa your feelings about this and that you won't buy their products? Randall is a good guy and would probably at least think about it...
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Recommend me an amp that fits....
I have spoken with Mesa Customer Relations about this and they essentially also said that while they personally admire my stance, the negative resounds of the continued affiliation aren´t enough to make then reconsider. From a Business standpoint a very valid position and I have No beef with Mesa about it. I have no beef with MESA at all, thas why this is driving me nuts...
But that I didn´t even consider used and putting a different faceplate on a Triaxis/ 2:90 or V-twin rack /50:50 rig surprises even me, lol :smack:.... Maybe I´ll write "Paul Ruby Amplification" on it for kicks...
Damn I can be stupid, maybe I don´t need a new amp but just some sheet metal :laugh2:
I´ve never been able to get a decent Clean out of one... is it really possible
msawitzke said:
I have spoken with Mesa Customer Relations about this and they essentially also said that while they personally admire my stance, the negative resounds of the continued affiliation aren´t enough to make then reconsider. From a Business standpoint a very valid position and I have No beef with Mesa about it. I have no beef with MESA at all, thas why this is driving me nuts...
But that I didn´t even consider used and putting a different faceplate on a Triaxis/ 2:90 or V-twin rack /50:50 rig surprises even me, lol :smack:.... Maybe I´ll write "Paul Ruby Amplification" on it for kicks...
Damn I can be stupid, maybe I don´t need a new amp but just some sheet metal :laugh2:
JeffB said:
I´ve never been able to get a decent Clean out of one... is it really possible
Re: Recommend me an amp that fits....
Turn the volume all the way up and use the gain as a volume control. It sounds similar to a triple XXX clean. Headroom is probably a problem, I dont know for sure I never turned it up very loud.
Zerberus said:I´ve never been able to get a decent Clean out of one... is it really possible
Turn the volume all the way up and use the gain as a volume control. It sounds similar to a triple XXX clean. Headroom is probably a problem, I dont know for sure I never turned it up very loud.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Recommend me an amp that fits....
What you need is one of those $3000 18watt Plexi clones. Less gain is more, and we all know that 50w is just stupid loud.
Pop the nameplate off with a screwdriver and spraypaint the front of it black to make it harder for people to guess what it is.
What you need is one of those $3000 18watt Plexi clones. Less gain is more, and we all know that 50w is just stupid loud.
Pop the nameplate off with a screwdriver and spraypaint the front of it black to make it harder for people to guess what it is.
