So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

[sosomething]

My buddy who was going to sell me his Bogner Uberschall hit a situation where he's got to unload it right away, and I don't have the cash. It's on the 'bay right now for a great price, but I just can't swing it at the moment.

So now I'm wondering what amp I should get instead. I'll never snag another Uber for the price I was going to get from my buddy, so a whole host of new options have opened up.

Frankly, I'm overwhelmed.

The goal here is a bi-amped set-up with both amps running @ once through separate cabs. I want something DIFFERENT from my current amp (Splawn Pro Mod - basically a super-hot-rodded Marshall Plexi) but that will blend well with a seriously high-gain Marshall-voiced metal tone.

If you owned a Splawn 1/2 stack and a G-Flex 2x12, what head would you by to add to the mix, and why? Your answers will be very helpful.

I have a budget but let's not worry about that right now.

 

[sosomething]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Come on - nobody else every thinks about running two amps at once?

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I do. I'd get a 5150 and run both at once. It would cover part of the spectrum that the Splawn doesn't. Different is the key to my suggestion because you don't need an amp that is strong in the upper mids or treble. What you need is more bass and lower mids. The 5150 would do quite a good job at turning what is currently a wall of sound into a fortress of sound.

Get used amps off fleabay and try them out. If it's not for you, sell it for the same amount or even more than you paid and get something else.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Have you ever tried mixing something vintagey with it, like an AC30?

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I do. I'd get a 5150 and run both at once. It would cover part of the spectrum that the Splawn doesn't. Different is the key to my suggestion because you don't need an amp that is strong in the upper mids or treble. What you need is more bass and lower mids. The 5150 would do quite a good job at turning what is currently a wall of sound into a fortress of sound.

I was about to suggest something along those lines. Something deep and heavy to cover the OTHER part of the spectrum.

Though I, personally would go with JB's choice of an AC30 (it would sound so awesome.. all the high gain.. all the clarity and bell like overtones..mmm..) I don't think it's quite as suited to the high gain sound, even mixed.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I'd wait and see if Vox adds a new Valvetronix head to their new series.....or get an older blue-grill one. Don't underestimate the tone of modelers when loud......but the best reason to get one is so you can use it with your G-Flex cab for practicing. They can duplicate the sound of most tube highgain heads, but sound better than tube amps at low volume playing.

By getting a Vetta or Valvetronix, you'll have an amp that can serve two purposes....home practicing and as a secondary amp for a stereo rig.
Also, when blending it in stereo, you can try all of it's amp models and find the ones that blend just right with your Splawn.

 

[sosomething]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I do. I'd get a 5150 and run both at once. It would cover part of the spectrum that the Splawn doesn't. Different is the key to my suggestion because you don't need an amp that is strong in the upper mids or treble. What you need is more bass and lower mids. The 5150 would do quite a good job at turning what is currently a wall of sound into a fortress of sound.

I was about to suggest something along those lines. Something deep and heavy to cover the OTHER part of the spectrum.

Though I, personally would go with JB's choice of an AC30 (it would sound so awesome.. all the high gain.. all the clarity and bell like overtones..mmm..) I don't think it's quite as suited to the high gain sound, even mixed.

Interesting suggestions, both.

I'd be more inclined to give the AC30 (or AC50 or other Vox AC-type equivalent) a try before the 5150. Two reasons:

1.) I've owned a 5150 before and was completely unable to get it to sound good. This is nothing against the amp - 5150s and I just don't get along very well. I think there is some inherent high-mid frequency pumping out of them that my ears are especially sensitive to and can't be dialed out.

2.) The Pro Mod uses KT88s and is definitely not wanting of low and low-mid power. I seriously wonder whether a stock 5150 would be able to add anything to the mix in this regard.

I should add - this rig is kind of huge for a reason. I play in a sort of thrash / doom / stoner / prog metal band, and volume is a very viable and important aspect of our live show. Take Prog Metal and take all the pretense and sci-fi / fantasy content and replace it with alcoholism. That sums it up.

SO........ we're looking at 50 watts minimum. I know that 50 watts and even 30 watts is plenty loud, but the amount which I will be cranking this thing is going to seriously obliterate the available headroom of a 20-30 watt amp and it will sound like butthole.

keep em coming! Good stuff so far!

 

[sosomething]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I'd wait and see if Vox adds a new Valvetronix head to their new series.....or get an older blue-grill one. Don't underestimate the tone of modelers when loud......but the best reason to get one is so you can use it with your G-Flex cab for practicing. They can duplicate the sound of most tube highgain heads, but sound better than tube amps at low volume playing.

By getting a Vetta or Valvetronix, you'll have an amp that can serve two purposes....home practicing and as a secondary amp for a stereo rig.
Also, when blending it in stereo, you can try all of it's amp models and find the ones that blend just right with your Splawn.

Tubes only, man. I've messed around with pretty much all available modeling options and trust me - they cannot hang with what I'd be doing to them and the company they'd be keeping.

Low volume goodness isn't really an issue... these things will likely never be run at anything below jet-fighter decibel levels.

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Well .... GearJones in my SLO thread said that Marshall/Laney types sound great with Soldanos Avenger, Splawn is pretty Marshally, I think for what you play the depth knob would take care of.

 

[sosomething]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Hmmmmm.... the Avenger is definitely within my price range. I don't need a lot of versatility from this rig, and I'm always in favor of one GREAT sound over a bunch of decent sounds...

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I think the Splawn running with beaucoup gain mixed with something like the Vox would be absolutely awesome. You could have the most insane brutal tone, but it would still be totally clear. A Sunn model T would be sweet, too, and there's NO way you'd max out the headroom

In all honesty, the idea of mixing two high gain amps doesn't really do much for me. I know it will get you tones you couldn't get otherwise, but it doesn't seem like it would be worth the hassle.

 

[sosomething]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I think the Splawn running with beaucoup gain mixed with something like the Vox would be absolutely awesome. You could have the most insane brutal tone, but it would still be totally clear. A Sunn model T would be sweet, too, and there's NO way you'd max out the headroom

In all honesty, the idea of mixing two high gain amps doesn't really do much for me. I know it will get you tones you couldn't get otherwise, but it doesn't seem like it would be worth the hassle.

I hear you, man.

Now that that Uber isn't an option, I'm thinking something with a completely different (but complimentary) gain character is in order, like Matchless or Hiwatt or an old Sunn, Orange, Matamp, etc.

My only problem is that shopping for a 2nd amp is almost harder than shopping for the 1st one, since they've got to get along.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Have model Ts dropped in price yet? I know they were through the roof for awhile. If so, I bet that would work pretty well, as it's just really thick, not super middy like a Marshall or bassy like a Mesa.

I think a grindy sounding Fender would be sweet, too.

 

[sosomething]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I'm looking at one right now on the 'bay at $750 with 5 days left. That a good price?

These sound interesting. I've never heard one in person. Who has used them?

 

[Dr.Mavashi]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Just listened to Corpsweed on you site, sorry dude, but I think that sound in particular is just begging for the attack, definition and sandy trasparant grain of SLO/Avenger to match the marshall growl of a Splawn ......

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

I agree.....if you're always going to be loud and proud, stay with tubes. I only suggested the modeler because it'd give you more options, but tone for tone, tubes always win.

Another option, if your Splawn has an FX loop, is to run it's SEND to another heads RETURN, and then all the channel switching and preamp will be only the Splawn, and the other head can be almost any decent tube amp.

I guess you have to decide if you want the other amp to be heavier or more vintagey. If you go vintage, check out some of the Fargen heads like the Olde 800, Mighty Plex, and VOS.
They're smaller and lighter than many heads, but sound huge. Also, the Dr.Z
Route 66. Run the Splawn gainier, and the other one less gainy, and the sound spectrum will be bigger and more touch sensitive.

If you want the other amp heavier, get a Soldano Avenger, ENGL, VHT, or Mesa.

Only your ears will tell you when to pull out cash.

Here's my classic to heavy rock rig. The Matchless and Jubilee never leave a rehearsal space, so it's only for fun. The only amp I ever take anywhere is the Bogner. It's too much to lug 2 amps for me.

Here's the crush of doom rig.

When I want the ultimate clean setup, I run the Chieftain and Gibson Goldtone in stereo.

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Another thought. Get a Celtic Edana. It's loud as all hell and when cranked properly it has a thick angus-like tone that would compliment a splawn type distortion well. It's 45 watts, but I think it's really a 50 watt amp due to the volume it cranks out. I've tried it next to a peavey XXX running the XXX 4x12 and the XXX couldn't outshake/outmuscle the Edana running an open back 2x12. It would run with the Splawn and it would be heard outside the splawn.

 

[sosomething]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Just listened to Corpsweed on you site, sorry dude, but I think that sound in particular is just begging for the attack, definition and sandy trasparant grain of SLO/Avenger to match the marshall growl of a Splawn ......

.....

That track was recorded with a PODxt.

Another option, if your Splawn has an FX loop, is to run it's SEND to another heads RETURN, and then all the channel switching and preamp will be only the Splawn, and the other head can be almost any decent tube amp.

That's an option, but I think I want a good blend of tones, which would probably require more than one preamp to be in the equation.

I guess you have to decide if you want the other amp to be heavier or more vintagey. If you go vintage, check out some of the Fargen heads like the Olde 800, Mighty Plex, and VOS.
They're smaller and lighter than many heads, but sound huge. Also, the Dr.Z
Route 66. Run the Splawn gainier, and the other one less gainy, and the sound spectrum will be bigger and more touch sensitive.

If you want the other amp heavier, get a Soldano Avenger, ENGL, VHT, or Mesa.

Only your ears will tell you when to pull out cash.

That's the crux of the issue. I definitely see the appeal of using two high-gain heads for raw power, but I'm really starting to think that something with less gain and a more open character is what I need to compliment the super-tight and powerful tone from the Splawn.

Another thought. Get a Celtic Edana...

Would it really be that different, though? The Splawn is very Marshally. My impression of the Edana is that it's Marshall-inspired, too. I'm sure it's a great sounding amp, but that to me seems like two scoops of the same flavor ice cream.

Am I wrong?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

It's 45 watts, but I think it's really a 50 watt amp due to the volume it cranks out.

It would be darn near impossible to hear the difference between 45 & 50. Both are gonna be rip your head off loud. For twice the volume, you need 10X the wattage.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: So the Uber is a no-go - what now?

Mark IV or Recto would be my choice.