The old "help me find a new amp" thread
- Thread starter ElUnoAstuto
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kneadmomunny
New member
Re: The old "help me find a new amp" thread
to my ears, a solid state has a sharp tight powerful distortion that i would use for metal. tube amps sound great but for really heavy stuff they get a spongey compressed sound. maybe that's just me though......
but the main reason that i recommended a SS was that he said he would be moving, and switching bases and fitting under his bunk, and solid states are smaller, and lighter, cheaper, and tougher. have you ever had a tube break on you? huge mess trying to clean glass shards out of your speakers.
to my ears, a solid state has a sharp tight powerful distortion that i would use for metal. tube amps sound great but for really heavy stuff they get a spongey compressed sound. maybe that's just me though......
but the main reason that i recommended a SS was that he said he would be moving, and switching bases and fitting under his bunk, and solid states are smaller, and lighter, cheaper, and tougher. have you ever had a tube break on you? huge mess trying to clean glass shards out of your speakers.
BigBazz
New member
Re: The old "help me find a new amp" thread
Having owned and played many valve amps and solid states i can confirm that solidstates generally sound horrible and weak for metal, valve amps however ive found are tight with big bottom end, obviously some just arent cut out for it, play a peavey 5150 and you will know what i mean, they simply destroy for metal.
What amazes me about valve amps even more is that generally any valve amp with an overdrive pedal infront of it (tubescreamer, bluesbreaker, SD-1) can be good for metal, probably better than most solid states designed for metal (Marshall Mode 4, the 500w fender metal head, old randalls).
A friend of mine was trying out a les paul in a shop, they put him through a peavey classic 30 with a tubescreamer, he stated how the Les paul with that setup he got some of the meatiest sounding metal tones, if a little low on gain compared to his own amp (Marshall TSL head with a Recto and 5150 preamp cirquits inside, modded for 6L6)
The point is, Valve amps certainly are the sound of metal, Dimebag went through a period using Solid state amps but in my opinion his tone then was bloody horrible and its chucked all over most of pantera's best tracks, nevermind, only other guitarist i can think of in metal that uses solidstates is bumblefoot who plays a vetta, i think "death" used to use the old marshall valvestates?.
Theres probably more players surely, but when you compare a good valve amp to a solid state even designed for metal and compare... well theres no comparison 90% of the time, the valve amp will always sound better.
Rant/ over.. haha sorry.
As for having a tube/valve break, fortunately no. not once (touches wood).
Having owned and played many valve amps and solid states i can confirm that solidstates generally sound horrible and weak for metal, valve amps however ive found are tight with big bottom end, obviously some just arent cut out for it, play a peavey 5150 and you will know what i mean, they simply destroy for metal.
What amazes me about valve amps even more is that generally any valve amp with an overdrive pedal infront of it (tubescreamer, bluesbreaker, SD-1) can be good for metal, probably better than most solid states designed for metal (Marshall Mode 4, the 500w fender metal head, old randalls).
A friend of mine was trying out a les paul in a shop, they put him through a peavey classic 30 with a tubescreamer, he stated how the Les paul with that setup he got some of the meatiest sounding metal tones, if a little low on gain compared to his own amp (Marshall TSL head with a Recto and 5150 preamp cirquits inside, modded for 6L6)
The point is, Valve amps certainly are the sound of metal, Dimebag went through a period using Solid state amps but in my opinion his tone then was bloody horrible and its chucked all over most of pantera's best tracks, nevermind, only other guitarist i can think of in metal that uses solidstates is bumblefoot who plays a vetta, i think "death" used to use the old marshall valvestates?.
Theres probably more players surely, but when you compare a good valve amp to a solid state even designed for metal and compare... well theres no comparison 90% of the time, the valve amp will always sound better.
Rant/ over.. haha sorry.
As for having a tube/valve break, fortunately no. not once (touches wood).
ElUnoAstuto
New member
Re: The old "help me find a new amp" thread
Alright, so I've come to the conclusion that the GNX stays! As far as a new amp, I've got a SS 1982 Peavey Special 130 that's got the best solid state cleans I've ever heard, and some mediocre gain. I'm going to play a Peavey Valveking today and I'm going to try several small modeling amps, like a Line6 or whatever I can get my hands on. I'll report back tonight. : )
Alright, so I've come to the conclusion that the GNX stays! As far as a new amp, I've got a SS 1982 Peavey Special 130 that's got the best solid state cleans I've ever heard, and some mediocre gain. I'm going to play a Peavey Valveking today and I'm going to try several small modeling amps, like a Line6 or whatever I can get my hands on. I'll report back tonight. : )
lpmarshall
New member
Re: The old "help me find a new amp" thread
My Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket has served me well for years, and it can do metal at low volumes. They aren't in production anymore, but they can be had for less than $500 used. Its 20 or 22 watts, with a 10 inch speaker IIRC. Perfect for bedroom levels, and I used to use it out at gigs a few years ago as well.
My Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket has served me well for years, and it can do metal at low volumes. They aren't in production anymore, but they can be had for less than $500 used. Its 20 or 22 watts, with a 10 inch speaker IIRC. Perfect for bedroom levels, and I used to use it out at gigs a few years ago as well.
