Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

^

I sure as hell wouldn't pay $3000 for an amp made in Mexico. Now they've lowered the price, but I still wouldn't pay $2000 for an amp made in Mexico. There are companies like Mesa who build equally complex amps with top notch components in the US for much cheaper. Maybe my experience with a company that has plants in both Mexico and the US has tainted my opinion about Mexican made products.....the workers just don't give a ****. I'm sure as hell not going to pay $3000 (or even the $2000 today) for a complex 'flagship' amp that was outsourced to people who don't care if it works or not.
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

I can attest that the 5150III is anything but boomy, in fact its one of the tightest amps I've heard, tighter than the other 5150 models.

If a mexican strat makes people happy, what the hell is wrong with an amp thats designed in the USA then built in mexico? "oh but its a STRAT" By that mindset, only buy American and avoid everything made in Germany and Japan too.

Those are some good amps you listed, but some of them have piss poor reasons to exclude them.

+1 Marshall JVM410H
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

SO many good amps in your list and i don't see one i have not played through.
If I was dropping out my $ out of that list it would be
1- 5150III
2- Carvin V-3
3- Carvin X100B
There are others that are cool but from your list those are the 3 I really like. I could easily play out live with everything on that list and get a usable tone.
 
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Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

To the OP, I wouldn't rule out buying used amps if the amps were built by companies known for quality of construction. I would assume many guys on here buy used (?).

Since you asked for opinions (and unfortunately you will have to spend hours playing these expensive amps before making a decision. **** your luck) I think a USED Fryette Pittbull series amp, particularly the Ultra-Lead, a used Mesa Mark IV or a used Splawn Pro Mod would be great choices.

I think it depends what tonal qualities you want from an amp and more importantly what you DON'T want.

There are many amps which do metal, but it depends what type you play.


And a used Rivera is FAR less then $2300...

Only on weekdays. :naughty:
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

Peavey XXX head and a REAL Marshall 4x12 cab loaded with re-issue Greenback speakers.
 
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Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

Another killer choice is an EARLY PRODUCTION ('94-'96) Mesa Dual Rectifier head. Same cabinet as above.
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

Buy a Vox AC30. Turn it all the way up. Put a good fuzz pedal and boost in front of it. All knobs on both pedals all the way up and all knobs on the amp and the guitar all the way up.

Problem solved. End of thread.
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

Mesa Triaxis preamp and just about any Mesa power amp.
Get a midi pedal, a 6 space rack, and maybe a multiFX unit, and it'll cover just about every sound imagineable.
It'll give you dozens of shades of gain, clean, solo boosts, FX...everything. Racks my not be in vogue with the retro crowd, but you'll see a Triaxis rig at almost any metal concert you go to.
.

I don't know anything about racks but i'm literally on the verge of making an amp purchase in the next day or so. I was about to get a Dual Recto but i've seen a couple of Triaxis units at a good price. What's the bare minimum I would need to get the thing rocking? Do I just need the Triaxis, a power amp, my 4x12 cab and i'm good to go?

If so, any particular power amp that you'd suggest?
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

Whats wrong with Carvin? I love the V3 and the Legacy.
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

For high gain, Soldano SLO100. Hands down, one of the best built best sounding heads ever. I play mine through a Marshall basketweave cab w/greenbacks. Used, less than 2G's easy. And they are made locally in your area.
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

Whats wrong with Carvin? I love the V3 and the Legacy.

+ 1 IMO tone wise the V-3 kills a lot of the more expensive boutique rigs badly.
The new Series IV X100B is a killer also. Both are built right here in the good ol USA + I have owned a number of Carvin amps over the years and played them all out. Every one with out exception has been bulletproof reliable on the road.
Check out THESE tones!!
V-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9YSZZZTGUY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ccTXR7BQo&feature=related
X100B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrkXxUvvioE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IOqtiibzfs&feature=related
Keith is a fiend of mine and yes this is indeed all Carvin X100B Series IV tone from him!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlBfbKgRvFA&feature=related
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

I thought I NEEDED a Mesa Dual Rectifier until I tried a 6505+.

the peavey is good bro, it isnt mind blowing and doesnt cost 4,000 (Hello, Diezel) but it gets good tones...

I think Jolly hit it on the head with the JVM though.

why is it every clip on youtube of a high gain amp is of someone soloing?

they almost never play riffs, palm mute or play power chords!

they might as well be using a plexi and a tube screamer if all theyre gonna do is solo!
 
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Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

I play 80's metal mosty and I do some newer stuff and my amp dose them just fine.
A lot of people just look past the bugera 333xl and the other amps by bugera. They are amazing for the price and they hold together pretty well.
 
Re: Unhappy with high gain amp choices...

why is it every clip on youtube of a high gain amp is of someone soloing?

they almost never play riffs, palm mute or play power chords!

they might as well be using a plexi and a tube screamer if all theyre gonna do is solo!

Here ya go on the Carvin V-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGycf1o5hbQ&feature=related
Stomps the living heck out of both the Peavy and the Boogie tone wise!!
 
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