Versatile high gain amp

C

Chowbot

New member
So I intend on buying an amp soon, for gigging, recording, jamming and just ****ing around. I'm currently in a band and my other guitarist has a Marshall JCM 2000.

I really can't try these amps out with where I live so I'd really like some advice on this hefty purchase.

I've been looking at the Bogner Ecstasy, Hughes and Kettner Triamp MKII, Mesa Boogie Roadking, Engl savage, Orange Rockerverb, Marshall JCM 800 2210 and a mesa dual rectifier.

I'm looking for a really warm saturated but still hard distortion. I'm not playing and death-grind-extremoviolencecore but it needs to be pretty hard. I love the JCM 800 tone but having 1 channel would kill me, I need diversity.
Cleans I want, well clean. I want to be able to have as little drive in them as possible, difficult to find in a lot of high gain amps.

Bands that influence the tone I want to achieve:
Saosin, saetia, Refused, Thursday, Alexisonfire, (at times) At the Drive-in, The Fall of Troy, From First To Last, Silverstein, Story of the year, Sunny Day Real-Estate, Thrice. Our music differs way more than that sound but that's generally the tone I'm trying to achieve. Thanks.
 
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Re: Versatile high gain amp

I would defientley take a look at the RockVerb 50 for classic crunch but as far as modern gain you might need an OD pedal but the Road King might be right up your alley.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

Budget?

I'd go for an ENGL Savage 120, ENGL Invader, Hughes & Kettner Triamp, Bogner Uberschall, Mesa TriAxis, or Mesa Mark IV.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

Chowbot said:
So I intend on buying an amp soon, for gigging, recording, jamming and just ****ing around. I'm currently in a band and my other guitarist has a Marshall JCM 2000.

I really can't try these amps out with where I live so I'd really like some advice on this hefty purchase.

I've been looking at the Bogner Ecstasy, Hughes and Kettner Triamp MKII, Mesa Boogie Roadking, Engl savage, Orange Rockerverb, Marshall JCM 800 2210 and a mesa dual rectifier.

I'm looking for a really warm saturated but still hard distortion. I'm not playing and death-grind-extremoviolencecore but it needs to be pretty hard. I love the JCM 800 tone but having 1 channel would kill me, I need diversity.
Cleans I want, well clean. I want to be able to have as little drive in them as possible, difficult to find in a lot of high gain amps.

Bands that influence the tone I want to achieve:
Saosin, saetia, Refused, Thursday, Alexisonfire, (at times) At the Drive-in, The Fall of Troy, From First To Last, Silverstein, Story of the year, Sunny Day Real-Estate, Thrice. Our music differs way more than that sound but that's generally the tone I'm trying to achieve. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Besides the 800, which i own already, all the amps you listed here i want!!!! I'd take any of them! But just from here Alex Lifesons rig i'd love the H&K stuff!!!! also the Bogner and Boogie Roadkings have to be great amps but i've never played thru them!!!!
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

You'd be remiss if you didn't check out Rivera....particularily the Knucklehead 55 with Reverb.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

I dig a lot of the same bands you do Chowbot (especially Thrice, Saosin, Silverstein, Alexisonfire and Story of the Year).

If you want pristine cleans, a Hughes & Kettner Triamp Mk 1 would be a great choice. They can be found used for around $1100. I have yet to find a multichannel amp with the headroom that thing cranks out. The guys from Saosin have used one (I know I recognize it on the Translating the Name EP). Channel 1A is your pristine shimmering cleans (crank oldschool Fuel or Saosin's stuff), 3B is your hard edged high gain channel (Three Days Grace, Saosin, Fuel etc.). 3A I used for stuff like Incubus. 2A did some great light plexi stuff (think Joe Walsh or most good classic rock bands).

The Bogner XTC is one of the best overdrive amplifiers ever made, hands down. Keep in mind the cleans can be a bit "difficult" for some to swallow (one main reason why I went with my Shiva, but it doesn't have as much gain as an XTC, so I can't safely recommend that to you).

I the ENGL makes some fine high gain amps. They definitely don't get the credit they deserve.

The Mesa Recto is an either love or hate sorta thing. I've heard some guys do amazing things with them. Considering that they are readily available in the US (unlike ENGL or H&K), you should definitely check them out. 90% of the punk/metal, hardcore crowd uses those things. Given your love for the sounds that Silverstein and Alexisonfire have, you may really dig it.

Orange makes some great amps and the Rockerverb is pretty killer. I think it has a great high gain channel for metal. The cleans are very warm and thick, which may or may not suit the sound you're looking for. Think Jimi Hendrix for the cleans and you'll be close.
 
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Re: Versatile high gain amp

Well if I'm looking at these amps I'm not really concerned for budget, I just want something that'll give me the sound I'm looking for.

I'm guessing the bogner exctasy is out because I need a pristine clean and I don't have the money for a 2 amp rig. Though it would be nice to have an XTC and an AC30 like thursday, I just don't have the money for 2 such amps.

I just need to narrow this down.
 
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Re: Versatile high gain amp

And how about a JCM 800 2210 and a Vox AC30, that's a 2 amp set-up that isn't ridiculously priced.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

Can't go wrong wrong with one of the big Engl heads(Powerball,Savage or invader). All of them are very versetaille and solid amps
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

If you get the class A option with a Bogner XTC you'll get very pristine cleans, trust me on that one.

I would seriously try to find a way to play some amps so you can see what you like. This is a big investement dude, at least take the effort to try some amps out first hand. Every amp has a different feel, that is important too (especially when it comes to cleans) and has effect on your inspiration and indirectly the tone.
Though the guys on this forum have great ears and know their stuff I wouldn't just make such a purchase based only on other people's experience.
Take some effort man! ;)

Here's a link that might be helpfull: http://rocksolidamps.com/sounds.php
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

I would love to be able to try these amps out. But I live in Canada, 4 and a half hours from the nearest MESA dealer. Meaning I'm not gonna find any of the other amps listed.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

Chowbot said:
I would love to be able to try these amps out. But I live in Canada, 4 and a half hours from the nearest MESA dealer. Meaning I'm not gonna find any of the other amps listed.
Click to expand...

Welcome to my world :(

It's a serious problem, but the only thing you can do is base your choice on hearsay unless you find some time to drive that far.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

Mesa Mark IV

If you want to spend even m,ore $$$: VHT Pitbull UL

Both has great clean tones. The Mark IV can achieve Mesa Rectifier and close to Marshall tones. If you want all that the Mark IV has and Brutal distortion and the ability to achieve a unique "VHT" tone then get the Pitbull.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

If I don't get some replies right away advising me otherwise, I think I'm gonna go with the triamp.. anyone?
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

+1 on a VHT Pitbull or Bogner Uberschall. Both killer freaking amps I'd love to own one day!
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

You may want to look at the new Carvin V3 amp.

It has 3 channels.
2 identical high gain.
1 clean.
Each with idependent EQ.
Channels are midi switchable.
High gain channels have 3 modes. Center,thick, and intense.
As well as a EQ expansion switch.
Clean channel modes are center, bright, and soak.
EQ expansion as well.

Master control section features
Boost
Bright
Mid cut
Deep
and Smart loop controls.

Rear has:
2 speaker outs.
Ohms selecter.
Wattage selecter. 50w or 100w.
Tube bias switch for 6l6 or EL34.
Cab voiced line out for direct recording.
series and parallel effects loops.
Midi in/thru.
Footswitch inputs for Carvin Fs22 or 44 foot controllers.

http://www.carvin.com/
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

The H&K Triamp is a monster amp. I doubt you'd be unhappy with it.

A couple of other amps I would highly recomend...

Mesa/Boogie Mark IV. I've been gigging with one for the past three years. It can do it all!

Rivera M100. I gigged with one for 10 years before I went to the Boogie. Another excellent amp! Fender cleans and hot rodded Marshall dirt. Great amp that can be had for few coins off eBay.
 
Re: Versatile high gain amp

Due to how unavailable the Triamps are to me I'm thinking of again switching amps. Can I have some more opinions on the Engl Savage?
 
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