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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Amp Suggestions?

Posted by: Sircraigery Aug 4 2012, 11:34 PM

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for suggestions on small metal sounding amps.

I have a couple criteria:
- both a clean and a dirty channel (WITH A SOLO BOOST)
- 12" SPEAKER
- amp < 50W, or switchable
- 6L6 power tubes (for some reason, I like them better than the EL84's)

The absolute top of my budget is $1500, with lesser being better.

I have to admit, I'm sort of leaning towards a ENGL gigmaster & cab, OR a Mesa 5:50+. Any other ideas would be appreciated, since I don't want to miss any. For instance, does anyone in here play a Rivera and have a good recording of it?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 5 2012, 12:55 AM

Congrats you have pretty much answered your own question. And it's a fine answer at that! A Rivera, Soldano, Splawn, or Marshall would be in the running but I would say don't buy any amp you can spend an hour or so with first. No matter how far you have to travel, go to a music shop, BRING YOUR OWN GUITAR and try out the amp your thinking of getting even if you end up buying it online.

Todd

QUOTE (Sircraigery @ Aug 4 2012, 06:34 PM) *
Hi Folks,

I'm looking for suggestions on small metal sounding amps.

I have a couple criteria:
- both a clean and a dirty channel (WITH A SOLO BOOST)
- 12" SPEAKER
- amp < 50W, or switchable
- 6L6 power tubes (for some reason, I like them better than the EL84's)

The absolute top of my budget is $1500, with lesser being better.

I have to admit, I'm sort of leaning towards a ENGL gigmaster & cab, OR a Mesa 5:50+. Any other ideas would be appreciated, since I don't want to miss any. For instance, does anyone in here play a Rivera and have a good recording of it?


Posted by: The Uncreator Aug 5 2012, 01:14 AM

5150 - Any of them, the tone is magnificent. Lam Of God used it, with a 6505+ as well. Trivium has used it, Evergrey, so many bands have gone to Peavey amp heads.

5150's are my personal favorite, of course if you want to drop SERIOUS cash, you can always look at Diezel or Axe-Fx

Posted by: thefireball Aug 5 2012, 02:42 AM

I like the Peavey Valveking 112. I played on it last week. It's killer for metal!!!


Posted by: jstcrsn Aug 5 2012, 03:32 AM

QUOTE (Sircraigery @ Aug 4 2012, 11:34 PM) *
Hi Folks,

I'm looking for suggestions on small metal sounding amps.

I have a couple criteria:
- both a clean and a dirty channel (WITH A SOLO BOOST)
- 12" SPEAKER
- amp < 50W, or switchable
- 6L6 power tubes (for some reason, I like them better than the EL84's)

The absolute top of my budget is $1500, with lesser being better.

I have to admit, I'm sort of leaning towards a ENGL gigmaster & cab, OR a Mesa 5:50+. Any other ideas would be appreciated, since I don't want to miss any. For instance, does anyone in here play a Rivera and have a good recording of it?

I have a laney, sounds awesome, and it is easy on the pocketbook
if you go to GMC radio through the search , under jstcrsn , song name is never look away, that was recorded with the laney

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 5 2012, 05:58 AM

QUOTE (Sircraigery @ Aug 4 2012, 10:34 PM) *
Hi Folks,

I'm looking for suggestions on small metal sounding amps.

I have a couple criteria:
- both a clean and a dirty channel (WITH A SOLO BOOST)
- 12" SPEAKER
- amp < 50W, or switchable
- 6L6 power tubes (for some reason, I like them better than the EL84's)

The absolute top of my budget is $1500, with lesser being better.

I have to admit, I'm sort of leaning towards a ENGL gigmaster & cab, OR a Mesa 5:50+. Any other ideas would be appreciated, since I don't want to miss any. For instance, does anyone in here play a Rivera and have a good recording of it?

I would suggest Mesa Boogie Rectifier! It's a great amp and you will get your money worth! Also the value will stay and you won't loose a lot of money if you will sell it later!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 5 2012, 09:39 AM

I would always recommend you to go with (or at least check out) the amp(s) that you are gravitating towards because your gut usually doesn't lie to you. smile.gif

I was really leaning toward a Marshall JVM but I got swayed by some reviews and went instead with an ENGL Powerball. I was not impressed with it and sent it back only to get the Marshall and wish I had just done that first.

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 5 2012, 06:19 PM

You could check out one of the Blackstar combos. Those amps have great cleans and the gain channel has very clear note definition.

Posted by: thefireball Aug 5 2012, 08:12 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Aug 5 2012, 03:39 AM) *
I would always recommend you to go with (or at least check out) the amp(s) that you are gravitating towards because your gut usually doesn't lie to you. smile.gif

I was really leaning toward a Marshall JVM but I got swayed by some reviews and went instead with an ENGL Powerball. I was not impressed with it and sent it back only to get the Marshall and wish I had just done that first.


Well, I was leaning towards Marshall, but after playing on Peavey I changed my mind. I guess one would have to play on a variety of amps to see what they sound like.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 5 2012, 08:55 PM

I have not too much experience with small amps for metal, but I agree with the guys about going by yourself with your guitar to try all those amps. That's the only way to get what you are looking for.

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 6 2012, 12:14 AM

QUOTE (thefireball @ Aug 4 2012, 09:42 PM) *
I like the Peavey Valveking 112. I played on it last week. It's killer for metal!!!



I have the Valveking head, and I can say, for the money, its a great amp. I wrote ahttp://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Peavey_Valveking_100_Head_Review on it a while back. I must say though, it is a head, and I do play it through a Marshall 1960A cab, so there is a noticeable difference between that and the cab.

Posted by: thefireball Aug 6 2012, 01:20 AM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Aug 5 2012, 06:14 PM) *
I have the Valveking head, and I can say, for the money, its a great amp. I wrote ahttp://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Peavey_Valveking_100_Head_Review on it a while back. I must say though, it is a head, and I do play it through a Marshall 1960A cab, so there is a noticeable difference between that and the cab.


That's cool! The amp I played was combined - head and cab in one. There are so many combos in the world. Glad you found something that works for you. When I pick up my guitar from the shop I will plug it into the amp I played. But I sure would love that 7 string. smile.gif

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 6 2012, 02:16 AM

QUOTE (thefireball @ Aug 5 2012, 08:20 PM) *
That's cool! The amp I played was combined - head and cab in one. There are so many combos in the world. Glad you found something that works for you. When I pick up my guitar from the shop I will plug it into the amp I played. But I sure would love that 7 string. smile.gif


You'll like that Valveking even more once you play it through a decent cab. Its possible to find a Valveking head for $300 used and Peavey 5150/6505 cab for about $100. Thats a killer halfstack for $400. Thats even less than what many solid state halfstacks cost. Right now I mainly use a Peavey Ultra Plus, which is the predecessor to the 5150/6505. It sounds somewhat similar to the 5150. The Valveking is still a great amp. I like it because its tone cuts through a mix. It also has a great clean channel, better than the Ultra Plus.

This actually leads back to the original post. If you want the best bang for your buck, go with the Ultra Plus. You will not find a better amp for the money. In fact, for high gain tones, it can run with the big boys. The tone on it is simply beastly. The amp isn't that popular because the 5150/6505 overshadows it. Plus it comes from the era when Marshall and Mesa ruled the roost, Peaveys were considered the poor mans Marshall. For many years they actually sold for little money. I got mine for $300 on craigslist about two years ago. They're not easy to find, and the price is going up on them, especially on eBay, but if you keep checking craigslist, I'm sure you can find for roughly the same price I got mine biggrin.gif


Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 6 2012, 02:37 AM

I suggested the same exat thing in my previous post. Great minds think alike! smile.gif Ben and I are in full agreement on this bud. You really should try before you buy.

Also, ALEX has great suggestion with the MESA! Hard to go wrong with a Mesa smile.gif

But of course, to be honest, I (personally) wouldn't blow $1500 on a practice amp. I have a Half stack with a Line 6 Vetta HD head (does great emulations of all the amps mentioned in these posts), it's 200 watts and I have a RANDALL 4 x12. Sounds great even at low volume since the head is solid state. The entire rig cost

$450


Leaving enough to buy a couple of nice used guitars. Which I did smile.gif All for under $1500.

But that's just me. Everyone is different. Some folks wouldn't give you a nickel for my setup. And would pay 2k for practice amp because of it's badge and pedigree. Just goes to show there is not "best" as I'm always saying, there's just what's best for you. But seriously GO PLAY ANYTHING YOU MIGHT BUY! smile.gif

Todd



QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Aug 5 2012, 04:39 AM) *
I would always recommend you to go with (or at least check out) the amp(s) that you are gravitating towards because your gut usually doesn't lie to you. smile.gif

I was really leaning toward a Marshall JVM but I got swayed by some reviews and went instead with an ENGL Powerball. I was not impressed with it and sent it back only to get the Marshall and wish I had just done that first.


Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 6 2012, 11:24 AM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Aug 6 2012, 02:16 AM) *
Right now I mainly use a Peavey Ultra Plus, which is the predecessor to the 5150/6505.


I still got my Peavey Ultra. I loved being able to switch being crunch for rhythm and ultra for lead. I felt though, that what I needed was a rhythm channel more like the ultra channel and then something extra for lead which is why I got something else but I guess you could always add a pedal onto it for extra juice. In terms of tone it's a great amp smile.gif

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 6 2012, 07:25 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Aug 6 2012, 06:24 AM) *
I still got my Peavey Ultra. I loved being able to switch being crunch for rhythm and ultra for lead. I felt though, that what I needed was a rhythm channel more like the ultra channel and then something extra for lead which is why I got something else but I guess you could always add a pedal onto it for extra juice. In terms of tone it's a great amp smile.gif


The JVM is definitely a more versatile amp. Plus its got that classic Marshall tone, whats not to like? biggrin.gif By the way, did you ever get around to changing the tubes in the Ultra?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 7 2012, 08:34 AM

I'd also go for the Peavy/ Blackstar/ Mesa - great amps for metal! You can go and check'em out with your guitar in hand in the shops and if you think you can get lucky, try getting the one you have tested and you like, on ebay.

I have a friend who tried the Road King from Mesa Boogie, he liked it and bought one on ebay for 2000 dollars. It was almost new - as in it had all its labels and all, but it was bought for studio sessions and the studio that had it, had to be closed. So the owner sold it before even getting to use it... tough chance on the poor studio owner and what a big chunk of luck for my friend (my band mate in Aria)

Posted by: Yash Aug 7 2012, 08:45 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Aug 7 2012, 01:04 PM) *
I'd also go for the Peavy/ Blackstar/ Mesa - great amps for metal! You can go and check'em out with your guitar in hand in the shops and if you think you can get lucky, try getting the one you have tested and you like, on ebay.

I have a friend who tried the Road King from Mesa Boogie, he liked it and bought one on ebay for 2000 dollars. It was almost new - as in it had all its labels and all, but it was bought for studio sessions and the studio that had it, had to be closed. So the owner sold it before even getting to use it... tough chance on the poor studio owner and what a big chunk of luck for my friend (my band mate in Aria)


Ooh man, that was bad sad.gif Ouch ! Poor band mate ! Wish he gets back his investment, the Mesa wink.gif I am in love with the Road King. After getting a nice guitar and AXE FX, thats what I am aiming for cool.gif

But we still have at least 6 years till I get my first salary laugh.gif So, I keep waiting tongue.gif laugh.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 7 2012, 08:47 AM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Aug 6 2012, 07:25 PM) *
By the way, did you ever get around to changing the tubes in the Ultra?


Man, we're going back now.. I can't remember talking about changing them !! tongue.gif I didn't change any valves though smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 7 2012, 09:09 AM

QUOTE (Yash @ Aug 7 2012, 07:45 AM) *
Ooh man, that was bad sad.gif Ouch ! Poor band mate ! Wish he gets back his investment, the Mesa wink.gif I am in love with the Road King. After getting a nice guitar and AXE FX, thats what I am aiming for cool.gif

But we still have at least 6 years till I get my first salary laugh.gif So, I keep waiting tongue.gif laugh.gif


No no, my band mate was the one getting lucky! The studio owner was the unlucky dude, because he had to sell the Mesa which my band mate bought for such a good price biggrin.gif

Posted by: Yash Aug 7 2012, 09:11 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Aug 7 2012, 01:39 PM) *
No no, my band mate was the one getting lucky! The studio owner was the unlucky dude, because he had to sell the Mesa which my band mate bought for such a good price biggrin.gif


Oh, so your band mate has the ALL POWERFUL MIGHTY MESA ROAD KING ????

Wow, I thought it was the other way around, your band mate bought it and it got sold somehow laugh.gif

Maybe I read too much about that Slash Appetite for Destruction Amp incident laugh.gif Know that one wink.gif ?

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Aug 9 2012, 08:27 PM

My fave amp is (always has been and always will be) the Mesa Boogie Tripple Rectifier, the ultimate metal amp in my humble opinion. It is above the budget that you mentioned though, but there might be a pretty cool option: the mini Rectifier! It might look like a toy, but it is a serious amp with a killer tone, that sounds pretty much like its big brother, I would risk to say that you can get about 95 % of the sound of a tripple Rectifer with this small one, it is not as loud thoug. But since you mentioned amp<50 watts this might be a nice option. But for sure you should try the amp (or any other option) yourself, with your own guitar. And if you like it, buy exactly the amp that you tried, no "same model" that they have already packed, amps tend to sound pretty different, this might end up in a bad surprise.

Posted by: thefireball Aug 9 2012, 11:21 PM

QUOTE (Marcus Siepen @ Aug 9 2012, 02:27 PM) *
My fave amp is (always has been and always will be) the Mesa Boogie Tripple Rectifier, the ultimate metal amp in my humble opinion. It is above the budget that you mentioned though, but there might be a pretty cool option: the mini Rectifier! It might look like a toy, but it is a serious amp with a killer tone, that sounds pretty much like its big brother, I would risk to say that you can get about 95 % of the sound of a tripple Rectifer with this small one, it is not as loud thoug. But since you mentioned amp<50 watts this might be a nice option. But for sure you should try the amp (or any other option) yourself, with your own guitar. And if you like it, buy exactly the amp that you tried, no "same model" that they have already packed, amps tend to sound pretty different, this might end up in a bad surprise.


No way! Are you back, Marcus? smile.gif smile.gif I haven't seen you post in a while.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 10 2012, 08:16 AM

QUOTE (thefireball @ Aug 9 2012, 10:21 PM) *
No way! Are you back, Marcus? smile.gif smile.gif I haven't seen you post in a while.


I was wondering as well smile.gif I never had the pleasure of talking to you, Marcus, so I can say is I am happy to do so wink.gif

Mini rectifier? Hehe, never heard about it, but after a little research, I found this:


Posted by: Slavenko Erazer Aug 10 2012, 10:16 AM

I hope that Mini rectifier doesn't have a MAXI price??? cool.gif

Posted by: Yash Aug 10 2012, 10:54 AM

QUOTE (Slavenko Erazer @ Aug 10 2012, 02:46 PM) *
I hope that Mini rectifier doesn't have a MAXI price??? cool.gif

$ 1000 for the head smile.gif

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 11 2012, 01:55 AM

QUOTE (Marcus Siepen @ Aug 9 2012, 03:27 PM) *
My fave amp is (always has been and always will be) the Mesa Boogie Tripple Rectifier, the ultimate metal amp in my humble opinion. It is above the budget that you mentioned though, but there might be a pretty cool option: the mini Rectifier! It might look like a toy, but it is a serious amp with a killer tone, that sounds pretty much like its big brother, I would risk to say that you can get about 95 % of the sound of a tripple Rectifer with this small one, it is not as loud thoug. But since you mentioned amp<50 watts this might be a nice option. But for sure you should try the amp (or any other option) yourself, with your own guitar. And if you like it, buy exactly the amp that you tried, no "same model" that they have already packed, amps tend to sound pretty different, this might end up in a bad surprise.


Well said! I tried the MINI RECTO in Guitar Center last week and it MELTED FACES. They had it plugged in to a Mini Mesa Cab and I thought it was gonna sound like a hair dryer but nope it was HUGE.

Now that I'm thinking about small amps that reminds me! How about the ORANGE MICRO TERROR! It's only $150 for the head and will power a full size cab of any make.

I'm getting my hands on one next week for a video review so I'll post the results! Here is a pic I took of it at a local music shop. That's an orange combo below it for size comparison.


QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Aug 6 2012, 06:24 AM) *
I still got my Peavey Ultra. I loved being able to switch being crunch for rhythm and ultra for lead. I felt though, that what I needed was a rhythm channel more like the ultra channel and then something extra for lead which is why I got something else but I guess you could always add a pedal onto it for extra juice. In terms of tone it's a great amp smile.gif


I've got an ANCIENT Peavey Rockmaster rackmount unit that I feel the same way about Ben!! The ULTRA is killer but the rythm channel seems to back off the gain way too much. It has an effects loop for each channel so I used to put a pedal in for more bite. These old things go for a couple hundred bux on ebay which isn't bad for a tube rack preamp.




ALMOST FORGOT! I played a SOLDANO @ Atlanta Discount Music the other day (They usually have more boutique stuff than Guitar Center which is why I love those guys!) and it blew me away. The Depth, the sheer profundity of tone.


Posted by: Mudbone Aug 11 2012, 02:22 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Aug 10 2012, 08:31 PM) *
I've got an ANCIENT Peavey Rockmaster rackmount unit that I feel the same way about! The ULTRA is killer but the rythm channel seems to back off the gain way too much. It has an effects loop for each channel so I used to put a pedal in for more bite. These old things go for a couple hundred bux on ebay which isn't bad for a tube rack preamp.



The Rockmaster is a killer preamp! Its essentially the preamp for the Ultra Plus. The Rockmasters used to go for as little as $50, now like you said its hard to find one less than $200 on eBay.

I agree, the Crunch channel isn't really a gain monster. At first I didn't really like it, because I was trying to play mega metal riffs through it. But then I started playing hard rock style riffs and chords and its purpose made a lot more sense.

Do you do any recording with the Rockmaster? I was thinking of using the Preamp out on the back of the Ultra in conjunction with a cab simulator to do some recording, but I need a more powerful laptop before I do any of that laugh.gif

Have you tried using the Rockmaster with a cab simulator?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 12 2012, 11:05 PM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Aug 10 2012, 09:22 PM) *
The Rockmaster is a killer preamp! Its essentially the preamp for the Ultra Plus. The Rockmasters used to go for as little as $50, now like you said its hard to find one less than $200 on eBay.

I agree, the Crunch channel isn't really a gain monster. At first I didn't really like it, because I was trying to play mega metal riffs through it. But then I started playing hard rock style riffs and chords and its purpose made a lot more sense.

Do you do any recording with the Rockmaster? I was thinking of using the Preamp out on the back of the Ultra in conjunction with a cab simulator to do some recording, but I need a more powerful laptop before I do any of that laugh.gif

Have you tried using the Rockmaster with a cab simulator?


I haven't tried it as a recording pre-amp but that's a good idea! I've been using a Behringer rack direct box as a pre-amp to take the signal to mic level before it hits my recording interface but the PEAVEY unit is tube based and does sound loads warmer. Post some vids/sound and I"ll do the same!

Go Peavey!

Todd

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 13 2012, 01:31 PM

Guys, I have received an offer from the PRS dealer, regarding a Peavy 6505 head (brand new) - 950 dollars. What do you think about this price and the amp? I am curious about the ones having experience with it, as for my ears the price sounds great and I know I like the 5150 which is the older 6505, if I am correct.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 13 2012, 04:23 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Aug 13 2012, 01:31 PM) *
Guys, I have received an offer from the PRS dealer, regarding a Peavy 6505 head (brand new) - 950 dollars. What do you think about this price and the amp? I am curious about the ones having experience with it, as for my ears the price sounds great and I know I like the 5150 which is the older 6505, if I am correct.


I think you already know you want it wink.gif

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 14 2012, 12:11 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Aug 13 2012, 08:31 AM) *
Guys, I have received an offer from the PRS dealer, regarding a Peavy 6505 head (brand new) - 950 dollars. What do you think about this price and the amp? I am curious about the ones having experience with it, as for my ears the price sounds great and I know I like the 5150 which is the older 6505, if I am correct.


That price is about the standard street price here in the States but if those are hard to get/find over there then it's certainly a fair price if nothing else.

They are new @ guitar center for about the same.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 14 2012, 09:14 AM

Oh, I thought it would be more expensive in the US somehow. But anyway, I see that a lot of modern metal bands are using it, so I will definitely try the head smile.gif

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Aug 16 2012, 09:04 AM

Yup, I am back, I have been on tour for the last 2 years, looong time... I was also pretty surprised by the Mini Rectifier, when I first heard about it it somehow felt like a toy, but the guys at Mesa sent me one and I loved its sound, it is really rocking! The only reason why I sent it back is that I already own 2 Tripple Rectifiers so I don't really need the Mini, still it is tempting...

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 16 2012, 10:11 AM

Wow! 2 years of touring? Man...that sounds like an eternity...

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Aug 16 2012, 02:17 PM

Trust me, sometimes it even feels like an eternity ;-)

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