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Posted by: Melvyn Feb 12 2008, 09:05 PM

I need to get a new amp, and ive got between £100 - £200 ($200 - $400)
I dont really know that much about amplifiers, (solidstate, tube or whathaveyou) and so i need the help of my fellow GMC'ers

Im looking for an Amp for Metal, between 30 to 65 amps (though generally the more wattage for the money the better) also, i do have a FloorPod if that makes a difference.

A few models ive looked at are;
Line6 Spider 3 30
Crate FW65 or FW15R
Marshall MG30DFX

Whats my best option?

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Feb 12 2008, 10:10 PM

The Spider might be a good one for you. WHen you are buying save some more money and try to buy a 12" speaker because it means a lot in terms of sound range. Stay away of that Marshall and Crate imho.

Posted by: Tomotoms Feb 13 2008, 10:16 AM

I can't really comment on the other amps, but the Marshall MG30DFX in my opinion is a really good beginners amp.
It comes with built in effects and 30 Watts is enough to play small gigs (unless you need to be REALLY loud).
I felt I had to upgrade eventually for more Watts, bells and whistles but I still think the MG30DFX is a good solid amp.
When you turn it up loud it gives a good metal sound (you know the heavy Marshall rock sound).

BTW www.GAK.com are doing a deal at the moment on the MG50DFX £163, might be a good idea...

Posted by: visi0n Feb 13 2008, 10:30 AM

mesa boogie

Posted by: Melvyn Feb 13 2008, 11:38 AM

Wow, thanks for the help everyone

I think im gunna go for the MG50DFX on GAK, seems like an oppurtunity that cant be missed

Posted by: bsamn Feb 13 2008, 11:42 AM

I had that marshall, but the bad part about them is that u cant gig with em (unless i think u hook it up to the PA), i tried jamming with a drummer with that amp, and could not hear anything.

Its ok IMO, but a bit pricey, for what they give.


I personally would suggest you to go for Epiphone Valve JR. 5 watts all tube at its best, it may be look small, but its cheaper and its very loud for its size, and perfect for practicing at home.

Other wise, stick with what Ivan suggest.

As far as getting a metal sound or whatever, im sure u can get that with almost any amplifier, i dont think certain amplifiers are made for this genre or that its mainly upto the guy to see how that particular amplifier compliments his/her style, playing, pesonal preference etc., even though the company may say something "IF METALS WHAT YOU WANT, THIS IS MOST UBER METALIST AMP OUT THERE", they are just lame marketing ploys.

But since u have an effects unit, a good enough amplifier will be cool, for you to get any sound from ur pedal.

Btw http://youtube.com/watch?v=K8twAHspOw4 heres a video for the Valve Jr., i hope it will give you an idea.

I hope this helped.

Keep rocking bro!

Posted by: Owen Feb 13 2008, 01:03 PM

I wouldnt say the advice in this thread has been particularily great. Sure, you dont have a lot of money to play around with, but you can get a much better amp than these three.

Spider sounds totally digital and the Marshall is a just a buzzing wreck every time you turn the gain up.

If you look around on other guitar sites - and occassionally this one, you'll see the large amount of complaints about those two products and your probably going to end up unsatisfied in the long run if you buy them, dont know much about the Crate but I'd browse for reviews on that too - I've heard a cheaper one and it didnt sound that great to me.

Also, wattage isnt everything and amps are set up to take lower amounts of power than the speakers can take maxed out, my amp has a speaker that can handle 80 watts but its only got 50 watts power in, the wattage is just the amount of power each amp deals with, not the amps speaker! Also, each time you double the power input into the amps speaker, you are only going to get 3dB greater, in terms of loudness a 4w amp gives about 30% of a 100 watt amp, when you compare this to the increase in wattage of 2500% there is a huge difference!

A tube amp will also be much louder than a solid state at a comparable wattage.

Posted by: MickeM Feb 13 2008, 01:09 PM

Melvyn, I'd go with a solid state if I were you. Easier to maintain and good enough distorted sound. Laney, 65W at the least.

Posted by: bsamn Feb 13 2008, 01:10 PM

Very true indeed. I have 20 watt tube now, and its too loud

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 13 2008, 01:28 PM

It might also be worth keeping in mind that tube amps tend to really sound their best when running nearly flat out. So if you got anything over 20W for home practice you probably won't get to use it at its best unless you power soak it. If you want a tube amp for practicing at home then there are a couple of low wattage ones available (ie 1-5W). I actually find a 15W tube amp fine for rehearsals and small venues.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Melvyn Feb 13 2008, 02:24 PM

Ah right, so my best would either be a mid range solidstate, or a low range tube amp

What are my best bets for these 2 kinds of amp

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 13 2008, 02:32 PM

For the tube -
perhaps something like an Orange Tiny terror, or a Zvek 1/2 watt or a Laney Lionheart (think I've got the names right)? Not sure if they'd fit the budget as I'm not UK based but could be a good starting point/comparitors.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 13 2008, 02:33 PM

Opps - first two aren't combos either.

Posted by: MickeM Feb 13 2008, 02:47 PM

Addition to tubes Laney LC15R which should fit budget I'm sure. Move up on the LC series if budget allowes and you feel a need for more watts - which you'd only need imho for like pub gigs. Or a combo with a 12" speaker. One alternative with the LC15R is connecting it to a cabinet, 2x12 or 4x12 for example.


Mind that ther's one thing to buy an amp and learn how to tweak it and something completely different to get a modeling amp and get all the sound settings served on a silver plate. I'd recommend a beginner on amps to go for self-tweaking as it is an important skill to master.