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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ What Beginner Metal Amp Would You Recommend?
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 15 2008, 11:30 PM
I just bought my first guitar...it is a Yamaha Pacifica and still need an amp. My playing interests are metal and blues/rock...mostly metal though. I am looking for something to play personally, I won't be needing anything to play gigs. My interests are mostly Metallica, Sevendust Slayer etc. Are there any amps out there that I could pick up used that wouldn't be too expensive and would give a decent Metallica sounding crunch? I have looked up the amps listed in the sticky post at the top of this forum, and they are all WAY too expensive! What would you guys get?
Thanks!
Posted by: Tjchep Mar 15 2008, 11:37 PM
What is your budget?
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 15 2008, 11:47 PM
Around $200...I know it isn't a lot, but that is why I am hoping to find something used.
Posted by: SensE Mar 15 2008, 11:48 PM
Crate is definitely a good way to go ! Crate 65W would suit your metal needs !
Posted by: SinoMan Mar 15 2008, 11:59 PM
Fender makes very nice beginner amps. You'd probably need a pedal for quality distortion though...
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 16 2008, 12:01 AM
Yeah, that was actually going to be a follow up post! I know NOTHING about pedals (or amps for that matter!)
Posted by: SinoMan Mar 16 2008, 12:05 AM
Electro Harmonix Tube Zipper is the best pedal on the planet. You can hear it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFq3GDsC_tE
It's $200 though
Posted by: Bogdan Mar 16 2008, 12:16 AM
I would recommend you to check out some Randall amps , they can be affordable and they are awesome for metal hi-gain music
Posted by: Fran Mar 16 2008, 01:04 AM
+1 for Randall. I tried some Randall Cube amps and they have good sound & features. Plus they are not expensive.
Posted by: ActiveX Mar 16 2008, 01:17 AM
I picked up a brand new http://www.voxamps.co.uk/daseries/da15.asp for pretty cheap (under $200).
My playing interests are pretty much the same as yours, and this little amp works pretty good. I've got
3 heavy distortion pedals that I used to use with my old Fender amp, and I don't even use them with this one.
It has a bunch of different built-in styles (3 different metal styles) & effects, so it's quite fun. It is definitely just a practice amp for fun though; not for gigging.
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 16 2008, 01:19 AM
That sounds exactly like what I need!
Posted by: erik Mar 16 2008, 02:01 AM
Cube 60 or Cube 30, it's the perfect amp for you
I use the cube 60 in my band, it's got just enough to stay on top of the sound with a really loud drummer and another guitarist + bassist. And what's great about it is that it sounds really good on low volumes too, the cube 30 obviously doesn't play as loud, but if you're not gonna be using it with a band, it's just as good.
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 16 2008, 02:32 AM
I use the cube 60 in my band, it's got just enough to stay on top of the sound with a really loud drummer and another guitarist + bassist. And what's great about it is that it sounds really good on low volumes too, the cube 30 obviously doesn't play as loud, but if you're not gonna be using it with a band, it's just as good.
Are you referring to the Roland Cube 30?
Posted by: erik Mar 16 2008, 02:50 AM
yup
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 16 2008, 05:12 AM
My playing interests are pretty much the same as yours, and this little amp works pretty good. I've got
3 heavy distortion pedals that I used to use with my old Fender amp, and I don't even use them with this one.
It has a bunch of different built-in styles (3 different metal styles) & effects, so it's quite fun. It is definitely just a practice amp for fun though; not for gigging.
That VOX DA15 seems to have quite a lot of punch for the money...anyone else have experience with VOX amps?
Posted by: Sircraigery Mar 16 2008, 07:55 AM
I would recommend the Peavey Rage 158, and a distorion pedal. My peavey was only $99 new, and it has been rock solid and trouble free since I got it. And just about any pedal is under 100 bucks.
If your looking to jam with drums, I wouldn't get anything under 50W though. If the room is really big you can get away with 25W probably.
Hope that helps ya out man.
Also like to add that VOX amps are awesome too, but they are expensive. You might be hard pressed to get one you'd be happy with for under $200. Hopefully you'll get lucky.
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 16 2008, 02:02 PM
If your looking to jam with drums, I wouldn't get anything under 50W though. If the room is really big you can get away with 25W probably.
Hope that helps ya out man.
Also like to add that VOX amps are awesome too, but they are expensive. You might be hard pressed to get one you'd be happy with for under $200. Hopefully you'll get lucky.
I found this VOX DA15 at Guitar Center for $159. Is this price wrong do you think?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vox-DA15-15w-1x8-Guitar-Combo-Amp-103649570-i1145868.gc
Posted by: Bogdan Mar 16 2008, 02:16 PM
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vox-DA15-15w-1x8-Guitar-Combo-Amp-103649570-i1145868.gc
Well its ok for 15w amp with 1x8" speaker.I didn't hear good vox amps (for metal) but I didn't hear a lot of them also..
I would recommend looking for some amp with 1x10" speaker or even 1x12" speaker in it..1x8" may sound to thin..
Posted by: muntahunta Mar 16 2008, 02:18 PM
my first amp was a behringer v-amp 100W combo. great for the money, packed full of effects and you can get pretty much any basic sound you want... great for metallica stuff.
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 16 2008, 03:19 PM
What do you guys think of this one?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Randall-RX-Series-RX35DM-35W-1x12-Guitar-Combo-Amp-481733-i1388674.gc
You think I would still need a good distortion pedal with this amp...or would it have enough by itself?
Posted by: lavendell Mar 16 2008, 03:30 PM
If you just need something for playing at home, then why not try a POD? (the PocketPOD is less than 200 usd)
Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Mar 16 2008, 05:29 PM
+1 fo the pod - with it you get some other features like PC recording, online support etc, with amp to 200$ you get not a good sound and littte versatility. Better save your money for something at least 12" and 30, 40W.
Posted by: Goliath Mar 16 2008, 10:55 PM
I think a POD with a set of headphones is the way to go, personally. I play through a pod w/ phones despite the amp a lot of the time.
Another good amp is one of these, if you can find another $50 to spend. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Vox-Valvetronix-AD30VT-30w-1x10-Guitar-Combo-Amp-102640802-i1145735.gc
Posted by: Sircraigery Mar 17 2008, 12:23 AM
Reading this thread again, I changed my opinion to agree with the people that mentioned the POD...Also with headphone you can play as loud as you want 
Posted by: RIP Dime Mar 17 2008, 04:38 AM
+1 for trying out the POD
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 17 2008, 12:49 PM
Can you play through a pod without an amp? It sounds just like an amp through the headphones?
Posted by: Bogdan Mar 17 2008, 03:23 PM
Yeah it sound awesome through headphones !! And it can sound like a lot of amps..Thats the best option for sure. +you get cool extras like pc recording etc..
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 17 2008, 03:55 PM
I just want to find something...be it an amp or pod, that will allow me to come home from work and make this sound! If I can do that...all will be well in my world!!
Posted by: Bogdan Mar 17 2008, 05:59 PM
well if pod is anyway similar to toneport you can get that sound and better one surly out of it
Posted by: Fran Mar 17 2008, 06:56 PM
You can use the pod with headphones, or with speakers, or even through a real guitar amp.
Pods are fun 
Posted by: Praetorian Mar 18 2008, 02:41 PM
Just got back from Guitar Center with my new Pod 2.0! Thanks for all the advice guys!!! 
Posted by: Fran Mar 18 2008, 03:05 PM
Enjoy
Posted by: mattacuk Mar 18 2008, 07:10 PM
I can vouch for the Roland Cube 60, really fantastic amp for the money !!! Also you could look at buying a Korg Pandora or Line 6 Pod, and hook it up to your pc if you have a good set of speakers
Posted by: Bogdan Mar 18 2008, 08:08 PM
Awesome news man! Have a lot of fun with it!
Posted by: audiopaal Mar 18 2008, 09:53 PM
Yes, I have a VOX AD50VT 212 and it is awesome!!
I'd go for a VOX
But I've heard good things about Randall too,
and I've owned a Roland Cube and they're pretty good too
But Vox for me
Posted by: Hisham Mar 19 2008, 12:22 AM
behringer cheap and not bad quality
Posted by: Hisham Mar 19 2008, 12:23 AM
behringer cheap and not bad quality
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