Amp for metal (and some rock), about 800$. What is most bang for the bucks?

[Konnis]

Hey guys

I'm considering buying a new amp. I want it to handle metal very well, and also clean and rock-stuff well. The genres and bands that influence my music and sound is Metallica, Petrucci, KsE, The Sword, stuff like that. Metal/stoner/prog. rock.

Amps I'm thinking about:
- Engl Screamer (combo)
- Peavey Valveking 112
- Mesa/Boogie Caliber 50
- Peavey 5150/6505 + cab
- Laney GH50L + cab

what do you guys recommend?

Price = about 800$ (amps here in Norway is more expensive than in the US....A new Engl Screamer here costs about 1400$)

[Andy43]

Really the possibilities are endless. It just depends on the specific tone you are going for.

[Konnis]

How about Engl Thunder? It seems nice.

[Andy43]

Engl's are nice for metal, but so is the 5150, Laney, and Mesa. Do you know the specific tone you are looking for? e.g. Dark/bright, loose/tight, bassy/not bassy.

I recommend either finding an artist that you like the tone of and going from there or going out and trying these different amps to see which one fits you best.

[speedy mcfeely]

Get a used 5150. That amp has killer tone for metal and hard rock. You can set it up for two dirty channels also. check it out. The new ones are named 6505 iirc.

[Konnis]

I'll try a 6505 and an Engl (hopefully I find Thunder, but the only one I know about here in Oslo is a Screamer) and see what I like!

[D.Vial]

Try the Peavey XXX or the 6505+

[Konnis]

Well... XXX and 6505 is expensive as hell here in Norway. We're talking 2000$ and upwards, if I can't find a cheap one used.

[Darin]

Look at the Egnator Rebel. The best sounding $600 amp there is.


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...+rebel&spell=1

[SimpleMind]

Originally Posted by Konnis

Well... XXX and 6505 is expensive as hell here in Norway. We're talking 2000$ and upwards, if I can't find a cheap one used.

Evertything is expensive as hell here in Norway. So i would suggest buying in England or Germany.
Hilsen

[Konnis]

SimpleMind: Norsk?

Maybe I'll buy from thomann.de... and my eyes have spotted a new amp; Engl Fireball!

[SimpleMind]

No German but have lived in Norway for the last 12 years.

[theroan]

Even if you had a bigger budget the 5150 is the best option period. Other than the Mesa Mark IV, I can think of none more RAW!! If you want good cleans then the 5150 II or III are good too. The .50 is not so good and the ENGL is just sterile, it's not mean sounding at all.

Don't be fooled though, the XXX or XXL or whateverm, they are not even close 5150 gain.

[Konnis]

Actually, I bought the Valveking. Not quite satisfied about the distortion, though, so I might use my "regret-option" (couldn't find the English word for it, but I mean that I can send the amp back to the shop within 14 days if I'm not satisfied. You know what I mean :P) if I can't make this amp ballsy with a Boss SD-1.

And if I get rid of it, I'll probably save up for a Mesa or a 6505.