Cheapey Half Stack

[The Lopper]

Hi guys, basically I'm uprgrading from my Peavey Bandit 112 (it's beginning to smell of barbecued chicken when i play solos, and my other guitarist has a Crate 120 Watt, pure noise that could take out the Amazon, so the Bandit was struggling).........basically I ain't got a whole lot to spend. I'm looking at a Hughes & Kettner Matrix half stack, from what I've read it seems to have a serious sound, and the 4 channels is a serious bonus, but what's worrying me is it mightn't be much of a step up at all from the Bandit.

To that end I'm looking at a Peavey Valve King, the Bandit had a glorious sound, but any reviews of the Valve King i've seen have praised it's sound metal-wise...I'm more of a Led Zep/ hard rock kinda guy than a metaller, but I do play some grungey stuff as well, Nirvana/Soundgarden etc

The other option I was looking at was a Randall G3 150, it'd be a decent step up from Bandit, but I know nothing about Randalls. Cabs wise, if i got the Hughes and Kettner I can see myself going 4x12, but for the others I'm thinking 2x12.....

[jim777]

Carvin makes a great half stack at a reasonable price if you can find one.

[satchboogeyman]

Led Zep, I would think you could get some pretty decent classic tones from a valve king. I played one and by itself I did not think it sounded too metal. Peavey also makes an el 34 amp that is inexspensive, acording to the reviews it sounds like a vintage Marshall(Led Zep). Jim is right Carvin makes reasonably priced amps.

[Wild_Child]

Check out Laney too, they make top quality stuff and are usually pretty cheap.

I own a GH50L and love it.

[LonePhantom]

Laney GH50L, Peavey Windsor is what I'd be directing you to if you are on a budget. These amps are supposed to be like a Hot Rodded JCM 800 which should be able to provide you with the sounds you are after.

[Leary]

Peavey Ultra Plus

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

Have you checked out the new Line 6 Spider Valve?

They look impressive

Rock on!

[Racerx2k]

Originally Posted by LonePhantom

Laney GH50L, Peavey Windsor is what I'd be directing you to if you are on a budget. These amps are supposed to be like a Hot Rodded JCM 800 which should be able to provide you with the sounds you are after.

The Windsor and the Valveking can both get a bit buzzy, if you're not careful, however, I HAVE seen where people have modded these amps to smoothe them out. I know the Windsor is supposed to LOOK like a Marshall, but, to me, it didn't quite have the same FEEL as one.