Looking for New Amp: Need Advice

AznGuitarist112 · #1 11-29-2007, 03:19 AM

Hi guys,

I have been playing guitar for a while, and I am looking for a new amp (preferably tube amp) that sounds good.

For my current setup, I use the Ibanez RG 2550 Prestige guitar with stock pups, Digitech RP200 and BOSS MT-2 pedals. I sometimes use my Mexican-made Fender Stratocaster.

So far, I have a 30 watt Roland Cube-30. It was good at the beginning, but it can only take me so far.

So I'm wondering if you guys can recommend me a good tube amp for a reasonable price (I'm looking around $500 to $2000).

My goal is to get the Joe Satriani, Malmsteen and metal sound (like Pantera). I want an amp that is good for both clean sound and heavy distortion. The more well-rounded the better.

Thanks

RSVampire · #2 11-29-2007, 05:55 AM

try a JSX or a XXX that'll get you in the ballpark of all those tones you're talking about

casper777 · #3 11-29-2007, 06:32 AM

Great Heavy sound, crystal clear clean sounds...
around 2000$...

You really have to try the Hughes & Kettner Switchblade, either head or combo depending of your budget!

H&K is really a GREAT (and undervalued) brand! built like a tank also....

waylay00 · #4 11-29-2007, 09:17 AM

Splawn Quickrod or the Splawn Competition

mike80sguy · #5 11-29-2007, 09:18 AM

I recently bought a DSL100 mainly for the lead 1 channel. In Lead 2 you can get as metal as you like without getting muddy. What really surprised me was the superb clean.

The DSL is a great, I say great amp with a typical marshall tone to it. I will however replace the pre tubes for JJ's the round off the treble and get an overall more sophisticated ring to it.

screamndemon69 · #6 11-29-2007, 11:45 AM

I picked up a NOS Mesa F-50 1x12 combo last week. Sick amp. Great cleans and nice gain tones.

First off I would ditch the MT-2. The new Boss Metal Core destroys it IMHO.

What is your budget?

rty13ibz98 · #7 11-29-2007, 12:09 PM

don't forget the 5150/6505. killer amp. i use line6, but used to own a ton of those amps back in the day. massive gain and low end. great tone, too. only bad thing about a good tube amp is having to retube it. i remember having to retube one of the heads and one of the combos. each one cost me around $100 a piece. OUCH, considering i had 4 of them...and the fact that they are WAY TOO LOUD for clubs, i went with line6(been a line6 user for 5 years strong) and haven't looked back.

rich

screamndemon69 · #8 11-29-2007, 12:15 PM

That is a good option Rich

I had a 5150 head for awhile and while the clean needed TLC to actually clean up, the gain was MONSTEROUS and I usually had the gain runed up to 6 or 7 at the max and got bone crunching gain.

You can find used combos or heads for a fair price nowadays. I might end up with my orignal 5150 head back in my possesion for $450 from the guy I sold it to. Most go for $500-$650 used for the head and average $100 more for the combos.

I never had to retube mine and infact I've been using a Fender tube amp with 9 tubes in it for the last 5-6 years and have never retubed (yet at least). I guess I've been lucky

heffergm · #9 11-29-2007, 01:37 PM

JSX is certainly reasonable. You can get them used on the 'Bay for around $800. Pretty great for a 3 channel amp that sounds like it does (i.e. really good).

rty13ibz98 · #10 11-29-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

That is a good option Rich

I had a 5150 head for awhile and while the clean needed TLC to actually clean up, the gain was MONSTEROUS and I usually had the gain runed up to 6 or 7 at the max and got bone crunching gain.

You can find used combos or heads for a fair price nowadays. I might end up with my orignal 5150 head back in my possesion for $450 from the guy I sold it to. Most go for $500-$650 used for the head and average $100 more for the combos.

I never had to retube mine and infact I've been using a Fender tube amp with 9 tubes in it for the last 5-6 years and have never retubed (yet at least). I guess I've been lucky

yeah, todd, retubing just plain suxx. when tubes go microphonic, its at the worst possible moment. when you don't need them to(rehearsal/show) and when your broke. as far as maintenance is concerned: restringing guitars is one thing, but retubing is a PITA.

rich

Tank · #11 11-29-2007, 03:56 PM

JSX is the way to go.

AznGuitarist112 · #12 11-29-2007, 05:11 PM

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. Originally I wanted a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier head and cab, but my friend who had it told me that he paid $2800. Is it worth the extra $800 from my $2000 max budget?

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #13 11-29-2007, 06:12 PM

a Peavey XXX will achieve what you want in terms of distortion and tone and it is cheaper than the Mesa!

Tank · #14 11-29-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AznGuitarist112

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. Originally I wanted a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier head and cab, but my friend who had it told me that he paid $2800. Is it worth the extra $800 from my $2000 max budget?

The Mesa is really really nice. I had one and loved it. But I sold it and got the (cheaper) JSX, as I fell in love with that amazing amp from the time I tested it. I still use the Mesa 4x12 as it is one of the best cabs around, aswell as the 2x12. Both are excellent cabs, but also with a hefty pricetag.

AznGuitarist112 · #15 11-29-2007, 08:03 PM

For those favoring the JSX peavey amp. Would you rather get it in a combo pack like this? http://www.peavey.com/products/brows...12%20Combo.cfm

or buy both the head and cab separately?