Recommendations needed for...

[revsharp777]

...a 3 or 4-channel high-gain amp head with an effects loops for under $1000. I don't care if it's SS or tube. I mainly just looking for options. Any help is MUCH appreciated.

[Two hands31]

Under $1000? The only ones that came to mind at first were Diezels and the Mesa Road King (both of which sound amazing, but are way over your price range I believe).

What kind of channels are you looking for? A friend of mine has a Randall RH-200 which is solid state, with a decent clean sound, and two decent high-gain sounds (one channel, but you can switch between a more brit sound and a more modern Randall sound). Comes with a footswitch for channel switching as well as gain-mode switching (two buttons I believe) and has an effects loop.

Other options:
Line6 of some kind (Duoverb or a used Flextone/Vetta/something)
Peavey XXL
Marshall AVT150H
Tech21 Trademark 300
Peavey XXX (not sure if this is over your budget)

There's probably more, this is just what a quick browse brought up. I've heard good things about most of them.

[adamcbest]

rev.. you could try the nomad 100 head. it's got 3 channels with different modes for each channel.. you could probably get one for under 1000 on ebay... i hear they are a great midpoint between the recto and the mark series.

here is a link to one on ebay right now:

auction number: 3742849122

good luck man

other than that, two hands mentioned the rh-200.. pretty good sound for the money.

[RSVampire]

for brand new I'd say check out the Peavey XXX and JSX heads. Other than that I'd say look around ebay for amps.

[adamcbest]

double post... deleted,...

[keithb]

The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV comes to mind...

[adamcbest]

Originally Posted by keithb

The Mesa/Boogie Mark IV comes to mind...

agreed.. but finding one in decent shape for under 1000 may be difficult.

[revsharp777]

Originally Posted by Two hands31

Under $1000? The only ones that came to mind at first were Diezels and the Mesa Road King (both of which sound amazing, but are way over your price range I believe).

Oh I would LOVE to have a Mesa Road King or a Diezel Herbert, but alas, I don't have $3000+ to spare.

What kind of channels are you looking for? A friend of mine has a Randall RH-200 which is solid state, with a decent clean sound, and two decent high-gain sounds (one channel, but you can switch between a more brit sound and a more modern Randall sound). Comes with a footswitch for channel switching as well as gain-mode switching (two buttons I believe) and has an effects loop.

That Randall sounds interesting. I'll look into that. 4-channels would be ideal, but 3 is sufficient (I could just use a distortion box as a solo boost). Here's what I'm looking for...
1. SUPER clean channel (Roland JC120)
2. Mild Overdrive (Marshall JCM800 Angus Young / Tom Morello)
3. Over-the-top rhythm distortion with a tight & focused low end (Mesa meets Diezel)
4. Lead Channel (think Petrucci, Zakk Wylde, & EVH)

Other options:
Line6 of some kind (Duoverb or a used Flextone/Vetta/something)
Peavey XXL
Marshall AVT150H
Tech21 Trademark 300
Peavey XXX (not sure if this is over your budget)

My thoughts on these.
Line 6 is OK, but nothing spectacular. I really liked the tone of the Spider II, but it has no FX loop & the heads are known for being completely unreliable.
Peavey XXX...pretty good, but I'd like to hear it with a BBE & a Noise Suppressor through the FX loop.
Marshall AVT....SUCKS! No balls at all.
Tech21 Trademark 300...I would love to try one of these.
Peavey XXL....haven't heard one, but if it's that Transtube crap, I'll pass.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming!

[Two hands31]

You should look at the Line6 HD-147. It's basically designed for high-gain work and I've heard great things about it.

And the Randall might get you what you want. The clean channel is really good from what I remember, the heavier drive channel was really really heavy (and had more gain than I'd ever use) and the other gain channel could probably get the milder overdrive you're looking for. My friend also usually has an Ibanez Tone-Lok Smash Box and Tubescreamer in front of it. It's got two separate gain knobs (one for each gain type) and I think it has a volume boost function, but unfortunately it's not foot-switchable. But it definitely has an effects loop.

[Leary]

Peavey Ultra Plus head?

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by revsharp777

That Randall sounds interesting. I'll look into that. 4-channels would be ideal, but 3 is sufficient (I could just use a distortion box as a solo boost). Here's what I'm looking for...
1. SUPER clean channel (Roland JC120)
2. Mild Overdrive (Marshall JCM800 Angus Young / Tom Morello)
3. Over-the-top rhythm distortion with a tight & focused low end (Mesa meets Diezel)
4. Lead Channel (think Petrucci, Zakk Wylde, & EVH)

I use EXACTLY, and I mean exactly, the same types of sounds as my main staple, with the addition of an intermediate between 1 and 2, a light kind of dirty (SRV). And I get them using a Digitech GNX3 (MY channel 4, your channel 3, heavy rhythm, is tight... kind of a Zakk meets Dime meets Korn). Not an amp, and probably not what you're looking for, but works great for me. When I saw what you were after, and how similar it is to what I use, I had to post. The GNX3 allows you to use essentially 5 channels per bank. Pretty versatile. I pretty much always just run direct.

[Mr Orange]

Get a used VHT Pittbull. You should be able to find one under $1000.
Three channels, all tube, switchable graphic eq, efx loop... It's got all the bells and whistles you need. Plus TONE for days.

[microdmitry]

Get a used Egnater TOL100. Wonderful amp. Can do Fender clean, Texas sizzle, vintage Marshall and modded high gain Marshall. All of them with finesse. You won't find a better 4 channel amp at under $1000.

Mark IV can be had for less than $1000 in good condition, but you'll only dig it if you like Mesa tone. It won't do "a Marshall" for you. And it's a 3 channel amp.

[Robotechnology]

If you could deal with a separate preamp and power amp you could try:

a Carvin Quad X-Amp (4 Channel Tube Preamp with individual efx loops for every channel as well as a master efx loop). Used in mint condition it'll run you $400 or less. Buy any power amp you want to go with it ($200-600 depending on whether solid state or tube). Well under $1,000 with a Rocktron Velocity, MosValve, or Carvin etc. power amp. I have one--impressive for the money.

[caprile]

Try the Marshall ModeFour...the 4 sounds you need, and LOUD AS HELL!