What amps do you guys use and reccommend?

Given to Fly · #1 11-30-2002, 04:30 PM

Alrighty. lately Ive been thinking of maybe getting a new amp. I have a Legacy but I'm starting not to like the tone as much anymore. To midrangy. Anyways so I was wondering:
What amps do you guys use? List yours for help or just list yours for fun, I really don't care I just really want to know what other people play so that I can draw ideas form that.

What amps do you recommend? I am thinking of an amp that has more gain than I'll need, yet has a great clean channel. I would like a Passion and Warefare Vai sound. Something like that. Oh also I can buy used and less than a $1000. Thank you so much.

P.S. Or if you can convince me to stay with the Legacy that would be awesomt too!

bammbamm · #2 11-30-2002, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Given to Fly

...
What amps do you guys use? List yours for help or just list yours for fun, I really don't care I just really want to know what other people play so that I can draw ideas form that.

What amps do you recommend? ...

MESA FRIGGIN BOOGIE ! ! !

I have a Studio 22 and a triaxis, I love BOTH.
You'll really hafta try things out your self though to see what suits you... go piss off some music store workers.

Bamm

Given to Fly · #3 11-30-2002, 04:39 PM

Crap! Actually I forgot to add this to the topic. I don't like Mesa/Boogie. Sorry I just don't really like the sound. Maybe it's because I've heard it so much but it justs seems to sound real sterile. But maybe I will give them another chance.

microdmitry · #4 11-30-2002, 05:58 PM

If you'll be giving them another chance, try Mesa Triaxis Lead1 Green and Yellow and Lead2 Green, Yellow and Red. They don't sound sterile by any means. Or if you prefer combos, try Mark IIC+ or IV. Be careful with bass knob when trying them out, though. Their tone stack goes before distortion (as opposed to Triaxis Lead1 Red and Mesa Rectifier), so too much bass will make it sound farty. None of them will give you a copy of Vai tone.

Egnater amps and preamps sound good too, and they can get you pretty close to that PAW tone. I own a TOL 100 head myself.

The thing is, if you think that Vai tone is in his amps, then you're misleading yourself. Vai sounds like himself through whatever piece of gear he plays, even digital stuff and synthesizers. You can buy yourself a $3.5K Bogner half stack and still not sound like him. You better decide for yourself whether you relly want to sound like someone else. Even if you play really good, the remaining 10% of difference will be annoying as hell if you decide to go "carbon copy" path.

Given to Fly · #5 11-30-2002, 06:11 PM

Well if I could have Vai's tone I would probably give a kidney. But I agree with you 100% his tone is not just in his amp and I know that. I'm not trying to get his exact tone I was just using PAW as an example of type of tone. But thanks I will check out Egnater.

bduersch · #6 11-30-2002, 07:51 PM

If you don't like Mesa tone, perhaps it's because you haven't tried the right Mesa!

I despise the rectifier sound, because it's way too overused these days. However, I use both Nomad 45 1x12 and Mark IV 1x12 combos (had a Triaxis/2:90 for a while too), and will probably never own another amp that isn't a Mesa. Both are knob-turner's dreams, and the Mark adds on with probably a dozen tone-shaping switches. They are the most versatile amps I've ever seen (except for Kevan's Cruise), but it takes time to read the manual and fully understand how all the controls work and interoperate with each other.

Between the two, I think the Nomad has "heavier" tones, and the Mark has "creamier" tones, if that makes any sense. Both are 3 channel--the Nomad has a solo boost, but the Mark has the 5 band EQ (which I use as a solo boost). Both have reverb, Celestion speakers, and more tubes than you can shake a stick at.

Both can be scored for under a grand used. Go check 'em out, but be sure to browse the manual on Mesa's website first so you can figure out how to get the optimal sound. My gut feel... the Mark would probably give you a more Vai-like tone than the Nomad.

--B

kangaroo · #7 11-30-2002, 08:26 PM

Yeah if you have trouble with tweaking a Mesa definitely consult the manual. I have a Mark IV combo as well, the manual is excellent, it explains everything about the controls and give some good sample settings to start from. That said, Mesas aren't for everybody, i'm sure. If you've tried them and don't like them there's nothing wrong with that.

microdmitry · #8 11-30-2002, 09:24 PM

I actually like reading Mesa manuals. They make me want to turn some more knobs and find some more tones every time I read them. They can also provoke excessive drooling in someone who doesn't own one of their amps.

microdmitry · #9 12-01-2002, 03:03 AM

This might help you with navigation towards the tone you want:

http://www.proguitar.de/audiodemo/Co...mpareAmps.html

That Diezel head sounded GOOD. I liked the Rivera, too. A little bit less gain than I'd like, but I liked the tone and "punch".

CrossingStar · #10 12-01-2002, 06:33 AM

Marshall Artist 3203, 30 watt 2 chnl. hybrid (tube output, SS pre). I wouldn't recommend it because the clean chnl. blows. Just thought I'd chime in for fun.

keith · #11 12-01-2002, 07:34 AM

Well, i use a POD 2.0 into a Laney LC30.

I dont like the Pod THAT MUCH on its own or the Laney on its own, but together they're great.

BTW - I think you'd be interested in investigating the Mesa Roadking, just read about it and try it out. I think u'll find that u'll like it.

metalmarty · #12 12-01-2002, 11:16 AM

I use and strongly recommend Engl amps.

I use the top of the line Engl Savage Special Edition with matching 4x12 cab and it's THE best amp i've played so far (including Bogner and Diezel!). 4 channels, midi-interface, pentode/triode switching, etc. There are 12 sounds switchable with a push of a midi-pedal-buuton

All channels are excellent.

And I really don't like MESA either

Way to nasal for my taste...

Two hands31 · #13 12-01-2002, 01:11 PM

I use a Line6 Flextone II, and I'd recommend any Line6 product.

Gresh · #14 12-01-2002, 01:28 PM

I think Vai used Marshalls and Carvins for PAW, I'm sure others here know exactly which ones. Whether they are stock or not is more the question. I sort of gave up on finding a stock amp that sounded like I wanted so I bought a 3 channel Marshall that got me close, then had it modded to add what was missing and improve its tone at lower volume levels.

Buying used and then adding the mods to the price, I spent about as much as I would have on a new TSL Head, but this one will sound exactly like I want it to. I don't have the amp back yet, should be in on Wednesday. I'd be happy to let you know how close they were able to get to my requested sounds if you want.

I have also owned Rivera heads and they were very good, although a little hard to come by these days. Riveras sound very different from boogies, more of a Marshall growl. The M and S series sound more like modded marshalls, and they get it a lower volumes than your standard Marshall head. They'll crush skulls at high volume though.

VforVendetta00 · #15 12-01-2002, 02:15 PM

I play a line 6 Pod Pro and its all i ever wanted

line 6 makes great things specially for the price and the versatility they offer. i would love to have a couple of mark IV's with 4 4x12's but money is quite hard to come by so line 6 it is

What amps do you guys use and reccommend?

Re: What amps do you guys use and reccommend?