Which Amp?

[bonehead189]

I'm going to start saving up for a hi-gain all tube half stack and I wanted to know if any of you use these certain ones. A Diezel VH4, ENGL Savage 120, and a Mesa Triple Recto. I'm currently in a bind and don't know which one is best for me. Money isn't a problem, I just want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck. Any and all your opinions on these amps are welcome.


Thanks!

[waylay00]

Check out a Splawn Quickrod. Those are supposed to be great for the "shred" stuff. I'm going to test out the Quickrod and an ENGL Ritchie Blackmore in a few weeks, so I'll let you know my thoughts.

[speedy mcfeely]

I would get the Mesa. I would get the dual recto not the tripple. If you could get an older two channel recto then that would be the best hi gain tone you could get (recto style).

My fave hi gain amp is a Mark IV. that is the tightest rythm, most liquid lead tone ever. the MKIV owns.

[brothersnowgone]

Originally Posted by speedy mcfeely

My fave hi gain amp is a Mark IV. that is the tightest rythm, most liquid lead tone ever. the MKIV owns.

For sure!

[jemaholic]

For an 'all-around' amp I use Marshall Valve heads, but for a boutique amp I recommend Matchless, because they are.

[casper777]

Hughes & Kettner Triamp MK-II with the midi module!!!!!

[Nordhauser]

Boogie MKIIC+, III, or IV.

[Wolfram]

Has to be the Mesa

[Holy Katana]

If money isn't a problem, get the ENGL. As much as I like Diezels, I've heard ENGLs are better.

[Moibanez]

I have a Mesa dual rec Roadster which is pretty mean, but I picked up a Mark IV a week ago, and you guys are right, that is the best I have played yet! From gorgeous clean to nasty dirty....

[bonehead189]

Originally Posted by waylay00

Check out a Splawn Quickrod. Those are supposed to be great for the "shred" stuff. I'm going to test out the Quickrod and an ENGL Ritchie Blackmore in a few weeks, so I'll let you know my thoughts.

thanks!

[bonehead189]

so you're telling me these Mesa MKIIC+'s, MKIV's, and Dual Rectos just blow the Triple Recto out of the water? how about the Engl's and Diezel's, do those stack up any?

[JforJem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7mvH8wFdE
I've heard cornford hellcats are pretty good for high gain stuff.

[Martyr Machine]

Originally Posted by bonehead189

so you're telling me these Mesa MKIIC+'s, MKIV's, and Dual Rectos just blow the Triple Recto out of the water? how about the Engl's and Diezel's, do those stack up any?

Rectifiers are, honestly, mediocre amplifiers at best. The Mark series amps, especially he Mark IV, blow all of them out of the water. If you're dead set on a Rectifier, go for a single or a dual, unless you plan on playing in stadiums with no PA system on the clean channel.

Keep in mind that wattage has little to do with volume. A 150 watt amp will have little difference in volume compared to a 50 watt, and that difference will only become apparent when the pre-amp and master volume knobs are on 10. Wattage is really more a measure of headroom, or how early the amp will break up. Considering that the "tube sound" is largely powertube distortion, a low wattage amp will tend to sound better (unless you need crystal clear cleans at high volumes, in which case you might want to look at higher wattage amps)

I've never really been a fan of any of the three brands listed (I'm not a metal player, and I just don't like the voicing of those particular brands) but ENGL is definitely something you should look at. As always, don't buy anything until you have a chance to try it out.