Amp advice... but which way to jump

[ZeeW]

Hi,

I really don't know which way to jump with my amp purchase. A bit of background; I cover from Texas style blues, classic rock right through some high gain metal. I use two JPXi 6 strings, one totally stock and the other I have Dimarzio 36th Anniversary pick ups in for a more 'vintage' tone.

I currently play through a stunning amp - a Divided By 13 BTR 23 and a 112 rock block cab. My board consists of a simple set-up of Eventide H9 x2, Shur koko boost and that is it.

My problem is I cannot get the metal tones... the Blues and Classic rock covers are easily dealt with, with my rig. I've tried throwing a Suhr Riot onto my board but it still doesn't get me that tight metal tone. With this in mind I have come to the conclusion that I need a different amp, but which one?

So, what I'm looking for is a very adaptable channel switching amp that can work for me. I'd like a combo, but suspect I wont get the tighter metal tones unless I go closed back cab and head.

A good master volume is essential as the venues I play don't like massive dBs and a good effects loop would be ideal.

Where do I start - any suggestions for an amp that can cover so much ground?

 

[DrKev]

It's gotta be one of the smaller Boogie combos, I'd think.

Has anyone any experience with the Mesa distortion pedals?

 

[DrewH]

Very unimpressed with the demos of the Mesa pedals. Pedals NEVER get that true overdriven tube tone anyways. Some get close but you can still tell. There are a couple of options out there. The Mark V combo is expensive but is a jack of all trades type amp. A new amp out there that is only available in head format is the new PRS Archon. That amp seems like it can do it all and it has crushing tight gain too.

 

[Svava]

I have a Mark V and there's no tone that I want for with this thing. It does it all and I would highly recommend it- one of the best purchases I ever made!

 

[Warg Master]

Yeah the Mark V has is all covered. In the mesa world, have you tried an express? Or even a Mesa Mini Rectifier could fit the bill....

 

[Edgarallan]

I can muster very tight, aggresive, and saturated tones from the Blackstar HT-5 Metal. Maybe you can check out their new pedals? Or if you must get the combo, it is not a bad choice; portable and loud. Also has emulated 2X12 and 4X12 output for recording.

 

[ZeeW]

I'd be happy with a head and cab - can anyone comment on the MkV mid head and 112 cab - how tight is it??

 

[DrewH]

I can comment on the combo. Its tight....not as tight as a dual rec but all Mesas are pretty tight by nature of design. I personally don't like how tight the rec's are. I've owned both. A lot of current metal bands are using the Mark V on the Extreme mode. That is a heck of a lot of gain. If you do happen to try one out, just remember that pinning the gain to max is NOT how Mesas are designed to operate. 2 or 3 Oclock is generally the most you want to go.

 

[Benji Peterson]

I've spent a lot of time with the newer JVM410H and it's ridiculously versatile. It does everything very well and they make it in a combo.
JVM410C | Marshall Amps

 

[Spudmurphy]

Jamie Humphries of Lick Library fame - explained that he gets his tone with his Blacstar 5 on high volume, pushed by an ep booster. He backs the volume down on his guitar for "normal use"> I heard it live and was impressed!!!

 

[Dr. Rock]

I used to have a Blackstar HT-40 combo. It definitely produced very decent hard rock to metal sounds. You could go smaller with an HT-20 or bigger with the 60 which is a 2x12, all for under $1K.

 

[paranoid70]

I just ordered a Marshall JVM215C (50W, 1x12" combo), hope to get it sometime soon. I like what I have heard so far, especially for the hard rock/metal sounds! (I did get it from GC a few days ago, but they forgot the foot controller, so I had to reorder it.)

I currently have a Blackstar HT60 (60W 2x12"combo) - surprisingly very good clean tones, and very nice OD/hard rock sounds... but for metal I'm not really digging it. But that's just me. For what I paid for the amp it is quite good.

 

[billy carr]

I couldn't be happier with my mesa electradyne, does it all, sounds huge for a 1x12. Spankin clean to gritty scream.

 

[Doyler]

+1 on the Mark V. It is the most dynamic amp I have ever played through. The cleans are fantastic and the high gain channel is extremely powerful. The graphic EQ let's you tighten the bottom end up but still sound very chunky. Channel 2 has the classic Mark I tone for blues. You can switch between 10w, 45w and 90w on each channel which means you can switch down to 10w to push tubes at lower volumes for smaller gigs. It is just extremely versatile!

Before you buy a new amp though, have you thought about switching the tubes in yours? I have re-tubed a few amps with JJ tubes and it can make a big difference. Just a thought...

 

[paranoid70]

I looked at the Mark V earlier this year. Very nice amp indeed- very good hard rock/metal tones. However, it seemed (to me) to be kind of complicated. I was afraid I would be fussing with the settings too much at gigs when switching between channels and EQ settings. I don't know, I only messed with it for about 20 minutes at the MB store, but I did love the way it sounded.

 

[Klon Solo]

I spoke with Fred Taccone of Divided by 13 before ordering from him. I had the CJ11 and loved it, but it wasn't really a metal machine. HOWEVER, I did test it against a Mesa 5:50 through high gain pedals (pisdiyauwot and megalith delta) - and the CJ11 smoked. The saturation was richer and more defined.

Anyway, he recommended the AMW 39, and it is a beast. If you like /13, then just move over to this guy.

other good qualities (IMO):

plays very quietly when the kid is asleep - and very well.
has an effects loop
the cleans are beautiful (not as chimy as the CJ11 though)

Down side - not a lot of headroom.

 

[stealthtastic]

A rhodes orthos, amazing amps and they totally eat everything else out there for lunch

 

[ZeeW]

I spoke with Fred Taccone of Divided by 13 before ordering from him. I had the CJ11 and loved it, but it wasn't really a metal machine. HOWEVER, I did test it against a Mesa 5:50 through high gain pedals (pisdiyauwot and megalith delta) - and the CJ11 smoked. The saturation was richer and more defined.

Anyway, he recommended the AMW 39, and it is a beast. If you like /13, then just move over to this guy.

other good qualities (IMO):

plays very quietly when the kid is asleep - and very well.
has an effects loop
the cleans are beautiful (not as chimy as the CJ11 though)

Down side - not a lot of headroom.

Hey thanks for the post - I do like my /13 and AMW39 appeals. Are you saying it can do 'metal' without a pedal or does it some distortion or a boost up front?

I'd be interested in your views on the megalith delta pedal? Did you use it with the CJ11??

 

[lessthanone]

I just brought this home today, hands down the BEST marshall tone Ive ever heard in my life. Does a great metal tone too!

 

[wheres my pick?]

I would stay away from pedals, your not going to get the metal sound you're looking for with a pedal without sounding thin or cheesy. As far as amps go, I can confirm that the Mark V is a veritable swiss army knife, if you're not into the "mesa sound" (they are very distinctive) look into engl amps, they have some killer combos and great heads that would easily cover what your looking for.