Amp advice... but which way to jump

[Klon Solo]

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??

Yes, it needs a pedal for the heavier stuff, but the amp's distortion is very marshall-like on it's own. Still, in my opinion, there aren't a lot of amps out there that can do metal without a pedal.

The megalith is awesome with the CJ11, better with the AMW 39.

If you compare the CJ11 with the Megalith to a Mesa, Laney, or Egnator with the Megalith, the CJ11 beats them every time. Fred said over the phone - you simply can't compare something handbuilt to those amps.

To take things to another level, use the morpheus droptune with the megalith and prepare yourself for the apocalypse. It's serious. The megalith is so tweakable, that you can virtually eliminate any muddiness (if you choose).

For the pedal vs. amp debate, check out MI Audio's comparison between their 180 Watt Beta Amp and the pedal. Virtually no difference.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

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

I have been using the combo jvm for over a year and I have been loving the amp more and more everytime I play it. It is so versatile and sounds amazing and can get pretty good heavy tones

 

[luke2joey]

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!

+1: the Mk V is the best amp ever built. Period. But it all a matter of taste: maybe you like Engl, Blackstar, Bogner better.
If you are searching for that metal tone, I would highly recommend a closed cabinet, otherwise your tone stays too 'flubby': you cannot have the thighteness you want for that tone.
The Mesa pedals are very good, but they cannot give you the tone of a smoking amp.
You cannot get the tone of a 1,5 feet monster out of a cigarette box

Good luck with your queste.

 

[yan12]

I collect amps but use 2-3 for the most part, especially gigging. For what you are wanting to do I think there are lots of good options and opinions.
Here is mine.
Buy a used Rivera M100 or M60 head, or combo if you want. The cleans are fantastic and the dirt is unique in that it sits right between a Marshall and a Mesa with grind in the midrange. I constantly play gigs and folks ask about that amp. The best part is used you can find one for about $500-600 and they are road worth tanks. The covering is carpet which puts some folks off but trust me, Rivera amps are no joke. Two great and useable channels. PM me for how to set it up.
For pure Mesa tone I do like the Mark IIc+ and for Marshall tone the choices are up to how many channels you want. The Friedman is nice but my go to is a Roccaforte Jenelle. Again, two fantastic channels. Good luck with your search.

 

[ozzyrules]

New Egnater "Detroit" series? Give them a listen.

 

[colinboy]

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

These are fantastic sounding amps i know Steve Stevens has his own signature amp from this company.

 

[DanKelly]

I'm firmly in the Divided by 13 gang, currently have the FTR37 with 2x12 and also an SJT10/20 with a 2x12 and a few simple pedals. I'm convinced that no pedal could sound as good as it does through a Divided by 13. It's just getting the right pedal I guess. Don't BOSS and BLACKSHART do some pretty decent sounding Metal pedals?