Amps

[tm21]

Hey everyone, hope you all had a great christmas.

I own an axis super sport and will most likely get a bfr jp6 sometime in the new year, probably january. I'm also looking to get an amp. I play metal/shred and rock. My budget is $800-1500 (preferably closer to 800!). I'm not really a gearhead, so all this talk of tubes, class a/b, wattage, voltage etc goes way over my head. I didnt take science in high school!!

Can you guys suggest some good amps in this price range that would fit my playing style and complement my ebmms?

 

[Miqueas92]

Mesa Boogie MKIV!!!!!! nuff said

Mick

 

[jptortor]

Check out the Engl Screamer. Its a great amp and can be had fairly inexpensively if purchased used.

 

[Guitarguy3120]

Amplifier

Peavey XXX 212 Combo

 

[skerwo]

Check out the Engl Screamer. Its a great amp and can be had fairly inexpensively if purchased used.

I´m not a metal head, but I think there are some better metal amps in the ENGL range, f.e. the powerball. The screamer is on the modern side of sound, too, but for my opinion it´s more an allround amp, good cleans, good rocking sounds and a lot of gain, but is it the right thing for metal?

By the way, ENGL amps are very good and solid amps. So check them out.



Rainer

 

[joe web]

as far as it goes for engl amps, i would recommend to test the "blackmore" and the "fireball" - don´t like the "powerball" at all.

personally i would watch out for a use mesa roadster head or a mesa 19" solution like the studio preamp plus a 50/50 or 2:50.
if you want to be more flexible with your setup, a use ADA MP-1 plus a poweramp like the mesas or peavey 50/50 would be cool as well.
check out the ADA site for more info on the preamp: adadepot.com

 

[azazael]

Cmon guys you are all mentioning amps far out his budget.

 

[jptortor]

I´m not a metal head, but I think there are some better metal amps in the ENGL range, f.e. the powerball. The screamer is on the modern side of sound, too, but for my opinion it´s more an allround amp, good cleans, good rocking sounds and a lot of gain, but is it the right thing for metal?

By the way, ENGL amps are very good and solid amps. So check them out.



Rainer

Definitely true. The Screamer is more of an all around amp with good sounds across the board. It can definitely get into metal terrirtory with higher gain settings on channel 3, and even medium cain settings on channel 4.

I also mentioned this one because its rock solid and can be bought, new or used, in the OPs price range. If its straight up metal though, you're totally right, there are better. A fireball can also be bought new or used in the price range, and a blackmore can definitely be had used. I am not a fan of the Powerball, but I know a lot of people who love it!

 

[beej]

You're going to get a million responses. And we don't even know your requirements (playing at home/with a band, channels, etc.).

I'd say your best bet is to spend some time at local stores and online educating yourself about basic amp types and go from there, rather than ask a bunch of knuckleheads for advice.

 

[smd24fan]

Of all the amps people have mentioned to you, the only one you could probably get for the lower end of your budget is the Peavey XXX, which is an amp designed with metal in mind. I'm not an Engl guy, but I think they are a little too pricey for your budget. For the top end of your budget, you could grab the others used possibly. I've seen used MK IV's in that range, they are incredible amps! But hey, I'm a biased Boogie guy! Best of luck to you!

 

[cjl5150]

Do need a combo or a head? Do you want a good clean channel or mostly just a good metal sound? Are you gigging or a bedroom player?

 

[AnotherNoob]

Do need a combo or a head? Do you want a good clean channel or mostly just a good metal sound? Are you gigging or a bedroom player?

I'm sure the Mesa would fit the bedroom guitarists needs, assuming one of them is offsetting the foundation of the house.

 

[David Corrales]

I'd definetely recommend the Blackstar HT5 head. You can get the whole mini stack for $799 (Buy Blackstar HT-5H and HT110 Mini Full Stack | Amp Stacks | Musician's Friend).

Also, check ebay for great used stuff. For example this dual rectifier goes for $1250 (Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier 3 Channel Amplifier Head - eBay (item 300374408218 end time Jan-03-10 18:18:57 PST)).

 

[Voo]

Mesa Boogie Express 5:25 combo has a really nice range of tones and its small enough for your bedroom but big enough for small gigs (you might need to add an extension cab depending on the gig). you can get the 2x12 for around $1300

Another suggestion is look into one of the Line 6 Spider Combos those will easily be within your budget (some even below it)

 

[David Corrales]

The problem I see with those entry level Line6 stuff is that they are totally a one trick pony. The whole spyder line goes from clean to metal but nothing in between.

 

[Voo]

ive pulled out decent blues and country tones out of them before

 

[73h Nils]

Try and find a Mesa F50 (discontinued for some reason :s). Greatest amp in that range, IMO. More high gain than the Express series, but both are good choices in that range. It'll cover your metal stuff, for sure.

 

[Sweat]

You're going to get a million responses. And we don't even know your requirements (playing at home/with a band, channels, etc.).

I'd say your best bet is to spend some time at local stores and online educating yourself about basic amp types and go from there, rather than ask a bunch of knuckleheads for advice.

Beej is dead on going to get alot of different responses due to individula tastes, styles and needs, plus do you need gigging power on the amp, bed room playing only or both?? just take beej's advice go play as many as you can.

Right now I recommend the Black Star HT5, great small amp for bedroom playing at a great price.

 

[AnotherNoob]

We got a lot of Mesa fans here don't we

 

[tm21]

do you guys have any thoughts on the mesa boogie express 5:50? seems to be just what i'm looking for, but i cant pull the trigger without getting your opinion.