An amp to complement my guitar...

[lostrebel]

I play a silo
I need an amp that will do it justice. I play mostly hard rock (a la guns and roses, more or less) I also try to play more technically complicated music like John Petrucci or steve morse.
Now the obvious choice for Gn'R is a marshall. But what kind of marshall? I've been recommended to check out the Jcm 900 series.
However, Petrucci gets his clear, crisp (even when fast alternate picking, which is important to me) lead tone from mesas.

Any ideas?
I would like to spend under a grand, 400-600 would be nice but most good tube amps are more than that....
Thanks

 

[OrangeChannel]

Line 6 Flextone III. They sound decent and cover a wide area tonally. Best choice if you're down and out for a tube amp.

 

[koogie2k]

Well, amp selection is a pain in the hind parts....I know. It took me a long time to settle on my Marshall DSL 2000. I passed up Mesa's (yeah, I know....great amp) because they just did not have the sound I was looking for. The Marshall did. I did what I thought I should do and get it. I have been happy ever since.

Now, OC suggested a killer amp. Very dynamic and I believe it is in the price range. I can't remeber. However, my only advice is this. Take YOUR guitar when you try one/several of them out. Ask to be put in a "quiet" room so you will hear only the amp. Not the idiot next to you pumping out Smoke on the Water at an monstrous level while playing horribly. Tell the sales person to get lost and really lose yourself. I took more than 4 days at about 4 hours each. The saleman knew I had the cash to get any amp in there and left me alone until I decided. If you have effects, take them also. You want to play through the amp will all YOUR goodies. You will not be disappointed. Good luck bro!

 

[Jimi D]

I spent a lot of time searching for my amps, and the rack kit is the only way I really managed to get all I wanted in a convenient package, but if I was looking for a Head right now for myself, there are a few I'd take a good close look at. A couple of them would be Peaveys; the Ultra head is something I've always been impressed with, and even though they don't make them any more, they're not too tough to find used, and the new JSX Satriani amp would be instantly on my short list too! The Mesa Nomad and F-Series heads would also be on my list, as would the Marshall AVT Heads. I'm not really into the boutique thing (I've owned a few, and wasn't ever impressed enough to keep one) - I think there are great production amps out there, and you can get excellent tones from off-the-shelf rigs... Ultimately, I agree with the koog-meister: you should bring your guitar and play a bunch of them, then choose with your ears - after all, your the one that has to live with the choice you make. Good luck!

 

[AmpliFIRE]

I play a silo
I need an amp that will do it justice. I play mostly hard rock (a la guns and roses, more or less) I also try to play more technically complicated music like John Petrucci or steve morse.
Now the obvious choice for Gn'R is a marshall. But what kind of marshall? I've been recommended to check out the Jcm 900 series.
However, Petrucci gets his clear, crisp (even when fast alternate picking, which is important to me) lead tone from mesas.

Any ideas?
I would like to spend under a grand, 400-600 would be nice but most good tube amps are more than that....
Thanks

Sounds like you're looking for a Mesa MKIII. Petrucci plays a IIC+, but the MKIII is almost identical. Amazing lead tones and nice, tight rhythm. You can find them used (make sure to get the graphic EQ option) for around $750.

 

[kbaim]

I use and love line 6, but I've read positive reviews on Behrenger amps that have similar modeling and cost about 1/2 to 2/3 of line 6

And absolutely take your guitar when test driving

 

[OrangeChannel]

Keith which Line 6 amp are you abusing these days?

 

[kbaim]

Line6 flextone II models.

Started with the 1X12
Then got 200w head and line6 1/2 stack
Then figured what the hell, and got the pod 2.0!

Was able to dial in my sound on all 3 after doing it on the 1X12, saving it, then forgetting where all the dials were set, then calling line6 and learning how to find out where they were set.

Norm has heard the big rig and the pod and said of the big rig it was the best line6 sound he ever heard but it wasn't quite as good as his set up. (can't remember what he plays thru)

I favor using delay and keeping things simple as I tend to repeat myself and am mildly retarded
KEITH

PS I'm done buying equipment...though tony's cherry burst ss looks do damn cool...Damn.

 

[OrangeChannel]

Hmm. I'm digging the FTIII's. In fact....since the price drop I was considering picing up the 2x12 combo so I have something in advance of my rack being finished off (w/ a Pod Pro XT and Carvin 100w tube power amp).

 

[deadringer]

Hmm. I'm digging the FTIII's. In fact....since the price drop I was considering picing up the 2x12 combo so I have something in advance of my rack being finished off (w/ a Pod Pro XT and Carvin 100w tube power amp).

Hey OC, I am SO loving my Vetta.

I got a chance to do an all robot gig last night at a small wedding reception. The drummer was using a Yamaha electronic kit and the bass player and I were running direct with Line 6 stuff. We use IEM's on top of that.

It was pretty weird at first but it is the closest I've ever come to having playing live feel like being in the studio. All the tones are coming in to your ears at a perfect mix and you just play and it's cool.

Not to mention I was able to run sound from the stage without ever breaking a sweat. We had the whole PA rig and backline set up in half hour. Pretty easy gig and easy money!

If you're looking for a great amp and you don't mind amp modeling, the Vetta stuff kicks ass. Plus, with the Vetta II's out you can get a sweet deal on the original Vetta's and then do the software upgrade (for free) and they're the same as the II's minus the digital card. I ordered mine from AMS and they actually sent me the digital card too!

The coolest feature of the Vetta II by far is the whole "two amps at once" thing. It's cool as hell to set up a clean Fender in 4x10 and then mix in a Marshall Plexi in a 4x12 and get that whole "best of both worlds vibe". If you're looking at the Line 6 stuff you should really check out the Vetta! I can't say enough about mine!

Peace bro!

 

[eliot323]

I'd agree with all the others comments about Line 6 amps (I had a Flex 3 and now have a Vetta 2). The Flex amps are great and they're in the right price range. A second hand Vetta would be a great buy if you get one and upgrade it.

There's always the Marshall option - either the DSL 40 combo or even one of the Valvestates. They would give you that GnR feel and they're not too expensive.

I'd also check out used amps - you may be able to pick up a really good one. An F series Boogie would be one to check out. Just make sure you have a good check of all the switches and features and find out when the valves were last changed.

Happy hunting!

eliot323

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" [Frank Zappa]

 

[lostrebel]

Now as far as the line 6 amps go, how do they do at high volume? Generally from what i hear, modelers stink when they are played really really loud. I know thats the case with the distortion settings on my digitech gnx3.

 

[kbaim]

Pretty good.

It helps that there's a master volume and a channel volume, as well as a drive and presence bump.

I have found that dialing in different amp cabinet models can have a drastic effect on volume, and tone.

I've also heard that anything past 6 on the volume dial adds very little. But I've never been up that loud

KEITH

 

[kbaim]

BTW

Line6 Flextone II 1X12, 47 lbs
Line6 Flextone 1/2 stack, 80 lbs, + head 30 lbs
Line6 POD, 2lbs

KEITH

 

[ex3.8]

I play a silo
I need an amp that will do it justice. I play mostly hard rock (a la guns and roses, more or less) I also try to play more technically complicated music like John Petrucci or steve morse.
Now the obvious choice for Gn'R is a marshall. But what kind of marshall? I've been recommended to check out the Jcm 900 series.
However, Petrucci gets his clear, crisp (even when fast alternate picking, which is important to me) lead tone from mesas.

Any ideas?
I would like to spend under a grand, 400-600 would be nice but most good tube amps are more than that....
Thanks

I also think that John and Steve have a lot to do with there tone A LOT
I was A/B ing my amps this weekend. I have a JCM800 with a 4x12 loaded with 2 greenbacks and 2 G12M70's. A Keeley BD-2 and Keeley SD-1.
On the B channel i had my Peavey Prowler combo with a Mesa 1x12 3/4 back extension cab. I tell ya if i didn't know better, the Peavey sounded pretty damn good. It's a 2 channel all tube combo. you have a boost than can be selected as a volume only boost or gain boost. The trick is (i found out a month ago after 4 years ) that if you set the gain to about 9 o'clock(very low), gain boost on. this sound f.....g amazing. i have a set of NOS pre amp tubes and a good set of 6L6's in there. I sounds very Mesa'y but no fuzz, no buzz. The clean channel has a bright switch and is clear like a bell. I would put it against any Fender. The only thing that is wrong with it. And this is very stupid of me is the Name.

 

[deadringer]

I also think that John and Steve have a lot to do with there tone A LOT
I was A/B ing my amps this weekend. I have a JCM800 with a 4x12 loaded with 2 greenbacks and 2 G12M70's. A Keeley BD-2 and Keeley SD-1.
On the B channel i had my Peavey Prowler combo with a Mesa 1x12 3/4 back extension cab. I tell ya if i didn't know better, the Peavey sounded pretty damn good. It's a 2 channel all tube combo. you have a boost than can be selected as a volume only boost or gain boost. The trick is (i found out a month ago after 4 years ) that if you set the gain to about 9 o'clock(very low), gain boost on. this sound f.....g amazing. i have a set of NOS pre amp tubes and a good set of 6L6's in there. I sounds very Mesa'y but no fuzz, no buzz. The clean channel has a bright switch and is clear like a bell. I would put it against any Fender. The only thing that is wrong with it. And this is very stupid of me is the Name.

I know what you mean about the Prowler. I picked up one this summer as a practice amp for $150! Very underrated!

 

[nobozos]

I have a Peavey Classic 30, and I am very impressed with it. It is my second amp to my 5150 combo, but it is giving the 5150 a run for it's money. I took out the stock Blue Marvel speaker, and put in an original Made in England Celestion Greenback. That greatly improved the sound of the amp. Put a Tube Screamer, or a Wylde Overdrive in front of it and look out.

If you try one, try these settings:

Bass-----7.5
Mid-------4
Treble----6
Pre gain-12
Boost-----OFF
Channel--IN(dirty channel)
Reverb----5

Set your post knob to about 4 or 5.
After you try it like that, put a Tube Screamer or Wylde Overdrive in front of it, and I believe you will have found your amp. Then try to imagine it with a Greenback in it.

 

[ex3.8]

I have a Peavey Classic 30, and I am very impressed with it. It is my second amp to my 5150 combo, but it is giving the 5150 a run for it's money. I took out the stock Blue Marvel speaker, and put in an original Made in England Celestion Greenback. That greatly improved the sound of the amp. Put a Tube Screamer, or a Wylde Overdrive in front of it and look out.

If you try one, try these settings:

Bass-----7.5
Mid-------4
Treble----6
Pre gain-12
Boost-----OFF
Channel--IN(dirty channel)
Reverb----5

Set your post knob to about 4 or 5.
After you try it like that, put a Tube Screamer or Wylde Overdrive in front of it, and I believe you will have found your amp. Then try to imagine it with a Greenback in it.

I think the Classic 30 is very simmilerally voiced like the prowler.. Try Pre-gain at 8:30, 9. boost on. Holly s..t hang on! There is just something amazing about having the boost on but gain low. Use your Wilde as a Cleaner boost rather than an OD. It's a deadly config.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I'm partial to Soldano amps.... but that's just me


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[OrangeChannel]

Yeha but altta those guys don't use 'em anymore....

Hmm. Maybe I should use 'em.