Help! which amp to buy

[marduke]

Mark IV's are fantastic amps, I've owned one, but found ch2 nearly useless... was painfully annoying to try and get a 'usable' tone out of. ch1 and ch3 were however brilliant! The Mark V is just a superb amp, everything about it is top notch. The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the Mark I on ch2 setting was very dull and lifeless until you start tweaking the EQ. The roadster/roadking are also fantastic options, was nearly going to grab a roadster before the mark V.
In saying that though, I'm getting rid of the Mark V in favor of an Axe-FX. My back isn't coping with the weight of tube amps anymore. Have been hearing some amazing tone out of the axe-fx lately (most of it running directly into their PC for recording!).

 

[Jonny Dubai]

Ok here is my chat. If you are not dead set on Mesa then try an Engl. I have had mesa Marshall vox but the engl is something else. Amazing build quality and spectacular sound. I also like it as it's not Mesa Marshall and so on. Other guitar players are always asking about my sound. Don't know how available they are for you but I would recommend try before you buy. Head and a 2x12 50-100w.

J

 

[metalmarty]

Since your not completely set on MESA:

- If I had to buy a versatile tube amp I would not hesitate to pick up the ENGL Steve Morse today. Just an amazing, amazing amp. That thing just seems to want to do everything brilliantly. Very organic gain-sounds, but it can rip your head off if you want to as well. I had a Savage Special Edition (not made anymore) that was simply the most amazing channelswitcher I ever heared. I'm so sorry to have sold that one. Never had any problems with any ENGL product too.

Great clip of the Morse (EBMM Steve Morse too ): [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJZ4RqP3MuY"]YouTube - Engl E-656 Steve Morse Signature Top[/ame]

- Personally I would buy an axe-fx ultra in a heartbeat though if I had any money to spend at the moment. Recorded and amplified through PA it's so freaking close to tube nobody will ever notice. It's just the matter of "feel" since you're not moving a lot of air on stage anymore. I have used Roland's VG-systems for years now so I don't mind. If you want you can always hook it up to an amp + cab.

 

[Costas Huber]

very good point , and welcome to the forum.
i was leaning more towards the head and 2x12 cab but the 2x12 cab is very expensive if you want a mesa cab

Thanks for the kind welcome. I know it is an expensive investment but I believe that it is worth the patience and savings. I would go for this option even if I had to wait more to collect all the funds needed.

 

[Costas Huber]

Ok here is my chat. If you are not dead set on Mesa then try an Engl. I have had mesa Marshall vox but the engl is something else. Amazing build quality and spectacular sound. I also like it as it's not Mesa Marshall and so on. Other guitar players are always asking about my sound. Don't know how available they are for you but I would recommend try before you buy. Head and a 2x12 50-100w.

J

My brother who lives in the UK owns an ENGL Special Edition E670 with EL34s and oh, my God, it is a killer amp with everything a sane musician would want from a tube amp. It even informs you when a cable or tube has a failure...

 

[Gio_Force_One]

what about a DR Z amp anyone use one of them and have any thoughts on them.
thanks for all the help so far.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

Yeh that's a cool bit of expencive kit. I got the Blackmore head. Shared eq with 4 chanels. It does the business for me.

J

 

[Gio_Force_One]

still don't know what to do about the new amp , so many options out there and trying them all is so time consuming.
so far
tremoverb
jcm 900
jcm 2000 dsl
a small mesa cant remember what it was
black star
peavey jsx
marshall jvm
still undecided

 

[Silo]

Marshall MAH50 head... it's just plain great, one of the cheapest aswell lots of bang for the buck

 

[Roubster]

Trust me, I know what you mean...when I thought I was set on something, I saw/heard something else. So far I have not gotten anything as I spent my money on the EBMMs hehe. I dont gig now, so I dont need a big amp at the moment, but will be getting the Blackstar HT-5 head which sounds awesome for home. I think the Peavey JSX is a brilliant amp though for a very reasonable price. But my dream amp is really the SM ENGL.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

Trust me, I know what you mean...when I thought I was set on something, I saw/heard something else. So far I have not gotten anything as I spent my money on the EBMMs hehe. I dont gig now, so I dont need a big amp at the moment, but will be getting the Blackstar HT-5 head which sounds awesome for home. I think the Peavey JSX is a brilliant amp though for a very reasonable price. But my dream amp is really the SM ENGL.

i would love to have the stevemorse amp but not sure if i want to carry around a cab and a head yet every thurs fri and sat. i have a small car too so it gets crowded easy.
i was thinking also maybe just a 2 x12 fender hot rod deville and some good pedals but still dont know yet
its so aggravating sometimes.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

A 2x12 and head can be easier to carry than a combo. My 5150 was a nightmare to carry. At least you can split the weight !!

 

[jam3v]

I can also vouch for the ENGL Savage - owned one for a while. The Steve Morse is supposed to be based off of it.

One thing I didn't like about the Savage (other than the price and lack of included footswitch) was that the EQ really didn't do much to the sound. Other than that, it was brilliant, and running pedals through the loop was orgasmic.

And Jonny's got a great point. Combos are really heavy and awkward to carry.

 

[metalmarty]

I can also vouch for the ENGL Savage - owned one for a while. The Steve Morse is supposed to be based off of it.

The Morse is actually based off the Invader. The Morse is all about mids and midcontrol, so the "problem" with the Savage won't be an issue . Great amp btw, those KT's pack a serious punch,