Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: MDV on February 04, 2008, 04:02:23 PM

Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: MDV on February 04, 2008, 04:02:23 PM
The time has come ladies and gents!

Oh yes.  :twisted:

In two of your earth weeks I'll have a couple of grand burning a hole in my bank account (basically, I bought less beer and random bits of kit I dont use for a few months!)

So now I need to know where to go!

I was thinking:

Newcastle, basically for guitarguitar
manchester for sounds great

I'm looking at:
Engl powerball, invader and maybe SE (if its worth it)
Marshall JVM (I imagine thats everywhere)
Diezel (profoundly unlikely I'll buy, but a candidate)
Framus Cobra
Bogner Uber
Rivera Knucklehead and K-Tre
Koch powertone

Outsiders (cos they only have one channel)
Soldano avenger
VHT Deliverence

For these, and this type of gear whats the best place within 3 hours or so of west cumbria? (manchester is 2 to 2.5 hours from where I am, for perspective). Best city or town I mean. With the best shops in it. Da'an saaff isnt really an option, unfortunately. Too far. Most of scotland is fine, though.

Any more last minute additions for the list?

Cheers
Mark
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: dave_mc on February 04, 2008, 04:26:17 PM
if you can make scotland, there are guitar guitars in glasgow and edinburgh. i've been to the one in edinburgh and it's nice, sound-proof (at least i hope so :lol: ) testing booth etc.

it might stock the same stuff as the newcastle one, but i guess it'd be worth a phone call to see, just in case they have some different stuff.

amps you should look at in addition to the ones you've mentioned (that i can think of offhand):

bogner
brunetti (not too sure about dealers unfortunately, but the xlr-evo i tried was great)
cornford maybe (perhaps not enough gain/modern tonality)

EDIT: just checking the sounds great website... you might as well try the krank revolution and krankenstein (who knows, you might like them!) and the modular randall... might as well try laney too. and mesa. budda maybe? might be a bit like the cornford, but worth a try too.

ones i haven't tried but would were i near sounds great: cae od100, soldano slo (the avenger's nice),

you're after modern metal, right?

also, is the SE worth it? not sure. It kicks ass, but if you want the uber-saturated high gain engl tone, you can probably get that with a powerball (i haven't tried the two head to head though, it's possible the SE's tone is slightly better), and if you want more versatility, you could possibly get as much, if not more, by buying said powerball and then another amp for low to mid gain stuff. of course, you'd need space for two amps.

basically, i agree with what guitarist said in their review... there are amps which sound as good as the SE for a grand less, but none as versatile (which still sound as good) for a grand less. it really depends what you're after.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: noodleplugerine on February 04, 2008, 04:38:38 PM
The SE is insanely awesome.

But so is the Diezel Herbert.

And they're direct competitors.

That would be one HELL of a standoff...
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: dave_mc on February 04, 2008, 04:42:53 PM
i tried the SE versus the vh4...

i liked the SE better, but that was mainly due to its added versatility. in terms of tone, there was little (if anything) in it, other than the fact the SE's cleans were a lot nicer, i thought.

that was at reasonably low volumes too, unfortunately.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: PoshCollins on February 04, 2008, 05:49:05 PM
Depends on your Playing Mark.

What type of player and what do you seek?
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: hamfist on February 04, 2008, 09:12:25 PM
I hear wonderful things about the Bad Cat Hot Cat amps. Being Class A high gain amps they are fairly unusual, and may be well worth a try.
   Sounds Great appear to be stockists, although no prices on their website.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Dakine on February 04, 2008, 09:15:40 PM
Mark,
don't wanna upset the applecart.................................but I will  :P

Wadaboot a Cameron CCV/CCM-100
although not in Europe yet :(

or

CAE OD-100SE+


hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: ilÿti on February 04, 2008, 09:27:21 PM
Quote from: PoshCollins
Depends on your Playing Mark.

What type of player and what do you seek?

I think we all know what type of player MDV is.  :twisted:  (if ever that smiley was appropriate, it is now)
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: hunter on February 04, 2008, 09:29:08 PM
Hmm, over on Rig-Talk they find no end recommending the Mark IV for versatility and high gain (Metallica Black Album style).

Different animal as it's not easy to dial in and has tons of options. Might be worth while checking out.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: MDV on February 04, 2008, 09:31:49 PM
Ok guys, no better choices than sounds great or guitar guitar (scotish or jordie)

Fair enough.

Nick! Stop confusing me  :lol:

I'm sure one of those must be good enough. I mean something in that list has to put a smile on may face for at least most of the tones I want....?

I know I love powerballs, so thats what I'll probably get. But we'll see.

Posh, I have a pretty good idea what kind of amp to go for (most people on teh board know pretty much where my playing taste is at by now :lol: ). This isnt an amp recommendation thread. Been there, done there. This is where I can find them, so I can play firebreathing, earth-shaking, earsplitting ultra-tight, super-clear metal through them until I make up my mind  :twisted: (assuming that my playing lives up to those tonal qualities  :roll: )
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: MDV on February 04, 2008, 09:33:48 PM
Woaaa!, Hunter, forgot about the mark IV!

It may well do me. I've heard bad things about how hard it is to wrestle a tone out of them and that they arent tight, but if the shops got one, I'll get a drop-B'd ceramic warpig equiped guitar through it like all the others  :twisted: (its only fair!)
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: hunter on February 04, 2008, 09:39:47 PM
Quote from: MDV
Woaaa!, Hunter, forgot about the mark IV!

It may well do me. I've heard bad things about how hard it is to wrestle a tone out of them and that they arent tight, but if the shops got one, I'll get a drop-B'd ceramic warpig equiped guitar through it like all the others  :twisted: (its only fair!)


Well ... I thought for the name. Let's say if there was an amp named Jaeger, Hunter or Christoph IV, I would definitely check it out ...
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Dakine on February 04, 2008, 09:42:27 PM
just allow ALOT of time to mess with it. That is one crazy amp to dial in if not experienced with it!
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Twinfan on February 04, 2008, 09:43:57 PM
Always worth ringing Sounds Great just before you come down to see what stock they have.  It changes quickly.

Let me know if you're coming down this way and fancy meeting up  :)
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: dave_mc on February 04, 2008, 10:17:55 PM
play your cards right and you'll have an amp and a date, mark... :)
Title: Re: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Nolly on February 04, 2008, 10:22:16 PM
There's probably a far easier way, but should you be left with a massive desire and no way to try a Cobra, you're welcome to make a long trip Southwards to demo mine...
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Twinfan on February 04, 2008, 11:04:19 PM
Quote from: dave_mc
play your cards right and you'll have an amp and a date, mark... :)


Typical Irishman - straight in with the gay jokes   :roll:   :lol:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: PoshCollins on February 05, 2008, 05:06:23 PM
Righty I should have been doing coursework but who needs a Biology GCSE :lol:?

Chris Broderick - Engl SE or Invader on this I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di9UXIHUH84

The JVM into a Bogner 2x12 I think ( Dakine! :roll:).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmTr-6Xh9fE&feature=related

I'll have a look at the first page to see what your other choices were and will edit this post.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: dave_mc on February 05, 2008, 05:12:31 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
Quote from: dave_mc
play your cards right and you'll have an amp and a date, mark... :)


Typical Irishman - straight in with the gay jokes   :roll:   :lol:


:lol:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: MrBump on February 05, 2008, 05:16:42 PM
Quote
I'm looking at:
Engl powerball, invader and maybe SE (if its worth it)
Marshall JVM (I imagine thats everywhere)
Diezel (profoundly unlikely I'll buy, but a candidate)
Framus Cobra
Bogner Uber
Rivera Knucklehead and K-Tre
Koch powertone

Outsiders (cos they only have one channel)
Soldano avenger
VHT Deliverence


...  it's a "folk-rock" sound you'll be after then?  Fairport Convention, or the like?

 :lol:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: PoshCollins on February 05, 2008, 05:20:15 PM
Quote from: MrBump
Quote
I'm looking at:
Engl powerball, invader and maybe SE (if its worth it)
Marshall JVM (I imagine thats everywhere)
Diezel (profoundly unlikely I'll buy, but a candidate)
Framus Cobra
Bogner Uber
Rivera Knucklehead and K-Tre
Koch powertone

Outsiders (cos they only have one channel)
Soldano avenger
VHT Deliverence


...  it's a "folk-rock" sound you'll be after then?  Fairport Convention, or the like?

 :lol:


Ball crushing, vaguely folkish, alternative rock :P.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: MDV on February 06, 2008, 03:09:50 PM
Thanks, Nolly. If I cant get hold of one and havent decided on anything else, I'd love to. Much appreciated.

Twinfan, yeah, why not!

Dont know what day I'll be down, but it'll be me and a mate (my vocalist, who is a n00b guitarist too and wants to muck about in a real guitar shop), so if youre around when we're there, then yeah!

Dave, youre just jealous  :wink:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Johnny Mac on February 06, 2008, 08:20:16 PM
Quote from: dave_mc
Quote from: Twinfan
Quote from: dave_mc
play your cards right and you'll have an amp and a date, mark... :)


Typical Irishman - straight in with the gay jokes   :roll:   :lol:


:lol:


My heart's broken, last year he wanted a Koch like mine!  :roll:  :lol:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Prawnik on February 07, 2008, 11:11:50 AM
I'd throw in the VHT Pittbull, especially with the ultralead boards running KT-88s.  Don't know why they cannot spell "Pitbull" right, though.
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Dakine on February 07, 2008, 02:38:36 PM
VHT Sig 'X'  :twisted:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Nolly on February 07, 2008, 04:21:58 PM
Quote from: MDV
Thanks, Nolly. If I cant get hold of one and havent decided on anything else, I'd love to. Much appreciated.


No probs mate  :drink:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: dave_mc on February 07, 2008, 06:02:46 PM
Quote from: MDV
Dave, youre just jealous  :wink:


 :oops:

Quote from: Johnny Mac
My heart's broken, last year he wanted a Koch like mine!  :roll:  :lol:


 :lol:

Quote from: Prawnik
I'd throw in the VHT Pittbull, especially with the ultralead boards running KT-88s.  Don't know why they cannot spell "Pitbull" right, though.


yeah, £2500 should buy quite a few dictionaries...  :lol:
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: MDV on February 08, 2008, 12:39:35 PM
:lol:  :lol:

Of course, playing with a koch is still on my to-do list. Right next to any powerballs I can get my hands on  :oops:

More amps is confusing the issue!! I'll keep an eye out for the other VHTs. Thanks.

I think.

The list is getting long, I really doubt I'm gonna find even half of them in one city  :cry:

Manchester will be first try though. So, twinfan, I'll tell you what day I'm going down (week after next is all I know at the moment) and we'll see if we can get a couple of beers!

Anyone else round there is more than welcome to come along, of course. It'd be great to put faces to posts!
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: AdamB on February 08, 2008, 09:24:26 PM
Not fancy anything custom?

Mako, Egnater, Splawn?

Oh, and i'd be down for some beers!

I work in manchester city centre, so if you want some free coffee, let me know :D
Title: MDV's Super-Amp Mission, 2008
Post by: Twinfan on February 08, 2008, 11:29:21 PM
I'm up for the week after next - just let me know.