Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: noodleplugerine on March 31, 2007, 01:41:20 PM
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Over the last month I've been able to hear my amp choke the sound slightly, resulting in a loss of sustain in the output, and when practicing with a band I noticed my amp is quieter than the amp of a mate of mine's which is identical, (Vox AD30VT for those interested).
Basically the amp startedmaking what basically sounds like someone hitting a bass drum repeatadly with a double pedal which varies in speed. This only happens when the amps turned to about half volume and it's been on for over 10 mins.
I'm guessing that it's the preamp valve? Its in perfect condition etc, so I doubt it's another mechanical problem?
Anyway, not gunna pay to get a new valve etc, instead gunna get a new amp.
Laney VC30 or an Engl Thunder?
I play modern metal, all hi gain stuff, any ideas?
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VC30 is not very metal.Sorry can't help with the amp probs.
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Just realised I probably meant the LC30.
There's also a Peavey Valveking 212 which I can try out.
Aer they any more metal?
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from what i've heard, the Valvekings can do metal very well. HOWEVER, check HC for horror stories for the 212 and the 112, the reviews look awful. there are reliability issues from what i've read.
the head has very good reviews, much better than the combos.
apparently the heads and combos sound different too.......
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Well, I'll try one out anyway.
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Well, I'll try one out anyway.
yeah, your opinion is the best opinion :wink:
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If you're feeling studious you can pour through BLOODMOUNTAIN'S amp thread that went probabably went +10 pages. It appears that you have similar budget and playing style consideration.
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Tried the Valveking, and it was very nice.
The one I tried was the 100w 2x12" combo, and it was pretty lovely, but damn heavy and extremely loud.
However, I think although the Valveking is much more "my style", it's still a low end amp, which brings me to the Engl Thunder and Screamer, which are proper amps as far as I'm concered.
Will be trying the ENGL Thunder 50 combo and probably the screamer tommorow, and will prolly then come to a decision.
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^ lol at TO's post, +1.
the randall rg50tc would be another to look at around the VK's budget. Also, if you can wait, and if it sounds like its bigger brother (the 100 watt head), the peavey windsor combo might be worth a look for 80's metal tones.
I haven't tried the thunder, but the screamer is far better than all of those, by the way, in my opinion of course. I said it in your other thread, but a genz benz el diablo combo would be worth a look too.
it really depends how much money you have, how long you're willing to wait for something that kicks ass rather than something budget "that'll do", etc., etc.
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I'd _LOVE_ an El Diablo combo, but where in London can I see/buy one?
I don't want an amp "that'll do" at all, but I don't have room or need for a half stack.
I'd like a REAL amp, which is why I'm looking at the ENGL combos and second hand Mesas etc.
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I'd _LOVE_ an El Diablo combo, but where in London can I see/buy one?
I don't want an amp "that'll do" at all, but I don't have room or need for a half stack.
I'd like a REAL amp, which is why I'm looking at the ENGL combos and second hand Mesas etc.
that's what i want. a real amp....... but i have the handicap that is Devon..... London must be full of engls, but there is about 1 engl in a Devon shop....... and it's used!
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Not full of them at all, the only place is Rose Morris if I remember right, which is a total joke of a shop imo.
They've bought half of Denmark Street for their assorted shop, and in one storefront labelled "Rose Morris Guitars" they have some ESPs in the window. I ask to try one, they tell me to go next door and downstairs, which I then do.
Once I get there I see a wall of LTDs, without an ESP in sight.
What kind of guitar shop puts all their best guitars solely in the window?
Anyway, as long as I get to try one of them out I think I'll have a clear picture.
Anyone know any combo amps around £500 which compete with a Thunder? Or any around £600 which compete with a Screamer?
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Are you sure you don't have the secret noisegate engaged on your AD30VT (check out the manual online for how to turn it off) - it is usually the source of the trouble with AD30VTs in terms of volume as it is way over sensitive.
As to the pre amp valve going - it never gets hot so it can't go, it just warms up the sound a bit (like a Cooltron pedal) but is not fundamentally significant in the amplifier architecture in terms of volume.
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Then what's the hammering?
Anyway, even if it does work, that just means I can get more if I trade it in, I'm all for getting a new amp now :p
How much better is a Screamer than a Thunder?
On Thomann the difference is £150. Is the extra channel really needed?
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The Screamer is Voiced rather differently from the Thunder. The Thunder is an excellent Amp and in all honesty I found that I could cover anything with mine. I have a Mate who uses 2 Screamers as his live Rig and I would suggest that the Screamer is aimed slightly more at the Modern Sounds? I also think that when they are REALLY running hard....The Screamer tends to Mush Up and sound more Compressed than the Thunder.
The market seems pretty stagnant on Evil Bay with them. I sold my Thunder 3 months ago for £396. 3 Years Old Non Reverb Combo with Clone Footswitch. Just to give you an idea?
Rob
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If I could find either of them for that kind of price I'd whip out a credit card this second. Even without playing them.
I'm more into modern sounds, but I don't know if I can pay the extra £150 for it, I'm sure the Thunder is more than good enough?
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I'd _LOVE_ an El Diablo combo, but where in London can I see/buy one?
I don't want an amp "that'll do" at all, but I don't have room or need for a half stack.
I'd like a REAL amp, which is why I'm looking at the ENGL combos and second hand Mesas etc.
http://www.sutherlandtrading.com/genzbenz_dealers.asp
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Not full of them at all, the only place is Rose Morris if I remember right, which is a total joke of a shop imo.
They've bought half of Denmark Street for their assorted shop, and in one storefront labelled "Rose Morris Guitars" they have some ESPs in the window. I ask to try one, they tell me to go next door and downstairs, which I then do.
Once I get there I see a wall of LTDs, without an ESP in sight.
What kind of guitar shop puts all their best guitars solely in the window?
Anyway, as long as I get to try one of them out I think I'll have a clear picture.
Anyone know any combo amps around £500 which compete with a Thunder? Or any around £600 which compete with a Screamer?
the wembley guitar centre has loads of engls. they have mesa, laney, peavey, hughes and kettner and marshall too. would be worth a look.
the hughes and kettner edition tube might be worth a try, as would the laney tt head (there's a combo version, i think they had the head version last time I was there). those would be worth a try, i'd have thought.
I haven't tried a thunder, so i can't comment on that.
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I'll try go down there :D
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Tried out a screamer today - was very impressed, and the guy in Rose Morris was super friendly which I didn't expect to be frank, I've decided I like that place alot more now, since they have an old school pinball machine inside for the guy at the till to play with xD
Anyway, was just looking at some stuff on ebay, and was wondering if anyone had any advice:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marshall-100-w-lead-amp-CAB-JCM-800-Mk-II-FREE-DELIVERY_W0QQitemZ280100165100QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
JCM 800, I've only ever heard good things about it, but is it one of the very marshally marshalls or can it do very high gain stuff? Would I need a DS-1 or a tubescreamer in front of it or w/e?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Peavey-JSX-Joe-Satriani-valve-amp-head-and-SJB-4X12_W0QQitemZ180103108771QQcategoryZ10171QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
JSX head - It's expensive so I'm guessing it's good, I love Satch's tone, but I'm worried again that the gain might be a little low? To be frank, the only reason I clicked on the auction was cos how damn shiny the amp is.
Lastly:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mesa-Boogie-Quad-Preamp_W0QQitemZ230112847477QQcategoryZ10171QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I can only imagine it being amazing, but any second opinions?
PS: How does the 6505 compare to either of the 5150s?
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i thought they had jsx's last time I was in denmark street...
i haven't tried most of the amps you mentioned, unfortunately...
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Think I saw one in Rhodes, but at that price I wasn't interested, only now I see it on Ebay am I considering it.
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always try everything you can, regardless of price (as long as they don't expect you to pay for it should it fall over on you by accident)!
:lol:
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I agree but frankly, not a fan of anything other than the 5150 which has people's names on it.
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you'll definately need a pedal in front of a jcm800 if you want metal tones (and i just KNOW you do)
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Well, after a week or so of hunting Ebay - I've worked out the trick.
Marshall = common.
Common = cheap.
So what am I looking for in the Marshall range for around £500 used to use as a high gain metal amp?
JCM900? JCM2000?
For example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MARSHALL-JCM2000-TSL60-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-AMPLIFIER-HEAD_W0QQitemZ300099884519QQcategoryZ10171QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Anyone know if one of those would suit my needs?
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300099884519#ebayphotohosting
Majorly considering buying it - Can anyone think of a reason why I shouldn't?
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the fact it sounds like ass?
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Lame =/
Any half decent marshalls then?
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when i get my 8100 running i will report back here :)
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to be fair, that's my opinion, but I don't like the tsl at all. it's not that much cheaper than a screamer or similar, either. or laney.
plenty of good marshalls... the older ones are good. dsl is better than the tsl, IMO, but still not amazing. if you're after a more modern tone from a marshall (unless the jvm lives up to the hype), i dunno, you might be disappointed. especially if you can't crank it.
you just need to try a bunch of stuff really- and as much as possible head to head.
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Laney > JCM2000. I know, I've tried them both and the Laney wins (I have a GH50L).
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I tried Engl Thunders and Screamers, and I'd say the Screamer is just a much better amp to be fair.
However, I'm considering going for a head due to various possibly circumstances, and if I do, I just can't afford another £200 on what the screamer head costs.
Maybe I should get the combo for now and trade it in for the head when I have enough money to get a cab...
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^ it's just kind of one of those things that only you can make your mind up on, man. I know i'd rather have a higher quality combo than a lower quality head just so i could have a stack, but it depends on your circumstances, what you're playing, etc., etc.
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That being said I can use the combo as a head if the need suddenly arose.
I think I know what to buy now then :p
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i agree with what tom said...... listening to Laney clips basically tells me that they take that Marshall sound and push it up 10 notches.
check out the soundclips on http://www.laneyforum.com
i want an AOR 50w ^_^