Which of these 100w heads would you get? budget: less than 1000€

[CommonCourtesy]

Yeah man I think with the 6505+ you have to turn it up to 3 post-gain to hear the full character of the amp. Cos we play venues that's mic'd up 90% of the time the stage volume doesn't have to be that loud so I barely reach 2.5 without pissing sound guy's off! Still sounds great though, if I do use my own cab I get a nice punchy tone which cuts through the mix really well (installing 2 V30's helped with that!)
Less is more for me on the gain side. Too much and chords sound mushy and weak.

If Peavey made the same head but a 50 watt version that'd be better, cos at gigs 100 watts isn't really necessary. Plus the head is a f***er to carry around as well!

[Dave Sloven]

It seems like the 6505 series is now made in China.  The 6505 and 6505+ are now 'designed and engineered in the USA, made in China' ... the 6534+ (which was not a big seller) seems to have been quietly dropped when production was moved.

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/gear-equipment/295453-what-happened-peavey-now-6505-6505-made-china.html

Also, check out some of the tossers in that thread ... one reason why I have never signed on to sevenstring.org ... some of it feels like commentary by Ted Nugent.

[ericsabbath]

the randall divlo series is quite well made
even the pre-fortin diavlo series was pretty high quality when it comes to parts and construction
I had the pre-fortin 50w  version but with the fortin updated circuit
it sounded really really good
just wish it was brighter voiced on the mids
it has the randall darkish voicing, but a quite refined sound
it puts peavey amps to shame when it comes to noise ratio and definition

never played the laney ironheart series, but I've heard good and really bad clips
I believe this is a the 120w ironheart into a celestion v30's
sounds pretty good, despite of the poor recording quality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRNR2gFw14M

[Alex]

I personally would go for a Marshall, used or new. I think the DSL100 is quite affordable new, but the thing with Marshalls is that there is a large market of second-hand models.

I should maybe add that I am an ex-JCM900, Peavey 5150 and now ENGL user. I really miss the Marshall high-gain sound!

[BigK]

Surely you can get a used EVH 5150 for that kind of money? they regularly go for £550 in the uk...

But the used market is definitely the way to go Engl Powerballs do struggle in the Mix in 2 guitar bands (I had one and on its own its great but against something like a 5150 I was lost)

as its been said a Peavey 5150/6505, EVH or used Mesa Recto would be all great choices.

[GuitarIv]

I personally would go for a Marshall, used or new. I think the DSL100 is quite affordable new, but the thing with Marshalls is that there is a large market of second-hand models.

I should maybe add that I am an ex-JCM900, Peavey 5150 and now ENGL user. I really miss the Marshall high-gain sound!

Good suggestion, I recently got a used JCM 2000 DSL 100, it's my first Marshall and the thing really rocks! Very versatile, can go from almost Fenderish cleans over AC/DC crunch to Guns n Roses Hard Rock sounds into metal territory. It won't do the uber high gain modern stuff you would expect from a Mesa or a Peavey but with a Tubescreamer and some high output pickups it will put you into solid Thrash Metal territory. Plus they go for dirt cheap used. So another option to consider there...

[mantrasky]

Love that Plexi tone :)

[Yellowjacket]

ReVv Generator 7 - 40

[Slartibartfarst42]

I used to own a Blackstar HT-60 and it was easily powerful enough to do a gig, even a reasonably large gig, especially as you'll be micing it to go through the PA if you have any sense. I assume the Blackstar you're looking at is a similar construction to the HT series, in which case ignore the gear snobs. It has a valve driven preamp and valve driver power amp - it's a valve amp!Is the effects loop etc. valve powered? No, perhaps not and that does help the sound but the Blackstar is still a very good valve amp. My HT-60 would do Metal all day long, especially with an Overdrive pedal.

I've had a quick go on the Laney but that's all. It was also very good indeed so from your list, I'd be choosing one of these two.

Alternative? Orange TH30 - shed loads of gain and FULLY valve driven. Put some high quality valves in it and you have a fantastic amp that you can pick up for a very good price. It's only 30w but it's the loudest amp I've ever used so even at a gig I'm using an attenuator!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Akwf5sLk-o

[Dave Sloven]

I'm pretty sure the OP went for an EVH 5150 III 50W in the end

[one]

I'm pretty sure the OP went for an EVH 5150 III 50W in the end

Yeah, you're right ;)