Help! - Too many amps out there...Need one for METAL

[jules666]

Hi first post here so hello to you all!
I need some help choosing a new rig.

Currently I am using a Maverick X1 into
ADA-MP1 - ART Multiverb Alpha in the effects loop
Marshall 8008 Poweramp
Currently just a Marshall 2x12 cab (did have 2 of them but one died)

I have had this set up now for around 13 years, I play METAL only thru it and gotta say the sound has always been great. But the rig is on its way out, ADA keeps cutting out and the ART unit has a display that does not stop flashing.

I thought about getting another ADA and effects unit, though I mainly use just the effects units EQ/Low pass filter/reverb only but figured it was time for a new setup.

The ADA without the ART doesn't sound at all METAL, so after browsing round the net and not seeing many replacement ART units like mine, I see there are loads of amps around, so I have no idea what I need.
Music shop in my area doesn't really stock decent amps. So if I can narrow my choice down to a few to look at I can maybe travel somewhere to try one.

My requirements are :

Cost - well would like a Head & Cab (4x12) for no more than £1200
Would consider rack gear though instead of a head.
(that's pretty much my budget as I want to get a new guitar as well soon)

Don't need really any of them 3/4 channel amps as I only use distortion, clean channel would be nice though but its sound is not as important.

Effects loop would be handy as well.

Was hoping for around 100w at least on output.
Sounds I am interested range from late 90's thrash/death to modern swedish death metal.
Anyone suggest a few set ups?..if a shop selling a particular model  does interest free credit could possibly stretch a little further ;)
 :twisted:

Cheers :)

[noodleplugerine]

Modern Swedish Death Metal pretty much spells In Flames to me, Bjorn uses  JCM900s and both him and Jesper use 5150s last time I checked.

A 5150 (6505 as they're known now) will give you the balls to the wall distortion, but the cleans cr@p. You should still have enough in your budget for a 4x12 with some ease.

Other things to look at - Framus Cobra/Dragon (Killswitch Engage) Engl Powerballs (pure awesome), perhaps a Mesa Single Rec (Not as good as the other amps named). Possibly something from VHT if you can stretch to it...

On the talk of rack amps - Look no further than ENGL, they make some of the best preamps and poweramps you can get tbh.

[Roobubba]

I second the 5150 (now the 6505) or 5150-II (now the 6505+) motion.

I have a 5150-II (now the 6505+) and it is simply brilliant :)

I especially recommend it with a 4 x 12 loaded with 2 x G12K-100 and 2 x EVM12-L black label speakers. All told that might come to a touch more than 1200 new, but you should be able to find something second hand like I did which will come to about 1200 all told.

Good luck in your search!

Roo

[FiXXXeR]

cant go wrong with the peavey 5150 or now as its called the 6505

if you really fell like pushing the budget (alot :P ) The Bognor Ubershall is the way forward for all metal heads.

Rob

[Stevepage]

I'd say look into ENGL stuff. Specificly the Savage, Fireball or may be the Screamer.

[Vision pedalboards]

ENGL Fireball and cab. . . has to be with the ENGL cab though!

[jules666]

ENGL Fireball and cab. . . has to be with the ENGL cab though!

Thats a 60w isn't?...don't think that would be loud enough to get over my drummer. :)

[Woogie]

ENGL Fireball and cab. . . has to be with the ENGL cab though!

Thats a 60w isn't?...don't think that would be loud enough to get over my drummer. :)

60w of valve is excrutiatingly loud!!

50w and 100w aren't that different volume wise, 100w just has more headroom and they usually have more bass. 50w have less headroom and usually sound squishy (good for leads). But there is only a small difference in volume I believe.

[AdamB]

I have a 5150-II (now the 6505+) and it is simply brilliant :)

Ditto!

Infact, i'm selling it in the next month or so for £600 with a full new set of valves (pre and power amp, and the ones in it don't need replacing yet, only about 4 months use)

Reason for selling, getting an Eganter mod 50

Let me know if you're interested mate, i can give you pics and all

[noodleplugerine]

Your 8008 is solidstate if I remember right... Which means you'll be totally unprepared for how $%&#ing loud valve amps are. Trust me. 60 watts is more than enough.

[maverickf1jockey]

ENGL or Laney would be good bets.

Nice guitars them X-1s.

Is it pre-Wilkinson?

I have a one-of-two prototype F/SF model and I don't see any incentive to get anything else (asides a copy by Feline or WezV maybe for downtuning or a seven string version). Got Warpigs in it and it sounds incredible.

[gorath23]

Either a 5150 or an Engl, maybe a Fireball, better a Powerball if you are in a band situation as the FB is quite scooped. Saying that if you pair it with a 4x12 that has Celestion V30's then I wouldn't worry too much. I'd probably run an EQ with the Fireball If I were to play live.

[jules666]

ENGL or Laney would be good bets.

Nice guitars them X-1s.

Is it pre-Wilkinson?

I have a one-of-two prototype F/SF model and I don't see any incentive to get anything else (asides a copy by Feline or WezV maybe for downtuning or a seven string version). Got Warpigs in it and it sounds incredible.

Its a very early model - number 155 off the production line so assuming pre.

Been a good guitar, some tuning instability when I first got it, but a move to GHS boomers on the string front sorted it out, plus moving from C to D tuning helped loads ;)

My only gripe is it damn heavy! :)

[jules666]

what's people thoughts on a randall V2 ??
Have a shop 30 minutes away has these so may give one a try., but would always be good to hear peoples thoughts.

[maverickf1jockey]

ENGL or Laney would be good bets.

Nice guitars them X-1s.

Is it pre-Wilkinson?

I have a one-of-two prototype F/SF model and I don't see any incentive to get anything else (asides a copy by Feline or WezV maybe for downtuning or a seven string version). Got Warpigs in it and it sounds incredible.

Its a very early model - number 155 off the production line so assuming pre.

Been a good guitar, some tuning instability when I first got it, but a move to GHS boomers on the string front sorted it out, plus moving from C to D tuning helped loads ;)

My only gripe is it damn heavy! :)

Nice one. How've you got it strung at? I use D'Addario .11s in standard.